Image by Flickr user D. Majette

The founder of RJ Rockers, Spartanburg's very first brewery, is in town this week to dole out growlers to Charleston's craft-beer-loving masses.

Mark Johnsen, originally a New Jersey homebrewer, founded RJ Rockers in '97 after a brewing crash course in Germany while stationed there with the military.  You've got to love his motto:  Handcrafted.  Every beer.  Every drop.  Every time.

The two co-stars of his visit are, of course, beers.  The first is Rockhopper IPA, a 7.5% ABV West-coast-style IPA.  This one isn't even listed on the usual rating sites, so I'm guessing it's a new one.  In lieu of that, here's the commercial description:

This ninety minute west coast-style IPA has nine hop additions of Warrior and Amarillo and weighs in at a solid 90 IBUs. A smooth, citrusy IPA for the hophead in all of us!

Mark is also bringing Fish Paralyzer, a 7.5% ABV Belgian Pale Ale that was recently in town for Brewvival.  This one gets a B from BeerAdvocate, but doesn't have enough reviews for a score at Ratebeer.

The beers (with Mark in tow) will make their first appearance on 5pm Tuesday for Rare Beer Tuesday at Charleston Beer Exchange.  14 Exchange Street downtown.

Next up is 5pm Wednesday for Growler Hour at Laura Albert's.  This one will also feature RJ Rockers Stout (6% ABV, B+) and Son of a Peach Wheat Ale (5.8% ABV, B+, 65).  891 Island Park Drive on Daniel Island.