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Putting the beer in Virginia
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VaBrewHub.com
Issue 1.04 Oct / Nov 2017 FREE
Chaos Mountain Brewing Events on The Mountain! Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 27 Oct 28
Groova Scape Beccan Call Mad Iguanas Buc N Griz Medicinal Americana Mason Creek My Rag Top L’il Sumn Sumn
Nov 3 Virginia Hollow Nov 4 Joey Robinson Band Nov 10 Seph Custer & The Papa Tom Band Nov 11 Virginia Blue Nov 17 Crockett & Stone Nov 18 Redleg Husky Nov 24 Crawford & Power Nov 25 Downtown Diversion
an! Limited Release: The Legless Horsem Our Fall Seasonal Pumpkin AlE! Taproom Hours
Wednesdays: 4 - 9 PM • Thursdays: 4 - 9 PM • Fridays: 4 - 9 PM Saturdays: 1 - 9 PM • Sundays: 1 - 7 PM
chaosmountainbrewing.com 3135 Dillons Mill Rd, Callaway, VA 540-334-1600
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01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
We are releasing our Halloween Seasonal beer;
La Calabaza de Fuego (The Fire Pumpkin)
on October 27th for our Halloween Party!
Thursday: 5pm-10pm Friday: 4pm-10pm Saturday : 1pm-10pm Sunday: 1-9 pm Monday - Wednesday : Closed
540-909-3200
www.hammerandforgebrewing.com 70 Main Street • Boones Mill, VA
SA. 9/23 7-10pm FR. 9/29 7-10pm FR. 10/6 7-10pm FR. 10/13 7-10pm FR. 10/20 7-10pm FR. 10/27 7-10pm FR. 11/3 7-10pm FR. 11/10 7-10pm FR. 11/17 7-10pm FR. 11/24 7-10pm
Mason Creek Hoppie Vaughn & the Ministers of Soul Tim Martin The Willies Mad Iguanas Seph Custer Black Mountain Revival Crawford & Power Bell Hornets Half Moon
Check our Facebook page for more upcoming Events!
1st Anniversary Party! Saturday, October 21st • 12pm - 8pm Live Music by Red Hill Band (2pm) and The Ruckus (5pm) • Food by Lex Mex Tacos
Natural Bridge, VA Wed-Thurs 12-7pm, Fri-Sat 12-8pm & Sun 12-6pm Born out of a passion for quality beer. We focus on producing classic Belgian-style ales using select ingredients grown on our 27 acre farm. Our goal is to produce world class beers and provide a relaxed, family friendly environment to enjoy our products.
540-521-6163 Just a few minutes off I-81 exit 180 60 Great Valley Ln • Natural Bridge, Va
2017 Gold & Bronze Winner at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup!
www.GreatValleyFarmBrewery.com 01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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Chaz Blevins
From the tap
Adam Lyon
Guest Appearance Caleb Williams
Lori Steele
Ronny Steele
John Brill
Brew Hub Team In April of 2017, Ronny and Lori Steele embarked upon a journey with a mission. They were eager to promote area breweries, as well as the food trucks and musicians that add to the culture that craft brewery enthusiasts have come to love! Both Ronny and Lori love taking advantage of the fun and good times that Southwest Virginia has to offer. They love the great outdoors, sport, and adventure. But their love of beer, food, and local music led them to publish the first edition of Virginia Brew Hub Magazine! It would be the first of many editions to come that not only spotlights the area’s fine craft breweries and covers local brewery news, but that also promotes the local musicians and food vendors often found contributing to one of the best evenings out that Ronny and Lori can imagine. With Virginia Brew Hub as your guide, join them in discovering the lively and delicious world of the craft brewery scene right here in our own back yard! By Vickie Holt
Ronny Steele Lori Steele John Brill Michael Galliher Adam Lyon Chaz Blevins
- Publisher - Publisher - Designer - Social Media Manager - Photographer - Content Creator, Sensory Analyst
Contributing writers Chaz Blevins
Content Creator, Sensory Analyst
Vickie Holt
www.VBBontheweb.com
Michael Galliher michael@vabrewhub.com
Kim Johnson
www.TwistedVeggies.com kim@twistedveggies.com
Cover photo by Adam Lyon Island Attitude Photography islandattitude.org
Follow us on
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01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
Virginia
Brew
Hub
Putting the beer in Virginia
Chaos Mountain Brewing..............................................................2 Hammer & Forge Brewing.............................................................3 Great Valley Forge..........................................................................3 From the tap...................................................................................4 Local Breweries Continue the Age-Old Tradition of Taking Care of Travelers, as well as Local Folks in Franklin County................................. 6-7 Brauburgers....................................................................................8 Apocalypse Ale Works....................................................................9 Great Valley/Twin Creeks Anniversary.......................................10 Bright Leaf Brew Fest...................................................................10 Ballad Brewing.............................................................................11 Home Brewing Supplies...............................................................12 Learn to Homebrew Day 2017 ....................................................12 Breweries map........................................................................ 14-15 Spotlight on Musicans & Food Trucks 16-17 Star City Growlers........................................................................18 Shenandoah Valley Brewing Co..................................................19 Breweries, Witches & Churches, Oh My! My Hopservation.......20 Sunken City Brewing Company...................................................21 Parkway Brewing Co....................................................................21 The Sour Beers of Germany are for Lovers..................................22 Beer Tasting Guide ......................................................................23 Deschutes Finds a Home in Roanoke!.........................................24 Twin Creeks Brewing Co..............................................................25 Starr Hill: Pilot Brewery & Side Stage.........................................25 Soaring Ridge................................................................................26 Big Lick Brewing Company..........................................................27 Jack Mason’s Tavern.....................................................................28
For publication information, email info@vabrewhub.com 01.04 • Oct/Nov 20172017 • VaBrewHub.com 01.04 • Oct/Nov • VaBrewHub.com
Issue 1.04 Oct/Nov 2017
On the cover: Mike Fox, assistant brewer at Hammer and Forge; Caleb Williams, owner of Hammer and Forge; and Wendy Hallock & Joe Hallock, owners of Chaos Mountain
Pages 6 & 7
Page 15
Page 22 © 2017 VIRGINIA BREW HUB. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part, without written permission from VIRGINIA BREW HUB is prohibited. Every attempt has been made to verify the information contained in this publication. We assume no responsibility for incorrect, omitted or outdated information contained herein. We publish ads and stories without any implied endorsement of organizations, the views they express or the products/services they offer.
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Local Breweries Continue the Age-Old Tradition of Taking Care of Travelers, as well as Local Folks in Franklin County By Vickie Holt In colonial days, many southbound travelers would pass through Boones Mill on their way to North Carolina. It was a key rest spot; offering food, drink, sleep, and travel services to the road weary. In addition to providing for the needs of its local residents, this small community was also like any of the major highway exits that can be found across the United States, today. Where our exits have service stations, convenience stores, restaurants, motels, and pharmacies, Boones Mill had its blacksmith, its general store, and its taverns. Even today, visitors to Boones Mill’s historic district can see the 18th century tavern buildings that were run by the Boons and the Abshires. Not only could folks find drink and a good meal, the taverns also offered rooms for resting and sleep before once again moving onward. If the walls of those old buildings could talk, they might tell stories about how travelers and locals alike would mingle and exchange the news of the day. They’d laugh about strangers making the best of having to share beds. They’d whisper of revolution and Civil War. They’d also mention, with a hush and a sideways glance, the colorful history of the area’s moonshiners. Historically, “spirits” were commonly present at public events and official occasions. Alcohol was such an intrinsic part of official activity that even when Franklin County’s government was seated 150 years later, the Gentlemen Justices were reputed to drink generously. An amusing local gentleman of the time is recorded to have said that, “running the county was thirsty work.” One of the earliest official acts of the Franklin County government, as recorded in court records dated March 6, 1786, involved the regulation of pricing for the county’s ardent spirits. Though we cannot be certain about ardent spirits, today’s visitors to Boones Mill may notice the tradition of locally made drink is alive and well. Within walking distance of those old tavern buildings, Hammer & Forge Brewing Company still serves locals and travelers alike. 6
At number 70, Main Street, brewer Caleb Williams has created the area’s newest craft brewery. Named after the tools of the town’s traditional blacksmith trade, Hammer & Forge celebrated its grand opening on March 4th of this year. It was an event, however, that was many years in the making. Early on, Caleb was exposed to home brewing with friends. Having moved to Roanoke four years ago, however, he decided to get into home brewing as a hobby. His interest grew, and he soon found himself volunteering at Roanoke area breweries to learn more. When he was ready to think about starting a business, Caleb first considered Roanoke. However, with Roanoke’s already-growing number of craft breweries, as well as the economics of business ownership in the area, he started looking elsewhere. Like the colonial travelers of centuries before, Caleb and his wife often drove through Boones Mill on their way to her family’s home in Greensboro. He knew the area well. He also knew that many were already choosing Boones Mill as a destination for Chaos mountain -the only other brewery in town. In June of 2016, Caleb took the plunge and began converting an empty building that had been a soda shop and pharmacy of one name or another for over forty years. One might say that the building still provides medicines and relief, but the kind that comes from laughter, good company, good music, and delicious food and drink. Together with assistant brewer, Mike Fox, Caleb began brewing in January. He’s very happy with his decision to open in Boones Mill. He says rather than settling in Roanoke – a city that already has lots of breweries – it’s been more rewarding to open in an area where he feels needed. He’s received a lot of warmth not only from the town and its citizens, but also from Chaos Mountain, with whom he collaborates, regularly. Visitors to the brewery will find themselves in an atmosphere that is clean and casual, with a modern, industrial flavor. Though as many as a dozen different beers could be available on any given day, Caleb says their most popular
is the Lawless Kolsch. It’s a German-style ale; easy drinking, light body, with subtle hops, and a bright, straw-yellow appearance. You’ll think you’re in Cologne Germany when drinking this beer. Boones Mill Town Manager, Matt Lawless, was reportedly very flattered to learn he was the inspiration for the name of this brew. However, Caleb goes on to say that the name Lawless could have a double-meaning; also referencing the 2012 film, “Lawless”, which was about bootlegging in Depression-era Franklin County. Like a mirror through time, Caleb says one of the things he likes best about an evening at the brewery is how friendly the atmosphere can be, with lots of different conversations ranging from sports, to politics, to farming, to any number of other hot topics of the day. Just as with the taverns of old, locals and travelers mingle in harmony within the walls of Hammer & Forge. It’s a unique place where people come together. A fifty-year old local farmer who has been in the area his entire life will find himself sitting at the bar along-side a twenty-five-year old professional who is just passing through. In business, social circles, or even on social media, these two may never have crossed paths in a lifetime. However, they find common ground at Hammer & Forge, sharing great conversation, and great craft beer. For more information about Hammer & Forge Brewing Company, as well as their products, you can call 540-909-3200. You can also visit their website at www.hammerandforgebrewing.com. They even have a Facebook page - Hammer & Forge Brewing Company – on which followers can get the latest updates about events, entertainment, and the newest brews! Just eight miles southwest of Hammer & Forge, down Bethlehem Road in Calloway, travelers, locals, and craft beer enthusiasts alike will find the area’s first craft brewery: Chaos Mountain Brewing. It’s located at the foot of Cahas Mountain, a feature from which the brewery’s name is derived. In Colonial Days, folks traveling south through Boones Mill would be told to look for Cahas Mountian. It was a key land-
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
mark, and people would be told to keep to the left of the mountain in order to reach Greensboro, North Carolina. Five years ago, brewery owners, Joe and Wendy Hallock had the opportunity to sell their previous business. However, that left them with nothing to do, and they were still too young to retire. With a 20,000 square foot building in their possession, free and clear from the sale, the obvious idea was to start a new business in that location. But what kind of business? Sixteen years earlier, Wendy had given Joe a home brewing kit for Christmas. But they didn’t dash willy-nilly into their new endeavor on the knowledge gained from a hobby kit. After a year of research and planning, followed by a trip to Germany and Belgium for more research, construction finally began on the soon-to-be Chaos Mountain. Seven months later, they were ready to open as the area’s first and only craft brewery. Wendy remembers opening day, standing outside the doors, waiting for their firsts guests to arrive. Eventually, two young men on bicycles pedaled by, having spent some time on the Cahas Mountain bike trail. She remembers one of them looking in the right direction to notice, then shouting to his friend, “Hey! There’s a brewery here!” The two young men spent the rest of the day sampling the brand new Chaos Mountain beers, then responsibly called their girlfriends for rides home. On the Chaos Mountain website, http://chaosmountainbrewing.com, the first sentence on the About page reads, “The crew here at Chaos Mountain doesn’t take anything too seriously.” Indeed, the clean, modern, bistro-like interior may not immediately mirror the whimsical and fun-loving nature of the operation. Not only is the name Chaos Mountain the result of beer
sampling mixed with a liberal sense of humor… but the top selling beer even has a funny story behind it. Squatch Ale is a big, malty, Scotch ale. It’s not too dark, with a little bit of initial sweetness, but finishes dry. Though the label features a hairy bigfoot wearing a kilt and carrying a keg, this brew was not named after the legendary and elusive beast. The Hallocks have a son…and that son has friend who is really tall and wears big, bushy beard. Like a son to the Hallocks themselves, this young man had earned the nickname “Squatch” early on. When helping at the brewery during college years, he mentioned one day, “Squatch would be a good name for a beer.” Then something backward happened. Instead of inventing a brew then coming up with a name, the Hallocks crafted a beer that would specifically fit the name Squatch. Since then, it has not only become their best seller, they have really played upon the bigfoot theme for events and celebrations, making it as fun as possible. They even hope to join hands with the official Sasquatch hunting organization for event collaboration. Though the group may be seriously looking for the mythical hairy man of early American legend, Joe and Wendy know the real “Squatch”, and he is the inspiration for this hearty brew. To continue to chaotic humor that flows impishly throughout every aspect of the operation, their next-best selling brew is called the Mad Hopper! It’s an IPA brewed with six varieties of hops. After fermentation, it is dry hopped, giving it a wonderful, citrus aroma. The full flavor offers just the right amount of bitterness and great citrus hop nose that makes you come back for more. The Hallocks are really enjoying the brew-
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
ery life. They love the atmosphere and the community. With Hammer & Forge now part of that family, they’ve also been loving the collaborations: not only with events, but also with brewing! There is a great sense of camaraderie between the two locations, and those who benefit most are those who come to taste the beers and have fun. Like Caleb Williams, Wendy Hallock also talked about how people from all walks of life come together within the walls of Chaos Mountain. She says it’s more like a community center than a brewery, with local farmers even bringing in produce from their gardens. It’s a very unique experience for the more urban visitors who come regularly from as far away as Roanoke, Christiansburg, Lynchburg, Blacksburg, and Danville. It’s also a treat for those who stop in as they pass through on longer journeys. For all the latest information about the newest beers, entertainment, and events, you can call 540-334-1600, or visit the Chaos Mountain website listed above. You can also follow them on Facebook – Chaos Mountain Brewing. If you find you just can’t get to Chaos Mountain during their business hours, their great beers can also be found bottled and on sale in retail stores. Craft breweries are a win-win situation for all involved. When set up in a new location with low saturation in the market, craft breweries are almost always successful business ventures. Visitors to the breweries result in business growth for the entire community, and those same visitors get a great experience. Where Boones Mill was once a place to stop, eat and refresh while on journeys to other places, it is fast becoming a favorite destination on any craft brewing tour!
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REFRESHING LIKE SPARKLING WATER “BUT WITH A LITTLE TWIST” It is true that there are those individuals that need or prefer an alternative to craft beer. We are proud to be the first brewery in the state to introduce a HARD SELTZER WATER! We offer a variety of Triad flavors including Wildberry, Lemon/Lime, Blood Orange and more! Triad is a low calorie, low carb and low gluten beverage that is crystal clear, clean and is a fresh beer alternative. It is 4.9% ABV and is sure to please!
NOW AT APOCALYPSE ALE WORKS endofbadbeer.com
1332 Venture Drive Suite A • Forest, VA
Brauburgers new location
NOW OPEN!
The new address is: 1332 Venture Drive Suite A • Forest, VA 8
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com7
APOCALYPSE ALE WORKS LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY! DOG & FAMILY FRIENDLY OUTSIDE BEER GARDEN
Apocalypse Events Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct13 Oct 14 Oct 20 Oct 21 Oct 27 Oct 28
Out Side the Box Large Marge Marie Anderson Craig Hanson & The Gypseys Trench Foot F’natticks Keith McFadden Steve Freeman
Nov Nov Nov Nov
3 4 10 11
NOW 18 TAPS TO SERVE YOU BETTER
NEW RELEASE AVAILABLE ON TAP NOW! HOLY PUCKER GOSE IN A VARIETY OF FLAVORS!
Nomad Large Marge Rip Tide Tim Martinez
LOOK FOR GRAPEFRUIT HOPPOCALYSE IN CAN’S NOW!
Like us on Facebook for future events!
CENFUL BLONDE
HOLY PUCKER
BARRMAGEDDON
TRIAD
BAVARIAN
HARD
BELGIAN ALE
GOSE
LAGER
SELTZER WATER
TEMPTATION THURSDAY
LAST CALL TRIVIA!
We introduce a new specialty beer every Thursday Night infused through a “Randall.” As always food will be available from various great food trucks from the area!
We have Trivia every Wednesday night from 8:00-9:00PM. Come test your knowledge over an ice cold beer!
HOURS WED 4-9PM THU 4-9PM FRI 4-11PM SAT 12-11PM SUN 1-6PM
endofbadbeer.com
1257 Burnbridge Rd. Forest, VA • 434.258.87619
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
Anniversary Events! Join Great Valley Brewery and Twin Creeks Brewing to celebrate their 1st year Anniversary!
Saturday, October 21st, Great Valley Farm Brewery
Saturday, November 4th, Twin Creeks Brewing Company
On Saturday, October 21st, Great Valley Farm Brewery in Natural Bridge will be observing its oneyear anniversary! They’d like to invite everyone to help them celebrate a full and festive year of fun and fine brews. In addition to two great musical acts and an all-day food truck, Great Valley Farm plans to release a brand new Belgian strong ale with cherries and honey! Come out and show your appreciation for great craft brewing, and to support Great Valley Farm. They’ve had a wonderful year, and are happy to be part of such a special community.
Twin Creeks Brewing Company in Vinton will also be celebrating their one-year anniversary Saturday, November 4, from 2:00 – 8:00pm with a mini festival in the back lot! Musical acts Crockett-McSherry, 5 Shades of Gray, and The Bell Hornets will be providing entertainment while three food trucks serve up delicious cuisine to go along with the limited release of a special wood-aged, Tipsy Canoe Scotch Ale. They promise even more surprises for this fun party, and would like to say how much they appreciate the people in the Roanoke Valley and to the local town government.
Follow VaBrewHub on Facebook for the official dates of 2 Big Grand Opening coming soon: Jack Mason Brewing and Olde Salem Brewing!
Sample from over 100 different beers, enjoy live music, and eat some delicious food!
Come join us November 11th for a day of fun with a thousand of your closest friends on from 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Community Market located in Danville’s River District!
Tickets are on sale now at BLBF.com! Ticket Prices:
$30 - Individual $35 - Individual - Day of Event
(If available)
(Does not allow access to VIP area)
(If available)
$10 - Designated Driver
3:00 pm 8:30 pm Danville Community Market
629 Craghead Street, Danville, VA 10
$60 - VIP $65 - VIP - Day of Event
This is a 21 and over event. You must show your ID for entrance to the event.
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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Home Brewing Clean and Sanitize: Thoroughly clean and sanitize ALL brewing equipment and utensils that will come into contact any ingredients, wort or beer with a certified sanitizer. STEEP GRAINS: Pour clean water into your brew pot and begin to heat. Pour crushed grains into grain bag and tie a loose knot at the top of the bag. When the water is within an appropriate steeping temperature (150º - 165ºF) place the grain bag into the brew pot. Steep grains for approximately 20 minutes. Remove grain bag and without squeezing, allow liquid to drain back into brew pot. Your water is now wort. START BOIL: Bring your wort to a gentle, rolling boil. Add malt extract, continuously stir the extract into the wort. Follow schedule as directed on the brewing schedule, slowly sprinkle the hops and other ingredients into the boiling wort. Note the time they were added to help keep your brew on schedule. COOL WORT & TRANSFER: Cool the wort down to approximately 70ºF. Pour or siphon wort into a sanitized fermenter. Now you can record the Original Gravity in the ABV% calculator. PITCH YEAST: Sprinkle the contents of the yeast sachet over top of the entire wort surface and stir well with sanitized spoon or paddle. Firmly secure the lid onto the fermenter. Fill your airlock halfway with water and gently twist the airlock into the grommeted lid. Move fermenter to a dark, warm, temperaturestable area (approx. 64º - 72ºF). We have fermentation. MONITOR & RECORD: The wort will begin to ferment within 24 hours and you will notice CO2 releasing (bubbling) out of the airlock. Within 4 - 6 days the bubbling will slow down until you see no more CO2 being released. When fermentation is complete, take a Final Gravity reading with a hydrometer and record your ABV%. BOTTLING DAY: Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize! PREPARE PRIMING SUGAR: In a small saucepan dissolve priming sugar in boiling water. Pour this mixture into a clean bottling bucket. Carefully siphon beer from the fermenter to a bottling bucket. BOTTLE: Using your siphon setup and bottling wand, fill the bottles to within approximately one inch of the top of the bottle. Use a bottle capper to apply sanitized crown caps. Move the bottles to a dark, warm, temperature-stable area (approx. 64º - 72ºF). Over the next two weeks the bottles will naturally carbonate. Carbonation times vary depending on the temperature and beer style, so be patient if it takes a week or so longer.
Learn to Homebrew Day 2017 Saturday November 4th from 11AM to 4PM Once again, we’ll be hosting the Star City Brewers Guild, and we’ll have Homebrewing demonstrations, homebrew beer tastings (for those 21 and over), and presentations and Q&A sessions with professional brewers. Sales of Little Black Submarine Porter kits will begin October 1st and run through Learn to Homebrew Day on November 4th. Help us beat last year’s donation total and brew yourself a damn tasty Porter at the same time! Once again, a portion of the proceeds goes to our local Children’s Miracle Health Network. Keep an eye on our Facebook event page for updates and please like and share it with your friends!
(540) 400-0091 5342 Franklin Rd SW • Roanoke, VA
Get complete directions and supplies at your local home brewing store! 12
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
Your complete solution to Home Brewing and Hydroponics If you have a few square feet or more to devote to intensive indoor growing, we will proudly help you gain further understanding and have a real good time. Indoor gardening requires neither an expensive greenhouse, or lots of sunny windows. Today’s technology can help you duplicate mother natures best anywhere indoors. Your indoor garden will do well if you provide the right conditions by playing mother nature.
www.BlueRidgeHydroponics.com 5327 Williamson Road Ste D, Roanoke, Va
540-265-2483
Open Monday - Saturday 11-6 Sunday 10-2
Selling the supplies, ingredients and equipment you need to make world class beers and wines in your own home. Bringing you the best stuff from the best names in the business with the best selection in Roanoke.
(540) 400-0091 5342 Franklin Rd SW • Roanoke, VA
Lynchburg and Forest Va destination for all your HOMEBREWING AND WINE MAKING SUPPLIES (434) 851-5646 1219 Burnbridge Road Forest, VA
Mon - Closed Tues - 11am-7pm Wed - 11am-7pm Thur - 11am-7pm Fri - 11am-7pm beer tastings 5:30pm - 7:00pm Sat - 11am-6pm wine tastings 1pm - 4pm Sun - closed
www.pintsoplenty.com
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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Breweries
FEATURED
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Apocalypse Ale Work - page 9 Ballad Brewing - page 11 Big Lick Brewing Company - page 27 Chaos Mountain Brewing - page 2 Great Valley Farm Brewery - page 3 Hammer & Forge Brewing Company - page 3 Jack Mason’s Tavern & Brewery - page 28 Parkway Brewing Company - page 21 Shenandoah Valley Brewing Co - page 19 Soaring Ridge Craft Brewers - page 26 Starr Hill Brewery - page 25 Sunken City Brewing Company - page 21 Twin Creeks Brewing Co - page 25
14 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company 15 Ballast Point 16 Barrell Chest Wine & Beer 17 Basic City Beer 18 Beale’s Brewery & BBQ 19 Bedlam Brewing 20 Blue Mountain Brewery 21 Bold Rock Hard Cider 22 Bristol Station Brewery & Pub 23 Brothers Craft Brewing 24 Buffalo Mountain Brewery 25 Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill 26 Creek Bottom Brewing Company 27 Damascus Brewery 28 Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room 29 Devils Backbone Brewing Co. basecamp 30 Devils Backbone Brewing Co. outpost 31 Elderbrew 32 Flying Mouse Brewery 33 Greenbrier Valley Brewing Co 34 Headspace Brewing Co. 35 Lefty’s Right Mind Brewing 36 Loose Shoe Brewing Company
37 Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery
(Future Site)
38 Mountain Vally Brewing 39 Ober Brewing Company
(Opening Soon)
40 Olde Salem Brewing
(Opening Soon)
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49
Pale Fire Brewing Queen City Brewery Redbeard Brewing Company Rising Silo Farm Brewery Right Turn Clyde Brewing The River Company Restaurant & Brewery Seven Arrows Brewing Company Stable Craft Brewing State Street Brewing
50 51 52 53 54
Bre
M
Studio Brew Sugar Hill Brewing Co. Three Notch’d Brewing Harrisonburg Taproom Wild Wolf Brewing Company Wolf Hills Brewing Co.
Featured Home Brewing Stores 55 56 57
Blue Ridge Hydroponica & Home Brewing Pints O’ Plenty Southern Hills Homebrew Supply 45
Giles County Bland County
Tazewell County
Radford Pulaski County
Russell County Smyth County
51
Washington County 54
Bristol 50 49 22 31
14
34
Wythe County
Grayson County 27
Carroll County
26
Galax
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
46
Harrisonburg
eweries
Map O’
41 23 52
Rockingham County Augusta County
(Thar be beer here!)
42
19
9 Staunton 48
8
43
47 17
Waynesboro
Greenbrier County, WV
Rockbridge County
29 53 21
33 6 7
54
Monroe County, WV
Botetourt County
Craig County 15 Roanoke 32 City Salem 55
10 9 28 3 10 13 16 11 Roanoke 57 County
Montgomery County
24
Floyd County
3 4
Bedford County 11 12
6
5
36
37
Campbell County
Click on QR code for virtual map!
Franklin County
Henry County Patrick County
1 56 1
18
40 39
25 35
Amherst County
Lynchburg
87
44
Nelson County
30
Alleghany County
20
Pittsylvania County 38
Danville Martinsville
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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14
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Spotlight on Musicans & Food Trucks
By Vickie Holt
Meanwhile, here’s where you can next see Eric and his magic uke!
Eric Larsen: Spot light Musician When health issues put an early stop to Eric Larsen’s dream of a career in sports, he sat down at the age sixteen and began teaching himself music. With guitar in hand, living out of his car and sleeping on borrowed couches, Eric’s post-graduation years were a long an arduous journey. Sitting in with other musicians wherever he could, and even playing on the streets, Eric managed to just get by. It wasn’t until eight years ago, on a trip to Maui, that he would discover the key to both his future, and his very special musical talent. For a year and a half following his return to the mainland, Eric stopped all performances to teach himself how to play the ukulele. Since then, Eric has become a local sensation! Able to play five-hour sets with no repeats, Eric strums out one amazing song after another on his diminutive uke. His covers include classics and oldies from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, but Eric also has an impressive collection of original songs that have a Hindi/Americana/rock fusion sound. His sound is so unique and inventive that he’s become one of the area’s most valued musicians, and he’s even been featured on 101.5 FM. Eric also shares what he has learned. 16
Having taught over a hundred students throughout the years, his unexpected approach to a traditional instrument actually resulted in ukulele sales increasing across the region. These days, you can not only find Eric performing at private functions and in local venues, but you can also catch his music on YouTube, ReverbNation, and SoundCloud. In January, look for his first album, which will be a truly one-of-akind effort. It’ll be a full album of rock/ Americana/Hindi fusion music featuring absolutely no guitars! Eric says he loves the brewery scene because of the warmth, appreciation, and love he feels in a happy and familyfriendly environment. He’s really settled in, and this single dad can often be found sharing the stage with his 16-year old, percussionist son. For more information about Eric and his music, play dates, or to book Eric for your own venue or function, call or text (540)-266-2721.
Sept. 28 12-2pm Ribbon Cutting for JES 1401 Southside Dr., Salem, VA Sept. 28 7-10pm Mountain Valley Brewing Axton, VA Sept. 30 1-5:30pm Blue Ridge Vineyard Eagle Rock, VA Oct. 02 3-8pm Parkway Brewing (Majestic Mic) Salem, VA Oct. 05 7-10pm Mountain Valley Brewing Axton, VA Oct. 06 7-10pm Tap 102, Bedford, VA Oct. 14 1-5:30pm Blue Ridge Vineyard Eagle Rock, VA Oct. 16 3-8pm Parkway Brewing (Majestic Mic) Salem, VA Oct. 21 1-5:30pm Blue Ridge Vineyard Eagle Rock, VA Oct. 28 1-5:30pm Blue Ridge Vineyard Eagle Rock, VA Oct. 30 3-8pm Parkway Brewing (Majestic Mic) Salem, VA
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
Seph Custer: Spot light Musician
Oct 7 7:00pm Roanoke, VA Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery Oct 13 - 14 Go Fest
Roanoke, VA
Jhonatan Tarifa: Food Truck
Oct 20 7:00pm Roanoke, VA Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery Oct 21 12:00pm Floyd, VA The Floyd County Store Oct 21 – 22 Meadows of Dan, VA Woodberry Inn Oct 27 7:00pm Boones Mill, VA Hammer & Forge Brewing Company Oct 28 7:00pm Roanoke, VA Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery Nov 4 7:00pm Roanoke, VA Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery Nov 10 6:00pm Callaway, VA Chaos Mountain Brewing Seph Custer took two months of guitar lessons at the age of 11 and thought… okay, I got this. Since then, he’s taught himself to play mandolin, banjo, bass, ukulele, fiddle, and dobro. Playing along with other musicians throughout his school years, he also added singing to his bag of tricks when he was 19. Today, he’s an area sensation, making over a hundred appearances per year at venues, festivals, and events from Texas to Pennsylvania! He not only covers a wide variety of music from multiple genres and multiple eras, he also has an impressive collection of original songs. Mostly a fusion of acoustic Americana, funk, folk, and rock, Seph’s first album, “Where You Are” came out in January of this year. Though all the CD’s have sold out, there’s no need to worry! You can still find it on iTunes, Spotify, and other music resources. If you’ve heard “Where You Are” and want more of Seph’s originals, then you are in luck! His second album, “Beginning to End” is due to release in November. You can pre-order your copy on Seph’s website, www.sephcustermusic.com. If you miss your chance at a CD before they are all gone, this album will also be available from your favorite digital music resources! Look for Seph on Facebook, too! Even better…look for him at your local breweries, festivals, events, clubs, and cafes! Here’s what he’s got lined up at the moment, but keep checking his website and Facebook as more dates are scheduled!
Nov 11 7:00pm Roanoke, VA Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery Nov 17 7:00pm Roanoke, VA Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery Nov 18 5:30pm Salem, VA Parkway brewing Company Nov 25 7:00pm Roanoke, VA Wildflour Restaurant & Bakery Dec 1 6:00pm Roanoke, VA The Vatican Bistro Dec 15 6:00pm Callaway, VA Chaos Mountain Brewing
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
Over two years ago, Jhonatan Tarifa and his family came from Venezuela to Roanoke through the church to help the Spanish community here. Soon after they arrived, however, they found themselves at the beginning of a new chapter in life. With first one food truck, and then another, El Budare Grill became the only provider of South American cuisine in town. Today, they offer their tantalizing array of dishes at festivals, breweries, and private functions all over Virginia. With their traveling, restaurants-on-wheels, as well as a new drive-through location opening in October at 3410 Orange Ave in Roanoke, everyone has the perfect opportunity to try their famous Popeye Bowl, which is Venezuelan Arepa (a kind of bread made from white corn) with grilled chicken, spinach, black beans, and cheese layered on top. If the Popeye Bowl is not for you, they have lots of other great choices that capture the heart and authenticity of tropical Venezuela. Jhonatan says the whole family is happy about the new life they have found here. It has allowed them to visit beautiful places and meet lots of friendly people. Their cuisine is the perfect addition to your craft-brewery experience! If you want more information, or if you’d like to book El Budare Grill’s food truck for your venue or event, you can call (540) 302-8105. You can also find them on Facebook, where you can view their full menu and upcoming truck dates, as well as lots of reviews from very satisfied customers! 17
A growler is a refillable jug made of glass, ceramic, or stainless steel used to transport draft beer. Basically, it’s
What’s a growler?
take-out – for beer! They come in a variety of sizes and styles – so hunt one down that fits your lifestyle and personality and bring it with you to the pub, regardless of where you purchased it. There’s no growler-shaming in Virginia. Fill. Drink. Repeat.
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01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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540-887-2337• shenvalbrew.com 103 West Beverley Street • Staunton, VA 24401
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01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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Breweries, Witches & Churches, Oh My! My Hopservation... By Kim Johnson
The Transition
Alan set out to dig up information on witchcraft in old archives in France, Germany and Scotland. Court records hold limited information when it comes to those accused of witchcraft. They included name, age (if known) and occupation. This is where he discovered a clue. “I was stunned to discover that some 60 percent of those who had occupations referred to themselves as brewster, alewife, or midwife.” Keep in mind that our notion of “witch” came along simultaneously with the rise and spread of the early Church, the birth of commercial male-run breweries and the creation of guilds for Physicians and Surgeons. Around the same time, the Christian campaign against witchcraft began. Thousands were tortured, burned at the stake, or hung. This was, at its heart, a suppression of women and all things feminine; a hallmark of the Church.
The Witch
Halloween... one of my favorite times of year. You get to wear a superhero costume in public, eat loads of candy guiltlessly, and order as many pumpkin beers as you want without judgment. What? Just me? Regardless, pull up a barstool, because in the spirit of the holiday I’m going to share a little Halloween-y history that will change what you think of witches forever. Alan Eames, aka The Indiana Jones of Beer, was a beer anthropologist, historian, and beer author. He was the first to discover and tell the tale that you’re about to hear. This is my summary.
The Epiphany
“Some 10 years ago on a warm Vermont autumn afternoon I saw the witch. I had an overwhelming instantaneous revelation that drew the threads of 30 years of experience as a cultural anthropologist into crystal clear focus.” It wasn’t a real witch that Alan describes, but a Halloween decoration in a shop window, a jig saw cut out in the form of an old and ugly woman bent over a bubbling caldron with her broomstick and black cat. This is the image of the witch we all recognize, but it’s not the witch that history recognizes. In many cultures the witch isn’t the hideous creature we associate with Halloween. Instead, a witch was always a creature of outstanding beauty. Ancient witches seduced men, not with spells but through drop-dead good looks. Alan credits the Christian Church for changing popular perception of the witch in the mid-15th century as an attempt to “muscle in on the beer business.”
Secret Female Stuff
Alan saw the Halloween decoration for what it really represented, a brewster. “Her black cauldron – impossible to mistake – was a brewing vessel, its shape unchanged for thousands of years. There was even barm – yeast – bubbling over the top.” For thousands of years, women were traditionally the brewers. “In all ancient cultures, beer was believed to be a gift from a goddess – never a male god.” Prior to Louis Pasteur nobody understood what was happening in the fermentation process. “Before Pasteur, it was all goddesses, spirits, and magic. Secret female stuff.” 20
Alan then goes on to break down the classic image of a witch, the Cauldron having already been explained above as her brewing vessel. Let’s take a look at some of the other items: The Broom – In both Old Europe and in the New World, a woman with a surplus of beer on hand was able to make some quick money by selling ale to any thirsty passersby. To promote this source of income, they’d place a broom in the road in front of their house. As the villages turned into cities, women with a reputation for good beer permanently moved their brooms from the road to hang perpendicular over the door to their cottage. As the houses became more crowded together, some enterprising brewster hung her broom cantilevered - over the door. Thus was born the first of all trade signs. The association of brooms with breweries is still seen from Africa to Peru, a reminder that beer making was a trade unique to women. Why the broom? By the 10th century the broom had become the quintessential symbol of a woman’s household. The Hat – The tall, pointy hat that we all associate with witches has a history as well. Our witch/midwife has her best days selling ales at fairs and festivals. These events, similar to our own county fairs, drew the biggest, longest, free-spending thirsty audiences to the brewsters. People crowded to these events from all over the surrounding area. Amidst throngs of customers and vendors, alewives found the best way to sell was to be seen. Looking down an endless line of booths, a brewster was easier to find towering over everyone else when wearing her 2-3 foot tall “witch” hat. By the 16th century, the brewster’s hat (and broomstick) became the hallmarks of her trade. The Cat – No Halloween witch worth her salt would be caught without a black cat. But why would a brewster need one? “Anyone who has had stores of grain in the house will know. Rats! Rural women whose livelihood depended on the reputation of their ale protected their costly ingredients.” Unlike today, cats were expected to feed themselves, guarding grain stores in the process.
The Brewster
Now just imagine how it would appear: a woman widowed or never married, living alone and independent, making money by selling beer or acting as a healer with herbs and plants gathered from the woods, many of which have mind and mood altering powers. Meanwhile, male run commercial breweries had to pay taxes and operate within established business hours almost always set by the church – all things that our independently operating witch need not worry about. It’s no surprise that witches “developed” the reputation of the cackling, ugly hag stirring up nothing but trouble in her cauldron. “Now, only the faintest echo lingers from the voices of these doomed women. Once a year, in October, the image of these unfortunate women emerges -- at Halloween.”
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
We have a new batch of beer every single week! We have food trucks every Friday and Saturday!
SunkenCityBeer.com
Westlake • 40 Brewery Drive • Hardy, VA info@sunkencitybeer.com
“Adopt, don’t shop!” - Rhett and Boone
We take donations!
540-489-3491
18401 Virgil H Goode Hwy Rocky Mount, Virginia
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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The Sour Beers of Germany are for Lovers By Chaz Blevins, Certified Cicerone ® Walk into any local brewery tap room or bottle shop and you will more than likely find at least one intentionally ‘sour’ brew. The landscape for sour beers has recently surged, and along with traditional offerings, you will find creative American twists on these classic styles at your local brewery. From barrel aged, vinous tasting, acidic ales, to grassy and dry with flavors that call up memories of the barn and straw, the deep scope and history of these ancient ales can truly be tasted. Steeped in tradition, most of the sour or tart beer styles, when traced back historically, have either Belgian or German roots. Though there are some Belgian type open/spontaneous fermentation and barrel aging programs right here in Virginia, this method does takes more time and space, leaving the German style sours to be more common at the local taproom. Here, we will talk about two of the most common German styles brewed in Virginia today.
Berliner Weisse: The “Champagne of the North” This is a German wheat beer with heritage some say to reaches back as far as 1570. A thin and light body gives way to a really bright and effervescent beer. With a strong sour aroma mixed with fresh flour lightly masking notes of yellow sunshine citrus fruits in the nose, it is a highly acidic but clean sourness that is fresh and tart, similar to a southern lemonade is scrubbed away by the many tight small bubbles, finishing clean and slightly dry. The true beginning of Berliner Weisse is often debated, but we do know the style originates from its name sake in the city of Berlin, when most wheat beers were brewed as a less alcoholic, lighter, more quaffable alternative to the brown beers of the time. What gives the Berliner Weisse its distinctive sour lemon taste is lactic acid bacteria, which was more than likely present because of the unique way the beer was brewed: the wort (sweetened run off water from malts and grains that feed the yeast) was not boiled! Instead, most likely the hop additions were boiled separately, then added to the wort to achieve different temperatures of mash. With no boil came none of the sterilization that often killed off many microorganisms that could produce off tasting flavors. While some schools of thought claim that, like the natural wild yeast occurring on wine grapes, the large amount of lactic acid present on the malt itself could have been responsible for acidification, there are many instances a Berliner Weisse could have come into contact 22
with microorganisms from the mash process all the way to the wooden vessel it was stored in. This made a host of beers with different alkalinity, which created a very wide scope for the style. Though today’s brewers have streamlined the brewing process through kettle and other souring techniques, they have mostly agreed on a base for this age old style. The many interpretations from all different brewers have helped it reinvent itself throughout history. Traditionally served with fruit syrups in Germany, now many American breweries are offering the same fruit syrup to add color and flavor to your Berliner Weisse. It even goes as far as to add fruit directly to the vessel, creating some wonderful and surprising taste crescendos that are limited only by the brewer’s imagination. The Berliner Weisse is alive and well in Virginia.
Gose: America’s Most Loved Sour Beer. Another lactobacillus soured, lightly hopped, wheat beer that when brewed traditionally is a straw colored and slightly hazy with a rich, thick head. While a bouquet of light coriander and the doughy smell of fresh wheat hit the nose, a tart, refreshing, slightly acidic jolt to the taste buds rolls over the tongue with a cloud-like softness that is thick, yet still fluffy and light. A sea salty finish mounts a surprise attack that makes you want to take another drink and start the whole process over again. It’s easy to see how American brewers have a love affair with this style. Gose, not to be confused with its goaty Belgian neighbor Gueuze, is most commonly attached to the town of Leipzig in the mid 18th century. Historically thought to have had a slightly higher alcohol content and been more sour than today, there is very little hard evidence to decide exactly how this beer tasted, leaving room for interpretation. With a brewing process believed to be similar to Berliner Weisse and its method akin to spontaneous fermentation (yeast was pitched, unlike true Belgian spontaneously fermented beers), today’s brewhouse Goses are inoculated with lactobacillus, making the process much more efficient and rapid. Though almost 100 Gose brewhouses existed up to the end of the 19th century, the style was becoming all but extinct from the strains of WW2 and into the 1960’s. Thanks to rekindled European and American interest in historical beer styles, the style was resuscitated by German brewers in the late 20th century and quickly adopted by ingenuitive American craft brewers. Today, not only you kind find this amazing style in many different forms, both traditional and reimagined, in taprooms across Virginia, but you have a chance to taste each brewer’s own interpretation of the original Leipzig brew. No matter where you look, you are bound to come across one of these historic and intriguing style in your local tap room. Virginia brewers are taking amazing and creative new approaches to both of these styles, adding flavors that may have never been done before, pushing the boundaries of what defines beer today and rewriting the rulebook for tradition. From brewing these wonderful beers to barrel blending them with the perfect amount of fresh fruits, if you visit any of your closest breweries on the right day at the right time, you might just find yourself enjoying a beautiful rainbow colored flight of brews taken right out of a page of history, blending the ‘now’ and the ‘then’ into a simple taste and memory.
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
Virginia
Brew
• ABV: (Alcohol by volume) Standard beer range from 4% to 8%. • IBU: Hop bitterness is measured in International Bittering Units (IBUs). An American Light Lager may have 5 to 8 IBUs, while an Imperial India Pale Ale (IPA) may have 100 or more IBUs. • Color: All beers have color, whether it’s light, dark, or somewhere in between. The color of beer is determined primarily by the grain used to make the beer. Light-colored grain results in a pale-colored beer; conversely, darker-roasted grains produce darker beers. • Head: None / Poor (Up To 15 Seconds) / Moderate (15 To 60 Seconds) / Good (More Than 60 Seconds) Thin / Foamy / Fluffy / Rocky / Mousse-Like • Aroma / Smell: Alcohol: Not Detectible / Mild / Noticeable / Strong Hops: Citrus / Fruity / Floral / Green / Herbal / Pine / Resinous / Spruce / Sweaty / Spicy / Tropical / Woody • Flavor / Taste: All beers have some level of bitterness. Bitterness in beer is primarily the result of extracting alpha acids from hops during the boiling process. Hop Flavor: Citrus / Fruity / Floral / Green / Herbal / Onion-Garlic / Pine / Resinous / Spruce / Sweaty /
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Beer: Brewery:
ABV IBU Style Color Aroma Flavor Notes
Rating:
Hub
Beer Tasting Guide
Spicy / Tropical / Woody Hop Bitterness: Restrained HopModerate / Aggressive / Harsh Malt Flavor: Bread Flour / Grainy / Biscuit / Bready / Toast / Caramel / Pruny / Roast / Chocolate / Coffee / Smoky / Acrid • Sweetness: Malt Sweetness: Low / Medium / High / Cloying You need to know the following tasting terms to understand basic beer styles. Knowing these terms may also encourage you to explore and experiment (and also give you something to talk about with any hophead you may encounter at the bar): • Aggressive: As you may expect, an aggressive beer has a boldly assertive aroma and/or taste. • Balanced: Balanced simply means that the malt and hops are in similar proportions, and the flavor has an equal representation of malt sweetness and hop bitterness — especially at the finish. • Body: The body is the sensation of fullness, or viscosity, of a beer on the palate, ranging from watery to creamy. Beer is generally described as thin-, light-, medium-, or fullbodied (strong simply refers to alcohol content).
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01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
• Complex: Complex means the beer is multidimensional, involving many flavors and sensations on the palate (the opposite of simple). • Crisp: Crisp means the beer is highly carbonated or effervescent. Beers regarded as crisp are typically on the drier side as well. • Diacetyl: This term describes a buttery or butterscotchy aroma or flavor. • Estery: Estery is full of aromas that are reminiscent of fruits. • Floral: Floral is full of aromas that are reminiscent of flowers. • Fruity: Fruity means the beer has flavors reminiscent of various fruits. • Hoppy: Hoppy means the hops have earthy, herbal, spicy, or citrusy aromas and flavors. • Malty: Malty describes flavors derived from malted grain. Malty beers have a more pronounced malt richness and sweetness. • Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel is the tactile sensations of alcoholic warmth, carbonation, dryness, and the like. Body is also part of mouthfeel. • Roasty/toasty: Roasty/toasty describes the malt (roasted grain) flavors. • Robust: Robust describes a rich and full-bodied beer.
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Deschutes Finds a Home in Roanoke! By Michael Galliher
Something exciting has happened in the Roanoke Valley! After four long years of trying to recruit Deschutes Brewery, the announcement was finally made in Charter Hall in March of 2016: Deschutes to Roanoke! Deschutes Brewery began in 1988 as a Brewpub in Bend, Oregon. They were also the first company to bring craft beer to the central regions of that state. Back then, the Bend area was a “…very blue-collar mill town. We didn’t know anything about that really,” stated owner Gary Fish. “We saw it as a cool town…a small town…an affordable town, but one that we thought had potential.” Fish went on to say that when they came to Roanoke, they saw a lot of those same qualities. “We saw a town that was trying to reinvent itself, trying to redefine what it should be, and were doing all the right things.” The Bend region is now home to over thirty different craft breweries. It’s also a destination for anybody looking for outdoor adventures. In short, it’s the perfect place for craft beer enthusiasts to take their “beer-cations”. When asked about the culture within the industry, and how Deschutes Brewery helps support it, Gary Fish joked, “we seem to have supplied a lot of the brewers to all of the surrounding breweries.” CEO, Michael LaLonde, went on to explain how members of the industry, as a whole, are supportive of one another. “We work with other breweries all the time – both large and small – to share best practices. We think it is the best thing for the industry. If we can raise the tide to lift all boats then that is the best thing to do.” Of course, there will always be competition for shelf space and tap handles. However, both men agreed – from an internal, operational standpoint – that there is a lot of willingness to help each other. Deschutes asked many questions of the larger breweries over the years as they were still growing. Now that they are one of the larger companies, they, in turn, find themselves answering questions from breweries that are just starting out, or still expanding. When considering Roanoke for a new location, Deschutes had to think about more than just its similarities with earlierday Bend. There were numerous business criteria, such as transportation routes and the health of the city. Were there any outdoor activities? Was the government new-businessfriendly? Roanoke fit the bill, meeting all the requirements. Enthusiasm from the community also played a large part in 24
the final decision. They saw that Roanoke really wanted them to be there. “The community cared and wanted us here, and they were energetic about making an impression on us and recruiting us. So it was a combination of all those other things as well as the enthusiasm from our friends in Roanoke.” The ground-breaking for the brewery/ distribution facility is scheduled for 2019. That may seem like a long time to some, but since day-one, Deschutes has had a business model and philosophy of slow-and-steady. That’s how they will always do things. This is a big project, and the investment is reported to be $90 million. These folks are a long way from home, and they want to make sure they have enough time. Since the design and engineering work is already underway, it looks like all of those months will be needed and well utilized. In the meantime, Roanoke received a nice surprise when Deschutes announced their plans for a tasting room, Downtown. A tasting room was not in the original plans, but the opportunity presented itself as a low risk opportunity. “It absolutely just made sense to us,” stated Fish. “It was a relatively simple way to continue to kind of embed ourselves in the community of Roanoke.” The tasting room will allow people to come together and experience the different beers Deschutes has to offer. There will be twenty-four different faucets pouring their “damn tasty beers”, seven days a week. This not only allows for year-round favorites, but also seasonal and specialty beers such as Abyss, Dissident, and Black Butte Birthday beer, as well as the fresh hop beers that are big hits in the Pacific Northwest. There will also be three 20-gallon kettles with a 14-gallon fermenter brewing system in the back, which will produce ten gallons of finished beer. The purpose of this will be to organically connect to the people in the community. It will also be for future educational purposes, once a brewer is assigned and in place in Roanoke. This will allow other breweries, homebrewers, and students from Virginia Tech to come in and learn…even though it would be on a miniature scale. Deschutes Brewery is happy they now have a physical presence in Roanoke, even though they are still in design phase of the larger facility. It will serve to establish their commitment to the Roanoke Valley. “Roanoke is not joining us. We are joining Roanoke!”
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
“Cross the creeks to Great Craft Beer!” Music on the Dock Local, regional and national touring acts regularly play on the dock!
Wide variety of local food trucks every weekend! Thursday 5-9 Friday 5-10 Saturday 2-10 Sunday 2-6 111 S. Pollard St. Vinton, VA
Enjoy our refreshing craft beers on our outdoor patio!
1-year anniversary party Nov. 4th
www.twincreeksbrewing.com
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
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October Events
November Events
Oct 7 - Easterseals Fundraiser Oct 11 - STEM Tavern Oct 15 - Fundraiser for Smile Forever Animal Rescue Oct 19- Hockey Night Oct 20 - Beers for Boobs Oct 26 - Boys & Girls Club fundraiser
Nov 3 - Radford University SPTA night Nov 8 - STEM Tavern Nov 11 - Veterans Day VA Fundraiser Nov 12 - Brews & Blooms Nov 19 - Pups & Pints for RVSPCA
www.soaringridge.com 523 Shenandoah Ave Roanoke, VA 26
(540) 339-9776 01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
Grand Opening
Saturday, October 14th!
blbc
Food Trucks:
• Thai This • Rick’s Wrap It Up • Master Sergeant BBQ
Brewing Company
Roanoke, Virginia
Bands:
• Crockett & McSherry 1 - 4 pm, indoor stage • Radio Rehab 4 - 7 pm, outdoor stage • Lil Sumn Sumn 7 - 10 pm, indoor stage
01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com
“Join us for the Grand Opening of Big Lick Brewing Company - West Station on Saturday, October 14th 2017 from 1 pm 10 pm! Come out to help us celebrate this huge milestone and sample the first beers ever brewed on our 15 bbl system! We will have three delicious food trucks and three fantastic local live bands on hand for the occasion as well! We look forward to seeing you all there! Cheers!” Follow us on Facebook or go to
www.BigLickBrewingco.com for all the details of upcoming events! 27
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01.04 • Oct/Nov 2017 • VaBrewHub.com