Susquehanna Valley Wine & Brew Guide 2020

Wine AND Brew • • Inside Pennsylvania

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Inside Pennsylvania | June 2020

Guide

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Photo: Jeffrey Solomon

Wine AND Brew Guide The Ann Kerstetter Trio rocks at the Rusty Rail with Bryan Noaker and Bill Stetz.

Breweries, bands form mutually beneficial bond

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By: Cindy O. Herman

ot summer nights, cold beer, live music and friends seem to go together like campfires and s’mores. Local breweries embrace that idea by hosting bands and soloists and/or attending summer fairs and festivals.

“We offer live music every Saturday evening,” said Jace Rovenolt, general manager of Old Forge Brewing Company, in Danville. “The bands we book range from one-man acoustical acts to fouror five-piece full bands.

The genres are all over the place, from country to reggae.

We do participate in local street fairs and attend a wide variety of beer festivals, many that do offer live music.”

In downtown Selinsgrove, the Isle of Que Brewing Company hosts a number of musical events, including a “mash up” on the second Thursday of the month, said Michael Salter, one of four partners along with Jeremy Boyer, Jason Kinney and Sean Walburn.

“It’s kind of like an open mic but also a live band, usually hosted by Becky Blue,” Salter said.

The rock and blues Becky Blue Band typically performs as the house band, available to play backup for the singers unless they want to “fly solo.”

Other regular events include a local music collective for a bluegrass jam and a Songwriter Showcase. Giving local singers an open mic for their original material, it

is typically hosted by Selinsgrove blues/folk/rock singer Jason Yoder.

“I think it’s been very, very good,” Salter said of having music in the Que Brew. “This area digs live music. It’s very supportive of the local music scene.”

Music has filtered through the spacious rooms of the Rusty Rail Brewing Company, in Mifflinburg, for numerous evenings and events over the years. continued on page 31

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Wine AND Brew Guide Woody Wolfe, center, performs at Old Forge Brewing Company, in Danville, with friends KJ Reimensnyder-Wagner, left, and Tim Latshaw, right.

Chris Trasatti plays harmonica, and the drummer is Sean Madden.

“We host both local and seasoned entertainers that cover a large variety of music,” said Roxanne Kopelcheck, event director. “The Rusty Rail also hosts craft fairs, can releases and an annual Wedding Expo. We will be hosting a food truck expo that will showcase local food truckies.”

The Rail also hosts beer and wine food pairing dinners

“Being in front of a large audience at the public events gets our name out to people who may not have known about us prior,” Rovenolt said.

Similarly, hosting music in breweries becomes a two-way street, business-wise.

“The variety of music talent that passes through our doors both local and afar attracts all ages,” Kopelcheck said.

“The craft fair is on its third year with over 40 vendors and 1,500 attendees. The Rusty Rail Craft Fair in 2021 will be a twoday event. The Wedding Expo showcases local vendors and draws over 250 every year. Our can releases are a great way for craft beer enthusiast to get the latest Roxanne Kopelcheck, Rusty Rail Brewing Co. and greatest Rusty Rail beer.”

With quarantine cancellations this year, Spyglass Ridge Winery’s that include a tour of the brewery, fundraising galas Backyard Concert Series went from nine shows to five or and murder mystery dinners — “Always a killer show,” six. If things go as planned, the first will start at the end Kopelcheck said. of July.

Though brand new, Three Beards Brewing can’t help “So the greatest benefit to that for the Three Beards but incorporate music into its business. The brewery Brewing is that, even if we’re having five or six shows, overlooks Spyglass Ridge Winery/Vineyard and its you’re looking at the possibility of 30,000 people visiting Backyard Concert Series, which have become famous for Three Beards Brewing this year,” Webb said. “It would the top names it draws. Bret Michaels, Huey Lewis and have been more if we didn’t have COVID-19.” the News, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp, Pat Benatar, The three beards in the brewery are longtime friends Rick Springfield and more have performed on the outdoor Nate Badman, Matt Reinard and Levi Strouse. Three stage just east of Sunbury.

Beards Brewing will also host local musicians on Three Beards would have celebrated its grand opening weekends, Webb said. Among the possibilities are Nate March 1, but between family health issues and the Myers and the Aces, Runaway Stroller, Jason Carst, Frank statewide quarantine restrictions, the opening was put on Wicher and Scott Pemberton. hold.

Appreciating the benefits of sharing space with artists “The one advantage we have here at Three Beards is and entertainers, the Que Brew has seen their events grow our concerts,” said Tom Webb, owner of both venues. “At to appeal to wider audiences. just five concerts last year we sold more beer than a lot “Musicians love playing in our spot because most of the of breweries would sell in a year. That’s the benefit of the musicians grew up playing in the area,” Salter said, adding entertainment side.” that he was once in a band called Lunacy. “We built the Though it takes effort and scheduling to attend summer Que Brew with musicians in mind. A lot of us grew up as fairs and festivals, Old Forge Brewing Company finds it musicians ourselves.” worthwhile.

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The variety of music talent that passes through our doors both local and afar attracts all ages.”

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RUSTY RAIL BREWING - MIFFLINBURG PA, 570-966-7878

Wine AND Brew Guide

Locally, Salter has seen live entertainment opportunities grow in the last two years, and the Que Brew has been happy to be a part of that. With its own house P.A. system and equipment on hand, musicians can basically “show up and plug in and play.”

“It helps us because these musicians have their own following that they introduce to us,” Salter said. “And we have our own following, so we introduce them to the musicians. It’s a fair deal all the way around. We love it.”

“It helps us because these musicians have their own following that they introduce to us.”

Michael salter, isle of que brewing CO.

Partnership offers many memories

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ometimes, it’s about more than the money when musicians pour their emotion into a gig at a brewpub. Sometimes special moments linger in memory long after the last note fades.

Roxanne Kopelcheck, event director at the Rusty Rail Brewing Company, in Mifflinburg, has seen dozens of performers at their venue, but one stood out as a real crowd pleaser.

“Crystal Bowersox was a sell out and is a favorite with the audience,” Kopelcheck said.

Old Forge Brewing Company, in Danville, hosts a Going Gold promotion each year to raise awareness for childhood cancer. It’s the perfect opportunity for a man like Woody Wolfe, of Heart to Hand Ministries Inc., in Danville, whose mission is to sing to children in local hospitals.

“Woody Wolfe sets up a tent alongside our building during the Fall Arts and Crafts Festival

in September,” said Jace Rovenolt, general manager. “He invites many different artists to come and play a couple of songs to entertain and promote the cause. It’s always touching to hear his stories and to see his effort in making a difference.”

Michael Salter, one of four partners of the Isle of Que Brewing Company, in Selinsgrove, recalled a snowy night last January, when the brewery celebrated its first anniversary.

Pennsylvania native Chris LaRose had recently won the Billtown Blues Challenge in Williamsport, granting him a spot at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where he was headed after a scheduled performance at the Que Brew.

“It had snowed 11 inches that night,” Salter said. “I called and told him he didn’t have to come in the snow, but he went from Reading to our place then to Memphis. And he absolutely killed it. (The Que Brew patrons) just loved him. Some people just like to play.”

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photo: provided

Patrons at the Isle of Que Brewing Company, in Selinsgrove, enjoy musical performances on numerous nights each month.

Wine AND Brew Guide

Must-try wine pairings Pairing wine with food is an art form and choosing the right combination will enliven the inherent flavors of both the meal and the wine. Here are a few suggested pairings.

Italian cuisine A dry Chianti is the perfect accompaniment for Italian dishes with tomato sauce like traditional pizzas and pasta bolognese.

If you’re enjoying a dish with pesto or seafood, choose a lightor mediumbodied white like a Soave or pinot grigio.

For something with cream sauce or a lot of cheese, try an oaked chardonnay.

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Mexican cuisine The bright, spicy notes of Mexican food are well suited to fresh and crisp wines with lots of acidity. Sauvignon blanc goes nicely with tortilla and salsa-based dishes.

Pair the smoky, rich flavors of Mexican barbacoa (meat slow-cooked over an open fire) and chipotle with a light and acidic red wine like a pinot noir or a gamay.

Szechuan cuisine Bolder and spicier than other types of Chinese cuisine, Szechuan food goes well with off-dry white wines like rieslings and gewürztraminers.

Generally, spicy foods pair best with chilled white wines, so save your red for another meal.

When it comes to pairing wine with food, it’s hard to generalize. Fortunately, many restaurants employ a sommelier to help you choose your wine. If you’re dining at home, enlist the help of a specialist from a liquor or wine store to help you find a good pairing.

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Wine AND Brew Guide A guide to visiting microbreweries

If you’re a fan of craft beer, chances are you’d have a great time visiting a microbrewery. Most offer tours that give you the opportunity to see first-hand how they make their beer and to sample their offerings straight from the source.

Planning your visit Many microbreweries have designated visiting hours and offer tours at specific times. Generally, you can find this information on their websites and book your visit by phone or email.

Some smaller microbreweries don’t have formal visiting hours, but often you can set up a tour by getting in touch with them.

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What to expect During the tour, you’ll learn about the brewery’s history and its particular brewing methods. Typically, the tour ends in the tasting room, where you get to sample the brewery’s beers right out of the fermentation tanks.

Want to take some of that freshly brewed beer home? Many microbreweries are happy to sell you beer by the growler (a big transportable jug that holds four pints).

Usually, the microbrewery will sell growlers on site, but you can also bring your own.

Growler beers should be opened within a week, then consumed within a day or two.

After the tour A number of microbreweries have their own brewpub on site.

You’ll be able to grab a bite and enjoy a freshly brewed pint or two. Bottoms up!

The ABCs of IPAs

Of the myriad varieties of craft beer, none are more popular than IPAs. Here’s what’s so special about this trendy brew.

What is an IPA? To put it simply, an India pale ale is a beer made with a ton of hops. The abundance of this flavoring agent provides a distinct bitterness, which is usually complemented by citrusy, fruity, floral, earthy or piney notes — or some combination of these flavors.

There are a number of IPA types, but the two most popular in North America are East Coast IPAs and West Coast IPAs. West Coast IPAs These beers are known for being intensely, unapologetically bitter. Washington is hops central, and West Coast brewers love to load up their brews with this state’s diverse and flavorful hop varieties.

In the Northwest, the beers have earthy and piney notes.

But as you move further south, fruity, citrusy flavorings rule the day.

East Coast IPAs These brews are more well-rounded than their West Coast cousins. They have a stronger malt component, which balances out the hops, and the bitter notes aren’t as dominant.

The quintessential East Coast IPA is the New England style IPA, which is cloudy and has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Typically, this beer’s flavor profile is enhanced with citrusy notes.

If you’re a newcomer to IPAs, it’s best to order an East Coast IPA for your first pint. This way you won’t be too overwhelmed by the hops. Cheers!