There’s one wild grown, juicy, spiced plum-flavored grape hardy enough to thrive in the South Carolina heat: Muscadine. And the GABF Sour Fruit Beer Gold medalists at Carolina Bauernhaus capture the regional sweet-tart experience of tasting them ripe off the vine in their Muriel Wild Ale.

It’s made with 100% Carolina-grown ingredients. The base is brewed with local, heirloom Rye Malts that add subtle notes of herbs and spice. Carolina Bauernhaus blends over 250 lbs of muscadine grapes with the brewery’s house native yeast for nuances of funky watermelon. Then 9 months of aging in regional Chardonnay barrels gives Muriel soft, delicate wine-like character.  

Breathe in plummy grape musk aromas off the glass -- is this what South Carolina air smells like? If so, I’m moving there ASAP. More grapes, dark stone fruit, melon, and doughiness spread across the palate like jelly over a French roll. And Muriel finishes dry with earthy-rye complexity.

South Carolina has just made its way onto many beercation bucket lists thanks to Muriel. After tasting it, Untappd’s @offthetriboro writes “Gosh, Carolina Bauernhaus is the most underrated brewery in the South. Everything is magnificent.”