Image by Flickr user Bernt Rostad

The Charleston Beer Exchange will brighten two more of your 5 p.m.'s this week, with Rare Beer Tuesday bringing a new brewery to the Lowcountry and Rare Bomber Thursday bringing a rare version of a well-known brew.

Stillwater Artisanal Ales has recently gotten distribution into South Carolina, and they are officially in our market as of Tuesday at CBX.  The boys describe the unique operation well in their blog:

This week, we take special delight in bringing you the area debut of Stillwater Artisanal Ales based out of Baltimore, Maryland.  But take the term "based" loosely as Brian Strumke, owner/brewer of Stillwater, is what some call a "Gypsy Brewer".  Much like another CBX favorite, Mikkeller, Brian travels the world expertly brewing unique, very small batch beers at the facilities of other breweries where he has established relationships.

Cellar Door, the young brewery's flagship American Saison, will be the first beer in town from Stillwater.  While the style is undeniably Belgian, the inclusion of Citra & Sterling hops should make for an interesting twist.  6.6% ABV, A-, 92.

The base beer for Rare Bomber Thursday, unlike Cellar Door, needs no introduction.  If you haven't encountered or imbibed Dale's Pale Ale, the hoppy canned standard from Oskar Blues in Lyons, CO, you haven't been paying attention.

However, unless you were at (and remember) Brewvival, it's likely you haven't had (or don't remember having) barrel-aged Dale's Pale Ale.  More specifically, Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey barrel-aged Dale's Pale Ale.  I was at, and remember, Brewvival, but I still admittedly missed this one.  Second chances are hard to come by.  6.5% ABV, B, 91.

Charleston Beer Exchange takes 'er easy at 14 Exchange Street downtown.