VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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FEBRUARY 2017
VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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ingredients 6 Various News 8 NoVA News 10 Smartmouth in VB 14 RVA Beer Trail 18 Aged Beers 20 Book: C-Ville Beer 24 Mug shots 30 Beer Travel 36 Lager & Pilsner
Making a Comeback? 40 Benchtop Brewing Company 42 Right Mind Brewery 46 Wood Bridge Farm Brewing 48 Reviews 50 Events 62 New & Improved Guide to Breweries, Cideries and Meaderies
PUBLISHER/EDITOR Jeff Maisey ADVERTISING/MARKETING Jennifer McDonald Brian Koski CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brenda Mihalko CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Diane Catanzaro Steve Deason Jefferson Evans Cathy Herbert David Hunter Rayner Johnson Chris Jones Alistair Reece Annie Tobey Chuck Triplett CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Kathy Keeney WEBMASTER Giorgio Valentini DISTRIBUTION MANAGERS Rayner Johnson (NoVA/Fredericksburg)
Thad McDonald (C-Ville/Blue Ridge)
Copyright 2017 Ghent Media, Inc. Virginia Craft Beer Magazine is published bi-monthly by Ghent Media, Inc. PO Box 11147 Norfolk, VA 23517 For advertising and subscription inquiries: 757.403.5852 jennifer.mcdonald@hotmail.com For editorial inquiries: 757.237.2762 jeffmaisey@yahoo.com -4-
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publisher’sNOTE
Enjoying a beer with Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.
Happy New Year! Jeff and I are excited about the all of the great things happening in Virginia’s beer scene and look forward to sharing it with you here and in upcoming issues. In this issue’s cover story, Jeff explores whether the rumored trend of lager and pilsner beers gaining in popularity with craft consumers is likely or not. He spoke with several brewers and brewery owners across the state and shares their feedback. Brew News is packed full of information including Bold Rock’s new seasonal Citrus Cider, Smartmouth’s Virginia Beach expansion, and a Q & A with Lee Graves about his new book, Charlottesville Beer: Brewing in Jefferson’s Shadow. Additionally, Steve Deason takes a look at which Virginia beers are best suited for aging (like wine) and offers some suggestions on the best way to do it. Jeff chats with Stone Brewing’s Greg Koch. Annie Tobey tells us about RVA’s new beer trail. And, Jefferson Evans provides updates on three Northern Virginia breweries, Portner Brewing’s rebirth, Port City’s expansion, and the newly opened Heroic Aleworks. Using their extensive beer travel experiences, Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones offer suggestions on how cities and regions can best promote beer tourism. Brewery profiles include Benchtop Brewing in Norfolk,Wood Ridge Farm Brewery in Lovingston, and Right Mind Brewing in Blacksburg. Our Events Calendar is packed full of Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day events plus tap takeovers, beer dinners, festivals, beer releases, and more! And, be sure to check out our newly re-designed Brewery, Cidery, & Meadery Guide. Lastly, we encourage you to send us an email and let us know what’s going on in your area. And, we hope to see you out and about as we attend various craft beer and cider events throughout the state. We can’t wait to connect with you and have a beer!
Cheers! Jennifer Jennifer McDonald Jennifer.McDonald@hotmail.com VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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brewNEWS
Citrusy
Cider Compiled by Staff
B
old Rock Hard Cider has announced the launch of Bold Rock Citrus, its first seasonal for 2017. Bold Rock – with local production facilities in Nellysford, VA, and Mills River, NC, – is expanding its roster of locally crafted hard ciders, which are now being distributed throughout the East Coast from Pennsylvania through Georgia. Bold Rock Citrus has a complex lemon-lime flavor profile accentuating local Granny Smith apples while keeping a smooth finish. Similar to the Blood Orange, Bold Rock’s last seasonal of 2016, Bold Rock Citrus has a haze comparable to fresh squeezed lemonade. Citrus is crisp and refreshing with an off-dry finish allowing for supreme drinkability. Bold Rock Hard Cider was started in 2012 by partners John Washburn and Brian Shanks. Washburn owned a scenic piece of farmland in Nellysford, VA, and he contacted Shanks to see if the New Zealand native and worldrenowned cider expert with more than three decades of experience in the industry would be interested in working his magic with locally picked apples. The two fast friends have since put together a rapidly growing operation, turning Bold Rock into the largest independently owned craft cidery in the United States. In addition to Bold Rock’s original Virginia-based Cider Barn, which features a rustically elegant taproom and scenic surrounding views, the craft cidery also operates a second production facility and taproom in North Carolina, near Asheville in the town of Mills River, utilizing the abundance of premium apples grown in the state’s western mountains. -6-
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RVA Cider in Cans
Richmond’s Buskey Cider became fluid in can in January. Founder Will Correll and cider-maker Alec Steinmetz previously made cider-to-go available in growlers.
Origin of the Universe
Ashland-based Center of the Universe Brewing Company is set to open its Origin Beer Lab February 3-5 as a compliment to its brewery for the purpose of being a “research and development” facility. Origin Beer Lab is located in the historic town of Ashland next to the Caboose. For the general public it’ll serve as a tasting room on weekends where craft beer enthusiasts can consume and sample experimental and unique batches of craft beer produced by Center of the Universe. It’s a satellite launch within close orbit to the mothership. Beers on tap will include Bourbon Barrel Aged Chocolate Porter, Rum Barrel Aged IV Belgian Quad and I Choose You Golden Ale, though you may want to monitor the availability as the website proclaims, “Be on the lookout for wild yeast sours, hop bomb IPA’s, and extremely sessionable light beers, among others, to come pouring out of the tap room. We will never brew the same beer twice!”
Bold Rock Citrus Cider provides some zing for early spring 2017
Newborn Bald Top
Perhaps the New Year’s first newborn arrived in the form of Bald Top Brewing. “We are a farm brewery on historic land in Virginia and the first brewery in Madison since Prohibition,” said operations manager Andrew Roop. The farm brewery planted hops in May 2016 and currently grows five varieties. Look for a full feature in our next issue.
A Peppermint Paddy Brew for St. Paddy’s Day
Starr Hill Brewery will feature its unique Peppermint Paddy Mint Chocolate Stout on March 18 at its annual St. Paddy’s Day event at the brewery. Brewmaster Robbie O’Cain knows a thing or two about Irish beer, having collaborated in the recent past with O’Shea’s of Ireland. Slainte!
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brewNEWS Catherine Portner behind the 40 foot bar at the under construction Portner Brewhouse in Alexandria, VA.
The New, The Improved,
and The Reborn in Northern Virginia (Not Necessarily in that Order) By Jefferson Evans
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usy worker ants scuttle across the bones like they are trying to pick the carcass clean, but these bones are strong and this isn’t a death, it’s a rebirth; it’s the scene of a phoenix rising from the ashes. And though a joyous scene it be, you can bet it includes more than a few people who could use a long, long nap. After all, it ain’t every day that a brewing tradition dating back to pre-prohibition days and even earlier has a chance to live again, and making such dreams a reality involves some seriously hard work. You may have heard the story how the Portner sisters, Catherine and Margaret, decided to revive the good beer works of their great-great grandfather Robert Portner, who opened the Robert Portner Brewing Company in Alexandria, VA in 1869 and stewarded it to the position of largest pre-Prohibition brewery in the southeast United States. The brewery closed in 1916, and now, just over 100 years later, the Portner Brewing name is set to live again. “We’re down to mostly cosmetic work,” Catherine tells me as she shows me and my wife around the space. Brewing began January 4 with a batch of Tivoli Cream Ale, one of the pre-Prohibition series beers that represents the true rebirth of the previous beer history. Tivoli is “I Lov It” backwards and the Tivoli name is a core part of Portner history. Portner Porter was being brewed the day we toured the facility, brewing that is only happening due to the City of Alexandria granting the brewery a temporary Certificate of Occupancy so that brewing can proceed -8-
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even with the restaurant space still being built out. Soon to follow will be a German IPA, a Chocolate Stout, the Hofbrau Pils, and the Vienna Cabinet Lager. Behind the brewing wheels is Brian McElvaney, a fluent German speaker and veteran of the Stone Brewing facility in Berlin, Germany. Brian brews on a 3.5 barrel brew house with five 7-barrel fermenters and five 7-barrel bright tanks that are a hybrid combination of USA and Chinese systems with a few German parts thrown in for good measure. Once the restaurant is open it will officially include 72 outside seats and 156 inside seats, serving a combination of German classics and contemporary American cuisine under the leadership of Chef Donnie Dennis, formally of Blacks Restaurant Group and Heirloom Catering (and whose uncle is the owner of Bilbo Baggins restaurant in Old Town Alexandria). Catherine indicates there will be about 40 employees total once both sides of the business are up to speed. Parking is available in the Modera Tempo complex parking lot, and on Pickett Street on both sides of Van Dorn Street, not to mention the Van Dorn Street Metro Station is a stone’s throw away and Modera Tempo has a shuttle van that runs back and forth there between. The new target date to open is Valentine’s Day so come see the Portner Brewhouse with someone you love and if you see Catherine, ask her about the fun adventure that is a chiller unit on the roof and a glycol reservoir in the basement. And then buy her a beer. A little further east, closer to Old Town Alexandria, Port City
Sheldon Greenberg
Heroic Aleworks team: (L-R) Tim Hoke (co-founder of Heroic Aleworks), Leon Harris (Brewmeister), Ben Nmaiot (manager), Jonathan Groner (co-founder).
Northern Virginia’s Favorite Brewpub Award-winning handcrafted beer with a menu to match, appealing to craft beer aficionados and foodies alike. Upscale, but informal, always family-friendly.
7th Annual Barleywine Festival February 25 & 26, 2016 The Mid-Atlantic’s Largest Barleywine Event! Taste over 30 special and limited edition barleywines from around the region and across the country.
Brewing Company is enjoying the fruits of expansion plans starting to come to pass. Part A of this expansion is obtaining warehouse space right down the street from the brewery where a 3,000 sq. ft. cold storage facility will soon house all the brewery’s finished product and serve as the shipping hub where distributors will come for Port City packaged beer – cans, bottles, and kegs (although the only canning is via Old Dominion Canning mobile canning line of just the Wit for the Washington Nationals). Part B of the expansion takes the form of three new 120-barrel fermenters and a new 120-barrel bright tank. These were finally delivered January 3 after originally being expected in October 2016. Port City Brewing Company owner Bill Butcher III tells me “we essentially maxed out our brewing capacity in 2016 at around 17,000 barrels of beer and at the end of this phase of expansion we will have 25,000 barrels capacity and we are targeting to be at around 21,000 barrels produced in 2017, with that being within our existing market footprint.” Presently, Port City distributes in six states and DC. Part C will involve removing the old cold storage space and installing a brand new bottling line that will double their bottle line speed from 60 bottles-per-minute to 120 bottles-per-minute. The newest Port City Colossus Series beer, Colossus VI, the first Imperial Stout the brewery has produced, will become available Friday, February 3. Based on this writers experience with the previous Colossus series beers, I can confidently say you should probably go by and get some. Yep. Further south in the once but no longer beer desert known as Woodbridge, VA, Heroic Aleworks experienced a successful soft opening on January 6. These guys are wonderfully whacky, yet serious, combining superhero comic nerds and beer lovers with men who have military experience in multiple branches, including the Army and the Air Force. They have gone big with a 15-barrel, 4-vessel system and are brewing a wide variety of styles including a German-style Kolsch, an English Porter, an American IPA, and a Belgian Dubbel. And then there are the Dr. Who and Lord of the Rings his and her bathrooms. Speak, beer friend, and enter. Beer friend Shelton Greenberg contributed to this article.
444 WEST BROAD STREET, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22046 703.942.6840 | madfoxbrewing.com | follow us on FREE PARKING GARAGE | METRO ACCESSIBLE
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brewNEWS
Smartmouth Expands Eastward By Jeff Maisey
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irginia craft breweries are launching “mini-me,” satellite locations left-and-right these days as the trend to extend their brand visibility and reach appears to be catching on. Where Richmond’s Hardywood Park opened a Charlottesville location and Legend announced plans for a Hampton Roads brewpub on Olde Towne Portsmouth waterfront, Three Notch’d unveiled a collaboration-themed site in RVA. But not all breweries have sought expansion beyond their home region within the Commonwealth. Norfolk-based Smartmouth Brewing Company will operate what it calls Smartmouth Pilot House this fall in neighboring Virginia Beach. On a light traffic day, the new site is a 20-minute drive from its main production facility – opened in 2012 in the semi-industrial neighborhood of Chelsea – to the satellite spot located two blocks from the sandy Oceanfront beach at 32nd Street in a former US Post Office building. “I consider Virginia Beach our experimental and outreach facility,” explained Smartmouth president Porter Hardy. The Pilot House will have its own identity as a place patrons can taste the latest recipes and test batches created by its brewers. Hardywood Park, as an example, employs the same concept for its C-Ville outlet. Smartmouth will use a 10-barrel system in Virginia Beach while continuing to invest in its Norfolk production brewery where its flagship brands such as Rule G IPA and Alter Ego Saison can experience increased volume to better service demand from retailers and restaurants. “By putting a 10-barrel in Virginia Beach we’ll be able to make beer for both tasting rooms, which will allow Norfolk to make
A rendering of Smartmouth’s Pilot House building in Virginia Beach
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more beer for distribution,” said Hardy. “Norfolk won’t have to worry about making as many one-off, limited beers and beers for the tasting room.” Smartmouth’s official announcement included the following: “While many regional breweries are expanding into remote new cities, our desire was simply to expand within the community where we live, work and play. Our company and customers include residents from all over the 757 and this new location is intended to solidify that bond. We also hope this expansion allows us the opportunity to further collaborate with local breweries, restaurants, artists and non-profit organizations. “With a second location in the region, we also plan to further our connection with charitable efforts in the restoration, education and recreation of local waterways. We feel fortunate to live in a region surrounded by water, and believe that by protecting it and encouraging the enjoyment of it, we help make our community healthier, more beautiful and more fun.” According to Porter Hardy, Smartmouth’s overall sales in 2016 were up over the previous year. This is due, in part, to expanding distribution of its draft products into Northern Virginia. And success came not from its usual suspects. “This was the year of the seasonal for Smartmouth,” said Hardy. Smartmouth’s Pilot House will serve both the seasonal tourist customers vacationing at the resort city as well as local residents in the upscale North End. It’s also a neighborly coming home for Hardy. “I grew up on 45th Street,” he said. “This was my post office as a kid. My mom and my sister still live within bike riding distance.”
Breweries are popping up all over Virginia Beach. Try them all at VisitVirginiaBeach.com/craftbeer VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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brewNEWS
Stone’s Greg Koch Talks RVA, Industry, Berlin
By Jeff Maisey
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fter an extensive search process, announcement, ribbon-cutting and construction phase, Stone Brewery opened its Richmond manufacturing facility and tasting room last year to great fanfare and enthusiasm. On a mid-January evening, I caught up with Stone co-founder Greg Koch at the District 5 bar to get his views on the brewery’s RVA and Berlin expansion as well as the overall craft beer industry. Here’s an excerpt.
Stone Brewing’s Greg Koch and VCB’s Jeff Maisey at District 5 in Richmond
Craft beer is very special, but is it immune to the realities of the universe? Perhaps not. Have you been satisfied with the progress and expansion in Richmond and the East Coast? What do you see for Stone Brewing in the coming year? I’ve been extraordinarily proud of our team and what we’ve accomplished here in Richmond. The beers they’re brewing here are phenomenal. We had a herculean task getting the brewery up and operational this past summer, and they accomplished it with flying colors.
Nationwide craft beer sales seemed to flatten in 2016. Some believe craft beer has reached a plateau and others speculate it is due to market saturation. What is your take? Stone Brewing made a commitment to becoming part of the community A rational voice would look out into the in Richmond and connecting with the world and realize the old saying “What RVA and Virginia craft breweries. How goes up must come down.” My follow-up important was this to you from the statement is I continue to be very bullish beginning? on craft beer. I did mention several years ago – and It’s always been part of our nature and has many times in print – we are experiencing been for craft brewers – especially at Stone. what would be considered irrational You can look at being part of a community exuberance in the craft brewing world. as a strategy, and I would get that; it makes So any time you have a Gold Rush style sense. But being part of the community is scenario you’re going to foster a boom/ more in our DNA; it’s who we are. bust style pattern. It’s, like, how do I know The new mayor of Richmond was here there’ll be a bump in the road? Because sharing beers with us tonight. Does he there’s been no time in human history in have to do that? No. I think he’s going to anything where there haven’t been bumps be an amazing force for Richmond. He’s in the road. extraordinarily positive. - 12 -
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Are you satisfied thus far with the Berlin brewery and Stone’s sales performance in the European marketplace? Currently our brewery in Berlin is fully operational and we’re selling beer in 18 countries throughout Europe. It feels like an enormous accomplishment. Already Stone is the widest available Berlin-brewed beer in the world. We’re in an environment in Berlin where there was almost no beer culture at all. Berlin and San Diego County are almost the same population. Berlin is slightly larger. In Berlin, there are less than 15 bars or restaurants with 10 or more taps. In San Diego there are more than 1,000 bars or restaurants with 10 or more taps. Today, in Berlin, there are about 15 breweries. Today, in San Diego, there are 120 breweries. In Berlin, of those 15 breweries, 13 of them their main focus is American-style craft beer. So when I run into the Doubting Thomas in Berlin – the German national – and I share with him the simple statistics and I say,“Okay, now tell me who has the beer culture?” And, of course, there’s a wonderful beer culture there today, but it didn’t used to be. The oldest beer bar in Berlin is 3-1/2 years old – and that was started by Americans.
“The thing I like most about Blanco Labels? Service. Nobody beats their service.” Chris Buckley Brewmaster Red Oak Brewery
Blanco delivers Chris Buckley Brewmaster Red Oak Brewery
Red Oak Brewery products Hummin’ Bird HELLes Golden Munich Lager and Red Oak Bavarian Amber Lager
Every week Blanco meets its commitments of millions of labels to manufacturers depending on them. Blanco is a company of 20 dedicated people proud of the contribution they are making to the success of businesses across the country. Blanco is a relatively small company compared to many of their customers. At Blanco they believe they are the perfect size. They are small enough for your business to matter and large enough to make sure your job gets done.
www.blancolabels.com/beer 1876 Apperson Drive, Salem, VA 24153
877.755.2718
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brewNEWS
Taps of Richmond area breweries. Photo courtesy of Visit Richmond
The Richmond Beer Trail A new official Virginia ale trail By Annie Tobey
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he Richmond region has held its own in establishing noteworthy breweries, but it has lagged behind in claiming its own beer trail. With the launch of the Richmond Beer Trail, RVA breweries have joined the trend of trails that guide and reward brewery visitors. The first Virginia beer trail, the Brew Ridge Trail, was established in Charlottesville and Nelson County in 2009. Other trails have followed: Loudoun County’s LoCo Ale Trail; the Blue Ridge Beerway in the Roanoke Valley; Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail; and the Coastal VA Beer Trail (covabeertrail.com). The Brewly Noted Trail, which mostly - 14 -
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covers northeast Tennessee, spills over into Virginia at Bristol. Local tourism organizations have initiated and promoted most of these trails, recognizing the economic benefits of beer travel. Some trails provide passports and rewards; others simply provide guides to finding the breweries.
THE RICHMOND INITIATIVE
When local breweries formed Richmond Breweries United (RBU) in 2014 (assisted by Brown Distributing, which distributed for all area breweries at that time), its initiatives included a brewery trail. Although the organization created a
consumer-focused brochure, it lacked the resources to promote the trail. “We were bootstrapped to the Nth degree,” said Scott Jones, outgoing RBU president. RBU worked with Richmond Region Tourism (RRT) from the beginning, but this simply meant that the VisitRichmondVA. com website listed the breweries. The breweries and Richmond tourism believed that better promotion would bring better results. “Craft beer has been, and will continue to be, a key marketing theme for Richmond Region Tourism’s out-of-market promotion, advertising and PR efforts,” explained
The old Richmond Breweries United logo
Jennifer Hendren, vice president of marketing for Richmond Region Tourism. In late 2016, RRT and RBU partnered to create the Richmond Beer Trail, which features a brochure with a map plus brewery names, addresses and descriptions. The breweries provide the information and the support on the ground, while the tourism organization shares resources for design, printing, consultancy and distribution. The initial iteration of the trail includes 23 breweries and brewpubs, large and small, in Richmond and surrounding counties. In the city of Richmond, the trail includes 7 Hills, Legend, Triple Crossing (both the original and the new location), Garden Grove, Hardywood, Isley, Ardent, Three Notch’d RVA Collab House, Castleburg, The Veil, Stone Brewing and Väsen (not yet open). In Henrico, the guide lists Strangeways, The Answer, Final Gravity and Rock Bottom. In Chesterfield, visitors can stop at Extra Billy’s and Steam Bell. In Goochland, they can visit Kindred Spirit, Midnight and Lickinghole Creek. Hanover hosts Center of the Universe. And Caroline is home to Rusty Beaver. continued
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brewNEWS The trail also offers rewards to those who navigate its stops: visit five breweries (getting a stamp to validate each visit) and claim a prize. The soft launch of the trail in 2016 featured branded T-shirts. The 2017 swag is a branded trucker hat. The branded swag does more than just reward visitors for experiencing five breweries. “When visitors share their experiences on social channels and proudly wear their Richmond Beer Trail gear once they get back home,” Hendren said, “they’re helping us spread the news about how Richmond is a craft beer destination that should be on every craft beer lover’s radar.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
“Beer tourism is a big deal,” the Brewers Association said in an October 2016 press release. “We estimate that in 2014, more than 10 million people toured small and independent craft breweries … Craft brewers are now a main attraction for travelers,” who take beercations to visit beer trails, take part in festivals and stand in line for limited-release beers. Julia Herz, Brewers Association craft beer program director, added that craft breweries “are becoming mainstay attractions for travelers as part of a backyard getaway, a break from a business trip or as the main reason for a beer-focused vacation.” In 2015, a Travelocity survey found that three-quarters of respondents said “they would like to go on a trip where they visited craft breweries and sampled local beer.” “The whole impetus behind RBU and the Richmond Beer Trail is to bring awareness to the beer scene that is becoming nationally known,” said Jones. “We’re not a small beer town anymore. We want to make a visit to Richmond memorable.” The advantage of beer tourism is that the beer tourists cannot live by beer alone. They spend money on food, lodging and transportation, experiencing a destination’s other venues, too. “That’s why Richmond tourism is so excited about [the beer trail],” Jones added. “The craft beer consumer has disposable income that they’re willing to spend on experiences, and Richmond has a lot to offer outside of just the beer scene – a great outdoors scene [and] a great food scene.” “The enthusiasm, collaboration and creative cooperation of the Richmond region craft brewers … have really helped us jump start an exciting new beer-focused tourism experience for visitors to the Richmond region,” said Hendren. “It’s a group effort,” said Jones. “Making this a successful campaign requires every participant.” Brochures are available at the breweries and can be downloaded at RichmondBeerTrail.com.
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brewNEWS
Better With Age
By Steve Deason
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an you actually own too much beer? Virginia based beer fan Matt Fisher says he found out you can the hard way. Fisher likes to try lots of new brews but wasn’t happy when he found they had gone bad by the time he got around to opening them. Although most beers are best fresh he found some were still quite good if not better after sitting awhile. In order to learn more about these exceptions Fisher read a book called Vintage Beer, A Taster’s Guide to Brews That Improve over Time by Patrick Dawson. Fisher later reached out to Dawson and got his blessing to create the Vintage Beer Facebook Page. The page has been active about a year and a half and has just under a thousand members including many from Virginia including the brewing community. Below are some guidelines from the members and hosts of this site for aging beer and/or avoiding wasting it.
Look For / Do
Dawson shared via email that those beers that are strong (at least 8% alcohol), sour, or smoked are the best candidates for aging. He calls this the Three S’s rule. “The high alcohol, acidity, or smoke phenols act as preservatives that slow the formation of stale flavors, to allow for mature, vintage flavors to develop” explains Dawson. Smoked or Rauchbier Style beers are not common locally but beer aged in bourbon barrels pick up a smoky flavor from the charred barrels. The Beer Advocate web site recommends aging beer upright in a dark space at a temperature of 50-55 degrees for most beers. Vintage fans point out that flavor is always subjective. They suggest - 18 -
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you buy two of any beer you plan to age so you can drink one now and one later making tasting notes of each. Many of the best strong beers to age are released during the winter. Here are a few examples of Virginia beers to seek for your beer cellar: Supreme Leader Bourbon Barrel Aged Mexican Spiced Imperial Stout by Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery Bourbon Barrel Honey Ginger 11.5% ABV by Ardent Craft Brewery Colossal Five English-Style Old Ale 9.8% ABV by Port City Brewery Sidamo Coffee Stout Russian Imperial Stout 9.3% ABV by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Hinterlander Wild Barleywine 11% ABV by Strangeways Brewing Xocoveza Winter Spiced Mocha Stout 8.1% ABV by Stone Brewing
Avoid
It is good to avoid beers that rely on a high amount of hop aroma or flavor as these aspects fade quickly. Andy Mitchell, brewer at New Belgium Brewery and member of the Vintage page says the same is true of non-sour beers with vibrant fruit tastes. In general light beers like lagers and wheat beers do not age well either. Dave Warwick, founding brewer for Three Notch’d Brewing Company warns people not to age their popular Biggee S’Mores because beers with adjuncts and added sugar might ferment further and pop their tops. Beers should be cellared three years or less in most cases and Dawson suggests that if in doubt err by opening sooner than later. No one likes to waste beer. VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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brewNEWS / book release
Professionally speaking, what do you enjoy most about the research aspect of writing books about the history of beer? The story of beer is intertwined with the stories of people and events, and I enjoy learning these stories. There’s an element of detective work, finding a piece in a puzzle, that’s appealing. More often, it’s discovering the human side of things and how they relate to beer and brewing. Peter Hemings is a great example--a slave trained by a professional brewer who came into his own as a chef and brewer. Learning that slaves were significant hops producers--not only at Monticello but also at Mount Vernon, Williamsburg and elsewhere--was the single most interesting element of the research, and it’s something I’m continuing to look into.
The History of
Charlottesville
Beer By Jeff Maisey By Jeff Maisey
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F
resh off the success of his historical account of Richmond’s beer culture, former Richmond Times-Dispatch writer Lee Graves turns his attention to the mountains with Charlottesville Beer: Brewing in Jefferson’s Shadow, a 192-page paperback release by Arcadia Publishing. I recently caught up with Graves, who on occasion contributes to this magazine, and asked him a few questions about what he learned in the process of writing this mustread book. Here’s our conversation.
Did you approach your Charlottesville research differently from the Richmond work? What things did you learn researching Richmond’s beer culture that may have helped with the C-Ville book? With the Richmond book, I used the Library of Congress’ “Chronicling America” newspaper website extensively, as well as city directory records spanning many years. With the Cville book, I relied more on Jefferson’s personal records, the research already done by the folks at Monticello (including the beer cellar display there) and documents accessed through the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society. Plus a trillion books and other documents. I was incredibly fortunate to stumble onto the best resource--Lucia “Cinder” Stanton and her work documenting the slave community at Monticello. The best research, as I learned in my journalism career, is talking to people directly.
Do we know if he shared his homebrew with others?
Thomas Jefferson is known for his wine production, yet some may be surprised to learn of his homebrewing. What aspects of his beer making did you find interesting?
Jefferson was generous in sharing beer, knowledge and resources (he lent out books about brewing to neighbors and invited others to learn from Peter Hemings). Anyone who came to Monticello sampled the brews made there. Martha, his wife, was the main brewer at Monticello until her death in 1782. She was renowned in the Cville area for her pale ale, so there’s every indication that the beer brewed on the mountain was liberally shared.
He was a man of ceaseless curiosity, and the process of making beer intrigued him. Because barley wasn’t readily available, he and Peter Hemings experimented with wheat and corn in brewing. Jefferson had a malting house built and designed a brew house as well. The really hands-on brewing, however, was done by his wife, Martha, and later by Hemings. Beer was a table beverage; like cider, a constant companion, but in Jefferson’s eyes not on a par with wine for dining. Yet he knew and appreciated good beer, for he remarked about the capable brewing of Hemings and how certain batches measured up against others. What were Jefferson’s favorite styles of beer? Unlike George Washington, who was a huge fan of porters, Jefferson didn’t express a favorite style, to my knowledge. Well-hopped ales that weren’t “vapid”
Do any of Jefferson’s recipes still exist?
Lee Graves’ fine historical read sells for $21.99
would have been his go-to beers. Since he brewed with wheat and corn more than barley, those ingredients would have shaped his tastes.
Jefferson was asked by a friend for one of his recipes and replied that he not only had no recipe for brewing but also that “I much doubt if the operations of malting & brewing could be successfully performed from a receipt [recipe].” Starr Hill Brewing Co., working in collaboration with researchers at Monticello, approximated a recipe that Peter Hemings might have used in the Monticello Reserve Ale. You’ll have to ask the folks at Starr Hill for the specific recipe, but generally it is a light-flavored, cont’d
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brewNEWS Nelson County Tourism and the Charlottesville region breweries worked together to create the Commonwealth’s first official beer trail
What was the beer climate like in How did Charlottesville’s craft beer Charlottesville between the end scene emerge during the 2000s? of Prohibition and the 1980s? South Street and Starr Hill were the initial The climate in general for beer stalwarts--along with Blue Ridge Brewing consumption certainly reflected Company until it closed. Monticello Charlottesville’s nature as Brewing Company, which offered brewinga university town. Students on-premises, added to the scene briefly. drank beer. The annual Easters The real thrust of the decade came with celebration, a massive weekend the breweries along Route 151 in Nelson party, gained nationwide attention County--Blue Mountain, Devils Backbone and was named best party in the country Basecamp and Wild Wolf. These folks put by Playboy magazine. Local commercial their heads together to form the Brew brewing, however, was not evident then. Ridge Trail in 2009, a seminal event in easy-drinking unfiltered wheat beer lightly Charlie Papazian had his first experience Virginia beer growth. hopped with East Kent Goldings hops (5.5 with homebrewed beer while a student percent ABV, 27 IBUs). Jefferson did specify You cover SB604 and the Brew Ridge at U.Va. in the 1970s, and that planted using a bushel of malt for every eight to 10 Trail. These were spearheaded in large the seeds for the whole craft brewing gallons of “strong beer, such as will keep measure by those in the Charlottesville revolution. for years,” and three-quarters of a pound of and Nelson County beer scene. hops for every bushel of wheat. Did Starr Hill Brewery begin Can you share your thoughts on the the modern age of craft beer in importance of these efforts? Between the days of Jefferson and Charlottesville or were there others in Unlike most parts of the state, the Prohibition, what was Charlottesville’s addition before them? Charlottesville area had a solid core of beer consumer base and The first brewpub in the state was Blue brewers and breweries before SB604 was manufacturing like? Ridge Brewing Company, which opened passed in 2012--and as any beer geek Like other parts of Virginia and the in Charlottesville in 1987. Others followed knows, that was the game changer in the nation, Charlottesville experienced a big and faded, but the opening of South Street Virginia brewing landscape because it change in the consumer base and beer brewpub in 1998 and Starr Hill in 1999 allowed breweries to sell their beer retail manufacturing because of the influx of gave permanent legs to the area’s craft without having to sell food. The Brew German immigrants in the mid- and late brewing movement. It’s interesting to Ridge Trail, the first of its kind in the state, 1800s. Lagers entered the scene and note that these breweries, along with Blue demonstrated the appeal of connecting gained popularity (though, as one Virginia Mountain, Devils Backbone and Wild Wolf the dots among area breweries through resident put it, they were an “acquired in Nelson County, were active before the aggressive tourism marketing. The state taste”). There were a couple of local law changed in 2012 with SB604. owes Maureen Kelley, a Nelson County breweries--Charlottesville Brewery among official, a big tip of the hat for her role in them--but the scene was mostly dominated Can you speak to the importance of helping to create the trail. by come-here breweries such as Robert Starr Hill on Charlottesville as well Portner of Alexandria, Bergner & Engel of as its charismatic founder, Mark If Jefferson were alive today, which Philadelphia and Anheuser-Busch. Thompson? specific C-Ville region beers would he enjoy based upon what you know of his How did C-Ville do during Prohibition? Mark Thompson deserves great credit as a passionate advocate for craft beer, not only tastes? Charlottesville (the city) exercised the in Virginia but also in the nation as a whole. Given his curiosity, he would try every local option opportunity and went dry in He guided Starr Hill to prominence for beer in the entire region!!!! I’m betting 1907, well before the rest of the state and quality (you should see the medals in the that Starr Hill’s Monticello Reserve Ale nation. Homebrewing seems to have kept tasting room) and quantity (Starr Hill was would taste like home to him, and I also local throats from getting too parched. for a time the top producer in the state). He think he would enjoy Champion’s Shower One gem I found was a notebook kept also served as head of the Virginia Craft Beer and Three Notch’d 40 Mile IPA (for its by William “Reddy” Echols, a famous Brewers Guild and worked for changes in reference to Jack Jouett’s ride, if nothing professor at the University of Virginia, state law that ignited the current golden else). Devils Backbone’s Vienna Lager documenting his experiments in home age. The great thing about Starr Hill is also--who doesn’t like that? He also would brewing during Prohibition. that after Mark’s departure the brewery love learning about modern barrelcontinues to win awards and crank out aging techniques at Blue Mountain and creative, interesting and delicious beers. elsewhere, I think. - 22 -
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be bold
BoldRock.com
1020 Rockfish Valley Highway (Rt. 151) Nellysford, VA 22958 | (434) 361-1030 VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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mugSHOTS
Stone Brewing Tap Take Over District 5 Richmond
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Tap It Local
Brew Ridge Trail Collaboration Tap Takeover Chesapeake
VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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mugSHOTS
Winter Blues Jazz Festival presents Barrel Aged Blues by DoG Street Pub Williamsburg
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Chaos Mountain Brewing Company
Ugly Christmas Party Callaway
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These talented Virginians are getting their craft on in celebration of the beer lover in all of us!
Get Lit
Create a cozy ambiance with these handmade candles! Each candle is made using recycled beer bo�les and features a wick, soy wax, and a scent of your choice or unscented. Create a look that’s personal to you by choosing your beer bo�le and scent. Natural Lites, Richmond • etsy.com/NaturalLites
Cheers!
These made to order pint glasses are perfect for holding your favorite brew! They are made of slip-cast porcelain and available in several colors. The inside is finished with a glossy, white glaze while the outside has a ma�e finish. All are made to order. $36 Tiny Badger Ceramics, Richmond etsy.com/TinyBadgerCeramics
tiny
bubbles
Liven up your living room and show your love for beer with this handmade Fizzy Cold Beer decora�ve throw pillow. The pillow is made from 100% spun polyester and measures 15.5” x 15.5.” Plus, each graphic is hand produced allowing for a unique appearance. $19.95 The Skin Dudes. Lynchburg etsy.com/TheSkinDudes - 28 -
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VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones - 30 -
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irginia has caught quite a beer buzz in the past few years! Since July 2012 when breweries were able to begin selling beer by the glass directly to the public in onsite tasting rooms, thanks to State Bill 604, Virginia has seen dozens of brewery startups, expansion of existing breweries, and has even attracted some big West Coast breweries to the State (for example, Green Flash, Stone, Deschutes, and Ballast Point). Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and he has a frothy white beard and elves that carve mash paddles and malt barley. He exists wherever there are people who believe in beer; oh how dreary our culture would be without the craft brewer, who transforms malt, hops, and yeast into poetry and romance. And, as the number of craft breweries increases so does the opportunity to attract beer tourists and enhance the experience of those who visit our area for other reasons. How can we capitalize on our terrific Virginia breweries and help more people to discover them? There are strong efforts already being made to promote beer tourism in Virginia. Examples like the “Brew Ridge Trail” (www.brewridgetrail.com) promoted by Nelson County Tourism and Economic Development, the “Coastal Virginia Beer Trail” (www.covabeertrail.com) developed by Jeff Maisey and Jennifer McDonald of Virginia Craft Beer Magazine and VEER Magazine, and Virginia’s official tourism website link to information about Virginia breweries for tourists seeking “Things to do” (http://www.virginia.org/directory/ wineriesandbreweries/ are examples of resources that encourage beer tourism. Additionally, Staunton, Augusta & Waynesboro Tourism, Harrisonburg Tourism, and The Rockbridge Area Tourism collaborated to produce the “Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail” (www.beerwerkstrail.com), Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge launched the “Virginia’s Blue Ridge Beerway” (www.vabeerway.com), Visit Loudon established the “LoCo Virginia Ale Trail” (www.locoaletrail. com), and Visit Richmond just created the “Richmond Beer Trail” (www. visitrichmondva.com/drink/richmond-beer-trail). The Virginia Craft Brewer’s Guild is an organization that provides a structure for our breweries work together to promote the industry, and their annual beer festival will be August 19 in Charlottesville. These are just a few of the many examples of how we are doing good things to promote beer tourism here in Virginia. What are some additional ideas that could be implemented to take our promotion of Virginia’s craft brewing industry to the next level?Whenever we travel we seek out the local breweries and beer culture, and here are a few ideas we’ve picked up along the way about how beer culture is marketed that may be helpful for Virginia as a State, for regions such as Hampton Roads, Roanoke Valley, Charlottesville/Nelson County/Shenandoah region, Greater Richmond, Northern Virginia, and for individual cities. Last summer, we visited quite a few Vermont breweries and learned about how they promote their beer industry from a firsthand perspective as beer tourists. Vermont has the highest number of breweries per capita of any state in the U.S., with 9.4 breweries per continued
Chris & Diane tour a Vermont brewery while promoting Norfolk craft beer
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100,000 residents over age 21. For Virginia the number is 2 per capita. However, as we are a populous and larger state we have more breweries (124) than Vermont (44). This is Brewer’s Association data from 2015 and the numbers today are higher for both states, but still comparable. A couple of things we found really helpful in connecting us with Vermont breweries are below. The Vermont Brewery Challenge Passport – A small tri-fold card that fits in your wallet, with Vermont breweries’ logos. You get it stamped at each brewery’s tasting room you visit (no purchase required). Four stamps earn you a bottle opener magnet, ten garner a Vermont Brewer t-shirt, twenty get the t-shirt and a tote bag, and a stamp at ALL breweries gets the intrepid beer fan a collector’s set of Vermont beer gear. The prize can be collected at the annual Vermont Brewers Festival or by mail. Passports could be used at the local or regional level, to tout all the breweries in a single city or region. A Hampton Roads, or Greater Richmond, or Roanoke Valley Passport would be a fun promotional tool.
G
lossy cardstock rack cards promoting regional breweries as a group are all over the place in Vermont. We saw these as soon as we stepped off the plane at the airport, by car rental counters, at highway rest stops, at gas stations, in hotel lobbies, at tourist attractions, as well in brewery tasting rooms, brewpubs, and many restaurants. Some of these have regional “passports” similar to the one described above, and may include breweries, wineries, cideries, and craft distilleries. The rack cards generally have a basic map showing locations, information about tasting room hours, when tours are offered, phone and web links, and are an extremely handy resource that makes it easy to plot your brewery-touring adventures. A previous beercation to Bamberg Germany provides other examples of how cities and regions can promote beer tourism. Bamberg has nine breweries and a beer culture one thousand years in the making. They do an amazing job of marketing beer culture. The main home page for Bamberg’s official tourism website has a prominent link to “bier culture” with a photo of a frothy beer. One click and you discover thirteen different beer tourism options for individuals and groups. http://en.bamberg.info/bierschmecker-angebote/ They include a “culinary experience with a beer sommelier,” a guided walking tour of Bamberg’s beer history and culture that includes two refreshment stops, a PDA-assisted walking tour of Bamberg’s breweries (I would suggest they develop a mobile app), various brewery tours and a “brewery pilgrimage.” There are simple 90-minute brewery visits and comprehensive multi-day packages like the one we chose. Our tour was entirely self-guided so we could follow our own schedule. We received a detailed brochure and map of all Bamberg breweries and biergardens with hours and information, a ticket for a beer at each location, a threecourse dinner at a “fancy” biergarden with a special beer cocktail, three nights in a hotel with breakfast included (many hotel choices at different price points, we chose a hotel that was also a brewery), a multi-day bus pass, a self-guided walking tour with PDA to non-beer cultural attractions, admission to a museum, Bamberg-logo beer steins, and a Bamberg-logo backpack for all the goodies. All breweries and biergardens were within continued
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walking distance of the hotel. The various beer touring packages are clearly explained and can be ordered through an online form at the tourism website. A city like Norfolk, with six breweries within walking distance as well as a nationally top-rated beer bar (The Birch), could use some of these ideas to promote our nascent beer culture and turn us into a real beer destination. Also, cities and regional marketing groups should consider partnering with companies that provide brewery tour transportation, such as Taste of Tidewater Tours, Brew Ha Ha Tours, Blue Ridge Brew Excursions, Wish Wish Wine Tours (wish they would change the name as they do brewery tours too!), Brews Cruise Tours (not yet in Virginia, but in many cities around the United States and it is only a matter of time). Multi-brewery beer touring transportation and services is an area ripe for entrepreneurship. Last, we will share an idea from London, an every-Saturday event known as the Bermondsey (or, Beermondsey) Beer Mile. Four breweries, two taprooms, a bottle shop, and a homebrew supply shop are within walking distance of each other in the Bermondsey section of London. These establishments are all open Saturday afternoon, and it has become quite a popular event to “do the beer mile.” It is actually a bit more than a mile and difficult to fit in every stop; we made it to four breweries, tasted great beers, met nice people, and considered ourselves fortunate to find our way back to the hotel! This isn’t marketed through the official tourism office as London has quite a few competing attractions, however Diane’s friend Jezza has a useful website http://www.beerguideldn.com/article.php?ID=5, and there are articles in the press and on the web to help the beer tourist plan a Bermondsey beer mile walk, as well as a company that provides a walking tour with meet-the-brewer benefits. A tour guide relieves you of having to navigate and read a map, which can pose a challenge after your first couple of stops! https://londonbrewerytour.com/bermondsey-microbrewery-craftbeer-tasting-experience-walk/ Here in Virginia local breweries in walking distance of each other could jointly promote a similar weekly open-house concept, perhaps the city could develop a mobile app with GPS to help people navigate the walk. Once a quarter or once a month a 15-passenger van could make a loop between all the breweries; visitors could purchase a ticket to hop-on and hop-off at the various locations. For something like “Your City Beer Week” the loop could include a stop at a designated partner hotel. Combine transportation or a clear map with a package including overnight at a hotel, beer coupons, a brewery tour or two, and dinner at a beer-friendly restaurant walking distance from the hotel and you’ve got a winner. It can be hard work to plan a beercation. Finding the breweries you want to visit, taking into account the tasting room opening hours, making a brewery tour appointment if applicable, plotting an efficient route, finding transportation/designated driver/public transit options, navigating, and deciding where to stay are all time consuming. We have done this many times for ourselves and for groups of up to 30. We have also hired touring companies to handle some arrangements. Whatever resources can be used to make this process as simple as possible for the beer tourist can help transform a region from “a place with a lot of breweries” to a real beer tourism destination. Many cities in Virginia are used to competing with each other. Marketing a region’s beer culture could in theory be done by the breweries themselves or an industry group (for example, the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, or its “parent” Virginia Manufacturers Association) but this isn’t necessarily the primary expertise or objective of these groups. Breweries are in the business of brewing beer and operating tasting rooms, not the business of developing city-wide or regional marketing efforts. Cities like Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Richmond have sufficient breweries to have independent marketing of their respective breweries and not necessarily need regional cooperation. Many agree that we need to capitalize on the opportunities for beer tourism here in Virginia, and indeed good things are happening. We have tried to provide some concrete examples of strategies that help take us to the next level as a beer tourism destination. - 34 -
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By Jeff Maisey hen Green Flash Brewing Company brewmaster Erik Jensen was in Virginia Beach for the November grand opening of the San Diego craft brewery’s East Coast production facility, he made a statement that drew gasps and utterances of surprise. Jensen was taking part in a live, onsite “Meet the Green Flash brewers” Q&A session when a guy in the seated audience asked, “IPAs are hugely popular among craft beer drinkers. What do you think will be the next big thing in craft beer?” Jensen responded immediately, “It will be what the brewers are all drinking now at the end of their workday.”
O’Connor Brewing Company debuts its first straight-up lager in 2017
“What’s that?” asked the visitor. “Lagers and pilsners,” said Jensen. Yep, lagers and pilsners, those good ol’ fashioned, nothin’ fancy beers brought to the shores of America by German and Eastern European immigrants. For many Virginia craft brewers this doesn’t come as a shock and is what they’ve been hoping for. I recently reached out to several brewers and brewery owners and each were eager to comment. “We’ve seen a lot of the trends over the years, from extreme IPAs to sours to now potentially lagers and pilsners,” said William Spence Jr., director of operations at St. George Brewing Company in Hampton. “We welcome this new look at pilsners and lagers because many haven’t realized just how flavorful different lagers and pilsners can be. For example, with lagers you can see the whole variety from light yellow lagers to Vienna-styles to dark lagers like Schwarzbiers. With pilsners, just a change of hop type can change the taste and flavor. We’ve been making traditional lagers and pilsners for years. The customer demand that drove us to produce and sell this year-round reflects a pent-up desire for a well-crafted beer that is easier on the palate and truly sessionable.” “Lagers, and particularly pilsners, are some of the most interesting beer brands to make and have very good qualities, generally as the natural session beers,” shared Starr Hill brewmaster Robbie O’Cain. “Pilsners are my favorite style right now and I think the subtle flavors and nuances are overlooked by a lot of beer aficionados,” chimed in Dave Gott, vice president of operations at Richmond’s Legend Brewing Company. Alexandria-based Port City Brewing Company won a gold metal last year at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup competitions for its Downright Pilsner in the Czech Pilsner category. Port City owner Bill Butcher has a unique perspective having come to the world of craft beer from the wine business. “In my many years in the drinks business, I have seen this play out before,” said Butcher. “Tastes evolve, and trends come and go. It is like a pendulum that swings back in forth. I saw this in the ‘90s as ultra ripe, high alcohol California Cabernets and Zinfandels came into vogue. People were looking for more extreme flavors, and wine writers extolled the mouth coating richness of these massive fruit bombs. The company I worked for always valued balanced flavors, finesse and elegance, and our wines sometimes took a back seat in the press to these extreme flavored wines. Over time, drinkers had had enough of the palate fatigue that occurred after a few sips, and began to seek out more balanced, easier to drink options, such as Pinot Noir and other more restrained styles. Watching the trend come back to us was a vote of confidence in our winemaking philosophy. “We are seeing the same thing in craft beer,” Butcher continues. “Double IPAs, and Imperial ‘This’ and ‘That’ have had a good run over the past decade, and now many drinkers’ tastes are evolving to want more balance and finesse. Lagers, Pilsners and some well made Pale Ales will be sought after as this pendulum swings back the other way. We fully embrace this latest evolution of taste, VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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Virginia Craft Lagers & Pilsners to try
(These were awarded medals in 2016 by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild)
Sunken City Brewing Company Dam Lager Back Bay Brewing Company Gringo Escutcheon Brewing Company John Riggins’ 4th & 1 Pilsner Old Bust Head Brewing Company Oktoberfest Starr Hill Brewery Jomo Vienna Lager Caboose Brewing Company Crossroads Vienna Lager Port City Brewing Company Downright Pilsner Lost Rhino Brewing Company Rhino Chasers Pilsner Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery Pony Pasture Pilsner Fair Winds Brewing Company Hells Navigator Three Notch’d Brewing Company Brew Betties Maibock South Street Brewery My Personal Helles Mad Fox Brewing Company Kolsch Ornery Beer Company Kolsch Bull and Bones Brewhaus Kolsch
and we are ready for this! We have always brewed towards balance and elegance, and our Downright Pilsner is a great example of this, as is our Essential Pale Ale.” Norfolk’s Smartmouth Brewing Company is known for its award-winning IPAs and its popular Alter Ego Saison, but sees opportunities for growth with its Safety Dance Pilsner. “This year, Safety Dance will be getting a lot more focus because we definitely see that as an area of growth and interest for people who still want all malt beer with traditional ingredients, but with no rice or corn in it,” said Port Hardy, president, Smartmouth Brewing Co. “We use a German yeast strain and German hops in ours. Even if you’re an IPA or double IPA lover, sometimes when the weather is nice you want just a straight, easy-drinking nice pilsner or lager. I do think there’ll be a resurgence in that.” Wendy Hallock, co-owner of Chaos Mountain Brewing in Callaway, Virginia, also sees these styles doing well in her neck of the hills. “Our Shine-Runner Czech Pilsner is really gaining traction and we made the decision to make one as we needed a lower ABV beer in our portfolio,” Hallock shared. “It’s very beloved and we have started promoting it more.” O’Connor Brewing Company has experienced tremendous growth since opening almost six years ago. O’Connor’s strong selling flagships include El Guapo IPA, Norfolk Canyon Pale Ale and O’Connor Dry Irish Stout. One style not in its product line is lager, but that’s about to change this March with the unveiling of R&R Lager. “There’s that real craft beer, geeky market, and then
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KSB R&D Series Tapping a New & Exciting Beer Each Week in 2017
KSB Spring Festival
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FEBRUARY 2017
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you’ve got that other market that drinks everything,” said owner/brewer Kevin O’Connor. “You’ve got people who want to focus on New England IPAs and Imperial Stouts, but I think people just want a good damn beer. I do think the entire lager category is going to make a huge resurgence here in the next few years. You saw it with Devils Backbone Vienna Lager. You’re starting to see a ton of breweries put together some good lagers. I think it’s not just going to be a trend; if done right it’s going to be huge.” O’Connor did a test batch of R&R Lager and shared it with key accounts for feedback. “A lot of people loved it,” said owner/ brewer Kevin O’Connor. The O’Connor brewing and business team have been running the numbers on how the addition of R&R Lager will impact its production schedule and fermenting tank availability as the brewery continues to satisfy the high demand for its popular and growing core brands. On the business side of the equation, lagers present a dilemma. “An ale typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to make depending on what type of ale,” O’Connor said of the process of producing the style. “But a lager can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. So when you’re looking at it as a business…that’s why craft brewers typically make nothing but ales because you can turn them a lot quicker. The typical ale is top fermented at warmer temperatures, lagers are bottom fermenting at colder temperatures for a longer time.” “All malt lagers and pilsners are a celebration of patience and meticulous raw material selection,” said O’Cain at Starr Hill. “Due to the yeast strain used, and the overall target for beer flavors, it is very difficult to hide flaws in lagers and pilsners. Some of these beers have a very refined and delicate flavor profile and aren’t as in-your-face as many of the ale styles. This allows any flaws to show a much more pronounced character in these types of beers. Lagers play a particularly important role for Starr Hill as they are a significant portion of our brand identity.” The wisdom of the wait is also not lost on Bill Butcher. Lagers and pilsners will pay-off. “The extra time is definitely worth it,” Butcher said. “It is more challenging, yes, for sure. It has required us to invest in more tanks in order to be able to brew more of our Downright Pilsner. But when we see the demand growing and we see
Starr Hill Brewery’s newly packaged Warehouse Pils
more and more accounts putting our Pilsner on tap, it is very satisfying for us. It lets us know that we are on the right track and brewing beers that the market appreciates.” William Spence often makes the statement that if you want to know if a brewery has high standards then first taste their lager or pilsner. If they produce a good lager, then the others will likely be appealing.
“ Lagers,
and particularly pilsners, are some of the most interesting beer brands to make and have very good qualities, generally as the natural session beers.”
“Making a clean lager is definitely a test of a brewery, from its brewing staff’s skills to the technical schematics of the equipment to just the degree to which a brewery cleans its equipment and workspace,” Spence said. “Because lagers can reveal so much, a less-thanrigorous cleaning practice can be readily apparent. A brewery’s water source also factors in - if a brewery does not invest in certain filtration or treatments, it will
be apparent in their lagers and pilsners. Because we have a brewer who trained in Germany and has great expertise in making lagers and pilsners, and because we invest the water treatment resources and tank time, we think we’ve been able to make a product worth the time and investment. Our customers seem to agree-which is why we began making the Oktoberfest-style lager year round--so we continue with that practice.” So, in the craft beer world, will lagers and pilsners make a strong showing in 2017? Remember this: In 2015, the Huffington Post reported on the Top 20 beers sold in the United States. They were all lagers produced by Big Beer with the exception of independently-owned Yuengling Lager. One concern expressed off the record by some craft breweries is that their distributors essentially pay their annual expenses thanks to the sales of the large corporate lagers. If craft breweries produce challengers this could adversely impact sales of PBR, Miller Lite and Bud Light. In theory, perhaps. Certainly, the strength of Devils Backbone’s multiaward-winning Vienna Lager would suggest otherwise, though it could also be what Anheuser-Busch-Inbev found particularly appealing about their brand. “Predicting the beer market is very difficult,” concludes Starr Hill’s O’Cain. “Brewers have been drinking craft lagers and pilsners for quite a while and have constantly said that pilsners and lagers are the next big thing. It is hard to say if they will ever match the craft sales of other styles like IPA but I would like to think that people, above all, appreciate a damn well made beer. If it is lagers Tuesday, Wheats Wednesday and IPAs Thursday, it makes little difference to us.” VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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Benchtop is Hammering Out Some Great Beer By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones
Diane Catanzaro
E
ric Tennant is a North Carolina man who grew up in a dry county. His first taste of beer at a young age was a sip or two of his dad’s Tecate. His first full beer as a teenager was a Busch, swiped from dad’s fridge. While Eric wasn’t overly impressed, he stuck with it. He was young and willing to experiment, trying different styles and brands, probably wondering why does the beer in his hand taste the way that it does? Was it prestidigitation, or was there a scientific explanation? Next thing you know, he’s in college at N. C. State, and he expanded his gustatory gravitas to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science. Eric may have run with the Wolfpack at N. C. State, but also loves his lab, as in laboratory. He worked for ConAgra right out of college (making Slim Jims taste even better), was Director of Quality and Research & Development for a large company in North Carolina (improving whipped cream and other delights). He’s worked as a Senior Food Scientist in fermentation science for a meat processor in Milwaukee. (Who knew you could ferment meats? Sounds like a sausage party!) Currently Eric is a Senior Innovation Manager at Smithfield Foods, which involves both food science and consumer science. The term “benchtop” refers to making small-batch samples or prototypes of new processes or products before scaling up to full production. It was while working in Milwaukee that Eric discovered the world of craft beer Benchtop’s through an encounter with Rogue Dead Guy do-it-yourself guy, Ale. That delicious double-deuce steered Eric Tennant him to a textbook on brewing, and in 2013 he developed the business plan for what is now Benchtop Brewing. Like a lot of homebrewers, Eric started making six-gallon batches (verysmall-batch production) and now is brewing 35 times that much beer in his own seven-barrel computer-controlled brewhouse. His background as a food scientist gives him a wealth of experience understanding the production process, quality control, chemistry, fermentation, and food engineering. And, his entrepreneurial bent has led him to apply these skills to open Benchtop Brewing.
Benchtop is located in a former customs warehouse in the Chelsea section of Norfolk, also known as “the industrial district next to West Ghent near Orapax,” or, if you are a beer geek, “near Smartmouth Brewing and the Birch Bar.” A two-man operation, Eric is Benchtop’s brewer, business director, R&D director, QC director, and jack of all trades, while Dale Price is the tasting room manager. Benchtop’s grand opening was on December 17 and the place was filled with happy beerdrinkers and lots of locals. During an early January visit, there were five beers available.
benchtop brewing • 1129 Boissevain Ave, Norfolk • benchtopbrewing.com - 40 -
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Chelsea, a Tidewater grisette, 5.4% ABV, is brewed with Virginia-grown rye, red wheat, and pale malt, along with oats, house yeast, and hops. Grisette is a lighter saison-like ale traditionally brewed for miners in the French-speaking region of what is now Belgium. As Benchtop is barely a stone’s throw from where Virginia and West Virginia coal is exported to the rest of the world, a “miners’ beer” is a fitting tribute. Educated Guess is a hoppy blonde, 5.6% ABV. It is brewed with Azaccca hops, named for the Haitian god of agriculture and possessed by a tropical fruit character. Essential Design, a 6.5% ABV IPA, has layered hops additions. Essentially, a double IPA, has even more hops and a big 8% ABV. Mermaid’s Scorn, a Tidewater Gose coming in at 4.5% ABV, is the most unique beer of the bunch. It has Virginia-grown wheat and pale malts, along with 200 local oysters added toward the end of the boil. Gose, a traditional beer style indigenous to Goslar, Germany (near Leipzig) but a recent darling of American craft brewers, is a wheat-based beer brewed with salt and coriander, and lactobacillis is used in fermentation to add a distinctive thirst-quenching sour character. A few buckets of filtered Virginia Beach seawater is added to the boil, and then, later, the oysters. Eric adds hand-zested lemon during fermentation, which lends a fresh citrusy aroma. This is what we call Tidewater terroir! The resulting beer is tart, fragrant, lemony, light-bodied, with just a hint of the mermaid’s briny kiss, and is surprisingly delicious. And, this beer has garnered INTERNATIONAL attention, with Canadians clamoring to have it shipped to them. When they can’t swim in our icy cold ocean water, these hardy souls apparently have a hankering to drink some. Alas, northern neighbors, this beer, like the other Benchtop beers, is only available in the tasting room. This young brewery will be brewing a variety of beer styles, so by the time you visit there may be different choices. Also, recipes will be tweaked and revised for the first four batches of each beer to examine variations and determine the best formulation. A recent visit allowed us to compare Educated Guess batch 1 and 2 versions side-by-side. (They were both excellent, however the goal of a hazier appearance, appropriate for a hoppy blond, was achieved). There are plans for a porter, which at some point may be brewed with a bacon addition (Eric does work for Smithfield Foods after all). You’ve got to “ham” it to him, you’ll be able to bring home the bacon and drink it too. It will make you squeal with delight. Don’t hog it all before we get there. The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday; opening hours can be found on their website (www. benchtopbrewing.com). You can drink the beer there, or bring a growler or two home to enjoy. Small pours and flights are available. Most breweries sell flights, but few allow you a choice of 3, 6, or 12 ounce pours. We LOVE that! Got questions about the beers you’re drinking there? The tasting room manager, Dale Price, is a Certified Cicerone. That’s the beer version of a sommelier. Ply Feedback, column ideas, him with queries like “how newsworthy items? does a Bohemian pilsner differ from a German Give us a clue at pilsner?” as he plies you brewsclues2@verizon.net with the Mermaid’s Scorn.
Home Republic Brewery and Restaurant Free Parking in 32nd street garage for customers
14 draft beers on tap that rotate with Home Republic Beers and other craft breweries.
328 Laskin Road | Virginia Beach, VA 23451 HomeRepublicVaBeach.com
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Turn Lefty, Then Right for Beer Interview by Jeff Maisey Photos Courtesy of Right Mind Brewery
I
t’s a bar! No, it’s a restaurant! Maybe it’s a micro brewery! Try, all of the above. Lefty’s Main Street Grille, a popular restaurant in Blacksburg serving everything from steak & eggs at 8 AM for breakfast to zucchini sandwiches and zesty pasta dishes for lunch and dinner, has added craft beer to its kitchen kettle. The brewery side of the business has a name (and mind, and identity) of its own – Right Mind Brewery. The pints are priced at $5 each. Crowlers – 32-ounces – are filled to order for those who want to take a couple pints worth home. I recently caught up with head brewer Evan Graham to learn more about this unique operation. To learn more about the current tap list: http://www. leftysgrille.com/brewery/
Right Mind head brewer Evan Graham enjoys a pint after work
When did Lefty’s decide to make beer brewed onsite part of their menu? Lefty’s, which is the restaurant that contains the brewery, used to be a very small venue only seating approximately 55 people maximum. The owner, Frank Perkovich, decided to move right down the street to a much larger building, seating ~200 people maximum, in January 2016, to accommodate demand. Being from California I believe Frank had the idea to start a brewery for several years, and the move to a larger venue was the perfect opportunity for him to make a very beer centric addition to Lefty’s. I was approached by Frank in the spring of 2015, and Right Mind Brewing was official by the fall. We made our first batch in February 2016. Currently we have 24 taps, five of which are Right Mind beers, but we’re planning on expanding that to 12 Right Mind taps in the near future.
equipment but the market for used brewhouses and fermenters is vicious. As soon as something is posted for sale on pro-brewer it’s gone. In the end we decided on equipment from Practical Fusion, a manufacturer in Oregon. Besides the equipment woes, we were fairly lucky in the build out of the actual brewhouse space. There just so happened to be an existing large reinforced cement pad in the middle of the restaurant layout that was rated high enough to support the weight of all our equipment. The room where I brew houses three 7BBL fermenters and our two vessel brewhouse. Luckily we also have a basement where we installed a large walk in cooler directly below the brewhouse, which contains five 7BBL brite tanks as well as all the other guest beer that we serve.
What was the process like in terms of making room for brewing equipment (include size of equipment ie 3-barrel system)? It’s amazing how nerve racking it can be to put together a 7BBL system from the ground up. It was definitely a learning experience for me as well as the owner. I’ve been around professional brewing equipment for several years now, but the task was still really daunting. Most of the confusion came from the choices on the market. In the beginning we tried to buy used
What was your brewing experience before becoming head brewer? I graduated from Virginia Tech in 2009 with a degree in chemistry, but for some reason I decided not to immediately get a job with my degree. I think I wanted to have a little more fun before real life set in. So I moved to Charlotte to live with some friends who had graduated the year before. I got a job at a restaurant, and was kind of in a state of limbo at the time. That is until my roommate brought home a brew kit out of the blue
right mind brewing • 1410 South Main St., Blacksburg • rightmindbrewing.com - 42 -
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Right Mind Brewery fills 32-ounce crowlers to go of whatever they have on tap
one day after work. I was blown away with the idea that we could make our own beer. I had just started drinking good beer thanks to another friend who pushed me past my Keystone Light filled nights in college, so this made me delve into beer culture head first, and to figure out what “good” beer was. I was immediately hooked, and I’m still not sure why I love it so much, but I can’t imagine doing anything else. After a year in Charlotte I moved to my home town in rural Western Maryland, and devoted most of my time to brewing at home and reading about beer when I wasn’t working. Eventually I was put in contact, through a mutual friend, with the head brewer of Morgantown Brewing Co. in West Virginia. That was my first experience with professional equipment, and it was eye opening to me the respect and care needed to run equipment of that size. I did a short internship with Morgantown Brewing Co. and then decided to move back to Blacksburg, again I think I had fun in mind when I made this move, but it was also when the 2012 brewery law for beer sales without food in breweries was enacted. I knew this would greatly increase my chances of working in a startup brewery. I did some bartending for a little while, which is where I met our owner Frank. I worked at his other establishment 622 North, an awesome beer bar in Blacksburg. All the while still fervently homebrewing. I eventually got in contact with Parkway Brewing Co. in Salem, and took a full time shift brewer position. I would frequently make pilot batches at Parkway when I wasn’t brewing flagships on the large system. After about two years working at Parkway, Frank and I began contemplating my current position as head brewer at Right Mind Brewing. Why is the brewery named differently from the restaurant? There was no real concrete reason that we decided to name the brewery separately, but I think it was more of a feeling that we wanted it to be its own entity. I think we also wanted to develop a brand all its own that was fun and exciting, because that’s what the current beer climate is like these days. Our owner also loves to say that only left handed people are in their right mind. If you hadn’t guessed by now he’s a lefty. - 44 -
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Do your servers suggest food/beer pairing? Some of our more experienced servers are definitely capable of and do suggest pairings of beer and wine. Pairing beverages and food can be a difficult task for the uninitiated, but I try to educate the servers at meeting and tastings about what would go well with what. It’s always a learning experience to see the effect one or multiple flavors have when coupled with beer. Is the brewery able to keep up with demand? We decided to oversize our brewery a little bit in order to make room for growth if needed, so currently I’m not having trouble meeting demand. We are also only selling our beers in house and to go in crowlers and growlers, so we still haven’t begun distribution yet either. We are currently exploring the avenues that we can take to liberate our beers from being chained down to one location. It is amazing though how much beer we can sell from just five lines in our tap room, and soon we’ll have many more offering to accommodate everyone’s personal taste. The thirst for American craft beer is growing, and I am extremely grateful that it allows me to do the job that I love every single day. What is your brewing philosophy: a set number of core beers or continuous rotation of recipes? We have a constantly changing lineup. I still haven’t brewed the same beer twice, but a lot of that has to do with that I brew seasonally. I aim for refreshing and light beers in the summer. Pilsners, American wheats, and a particular favorite of mine was a summer ale dry hopped with 007: the golden hop, which had an aroma of orange herbal notes. Now that its started getting colder I’ve moved on to darker beers like our Biker Brown, a homebrew competition winner’s recipe for a porter, and my favorite so far this year Flip the Schwitch Schwarzbier which is a dark lager that’s incredibly drinkable. I’m not an IPA fan so I have found myself avoiding making them, but I also know that’s what people want so I’ve made a couple different IPAs while trying to dial in what I want from hops in a beer. My philosophy has been to make every beer clean, free from defects, and
as special as possible, and with a new year coming, when the special ones come back in season you can bet they’ll be back on our taps. I’m also beginning a barrel aging program this year for sours and clean barrel aged beers in our cellar downstairs, but for now people will have to settle for our kettle soured beers to get their sour fix. After a year under my belt of running my own program I’m finally beginning to feel confident in my beers, and think 2017 will be a very good year for us get experimental as well as to bring back some goodies from last year. What is the best selling Right Mind beer so far? By far our best selling beer was Tessellation IPA. It’s amazing how far the style has grown in popularity since I began brewing. IPA is definitely the darling of the show these days. It’s a fairly standard IPA malt bill with 2-row base malt, some light Munich, and a touch of honey malt. The hop bill is loaded down with nearly 4lbs/BBL of total hops including Mosaic, Citra, and a touch of Chinook for balance. Citrus and tropical fruit dominate the nose and flavor with just the slightest hint of pine to make it something more than just a fruit salad. It finishes dry and crisp but still full bodied. I’ve only done west coast IPAs so far, but as I write this the malt for a New England IPA sits behind me, and it’ll be hopped with Citra and Motueka. Soon we’ll be able to welcome everyone to the “cloud” craze that’s currently happening in other parts of Virginia. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned brewing for a restaurant? I think the most important thing I’ve learned by brewing in a restaurant as compared to production brewery is that you can learn so much from our customers. When you work at a production brewery you usually leave work before customers arrive, but here I get off work and go have a beer next to our customers. They always have incredible nuggets of valuable information on what they want from beer, and in turn give me a direction to head towards. I can’t count how many times I have struggled for creativity in what style I should do next, or what special ingredient I should include, and usually all it takes is a conversation with someone I’ve never met before that’s just enjoying one of our beers in the tap room. So in short the most valuable resource I have is the feedback I get from everyday people who just want to enjoy a good pint of beer. Cheers from all of us at Right Mind Brewing and Lefty’s Bar and Grille.
PALE COFFEE ALE
PARKWAYBREWING.COM
739 KESSLER MILL ROAD •EXIT 141 ON I-81, SALEM, VA
Right Minded Einsteinerweisse pairs very well with citrusy dishes such as a shrimp scampi VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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Wood Ridge Farm Brewery on a recent snowy January day
Dirt to Glass Beer Making:
Tradition and Deep Roots on a Family Farm Words by Cathy Herbert Photos Courtesy of Wood Bridge Farm Brewery
“W
e may be the only ‘dirt-to-glass’ brewery in the country,” says Barry Wood, the 62-year-old owner and operator of Wood Ridge Farm Brewery in Lovingston, Virginia. “Everything that goes into the beer is produced right here on this farm.” And the work is done using old fashioned techniques and craftsmanship that show a love of the land and its traditions. The 300-acre farm has been in the Wood family for more than 200 years. It’s located just off Route 29, across the highway from Shady’s Place. This convenience store/gas station is named for its long-time owner Forest (Shady) Wood, relative of Barry’s. On some maps, the location of the brewery is identified as Wood’s Mill, the long-gone site of the family’s prosperous mill on the banks of the Rockfish River. Several houses line the gravel road to the brewery—there used to be some closer to the river, but they were destroyed during the legendary flooding during 1969’s hurricane Camille. One, barely visible behind large trees, is the old Wood Family homestead, which I—as a descendant of that family—remember from family reunions decades ago. There’s also the saga of how my grandmother almost burned
the farm house to the ground in the early 1900s while lighting Christmas ornaments. Decades ago, when I visited her grave, located on a small cemetery on the property, the old house was a boarded-up relic. It’s now completely restored. On the hilltop, weathered barns, visible in the distance, show centuries of use. Rich farmland extends as the as far as the eye can see, surrounded by trees and framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. Reminders of the farm’s local roots include an ancient Nelson County fire truck, and hand-crafted benches and corn-hole games. For many years, Barry Wood operated produce markets that catered to upscale Northern Virginia, but he gradually moved his business southward to escape growing congestion. He got interested in the beer business almost a decade ago when he realized that the area’s distilleries and breweries were in the market for locally produced malts. He planted wheat, barley, and rye to meet the industry’s growing need. He used high-quality grains to make malts the old-fashioned way, through a process of “floor matting,” in which grains are soaked, drained, and then poured onto the malting floor. Over the next few days, the
wood ridge farm brewery • 165 old ridge road, Lovingston • facebook.com/woodridgefarmbrewery - 46 -
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grains are turned frequently for even heat distribution and then dried in a kiln. Wood Ridge malts have been sought after by such companies as Devils Backbone Brewing Company (which used them for Beech Grove Brown, it’s first completely “made in Virginia” beer), Silverback, Virginia Distillery Company, and Shenandoah Valley Brewing. In 2014, Barry decided to take advantage of new legislation that allowed Virginia farmers to open small-scale breweries on their farm. He opened his brewery in September 2016. Recently, he installed 12 taps in the spacious hand-hewn brewery building, a tribute to tradition and old-fashioned hand-crafted quality. The brewery features a two-story wrap-around porch that offers spectacular views. It’s a perfect place to down a few and enjoy an afternoon or sunset (and the beer is excellent). The porch columns—and those used in the building’s interior—are formed from intact tree trunks, limbs reaching to the warm, wood-paneled walls and ceiling. Decorative lights, in the shape of beer mugs, thread between the trees. All of the lumber in the building comes from the farm. Wood says that a walk around the farm often turns into a shopping expedition, as he searches out trees for specific purposes, perhaps a stair, countertop, or shelf. For instance, the base of his taps is formed from a gnarled tree trunk. The flooring features a mix of the many types of hardwood on the property. The staircase railings to the open upstairs gathering space—used for everything from dances to music performances and open mic nights to ugly sweater Christmas contests—is crafted from tree limbs. The brewery is a glimpse of the craftsmanship that characterizes Nelson County, as it has been for generations: hand-made and farm-based, self-sufficient and nothing wasted, with deep roots. It provides a down-home welcome to those who have lived there for generations, as well as newcomers and visitors.
Easy on the Hops. Hard to Pronounce. We’re Just Different. Proud Winner of the VA Department of Environmental Quality’s
Virginia Green Travel Leader Award 760 A West 22nd Street Ghent | Norfolk | Virginia | 23517 757.383.6438 www.coelacanth.com
These growlers say it all VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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brew Prime-Apple Express Wild Wolf Brewing Company Nellysford
Hop on board the Prime-Apple Express! Wild Wolf takes your taste buds on an adventure with their latest American IPA brewed with New England Ale Yeast, five different malts and five different hops. All of this goodness leads to aromas and notes of mango, peach, and pineapple. Dude – this beer is pretty dope! 7.4% ABV
Paycheck Porter
Oaked Wee Heavy Ale
Williamsburg
Falls Church
Alewerks Brewing Company
Alewerks’ has given its 10 year brand a new look with updated packaging which focuses on the logo and name of the beer versus the previous label illustrations. In this case, the focus is on Paycheck Porter, which replaces Washington Porter in its core line-up. It’s an American style porter with flavors of chocolate, coffee, and malt. You can take it to the bank! It’s a good beer! 5.6% ABV
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FEBRUARY 2017
Mad Fox Brewing Company
Mad Fox delivers big with this strong Scottish style ale aged in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels. It is full bodied, pours dark, and features hints of toffee, plums, and currants. And, in true Scottish form, it was lightly hopped with First Gold, an English varietal. This big beer comes in 22oz bomber bottles. At 8.6% ABV, you should share it with a friend! Cheers!
Marvoloso
Commonwealth Brewing Company Virginia Beach
This is the perfect beverage for Valentine’s evening at home by the fire snuggled up to your sweetheart. Marvoloso, a dynamic bourbon barrel imperial chocolate stout, is a warmer-upper at 11.6% alcohol and its big ABV is matched by flavor. We like that its packaged in 16-ounce cans. Enjoy a 4-pack and let the love flow!
Woodbooger
Strangeways Brewing Richmond
Nobody’s actually caught a Woodbooger – said to be a bigfootlike creature roaming the woods of Southwest Virginia – but we suspect the ideal bait to trap the fabled beast is within this 12-ounce bottle concocted by Strangeways. The liquid is a Belgianstyle brown ale and is just smooth and roasty as can be. At an inviting 6% ABV, it won’t slow the Woodbooger down, but we suspect he’ll pause mountainside and give thought to the subtle caramel and chocolate notes. Doing some winter camping in the Blue Ridge? Be prepared to share with a surprise guest.
reviews
Give Me Stout or Give Me Death Stone Brewing Richmond
Let’s first say that Patrick Henry and his fellow Virginia revolutionaries would be proud. Give Me Stout or Give Me Death is the exceptional result of a well -publicized collaboration between Stone Brewing and its new RVA colleagues at Hardywood Park and Ardent Craft Ales – along with hop pellets poured into the mash by none other than Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a vocal champion for the Commonwealth’s beer industry. McAuliffe is a fan of stouts, and though Guinness is his favorite, he’s given two thumbs-up to this full flavored liquid featuring Virginia-grown blackberries and raspberries that add a rewarding profile to balance the aggressively hopping. 9.5% ABV. Enjoy a 22-ounce bottle today, but this is a beer that will age well for up to a year in proper storage. Save one for July 4 or Thanksgiving!
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Trivia Night at Creek Bottom Brewing
$2 Tuesdays at South Street Brewery
Every Thursday, 7pm
Every Tuesday until 9pm
Live Music at Creek Bottom Brewing
Pint Specials at Wild Wolf
Creek Bottom Brewing 307 Meadow Street Galax 276.236.2337 cbbrews.com
Every Friday, 7pm
Creek Bottom Brewing 307 Meadow Street Galax 276.236.2337 cbbrews.com
Live Music at Damascus Brewery Every Saturday, 7-10pm
The Damascus Brewery 32173 Government Rd. Damascus
Open Mic Night at Creek Bottom Brewing Thurs., Feb. 9 & March 9, 7-10pm Creek Bottom Brewing 307 Meadow Street Galax 276.236.2337 cbbrews.com
Semi-Annual Homebrew Competition Sun., March 5, 6-8pm
Presented by Right Mind Brewing & Lefty’s Grille. Homebrewers can submit as many recipes as desired for judging. Deadline for submissions is March 1. Winners announced March 5 and the winning recipe will be brewed at Right Mind Brewery and featured on tap at Lefty’s Bar. Lefty’s Main Street Grille 1410 South Main Street Blacksburg rightmindbrewing.com
CENTRAL VIRGINIA Cards Against Humanity SIN Night at Strangeways Every Monday, 4-9pm
Good beer, insane laughter, & extreme inappropriateness! Bring a team of 4-7 people and the game. Plus, if you are in the service industry, receive 20% off specials. Strangeways Brewing 2277A Dabney Rd. Richmond strangewaysbrewing.com
BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS Tacos & Troubadours Night at Wolf Hills Every Tuesday, 6-9pm
Featuring delicious tacos by Toni’s Hawaiian Tacos & open mic night hosted by KT Vandyke. Wolf Hills Brewing 350 Park Street Abingdon 276.451.5470 wolfhillsbrewing.com
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FEBRUARY 2017
Trivia Night at Wolf Hills Every Wednesday, 6-8pm Wolf Hills Brewing 350 Park Street Abingdon 276.451.5470 wolfhillsbrewing.com
Beer Geek Night at Wolf Hills Every thursday, 5-9pm
New firkin or small batch beer released every Thursday. Wolf Hills Brewing 350 Park Street Abingdon 276.451.5470 wolfhillsbrewing.com
Game Night at Garden Grove Brewing Every Monday
3445 West Cary Street Richmond 804.918.6158 gardengrovebrewing.com
Rib Night at Wild Wolf Every Monday, 5-10pm
Wild Wolf Brewing Company 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford wildwolfbeer.com
$2 draft beers (under 8% ABV) 106 South Street Charlottesville 434.293.6550 southstreetbrewery.com
Every Tuesday, 5-9pm
Wild Wolf Brewing Company 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford wildwolfbeer.com
Brewers Tap Spotlight at World of Beer Every Wednesday, 6pm
Featuring a handful of carefully selected beers, showcasing the true talents of the featured brewery being represented. Come early and grab yourself a glass with purchase of a featured brew! World of Beer 852 W. Main Street Charlottesville 434.760.0771 worldofbeer.com/locations/ charlottesville
Steal the Pint at Starr Hill Every Wednesday
A different pint glass each week and specials on growler fills on any core brand. Starr Hill Tap Room 5391 Three Notched Road Crozet starrhill.com
Steal the Pint at Wild Wolf Every Wednesday
With any $4 pint purchase, receive a pint glass to take home. Wild Wolf Brewing Company 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford 434.361.0088 wildwolfbeer.com
Trivia Night at Garden Grove Brewing Every Wednesday
3445 West Cary Street Richmond 804.918.6158 gardengrovebrewing.com
Happy Hour at Blue Bee Cider Every Thursday
Featuring new ciders on draft as part of the small batch cider draft program. 212 W. 6th Street Richmond 804.231.0280 bluebeecider.com
Hardywood Winter Court Every Thursday, 5:30-9pm
Up to 6 food trucks on site. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery 2420 Ownby Lane Richmond
Pinball League at Center of the Universe Every Thursday, 6:30-9:30pm
Bring your quarters, lucky hat, and a thirst for victory (and beer!). Prizes awarded. Center of the Universe 11293 Air Park Rd. Ashland
VA Beer & Wine Tasting at Michie Tavern Every Sat. & Sun., 1-4pm
Enjoy tastings from VA craft breweries and wineries. Michie Tavern’s General Store 683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway Charlottesville 434.977.1234
Brunch at Blue Mountain Brewery Every Sunday, 11am-2pm Enjoy live music 2:30-5pm
9519 Critzer Shop Rd. Afton 540.456.8020 bluemountainbrewery.com
Brunch at Wild Wolf Every Sunday
Live Music from 2-5pm; No Cover Wild Wolf Brewing Company 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford wildwolfbeer.com
Trivia Night at Wild Wolf Every Thursday
Tacos & Trivia Wild Wolf Brewing Company 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford wildwolfbeer.com
Friday Cheers at Blue Mountain Barrel House Every Friday, 5-9pm
Enjoy live music from 6-8pm and food trucks 5-9pm 495 Cooperative Way Arrington 434.263.4002 bluemountainbrewery.com
Live Music at Wild Wolf Every Friday & Saturday, 7-10pm No cover. Wild Wolf Brewing Company 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford wildwolfbeer.com
Local Bucket Sunday at World of Beer Every Sunday
Get specials on local beers for the local beer bucket offering on Sundays. 852 W. Main Street Charlottesville
VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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The Burger Blast
will be held Friday, March 10 as part of the Virginia Wine Expo taking place in Richmond March 8-12. Sample over 35 craft beers, enjoy over 20 artisan burgers, and taste over 35 wines from Virginia, Spain, & Sonoma County, CA. Beer Release at Hardywood Sat., Feb. 4, 1-10pm
Hardywood Ruse Release (2016 World Beer Cup Bronze) and music from Hot Reader, Illiterate Light, Mantree Hardywood Park Craft Brewery 2408 Ownby Lane Richmond hardywood.com
Blue Mountain Tasting at Wegman’s Short Pump Fri., Feb. 10, 3-6pm
Wegman’s Short Pump 12200 Wegmans Blvd. Henrico
Brews & Burlesque at Strangeways Fri., Feb. 10 & Sat., Feb. 11, 9pm
Strangeways and Blacklist Burlesque bring you the ultimate Valentine’s Day date! $9 in advance; $12 at the door. Strangeways Brewing 2277 Dabney Road Richmond blacklistburlesque.com
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FEBRUARY 2017
Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dancing at Wild Wolf
Tasting Room Remix with Trillium
Valentine’s Day at Blue Mountain Brewery
Fri., Feb. 10
Sat., Feb. 11, 12pm-12am
Tues., Feb. 14, 11am-10pm
Three course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Chris Jack and live music. Tickets: $45 per person Wild Wolf Brewing Company 2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford wildwolfbeer.com
Anti-Valentine’s Day Party at Center of the Universe Sat., Feb. 11, 6-9pm
Lots of beer, live music, and tacos without all of the Valentine’s Day hype! Center of the Universe 11293 Air Park Rd. Ashland
Beer Release at Castleburg Brewery Sat., Feb. 11, 1-10:30pm
The Siege Chocolate Raspberry Stout – brewed with cocoa nibs from Dominican Republic and raspberries. Live music by Red Light Rodeo at 7pm. Castleburg Brewery 1626 Ownby Lane Richmond
Featuring 9 beers on draft from Trillium and special beers from The Veil, food trucks, and live music. The Veil Brewing Co. 1301 Roseneath Road Richmond
2nd Annual Celebration of Women in Craft Beer Sun., Feb. 12, 11am-4pm
Come for the education and celebration of all that women have done to bring the beer industry where it is today – complete with some of your favorite ladies of the RVA beer scene and yummy food. Live music by Gina Sobel Duo at 4pm following the presentations. Strangeways Brewing 2277 Dabney Road Richmond
Beer & Hymns at Blue Mountain Brewery Sun., Feb. 12, 6-9pm
No preaching, just singing and chatting over a pint. 9519 Critzer Shop Rd. Afton 540.456.8020 bluemountainbrewery.com
Bring your Valentine for a heart-shaped pizza! 9519 Critzer Shop Rd. Afton 540.456.8020 bluemountainbrewery.com Blue Mountain Tasting at Wegman’s Sun., Feb. 20, 3-6pm Wegman’s Midlothian 12501 Stone Village Way Midlothian
Beer Release at Hardywood Sat., Feb. 4, 1-10pm
Hardywood Ruse Release (2016 World Beer Cup Bronze) and music from Hot Reader, Illiterate Light, Mantree Hardywood Park Craft Brewery 2408 Ownby Lane Richmond hardywood.com
Grand Opening of Hardywood Pilot Brewery Sat., Feb. 18, 12-10pm
Hardywood Pilot Brewery & Taproom 1000 W. Main Street Charlottesville
Live Music at Castleburg Brewery Fri., Feb. 24, 7-10pm
Featuring Smoke & Wine Band Castleburg Brewery 1626 Ownby Lane Richmond
Soft Serve Release Party at South Street Sat., Feb. 25, 10am-midnight
Live music from 12-2pm. Soft Serve floats and lots of happy hour food specials all day and night! And, a special draft only variant – tart cherry Soft Serve on nitro! Brewery tours 12-4pm and Meet the Brewer. Plus, the Virginia Craft Beer Magazine crew will be on-site with giveaways! South Street Brewery 106 West South Street Charlottesville 434.293.6550 southstreetbrewery.com
2nd Annual Sideshow Expo: Local Art & Edibles Market Sun., Feb. 26, 12-4pm
Featuring a showcase of local artists and vendors who will be sampling, selling, and creating their wares. Strangeways Brewing 2277 Dabney Road Richmond
Beer Release at Hardywood Sat., March 4, 1-10pm
Hardywood Quadrahop Release and music from Photosynthesizers Hardywood Park Craft Brewery 2408 Ownby Lane Richmond hardywood.com
Despot Day at Lickinghole Creek Sat., March 4, 12-7pm
Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery 4100 Knolls Point Drive Goochland
Burger Blast at the Virginia Wine Expo Fri., March 10, 5-9:30pm
Taste 35+ craft beers, enjoy 20+ artisan burgers, and 35+ Virginia, Spanish, & Sonoma County, CA wines. Plus, live music. Greater Richmond Convention Center 403 North 3rd Street Richmond virginiawineexpo.com
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Center of the Universe Sat., March 11
Featuring multiple bands, food trucks, a silent auction, raffles throughout the day, and special Irish style beers all to benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Center of the Universe 11293 Air Park Rd. Ashland
St. Patrick’s Day at Blue Mountain Brewery Fri., March 17, 11am-10pm
Special St. Patrick’s Day menu all day. 9519 Critzer Shop Rd. Afton 540.456.8020 bluemountainbrewery.com
St. Patrick’s Day at Wood Ridge Farm Brewery Fri., March 17, 11am-10pm
New Irish-themed beer release and Irish music 7-10pm. Wood Ridge Farm Brewery 165 Old Ridge Road Lovingston 434.422.6225
St. Paddy’s Day Party at Starr Hill Sat., March 18
Featuring special beers including Peppermint Paddy Mint Chocolate Stout & a non dry-hopped Reviver Red Ale. Brewers will have an educational Beer Session about Irish brewing history with samplings of our special beers. Competition among local chefs, live music, and supporting a local charity. Starr Hill Brewery & Tap Room 5391 Three Notched Road Crozet starrhill.com
Beer Release at Hardywood Sat., March 25, 1-10pm
Hardywood Bourbon Barrel Cru Release and music from Lightfields, NE-HI Hardywood Park Craft Brewery 2408 Ownby Lane Richmond hardywood.com
KSB Spring Festival
COASTAL VIRGINIA Trivia Night at Wasserhund Every Monday, 7-9pm
Wasserhund Brewing Company 1805 Laskin Road Virginia Beach 757.351.1326 wasserhundbrewing.com
Trivia Night at Home Republic Every Tuesday, 7pm
Featuring Smartmouth Live Trivia Home Republic 328 Laskin Rd. Virginia Beach 757.226.9593 homerepublicvabeach.com
Big Ugly Running Posse Every Wednesday
Join Big Ugly Running Posse for a 1, 3, or 5 mile run starting at Big Ugly. Then, reward yourself with a beer! Big Ugly Brewing Company 1296 Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake biguglybrewing.com
Trivia Night at Alewerks Every Wednesday, 7pm Alewerks Taproom 189-B Ewell Rd. Williamsburg alewerks.com
Sat., March 25
Kindred Spirit Brewing 12830 W. Creek Parkway Goochland 804.708.0309 kindredspiritbrewing.com
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Game Night at Wharf Hill
Wasserhund Bingo Night
Mon., Feb. 6 & March 6, 7-9pm
Wed., March 1, 7-9pm
Veer Magazine’s Local Music Awards sponsored by Starr Hill
3rd Anniversary of DoG Street Pub Running Club
Eat, drink, and play! Wharf Hill Brewing 25 Main Street Smithfield wharfhillbrewing.com
Wed., Feb. 8, 6pm
Featuring Starr Hill on tap, the Music Awards recognizes the talents of musicians in Hampton Roads and giving awards in more than 30 categories ranging from album of the year and best hip hop artist to jazz, metal, acoustic singer-songwriter, Americana, indie pop/rock and blues. After parties at Belmont House of Smoke and Colley Cantina. Naro Cinema 1507 Colley Avenue Norfolk veermag.com
Beer Release at O’Connor Fri., Feb. 10, 3-10pm
Strangeways Brewing will host the 2nd Annual
Sideshow Expo: Local Art & Edibles Market on Sunday, February 26 from noon to 4pm. It will feature the many local artists and vendors who have helped to create the Strangeways brand and it will give attendees the opportunity to sample and buy unique, one-of-a-kind wares!
Team Trivia at Pleasure House Brewing
Virginia Craft Beer Thursday Every Thursday
Team Trivia at Tradition
Enjoy local Virginia brewed beers for $3 a pint. Tapped Gastropub 1550 Laskin Road Virginia Beach 757.965.5585 tappedgastropub.com
Every Wednesday, 7pm
Firkin Friday at Cogans North
Every Wednesday, 7pm
Pleasure House Brewing 3025 Shore Drive Virginia Beach pleasurehousebrewing.com
Tradition Brewing Company 700 Thimble Shoals Blvd. Newport News 757.303.3415 traditionbrewing.com
Every Friday
Weekly Tasting at bottleBOX
A new firkin is tapped each week. 4311 Colley Avenue Norfolk 757.627.6428 coganspizza.com
Every Wednesday 5-7pm
Live Music at Alewerks
Join your favorite brewery’s representative as they walk you through a free sampling of new and exciting beers. 325b W. 21st Street Norfolk 757.918.9932 bottlebox.beer/events
Pint Night & Tap Take Over at Home Republic Every Thursday
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FEBRUARY 2017
Every Sunday, 2pm
Join us for beer, running, and camaraderie! DoG Street Pub 401 Duke of Gloucester Street Williamsburg
Beer Release at O’Connor Fri., March 3, 3-10pm
Heavy Footer Double IPA features a malt backbone and dry hopped twice. It exudes flavors and aromas of tropical fruits and citrus. O’Connor Brewing Company 211 W. 24th Street Norfolk 757.623.2337 oconnorbrewing.com
Beer Release at Bold Mariner
Bitterest Valentine Release at Alewerks
Beer Release at O’Connor
Sat., Feb. 11
Brewery release of Bitterest Valentine, a new spin on the classic Bitter Valentine Double IPA. Alewerks Brewing Company 189-B Ewell Rd. Williamsburg alewerks.com
Beer Dinner at Brass Cannon Sun., Feb. 12, 5:30-8:30pm
Four course meal of gourmet food from Hungry Hungry Arrow paired with BCB beer. Tickets: $30 per person Brass Cannon Brewing 5476 Mooretown Road Williamsburg 757.566.0001
Valentine’s Day Beer Dinner Tues., Feb. 14, 7-9pm
5 course dinner paired with beer from Coelacanth Brewery. Tickets: $60. Bodega on Granby 442 Granby Street Norfolk 757.496.5382
Win, Brew, or Draw at Coelacanth
2nd Anniversary Party at Big Ugly
Coelacanth Brewing Co. 760 A West 22nd Street Norfolk coelacanth.com
Live music all day by Rob Snyder, Nate Sacks, and Brian Grilli. Barrel aged beers tapped every two hours. Big Ugly Brewing Company 1296 Battlefield Blvd. South Chesapeake
Mon., March 20
Shipwreck Bay Nelson Sauvin Saison – This farmhouse-style ale showcases Nelson Sauvin hops, a New Zealand hop variety that evokes notes of tropical fruit and white wine. O’Connor Brewing Company 211 W. 24th Street Norfolk 757.623.2337 oconnorbrewing.com
Alewerks Taproom 189-B Ewell Rd. Williamsburg alewerks.com
Sat., Feb. 4, 12-10pm
Join us for a great time and a chance to win prizes! 1805 Laskin Road Virginia Beach wasserhundbrewing.com
Thurs., Feb. 23 & March 30, 7-9pm
Sat., March 4, 12-9pm Monkey’s Fist Coconut Wheat Release Party with live music and food by Cubania and the comeback of a taproom favorite. Bold Mariner Brewing Company 2409 Bowdens Ferry Rd. Norfolk boldmariner.com
Fri., March 10, 3-10pm
Imperial Vienna Pale Ale – Multidimensional malt backbone from Vienna and Munich malts, bready aromas and flavors, with layers of wheat, caramel, and rye. Plus, an array of American hops provides balance in this medium-bodied malty beer. O’Connor Brewing Company 211 W. 24th Street Norfolk 757.623.2337 oconnorbrewing.com
Shamrockin’ In Ghent Fri., March 10, 6-10pm
A St. Patrick’s Day Street Party to benefit Hope House Foundation. Enjoy a variety of local and regional beer, live music by Tidewater Pipes & Drums, The Deloreans, and The Fighting Jamesons. Colley Avenue in Historic Ghent Norfolk hope-house.org
7th Anniversary & St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at O’Connor Sat., March 18, 12-10pm
Live music by Glasgow Kiss and Will Overman Band and food trucks. O’Connor Brewing Company 211 W. 24th Street Norfolk 757.623.2337 oconnorbrewing.com
1 Year Anniversary Party at Virginia Beer Co. Sat., March 25
Live music, food trucks, and great beer! The Virginia Beer Co. 401 Second Street Williamsburg 757.378.2903 virginiabeerco.com
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NORTHERN VIRGINIA Public Service Night at Bad Wolf Every Monday, 4-8pm
Police, EMT, Fire – Happy Hour pricing with valid ID Bad Wolf Brewing Company 8420 Kao Circle Manassas
Randall Beer Infusion Night Every Monday
Brew Republic Bierwerks 15201 Potomac Town Place Woodbridge
Team Trivia at Ornery Every Monday, 7:30pm
Happy Hour extended to 9pm. Weekly prizes! Ornery Beer Company 14389 Potomac Mills Road Woodbridge
Beer Yoga at Port City Every Tuesday, 7-9pm
$20 includes the class and post-yoga pint. Port City Brewing Co. 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria portcitybrewing.com
Team Trivia at Brew Republic Every Tuesday
Brew Republic Bierwerks 15201 Potomac Town Place Woodbridge
Trivia Night at Bad Wolf Every Tuesday, 6-8pm
Bad Wolf Brewing Company 8420 Kao Circle Manassas
Vinyl Night at Lost Rhino Every Tuesday, 6-9pm
Bring your own vinyl! Lost Rhino Brewing Co. 21730 Red Rum Drive, #142 Ashburn
Flight Night at Bad Wolf Every Wednesday
Happy Hour & Growler Night at New District Brewing Every Thursday, 3:30-7:30pm
Happy Hour specials and 64oz growler fills are $2 off. New District Brewing Co. 2709 S. Oakland Street Arlington 703.888.5820
Indoor Putting League (Disc Golf) Every Thursday, 6-9pm
Meet interesting people, throw frisbees, and drink beer with them! $5 entry with teams drawn at random. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Lane Leesburg vanishbeer.com
Open Mic at Bad Wolf
Happy Hour pricing on flights. Bad Wolf Brewing Company 8420 Kao Circle Manassas
Every Thursday
Trivia Night at Old Bust Head
Thrifty Thursday at Fair Winds
Every Wednesday
Old Bust Head Brewing Company 7134 Lineweaver Rd. Warrenton 540.347.4777 oldbusthead.com
Bad Wolf Brewing Company 8420 Kao Circle Manassas
Every Thursday
$4 pints, trivia at 6:30pm, and food from Savory Delicatessen Fair Winds Brewing Company 7000 Newington Road Lorton 703.372.2001 fairwindsbrewing.com
Starr Hill Brewery’s St. Paddy’s Day Celebration
Trivia Night at Belly Love Every Thursday
Belly Love Brewing 725 E. Main Street Purcellville bellylovebrewing.com
Trivia Night at Adventure Brewing Every Thursday, 3:30-10pm
Trivia starts at 8pm; prizes awarded! Adventure Brewing Company 33 Perchwood Dr., Unit 101 Stafford 22405 540.242.8876 facebook.com/adventurebrewing/
Firkin Friday at Fair Winds Every Friday
A new firkin is released every Friday. Food from Savory Delicatessen Fair Winds Brewing Company 7000 Newington Road Lorton 703.372.2001 fairwindsbrewing.com
Justin’s Flavor Infusion Night Every Friday, 3:30-10pm
We combine off the wall ingredients with one of our beers to create a one-ofa-kind beer. Adventure Brewing Company 33 Perchwood Dr., Unit 101 Stafford 22405 540.242.8876 facebook.com/adventurebrewing/
on Saturday, March 18 will feature special Irish-inspired beers, St. Piggy’s Throwdown with local chefs, live music, pipes & drums, Irish step dancing, games & prizes. Tickets are $17 in advance and proceeds benefit Relay for Life at UVA.
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FEBRUARY 2017
Live Music at Lost Rhino Retreat
Port City Anniversary Party
Every Friday, 7-10pm
Fri., Feb. 3, 2-10pm & Sat., Feb. 4, 12-10pm
Lost Rhino Retreat 228885 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton lostrhino.com
Live Music at Lost Rhino Every Saturday, 7-10pm
Lost Rhino Brewing Co. 21730 Red Rum Drive, #142 Ashburn
Hangover Brunch at Lost Rhino Retreat Every Sunday, 11am-2pm
Lost Rhino Retreat 228885 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton lostrhino.com
Port City Anniversary Week Wed. & Thurs., Feb 1 & 2, 4-9pm
What better way to get ready for our 6th Anniversary than by enjoying Colossal brews from years past. Wednesday enjoy Colossal Four and Thursday Colossal Five. Port City Brewing Co. 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria portcitybrewing.com
Celebrate our 6th Anniversary and the release of Colossal 6, an imperial stout bursting with notes of cocoa powder, freshly roasted coffee, and leather. Live music and food trucks. Port City Brewing Co. 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria portcitybrewing.com
Trivia Night at Vanish Brewing Tues., Feb. 3 & 17, 6-9pm
Trivia and BBQ. Free to play and prizes available. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery 42245 Black Hops Lane Leesburg vanishbeer.com
Beer Release at Lost Rhino Wed., Feb. 8, 4-9pm
Icebreaker Imperial IPA – Featuring an intense citrusy hop bitterness from a blend of Amarillo & Columbus hops and a malty sweetness emerges giving balance to its complexity of flavors. Receive a free glass with the purchase of a pint. Lost Rhino Brewing Co. 21730 Red Rum Drive, #142 Ashburn
Lost Rhino Retreat in Brambleton features live music every Friday night.
Robert Mabe plays Friday, February 17 from 7-10pm.
Beer Release at Fair Winds Fri., Feb. 10
Masthead Mosiac beer release and food specials Fair Winds Brewing Company 7000 Newington Road Lorton 703.372.2001 fairwindsbrewing.com
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Join your friends from Virginia Craft Beer Magazine at South Street Brewing Co. in Charlottesville for the
Soft Serve Bottle Release
Party on Saturday, February 25!
Enjoy live music from 12-2pm, Soft Serve floats, and lots of happy hour food specials all day and night! Plus, meet the brewer on brewery tours from 12-4pm.
Beer & Yoga
Almost Sunrise Documentary
George Washington’s Birthday
Sat., Feb. 11 & March 11, 10:30-11:30am
Sun., Feb. 12, 2-4pm
Fri., Feb. 17, 3:30-10pm
Basic 60 minute Vinyasa & Flow class and a beer! $20 Brew Republic Bierwerks 15201 Potomac Town Place Woodbridge
Colossal Six Market Release Party Sat., Feb. 11
Celebrate Port City’s 6th Anniversary and the release of Colossal Six. The Liberty Tavern 3195 Wilson Blvd. Alexandria
Valentine’s Day Chocolate & Beer Pairing Old Bust Head Sat., Feb., 11, 12-8pm
Chocolate & Beer Pairing with Abby Rose Confections Old Bust Head Brewing Company 7134 Lineweaver Rd. Warrenton 540.347.4777 oldbusthead.com
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FEBRUARY 2017
See this amazing documentary about two combat veterans who hike to escape, heal, and ultimately survive. Adventure Brewing Company South 3300 Dill Smith Dr. Fredericksburg facebook.com/adventurebrewing/
Paint & Sip at Lost Rhino Retreat Mon., Feb. 13
Paint & Sip Night with Creative Mankind Lost Rhino Retreat 228885 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton lostrhino.com
Port City Community Give Back Wed., Feb. 15, 4-9pm
Help raise funds for scholarships for students of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and help support student groups on campus by participating in raffle prizes and silent auction. Port City Brewing Co. 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria portcitybrewing.com
Celebrate George Washington’s Birthday and his love of porters and receive 10% off all stouts and porters! Adventure Brewing Company 33 Perchwood Dr., Unit 101 Stafford 22405 540.242.8876 facebook.com/adventurebrewing/
Pedals & Pints at Port City Sat., Feb. 18, 10:45am-12pm
Gather for coffee and donuts, a 10 mile ride, and back to the brewery for beer and food from Rocklands Food Truck. Port City Brewing Co. 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria portcitybrewing.com
Two Smooth Dudes Gourmet Tots & More Fri., Feb. 18, 12-7pm
Two Smooth Dudes Gourmet Tots & More will feature an array of tasty tots such as crab tots, buffalo chicken tots, Italian tots, and garlic tots. Old 690 Brewery 15670 Ashbury Church Road Purcelville old690.com
7th Annual Barleywine Festival Fri. & Sat., Feb. 25 & 26
Sample more than 30 special and limited edition Barleywines from around the region and across the country. Mad Fox Brew Pub 444 West Broad Street Falls Church 703.942.6840 madfoxbrewing.com
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Yoga on Tap at Old Bust Head Sun., Feb. 26, 10-11:15am
“Flow Yoga” style class designed to get you moving! After class, stay for a beer! Old Bust Head Brewing Company 7134 Lineweaver Rd. Warrenton 540.347.4777 oldbusthead.com
2nd Anniversary Party at Fair Winds Sat., March 4, noon
Featuring Whistle Pig Barrel Aged All Hands Anniversary Ale, a Jim Beam Barrel Aged All Hands Anniversary Ale, and a non-barrel aged Anniversary Ale from years 1 and 2. Plus, food from Savory Delicatessen. Fair Winds Brewing Company 7000 Newington Road Lorton 703.372.2001 fairwindsbrewing.com
90’s Party at Lost Rhino Retreat Sat., March 4
Lost Rhino Retreat 228885 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton lostrhino.com St. Patrick’s Day at Fair Winds Fri., March 17, noon Featuring beer specials and food from Savory Delicatessen Fair Winds Brewing Company 7000 Newington Road Lorton 703.372.2001 fairwindsbrewing.com
SHENANDOAH VALLEY Virginia Craft on Draft Every Tuesday, 3-5pm
Enjoy all Virginia pints for $4 and all Virginia Belgians for $5 Brew Ridge Taps 11 E. Nelson Street Lexington 540.461.8012 brewridgetaps.com
Backs to Basic Yoga Night Every Tuesday, 6-7pm
$10 includes yoga and a pint Basic City Beer Co. 1010 E. Main Street Waynesboro basiccitybeer.com
For all you beer drinking fisherman — Basic City Beer Co. in Waynesboro will be offering
fly tying classes
in partnership with South River Fly Shop
Tues., Feb. 14, 7-10pm
3 Course Dinner & Music Circa ‘31; Overnight packages available. The Mimslyn Inn 401 West Main Street Luray 540.743.5105 mimslyninn.com
Blue Mountain Tap Takeover Fri., Feb. 17, 6-9pm
Springhouse Tavern 325 S. Main Street Woodstock 540.459.4755
Fly Tying Class at Basic City Beer Co. Wed., Feb. 8 & 22 and March 8 & 22, 6:30-9:30pm
Think & Drink Trivia @ The Lab Every Thursday, 6pm
Fly tying class with South River Fly Shop. Tie some flies, enjoy a beer, and steal the pint for only $10. Basic City Beer Co. 1010 E. Main Street Waynesboro basiccitybeer.com
Blue Lab Brewery 123 S. Randolph Street Lexington bluelabrewing.com
Live @ The Lab Every Friday, 6-9pm
Enjoy live music every Friday. Blue Lab Brewery 123 S. Randolph Street Lexington bluelabrewing.com 540.896.4992 Harrisonburg
Valentine’s Day at Mimslyn Inn
Murder Mystery Dinner at Mimslyn Inn Sat., Feb. 25, 5pm
OM Brew at Seven Arrows Every Saturday, 10:30-11:30am
$10 includes yoga and a beer after the class. Seven Arrows Brewing Company 2508 Jefferson Highway Waynesboro sevenarrowsbrewing.com
Wine & Cheese and Three Course Dinner; Overnight room packages available. $55 per person The Mimslyn Inn 401 West Main Street Luray 540.743.5105 mimslyninn.com
17TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA BEER FESTIVAL May 20-21, 2017 from 2-6 p.m. Town Point Park | Downtown Norfolk Waterfront | Virginia
In Norfolk, Virginia, we know waterfront festivals and we certainly know beer. Mark your calendars and plan to join a park full of fellow beer-lovers in celebrating, tasting and learning about all things beer at this year’s Virginia Beer Festival. Check out what’s on tap at visitnorfolktoday.com.
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FEBRUARY 2017
1-800-368-3097
St. Patrick’s Day at Mimslyn Inn Fri., March 17, 4pm
Craft Beer Day! 6 more beer styles to choose, more taps added! Irish food specials. Live music. Overnight packages include Speakeasy Growler. The Speakeasy Bar & Restaurant The Mimslyn Inn 401 West Main Street Luray 540.743.5105 mimslyninn.com
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS STEM at Soaring Ridge Craft Brewery Wed., Feb. 8 & March 8, 5:30-7:30pm
Monthly STEM Tavern featuring a fascinating science presentation plus good beer! Soaring Ridge Craft Brewery 523 Shenandoah Ave. Roanoke smwv.org
Valentine’s Day at Chaos Mountain Sat., Feb. 11, 1-9pm
Featuring Oi Polloi food truck and live music by Mason Creek Bluegrass Chaos Mountain Brewing 3135 Dillons Mill Road Callaway 540.334.1600 chaosmountainbrewing.com
A Valentine Murder Mystery at Barrel Chest Wine & Beer Sun., Feb. 12, 5-8pm
In this themed reality, a murder has been committed and you must find out who did it. $30 per person includes mystery event and light appetizers. Food and drink available for purchase at the bar. Barrel Chest Wine & Beer 4035 Electric Road, Ste. B Roanoke 540.206.3475 barrelchestwineandbeer.com
Cupid is Stupid Soiree Sat., Feb. 18, 2-9pm
Do you dislike Valentine’s Day? Come hang out at the taproom all day and enjoy two bands, great beer and snacks! Sunken City Brewing Company 40 Brewery Dr. Hardy 540.420.0476 sunkencitybeer.com
St. Patrick’s Day at Chaos Mountain Sat., March 18, 1-9pm
Featuring 2Dye4Que food truck and live music Chaos Mountain Brewing 3135 Dillons Mill Road Callaway 540.334.1600 chaosmountainbrewing.com
Adventure Brewing Company South in Fredericksburg hosts
the first local showing of the Almost Sunrise Documentary, the amazing story of two combat veterans who hike to escape, heal, and ultimately survive, on Sunday, February 12 from 2:00 to 4:00pm. Tickets are $5 per person and 100% of the proceeds benefit Project Welcome Home Troops.
VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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Toby and Aislin from Lost Rhino Brewing Company are serving up a Dark Hours Imperial Stout.
APPALACHIA Busted Still Brewing Company 185 Homeplace Drive Gate City 24251 276.210.6038
Sugar Hill Brewing Company 16622 Broad Street St. Paul 24283 276.780.4397 sugarhillbrewing.com
BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS Bristol Station Brews & Taproom 41 Piedmont Avenue Bristol 276.608.1220 bristolbrew.com
Bull & Bones Brewhaus 1470 S Main St., #120 Blacksburg 540.953.2855 bullandbones.com
Creek Bottom Brews
307 Meadow Street Galax 276.236.BEER (2337) cbbrew.com
The Damascus Brewery
32173 Government Road Damascus 540.314.2782 thedamascusbrewery.com
Right Mind Brewing Company 1410 S. Main Street Blacksburg 540.552.7000 facebook.com/leftysgrille
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FEBRUARY 2017
Right Turn, Clyde Brewing Company
Devils Backbone Brewing Company - Basecamp
Rising Silo Brewing Company
Extra Billy’s
300 A Main Street Narrows 540.921.7283 rtcbrewing.com 2351 Glade Rd Blacksburg 410.596.1200
River Company Brewery
6633 Viscoe Rd. Radford (Fairlawn) 540.633.3940 therivercompanybrewery.com
Studio Brew
221 Moore Street Bristol studiobrew.net
Wolf Hills Brewing Company 350 Park St. Abingdon 303.5508762 wolfhillsbrewing.com
CENTRAL VIRGINIA 7 Hills Brewing Company
200 Mosbys Run Roseland 434.361.1001 dbbrewingcompany.com 1110 Alverser Dr. Midlothian 804.379.8727 extrabillys.com/ ExtraBillysBarBQ2.htm
Final Gravity Brewing Company 6118 Lakeside Ave. Richmond 804.264.4808
Garden Grove Brewing
3445 West Cary Street Richmond 804-918-6158 gardengrovebrewing.com
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery 2408 Ownby Ln. Richmond 804.420.2420 hardywood.com
Hardywood Pilot Brewery & Taproom
115 S. 15th St. Richmond 804.716.8307
1000 W. Main Street Charlottesville
AMMO Brewing Company
1715 Summit Avenue Richmond 804.499.0721 isleybrewingcompany.com
235 N Market Petersburg 23805 804.722.1667 facebook.com/ammobrewing
Apocalypse Ale Works 1257 Burnbridge Rd Forest 434.258.8761 endofbadbeer.com
Ardent Craft Ales
3200 W. Leigh Street Richmond 804.359.1605 ardentcraftales.com
Bald Top Brewing Co.
1830 Thrift Road Madison 540.407.1710 baldtopbrewing.com
Blue Mountain Brewery
9519 Critzer Shop Rd. Afton 540.456.8020 bluemountainbrewery.com
Blue Mountain Barrel House 495 Cooperative Way Arrington 434.263.4002 bluemountainbarrel.com
Castleburg Brewery & Taproom 1626 Owenby Lane Richmond 23220 804.353.1256 castleburgbrewery.com
Center of the Universe Brewing Company 11293 Air Park Rd. Ashland 804.368.0299 cotubrewing.com
Champion Brewing Company
401 Grace Street Richmond 804.344.5108 championbrewingcompany.com
Isley Brewing Company
James River Brewery 561 Valley St. Scottsville 434.286.7837 jrbrewery.com
Kindred Spirits Brewing Company 12830 W. Creek Parkway Goochland 804.708.0309 kindredspiritsbrewing.com
Legend Brewing Company 321 W. Seventh St. Richmond 804.232.3446 legendbrewing.com
Lickinghole Creek Farm Brewery
4100 Knolls Point Dr. Goochland 804.314.4380 lickingholecreek.com
Loose Shoe Brewing Company 198 Ambriar Plaza Amherst 434-941-7345 looseshoebrewing.com
Midnight Brewery
2410 Granite Ridge Rd. Rockville 804.356.9379 midnight-brewery.com
Origin Beer Lab
106 S. Railroad Avenue Ashland 804.368.0299 facebook.com/originbeerlab
Pro Re Nata Farm Brewery
6135 Rockfish Gap Tpke. Crozet 434.823.4878 prnbrewery.com
Random Row Brewing Company
Trapezium Brewing Company
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Triple Crossing Brewing Company
608 Preston Avenue Charlottesville 434.284.8466 randomrow.com
11800 W. Broad Street Richmond 23233 804-237-1684 rockbottom.com
South Street Brewery
106 South Street Charlottesville 434.293.6550 southstreetbrewery.com
Starr Hill Brewery
5391 Three Notch’d Rd. Crozet 434.823.5671 starrhill.com
Steam Bell Beer Works
1717 E Oak Blvd. Midlothian 804.728.1875 facebook.com/steambellbeer
Stone Brewing Company
4300 Williamsburg Avenue Richmond 23231 760.294.7899 facebook.com/ stonebrewingrichmond.
Strangeways Brewing
2277 Dabney Rd. Richmond 804.303.4336 strangewaysbrewing.com
The Answer Brewpub
6008 West Broad St. Richmond facebook.com theanswerbrewpub.com
The Veil Brewing Company 1301 Roseneath Road Richmond 804.355.58515 theveilbrewing.com
Three Notch’d Brewing Company 946 Grady Ave Charlottesville 434.293.0610 threenotchdbrewing.com
Three Notch’d Brewing Company RVA Colab House 2930 W. Broad St. Richmond threenotchdbrewing.com
423 Third Street Petersburg 23803 571.758.2738 trapeziumbrewing.com
5203 Hatcher Street Richmond 804.496.1955 triplecrossingbeer.com
White Rock Brewing Company 2117 Bruno Drive Goodview 24905 540.890.3359 whiterockwines.com.
Wild Wolf Brewing Company
2461 Rockfish Valley Highway Nellysford 434.361.0088 wildwolfbeer.com
Willow Sprung Brewery in The Light Well Restaurant 110 E Main Street Orange 540.661.0004 thelightwell.com
Wood Ridge Farm Brewery 165 Old Ridge Road Lovingston 434.422.6225
COASTAL VIRGINIA Alewerks
189-B Ewell Rd. Williamsburg 757.220.3670 williamsburgalewerks.com
Back Bay Brewing Company 614 Norfolk Ave. Virginia Beach 757.531.7750 backbaybrewco.com
Bearded Bird Brewing Co.
727 Granby Street Norfolk beardedbirdbrewing.com
Benchtop Brewing Company 1129 Boissevain Avenue Norfolk 757.321.9482 benchtopbrewing.com
Big Ugly Brewing Company
1296 Battlefield Blvd. South Chesapeake 757-609-2739 biguglybrewing.com
Bold Mariner
2409 Bowdens Ferry Road Norfolk boldmariner.com
Brass Cannon Brewing Company 5476 Mooretown Road Williamsburg 757.566.0001 brasscannonbrewing.com
Bull Island Brewing Company 758 Settlers Landing Road Hampton 757.788.9489 bullislandbrewing.com
Coelacanth Brewing 760 W. 22nd Street Norfolk 757.59.UGLY.1 coelacanth.com
Commonwealth Brewing Company 2444 Pleasure House Rd. Virginia Beach 757.305.9652
Gordon Biersch
4561 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach 757.490.2739
Green Flash Brewing
1209 Craft Lane Virginia Beach greenflashbrew.com
Home Republic Brew Pub 328 Laskin Road Virginia Beach 757.226.9593
Montross Brewery
15381 Kings Highway Montross 804.452.7394 montrossbrewery.com
O’Connor Brewing Company 211 W. 24th Street Norfolk 757.623.2337 oconnorbrewing.com
Oozelfinch Craft Brewery 81 Patch Road Fort Monroe 757.224.7042 oozelfinchbeers.com
Pleasure House Brewing
3025 Shore Dr. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 757.647.8597 pleasurehousebrewing.com
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Reaver Beach Brewing Company
Jack’s Run Brewing Company
Rip Rap Brewing Company
Lake Anne Brew House
1505 Taylor Farm Road Virginia Beach 757.563.2337 beachbrewingcompany.com
108 N. 21st Street Purcellville 540.441.3382 jacksrunbrewing.com
11424 Washington Plaza West Reston 571.758.2739 lakeannebrewhouse.com
116 E 25th Street Norfolk riprapbrewing.com
Smartmouth Brewing Company
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
1309 Raleigh Ave., #300 Norfolk 757.624.3939 smartmouthbrewing.com
21730 Red Rum Dr., Ste. 142 Ashburn 571.291.2083 lostrhino.com
St. George Brewing Company 204 Challenger Way Hampton 757.865.7781 stgeorgebrewingco.com
Lost Rhino Retreat
The Virginia Beer Company
Loudoun Brewing Company
401 Second Street Williamsburg 757.378.2903 virginiabeerco.com
310 E Market St. Leesburg 703.350.8553 loudounbrewing.com
Tradition Brewing Company
Mad Fox Brewing Company
700 Thimble Shoals Blvd. Newport News 757.303.3415 traditionbrewing.com
444 West Broad St., Ste. I Falls Church 703.942.6840 madfoxbrewing.com
Wasserhund Brewing Company
Mad Horse Brew Pub
805 Laskin Rd. #102 Virginia Beach 757.618.6051
Wharf Hill Brewing Co.
25 Main Street Smithfield 757-357-7100 Wharfhillbrewing.com
Young Veterans Brewing Company 2505 Horse Pasture Road, Ste. 104 Virginia Beach 757.689.4021 yvbc.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company
11440 International Drive Fredericksburg 540.356.9056 6bgbrewing.com
1781 Brewing Company 11109 Plank Rd. Spotsylvania 804.842.0199
Adroit Theory Brewing Company 404 Browing Ct., Unit C Purcellville 703.722.3144 adroit-theory.com
Adventure Brewing North 33 Perchwood Drive Fredericksburg 540.242.8876 adventurebrewing.com
Adventure Brewing South 3300 Dill Smith Drive Fredericksburg aventurebrewing.com
Aslin Beer Company
257 Sunset Park Drive Herndon, VA 20170 703.787.5766 aslinbeer.com
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22885 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton 703.327.0311
The spirit will move you to drink a beer or two at Kindred Spirit Brewing in Goochland.
BadWolf (Big) Brewing Company
8420 Kao Circle Manassas, 20110 badwolfbrewingcompany.com
BadWolf (Little) Brewing Company
Black Walnut Brewing Company 210 S King Street Leesburg facebook.com/ blackwalnutbrewery
Brew Republic Bierwerks
9776 Center St. Manassas 571.208.1064 badwolfbrewingcompany.com
15201 Potomac Town Place Woodbridge 703.594.7950 brewrepublic.beer
Barnhouse Brewery
Caboose Brewing Company
43271 Spinks Ferry Road Leesburg 703.675.8408 barnhousebrewery.com
520 Mill Street NE Vienna 703-865-8580 caboosebrewing.com
Barrel Oak Farm Taphouse
Capitol City Brewing Company
3623 Grove Lane Delaplane 540.364.6402 barreloak.com
4001 Campbell Ave. Arlington 703.578.3888 capcitybrew.com
Battlefield Brewing Company
Corcoran Brewing Company
4187 Plank Rd Fredericksburg 540.785.2164 chancellorpub@msn.com
205 E. Hirst Road, Suite 105 Purcellville 540.441.3102 corcoranbrewing.com
Beer Hound Brewery
Crooked Run Brewing Company
201 Waters Place Culpeper 22701 540-317-5327 beerhoundbrewery.com
22455 Davis Drive Sterling cookedrunbrewing.com
Belly Love Brewing Company
18701 Foggy Bottom Rd. Bluemont 540.554.2337 dirtfarmbrewing.com
725 E Main Street Purcellville, VA 20132 540.441.3159 bellylovebrewing.com
Beltway Brewing Company 22620 Davis Dr. #110 Sterling 571.989.2739 beltwaybrewco.com
Dirt Farm Brewing Co.
Dog Money Brewery
Far Gohn Brewing Co. 301 S Main Street Culpeper
Forge Brew Works
8532 Terminal Rd., Ste. L Lorton 703.372.2979 forgebrewworks.com
Gordon Biersch
Maltese Brewing Company 11047 B Pierson Drive Fredericksburg maltesebrewing.com
Mustang Sally Brewing Company 14140 Parke Long Court Chantilly 703.888.6447 msbrewing.com
Tyson’s Corner Mall McLean 703.388.5454 gordonbiersch.com
New District Brewing Company
Great Valley Farm Brewery
Ocelot Brewing Company
60 Great Valley Lane Natural Bridge 540.521.6163 greatvalleyfarmbrewery.com
Growling Bear Brewing Company 14051 Crown Court Woodbridge, 22193 571.535.1965 growlingbearbrewing.com
Heritage Brewing Co.
9436 Center Point Lane Manassas 800.432.1792 heritagebrewing.com
Heroic Aleworks
2709 S Oakland Street Arlington 22206 703.888.5820
23600 Overland Drive, Ste. 180 Sterling 703-665-2146 ocelotbrewing.com
Old Bust Head Brewing Company 7134 Lineweaver Rd. Warrenton 540.347.4777 oldbusthead.com
Old 690 Brewing Company
15670 Ashbury Church Road Purcellville old690.com
Old Ox Brewery
14910 Persistence Drive Woodbridge 571.398.6113 heroicaleworks.com
44652 Guilford Dr Unit 114 Ashburn 703.729.8375 oldoxbrewery.com
Highmark Brewery
Ornery Beer Company
50 Catoctin Circle Leesburg 703.687.3852
390 Kings Hwy. Fredericksburg 540.207.1725 highmarkbrewery.com
Fair Winds Brewing Company
Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works
7000 Newington Road, Suites K&L Lorton 703-372-2001 fairwindsbrewing.com
34 E Broad Way Lovettsville 540.436.0669 madhorsebrewpub.com
47 Main St. Sperryville 540.987.3383 hopkinsordinary.com/ale-works
14389 Potomac Mills Drive Woodbridge, 22192 703.490.6400 ornerybeer.com
Pen Druid Brewing
7 River Lane Sperryville, 22740 540.987.8800 pendruid.com
Port City Brewing Company 3950 Wheeler Ave. Alexandria 703.797.2739 portcitybrewing.com
Portner’s Brewhouse
5772 Dow Avenue Alexandria 703.646.0466 portnerbrewhouse.com
Quattro Goombas Brewing Company
22860 James Monroe Highway Aldie 703-327-6052 goombabrewery.com
Red Dragon Brewery
1419 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg 22401 540.382.4342 reddragonbrewery.com
Rusty Beaver Brewery
18043 Jefferson Davis Hwy Ruther Glen (Ladysmith Exit off I-95) 855.478.7892 rustybeaverbrewery.com
Spencer Devon Brewing Company 106 George Street Fredericksburg 540-999-6253 spencerdevonbrewing.com
Sweetwater Tavern
14250 Sweetwater Ln. Centreville 703.449.1100 greatamericanrestaurants.com
Sweetwater Tavern
3066 Gate House Plaza Falls Church 703.645.8100 greatamericanrestaurants.com
Sweetwater Tavern
45980 Waterview Plaza Sterling 571.434.6500 greatamericanrestaurants.com
SHENANDOAH VALLEY Alesatian Brewing Company 23 N. Loudoun Street Winchester 540.667.2743 alesatianbrewing.com
Backroom Brewery
150 Ridgemont Rd. Middletown 540.869.8482 facebook.com/BackroomBrewery
Basic City Beer Co.
1010 E. Main Street Waynesboro 540.265.8062 basiccitybeer.com
Bedlam Brewing Company
2303 North Augusta Street Staunton 540.416.4634
Blue Lab Brewing Company 123 S. Randolph St. Lexington 540.458.0146 bluelabbrewing.com
Brothers Craft Brewing 800 N Main Street Harrisonburg 540.432.8940 threebrosbrew.com
Devils Backbone Brewing Company - Outpost
50 Northwind Lane Lexington 540.462.6200 dbbrewingcompany.com
Escutcheon Brewing Company 150 W. Commercial Street Winchester 540.391.8713 escutcheonbrewing.com
Pale Fire Brewing Company
Winchester Brew Works
Queen City Brewing
Wolfe Street Brewing Company
217 S. Liberty Street Harrisonburg 540-217-5452 palefirebrewing.com 834 Springhill Road Staunton 540.213.8014 qcbrewing.com
Redbeard Brewing
120 South Lewis St. Staunton 804.641.9340 redbeardbrews.com
Seven Arrows Brewing Company 2508 Jefferson Hwy. Ste 1 Waynesboro 540-221-6968 sevenarrowsbrewing.com
Shenandoah Valley Brewing Company 103 W. Beverly Street Staunton 540.887.2337 shenvalbrew.com
Stable Craft Brewing at Hermitage Hill
375 Madrid Road Waynesboro 540.490.2609 stablecraftbrewing.com
Swover Creek Farm Brewery 4176 Swover Creek Rd. Edinburg 540.984.8973 swovercreekfarms.com
Three Notch’d Brewing Co. Harrisonburg Taproom 241 E. Market StreetHarrisonburg 540.217.5939
320 N Cameron St. Winchester 540.692.9242 winchesterbrewworks.com 120 W. Wolfe St. Harrisonburg
Woodstock Brewhouse
123 E Court Street Woodstock 22664 woodstockbrewhouse.com 540-459-2739
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company
209 Trade St. Danville 434-549-BREW (2739
Parkway Brewing
739 Kessler Mill Rd. Salem parkwaybrewing.com
Soaring Ridge Craft Brewers 523 Shenandoah Avenue Roanoke 540.529.2140 soaringridge.com
Sunken City Brewery
40 Brewery Dr. Hardy 540.420.0476 sunkencitybeer.com
Twin Creeks Brewing Co.
111 Pollard Street Vinton 540.265.8062 twincreeksbrewing.com
Staunton River Brewing Co.
1571 Mt. Calvary Road Brookneal stauntonriverbrewing.com
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS Big Lick Brewing Company 135 Salem Ave. Roanoke, VA 24011 540-562-8383 biglickbrewingco.com
Chaos Mountain Brewing Company 3135 Dillons Mill Rd. Callaway 540.334.1600 chaosmountainbrewing.com
Flying Mouse Brewery
221 Precast Way Troutville 540.992.1288 flyingmousebrewery.com
BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS Foggy Ridge Cider
1328 Pineview Rd. Dugspur 276.398.2337 foggyridgecider.com
Tin Cannon Brewing Co
7679 Limestone Dr. #130 Gainesville 571-248-0489 tincannonbrewing.com
Vanish Brewing
44624 Leelyn Farm Lane Leesburg 20176 vanishbeer.com
Water’s End Brewery
12425 Dillingham Square Lake Ridge 571.285.1997 watersendbrewery.com
Wild Run Brewing Company
3071 Jefferson Davis Hwy Stafford 540.659.3447 wildrunbrewing.com
Wort Hog Brewing Company 41 Beckham Street Warrenton 540.300.2739 worthogbreweryllc.com
Bold Rock Hard Cider in Nellysford offers an array of tasty ciders for thirsty patrons. VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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CENTRAL VIRGINIA Albemarle CiderWorks
2545 Rural Ridge Ln. North Garden 434.297.2326 albemarleciderworks.com
Blue Bee Cider
Courthouse Creek Cider Maidens Road Goochland facebook.com/ courthousecreek
Potter’s Craft Cider
Charlottesville potterscraftcider.com
212 W. 6th St. Richmond 804.231.0280 bluebeecider.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Blue Toad Hard Cider Pub
14635 Corky’s Farm Lane Waterford 540.882.9073 corcoranvineyards.com
9278 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Afton 434.996.6992 bluetoadhardcider.com
Bold Rock Hard Cider
1020 Rockfish Valley Hwy. Nellysford 434.361.1030 boldrock.com
Buskey Cider
2910 W. Leigh Street Richmond buskeycider.com
Castle Hill Cider
6065 Turkey Sag Rd. Keswick 434.296.0047 castlehillcider.com
Corcoran Vineyards Hard Cider
Mount Defiance Cidery & Distillery
207 W. Washington St., Middleburg 540.687.8100 mtdefiance.com
Wild Hare Hard Cider
33735 Snickersville Turnpike Bluemont 703.216.8630 wildharecider.com
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLACK HEATH MEADERY
1313 Altamont Ave Richmond, VA 23230 703.582.0856 blackheathmeadery.com
Cobbler Mountain Cellars 5909 Long Fall Lane Delaplane 540.364.2802 cobblercellars.com
Hill Top Berry Farm and Winery 2800 Berry Hill Rd Nellysford, VA 22958 434.361.1266 hilltopberrywine.com
Old Hill Cider
17768 Honeyville Rd. Timberville 540.896.7582 oldhillcider.com
SAGA MEADERY
Madison Heights, VA 339.221.3115 sagameadery.com
The Winery at Kindred Pointe 3575 Conicville Rd Mt Jackson, Shenandoah County 22842 540.477.3570 kindredpointe.com
Winchester Ciderworks
2502 N. Frederick Pike Winchester 540.550.3800 WinchesterCiderworks.com
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS
BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS BLACKSNAKE MEADERY
605 Buffalo Road Dugspur, VA 24325 540.834.6172 blacksnakemead.com
Big Fish Cider Co.
59 Spruce Street Monterey 540.468.2322 bigfishcider.com
The Thistle and Stag Meadery 2053 E. River Road Fork Union 434.842.2200 thethistleandstag.com
Vahseer Meadworks 621C Broad Street Altavista, VA 434.515.2482 vahseer.com
COASTAL VIRGINIA Melo Lion Meadery Yorktown, VA 757.713.4885 melolion.com
SILVER HAND MEADERY
224 Monitcello Ave, Suite C Williamsburg, VA 23185 757.378.2225 silverhandmeadery.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA STONE HOUSE MEADERY
36580 Shoemaker School Rd Purcellville, VA 20132 571.512.0763 stonehousemeadery.com
DeRustica Meadery
17256 Berkshire Dr Jeffersonton, VA 22724 540.937.7778
Maidstone Meadery
9364 Justice Lane Delaplane, VA 20144 703.303.2090 maidstonemeadery.com
SHENANDOAH VALLEY MISTY MOUNTAIN MEAD WORKS 1531 Pack Horse Road Winchester, VA 22603 540.888.4420 mistymountainmead.com
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA White Oak Mountain MEadery 455 East Store Lane Chatham, VA 24531 888.264.6323 Explore the many variations of Mead at Blacksnake Meadery in Dugspur.
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