Hickory – Olde Hickory Brewery has created a special beer to honor a friend, and colleague of over ten years, Alan ‘Melton’ Wilson. Alan died
earlier this year from cancer.
Melton Ale, a very special cellar beer, is a blend of scotch ale and imperial brown, fermented with mixed cultures, and aged for a long time in Armanyak barrels from France. The beer has notes of cherry, tobacco, leather, and spice.
Alan was known as Trolley Driver on Facebook and enjoyed driving and maintaining the Olde Hickory Brewery trolley. The Melton Ale label was designed to include some of the things he enjoyed most; trains, guzzler racing, and women.
When asked about the inspiration to create this beer to honor Alan, Olde Hickory Brewery co-owner Steven Lyerly said, “Alan was a genuinely nice, decent man, and very good loyal friend. And cancer sucks.” Co-owner Jason Yates said, “Alan had a great positive outlook, always optimistic, and warmly welcomed everyone from all walks of life. He was known and loved by so very many people, we all miss him greatly.”
Chalkboard at Olde Hickory Tap Room, by Jamie Alexander
Everyone at Olde Hickory Brewery enjoyed working with Alan and considered him a true friend. Brewer Sara Todd said, “Alan always brought a smile, and there was never a dull moment. There was something special about seeing him on the square during music nights, and you could always expect him to be up to a little bit of trouble and a whole lot of fun. If you ever needed anything, he would be there. If your keys were stuck in your car, he would be there on the spot to help you out.” And brewer Mason Oliver said, “He was lively individual, just a good dude all the way around. A very gentle soul. Don’t think he would ever hurt anybody or anything, not intentionally. He was just a swell guy.”
The very limited release of Melton Ale will be held on Alan’s birthday, Monday, September 27th. It will only be available by bottle and draft at Olde Hickory Station, Olde Hickory Tap Room, and Amos Howards Restaurant & Brew Pub. Olde Hickory Brewery will be donating $2 from every bottle sale to Hospice of Rockingham County, in appreciation for the excellent care they gave Alan.
