It's strange that the Triangle has become such a hot region for craft beer sales, and yet has been home to only three brewing businesses recently -- and none in thirsty Durham. Now that's changed. Since Independence Day, Durhamites have been able to declare beer self-sufficiency.

After three years of preparation, Triangle Brewing Co. opened in downtown Durham. The new enterprise, launched by two high school buddies from Connecticut, aims to add style diversity to the range of locally brewed beer choices.

Andy Miller came to this area for school and stayed to work in restaurant operations and management. After sizing up the potential market for good beer here, his friend Rick Tufts was persuaded go pro with his homebrewing hobby. Tufts juggled his job with UNC Hospitals to fit in an apprenticeship with Flying Fish Brewing Co. in New Jersey.

The pair were working on a business plan when an industry professional challenged them to find something to differentiate themselves from every other brewery trying to make it in North Carolina. Miller and Tufts decided their choice of beer styles would set them apart.

Where most breweries launch with a flagship beer that sails close to the mainstream, Triangle Brewing boldly selected a Belgian golden ale as its introductory brew, and its only style to date. The style -- most closely associated with the Belgian gem Duvel -- is pale gold, fairly light-bodied, and deceptively drinkable for its alcoholic content, which hovers around a hefty 8 percent.

Triangle's rendition of a golden ale has light notes of clove and tropical fruits, though it isn't as spicy in character as the Belgian original. With its sweet, malty character, it wears its strength gracefully. The golden is available on draft at 20 or more local venues, from multi-tap beer bars to high-end restaurants -- an appropriate choice for a beer this food-friendly.

The company plans to release a second style, a Belgian abbey dubbel, later this fall, and add one or two more year-round beers later. The question is whether to stay with challenging styles -- in which case beer No. 3 could be a unique Imperial Amber -- or make a slightly more inclusive choice with a pale ale.

Beer drinkers heading to the sold-out World Beer Festival on Oct. 6 in Durham will have the chance to sample the golden and have a preview taste of some potential new beers. And beer fans interested in visiting the brewery should check the Web site, www.trianglebrewery.com. Miller and Tufts offer tours on some (but not all) Saturday afternoons. Over-21s only can look over the nine-barrel system, taste the beer, and buy growlers to take away.

A brewery in Durham: It's about time.

A toast to Jackson

Beer lovers are still mourning the death last month of English writer Michael Jackson, the man who gave us a vocabulary for beer, and who both fueled and championed the modern revolution in quality beer.

At 9 p.m. Sunday,his fans will join in a simultaneous, international toast to his memory. Brewpubs, breweries and fine beer bars are hosting events to pay tribute to Michael and raise money for the National Parkinson Foundation to help people who live with Parkinson's disease, as Jackson did.

Go to www.realbeer.com to check the growing list of participating establishments (70 at last count), which includes both the Durham and Carrboro sites of Tyler's Taproom. Urge your favorite bar to join, or raise a glass (and a donation) on your own. Be sure you select your favorite beer for the occasion, in honor of the man who helped put it in your hand.

Reach Julie Bradford, the editor of All About Beer Magazine, at editor@allaboutbeer.com.