Beer • Cider • Spirits
BRCraftBev.com Content Charlottesville Area . . . . . . . . . . 6 Crozet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Nelson County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Waynesboro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Feature Stories by Jennifer Stover Hoppy Hour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sake Boom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Chapel of Apple . . . . . . . . . . . 16
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Colleen
Amenity Legend Serves Food
Family Friendly
Bring Your Own Food
Dog Friendly
Tours
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Outdoor Seating
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Craft Beverages OF THE
BLUE RIDGE
Craft Beverages of the Blue Ridge is a publication of
City Select
1140 E High St, Charlottesville, VA 22902 434-220-0020 • CitySelectUSA.com
May not be reproduced without permission. Copyright © 2018 by City Select • 8/18
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CRAFT BEVERAGES OF THE BLUE RIDGE
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TAYLOR AND MANDI SMACK ENJOYING A BREW. (PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SOUTH STREET BREWERY)
Hoppy Hour One of the cornerstones of Virginia’s craft beer movement sits in a century-old brick-walled warehouse just a couple of blocks from Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall. South Street Brewery is actually the oldest brewery in operation in Charlottesville, and it is celebrating its 21st birthday in 2019 — hopefully, with a few cold ones. South Street co-owner Taylor Smack started brewing beer in Charlottesville in the late 1990s, first as a homebrewer and later as an apprentice at South Street. He and his 4
CRAFT BEVERAGES OF THE BLUE RIDGE wife, Mandi, opened their first venture, Blue Mountain Brewery in nearby Afton, along with partner Matt Nucci. Blue Mountain was the first brewery in Nelson County and a trailblazer in a county now dotted with breweries, cideries and distilleries. In 2014, they returned to their roots to buy South Street from its previous owner and set to work making changes both big and small. “The good thing about buying this brewery is it’s not like we had to make a new identity,” Taylor says of the place that has been popular for years with locals and visitors alike. While the Smacks kept a few of the original South Street beers — notably Satan’s Pony, a malty amber ale — new offerings aim to please the evolving and expanding tastes of craft beer drinkers. In the 21 years since South Street was born, tastes have matured. “We took the opportunity to revitalize and introduce new lines,” Taylor says. Instead of less hoppy drinks, such as amber and blonde ales, these days many beer drinkers gravitate to IPAs and double IPAs, which are driving the growth of the craft renaissance. Barhopper IPA — a hoppy pale brew — is South Street’s most popular drink. This is the golden age of craft beer in Charlottesville, but some people are still coming over to what Taylor jokingly refers to as “the good side.” For them, South Street’s Virginia Lager, smooth and easy drinking, is a great transition beer — not at all bitter and with more flavor and color than a macro-produced beer. A half-million-dollar renovation of the South Street building included a new bar and completely redesigned interior. The old copper bar top was replaced with a sturdier wood version, and the copper was repurposed into six art pieces hanging throughout the building. The charm and history of the 1899 warehouse remain — the brick interior walls, a giant fireplace and big wooden ceiling, plus the 20-year-old brew system. The space is lighter, brighter and more open, and a glassed-in kitchen makes it easy to see the latest creations on the revamped food menu. “It’s not radically different. It feels natural,” Taylor says. In addition to the 12 taps of housemade, award-winning beer and $2 Tuesday happy hours popular with young professionals and grad students, the menu features dishes made with local meats, pastas, breads, tofu and produce. “We took the food up a notch and elevated it,” Taylor says. The location makes it easy for visitors staying near the Downtown Mall to experience Virginia’s craft beers. “It’s a brewery within walking distance of where [you] are staying,” Mandi notes. South Street Brewery, located at 106 South Street W, is open seven days a week. Their $2 Tuesdays feature 12-ounce beers under 8% ABV for $2 from 11am–9pm. South Street offers free valet parking on Friday and Saturday nights. For more information, visit southstreetbrewery.com.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA
Vitae Spirits™ Distillery
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715 Henry Ave Charlottesville, VA 22903 vitaespirits.com 434-270-0317
Wed–Fri 2–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm, Sun noon–6pm
Vitae Spirits is a family owned and run craft distillery in Charlottesville, Virginia that produces small batch spirits with a focus on quality, authenticity, transparency, and hands-on artisanal values. Join us for tasting our spirits and hand crafted cocktails, tours of the production facility, bottle sales, and for your own private events.
Reason Beer
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Seminole Place 1180 Seminole Trail #290 Charlottesville, VA 22901 reasonbeer.com 434-260-0145 Tue–Thu 3–8pm, Fri–Sat 1–8pm, Sun 1–5pm
Reason Beer was named one of “Beer Advocates” best new breweries of 2017! We are a 30 barrel production brewery and tasting room featuring eight rotating taps. Reason Beer was founded by three lifelong friends returning home on a mission to create beers that exemplify balance, creativity and flavor. We strive to make the world’s greatest craft beer, just for you. 7
BRCraftBev.com Ragged Branch Distillery 9
1015 Taylors Gap Rd Charlottesville, VA 22903 RaggedBranch.com 434-244-2600 Spring/Summer Hours: Thu–Fri 2-8pm, Sat noon–8pm, Sun noon–6pm Fall/Winter Hours: Thu–Sun noon–6pm
Ragged Branch Distillery is dedicated to crafting the finest, authentic Virginia Straight Bourbon. This commitment to tradition, patience, excellence and locality is reflected in every bottle of our smooth, full flavored straight bourbon. The Distillery Store is open daily for bottle and Ragged Branch Mash Fed Beef purchases. Available for private events. A
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South Street Brewery
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106 South St W Charlottesville, VA 22902 southstreetbrewery.com 434-293-6550
Sun–Thu 11am–11pm, Fri & Sat 11am–midnight
Charlottesville’s longest-running brewery and pub! We hope you enjoy our expanded beer offerings, including venerated South Street originals that helped shape the Central Virginia beer scene, as well as new beers reflecting the diversity and experimentation that is the heart of American craft brewing. Our food offerings lean heavily toward local artisans — from beef to bread, from tofu to produce and everything in between — reflecting our belief that Charlottesville is the best place on Earth to live, drink and eat! Daily food and drink specials.
VISIT OUR MOBILE SITE. • Info & Hours • GPS Directions
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Bold Rock Cellar at Chiles Peach Orchard Pro Re Nata Farm Brewery 3 Starr Hill Brewery A Albemarle Tourism & Adventure Center 1 2
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Pro Re Nata Farm Brewery
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6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke Crozet, VA 22932 PRNBrewery.com 434-823-4878
Mon 3–10pm (Closed in Winter), Tue Closed, Wed 3–10pm, Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm, Sun 11am–10pm
Pro Re Nata – Latin for “as needed.” Enjoy PRN Farm Brewery’s hand-crafted ales and lagers, one of the world’s oldest elixirs, “as needed.” Set at the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, our brewery, taproom and shipping container bar, The Farmacy, are great for enjoying the spectacular views. Seven flagships and a long line of experimental beers make up our long list of elixirs. There’s a beer for every palette and every season.
Starr Hill Brewery
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5391 Three Notch’d Rd Crozet, VA 22932 StarrHill.com 434-823-5671 Mon Closed, Tue–Fri noon–9pm Sat 11am–9pm, Sun noon–6pm
Born in a Charlottesville music hall in 1999, Starr Hill is the original craft brewery along the Brew Ridge Trail. View their state-of-the-art brewing production facility from inside the unique Tap Room which showcases 24 rotating taps of new and award-winning craft beers, including many rare releases. Visit our website for a schedule of events, live music and food trucks. 10
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PROUDLY SHOWING OFF THE BRAND. (PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NORTH AMERICAN SAKE)
Sake Boom Sake — the unofficial party drink of Japan — has been around for thousands of years, but a pair of Charlottesville brewers are giving a fresh and decidedly American twist to the fermented rice alcohol. Andrew Centofante and Jeremy Goldstein recently opened North American Sake Brewery at the IX Complex just south of the Downtown Mall. It is Virginia’s first — and so far only — sake brewery. The two are hoping to lead a sake movement that follows in the footsteps of central Virginia’s craft beer and cider booms. After Jeremy fell in love with the drink during a visit to a Japanese restaurant in his native California a few years ago, the men decided they would try home brewing. “We’d make a batch and people kept drinking it. Our friends and family encouraged us,” Jeremy says. “Every time we had a tasting, we ran out. There wouldn’t be a single drop in any bottle.” Eager to learn more, they traveled to Japan and also visited a number of craft sake breweries in North America. “We kept at it until we got better and better,” says Andrew. Sake, often called a rice wine, is actually more like beer since it is brewed by fermenting grains. Best served chilled, the drink’s flavors range from light 11
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(PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF NORTH AMERICAN SAKE)
and sweet to a deep, earthy umami. The clean, simple drink is made from only four ingredients: rice, water, yeast and koji— a common Japanese fungus that helps convert the starch in sake’s rice to sugar. (Koji is also used to make soy sauce and miso.) North American Sake serves two flagship drinks: clear sake, similar to that served in Japanese restaurants; and so-called cloudy sake, which is less filtered for a creamier flavor and milky color. Other less traditional offerings include fruit and herb infusions such as pineapple and sage, mixed berry, tart lemon and lime, and mango and jalapeño. “Sake is this beautiful thing that melds so well with all these other flavors. You can keep the sake taste and have hints of fruits that amplify them,” Andrew says. The brewery’s kitchen features a number of rice-based dishes, including sushi and poke bowls. A large patio looks out on to the eclectic IX Art Park, with its larger-than-life sculptures and frequent festivals and events. Inside is a stage for live music and karaoke nights. Both men had good careers before opening the brewery, Jeremy in film and Andrew in brand marketing. There was no reason to change things up. “Except,” Jeremy says, “that sake changed our lives, and now we want to change everyone else’s lives.” North American Sake Brewery, located at 522 2nd Street SE in Charlottesville, is open daily for tastings. For more information, visit pourmeone.com. 12
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Blue Toad Hard 627 Cider - Cidery at High View Farm
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Bold Rock Hard Cider
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6 Devils Backbone Brewing Company
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Devil’s Backbone
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Wood Ridge Farm Brewery
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165 Old Ridge Rd Lovingston, VA 22949 woodridgefarmbreweryva.com 29 434-422-6225 Tue–Fri 3–8pm, Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–8pm
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460 We are a family farm brewery with a “from the dirt to the glass” philosophy. We grow our own grains and hops, operate an on-site malting facility, cultivate strains of wild yeast, and use our spring water for our total farm brewery approach. Even the brewery itself has been built from lumber harvested from the farm. Enjoy our delicious brews and fresh farm-toBedford table menu from the food truck or our wood-fired pizza oven while sitting on the expansive porch or outside tiki bar.
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BRCraftBev.com Wild Wolf Brewing Company
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2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy Nellysford, VA 22958 WildWolfBeer.com 434-361-0088 Mon–Fri 11:30am–Last Call, Sat–Sun 11am–Last Call
Wild Wolf Brewing Company is an award winning brewery and farm to fork restaurant situated on 10 acres, featuring gorgeous mountain views, a Biergarten with waterfalls, a four season pavilion, ponds, a working waterwheel, a hopyard tended by chickens and ducks, cornhole, big screen TVs and live music. With 13 beers on tap and a made from scratch restaurant utilizing MANY local ingredients, including Gluten Free and Vegetarian options, there is something for everyone.
Silverback Distillery
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9374 Rockfish Valley Hwy Afton, VA 22920 sbdistillery.com 540-456-7070 Mon noon–5pm, Tue–Wed Closed, Thu noon–5pm, Fri noon–6pm, Sat noon–7pm, Sun noon–6pm
Silverback Distillery produces ultra premium vodka, gin, rye whiskey and honey rye whiskey. Bourbon and rum are coming this fall. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and bracketed by the Rockfish River; Silverback Distillery produces distinct and flavorful spirits through a perfect mix of Virginia grains, pure water and American craftsmanship.
Blue Mountain Barrel House 1
495 Cooperative Way Arrington, VA 22922 BlueMountainBarrel.com 434-263-4002 Apr–Oct: Sun–Thu noon–8pm, Fri & Sat noon–9pm Food Truck Hours: Fri 5pm–9pm, Sat noon–8pm Nov–Mar: Mon–Sun noon–8pm **No Food Truck**
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Enjoy a tasting flight or grab a pint and relax, take a complimentary tour to learn about our special brewing process, then fill up your growler or purchase our six-packs or cases to-go. Food truck Friday and Saturday April 1st – October 31st.
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Blue Mountain Brewery
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9519 Critzer’s Shop Road Afton, VA 22920 BlueMountainBrewery.com 540-456-8020
Mon–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 11am–9pm
Virginia’s first countryside brewery, hop farm, tasting room and restaurant. Serving ten hand crafted brews on draft every day paired with a local food menu. Buy our beer by the glass or purchase a six-pack or growler to go. Kegs available too.
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FRESH PRESSED CIDER. (PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER)
The Chapel of Apple
Thirty years ago, John Washburn bought a 50-acre farm in Nelson County with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Rockfish River. Little did he know then that one day it would be the site of what USA Today recently said “may be the most scenic place in America to drink cider.” After raising his family in the Charlottesville area, Washburn moved to New Zealand for 10 years, where he lived on a farm overlooking the Pacific Ocean. “I chose New Zealand because of its natural beauty,” he says. It was that love for nature that compelled him to do something more with his Virginia farm. Cider, he decided, was a sort of sweet spot between the state’s popular wine and craft beer industries. It just so happened that one of the world’s foremost cider experts also lived in New Zealand. Brian Shanks came with more than three decades of cider-making experience, including a stint as head of innovation for Bulmers, an iconic British cidery. After many lunches and several trips to Virginia, Shanks agreed to partner with Washburn, and the two created Bold Rock Hard Cider. The men started with scant funds and worked out of a little shed on the farm. With quick growth, plans were soon drawn up for a bigger building that would become the Cider Barn, or what Washburn refers to as the “chapel of apple.” Enter the building and weave your way to the back, where you look out over a 40-foot drop with unspoiled views of thousands of acres of mountains and meadows. Four decks provide ample space to admire the views, and a walkway leads visitors to meadows and a rushing mountain stream. 16
CRAFT BEVERAGES OF THE BLUE RIDGE Bold Rock is now one of the most popular hard ciders in the country — though distributed in only nine states — with hundreds of awards, two more locations in central Virginia and a cidery near Asheville, N.C. All the company’s apples are grown locally, where the soil and slopes of the mountains provide an ideal growing environment. The most popular ciders are the crisp Virginia Apple and a bright, light rosé. Seasonal drinks include the sweet and summery blackberry cider and Orchard Frost, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, for cooler months. A team of cider makers now works under Shanks, experimenting with an array of flavors. The recently opened Barrel Barn, a revamp of the company’s original barn, is a great place to watch innovative batches being made and sample the results. The beauty and the bounty of the Blue Ridge — where cider has been made since the days of Thomas Jefferson — make Bold Rock the ideal location for tasting and relaxing. “I want people to have a good time in a rural setting. That’s my mission in my life,” Washburn says. “I think we have a genuine, welcoming family-like atmosphere. People hang out. They’ll never get a [parking] ticket here.” Bold Rock is located at 1020 Rockfish Valley Highway (Route 151) in Nellysford. The cidery is open seven days a week; the Barrel Barn is open Friday–Sunday. Eight to 10 ciders are always available on tap. Menu options include sandwiches, salads and kids items. The cidery also hosts trivia and game nights as well as regular live music and many other events. Bold Rock also has tasting rooms at Carter Mountain Orchard just outside of Charlottesville and Chiles Peach Orchard near Crozet. Both locations are open seasonally. BRIAN SHANKS, HENRY CHILES, THE PATRIARCH OF THE FAMILY THAT OPERATES CROWN ORCHARD, AND JOHN WASHBURN IN THE ORCHARD. (PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF BOLD ROCK HARD CIDER)
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Seven Arrows Brewing Company
Basic City Beer Co.
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Stable Craft Brewing
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2508 Jefferson Hwy #1 Waynesboro, VA 22980 SevenArrowsBrewing.com 540-221-6968 Sun–Mon 11am–9pm, Tue Closed, Wed–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–11pm
Our brewery creates a relaxed, social, and enjoyable environment. We serve up to 12 different, high quality craft beers in our laid back taproom. Enjoy a pint and relax with food from our kitchen, play indoor cornhole, or sit out on our deck and enjoy the sun. Whether its music you seek, board games to play, or even an event hall to have a party in — Follow your compass to Seven Arrows Brewery.
Out for a healthier craft beverage? Kombucha is a style of fermented black or green tea jam packed with active enzymes, vitamins and amino acids. Long popular with the homebrewing crowd, kombucha uses a mother culture of probiotics and yeast to ferment tea and sugar. It carries only trace amounts of alcohol – typically less than 0.5% - and is perfectly safe for the under-21 crowd to drink. Once the base ‘bucha is ready, the possible flavor additions are endless from ginger and berries to citrus and hibiscus, all creating sweet, lightly fizzy treats loaded with antioxidants. 18
Waynesboro Basic City Beer Co.
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1010 East Main St Waynesboro, VA 22980 BasicCityBeer.com 540-943-1010 Mon Closed, Tue–Fri 3–10pm, Sat noon–10pm, Sun noon–8pm
Basic City Beer Co., in the reclaimed Metalcrafters building, provides a contemporary, industrial but polished context for guests to sample our craft beer while viewing the brew process through glass windows. A natural spring pumps artesian water used in our brewing process. Savor a pint in our tap room or outside in our “industrial defunct” beer garden patio, hammocks and picnic tables. Enjoy beer infused cuisine from Hops Kitchen Tuesday — Sunday. Live music “concert hall” Saturday evenings.
Hops Kitchen
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1010 East Main St Waynesboro, VA 22980 hops-kitchen.com 440-487-9037 Indoor Kitchen: Mon Closed, Tue–Thu 3–9pm, Fri 3–10pm, Sat noon–10pm, Sun noon–8pm Outdoor Kitchen (Mar – Oct): Fri 5–9pm Backyard BBQ, Sat 1–10pm Mojo Whole Hog Roast, Sun 1-8pm Seafood Mania (Weather permitting!)
Hops Kitchen is located at Basic City Brewery. We specialize in beer infused cuisine featuring Basic City’s finest. Beer and food always go well together. Cheers!
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