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Blue Mountain's Kölsch and Imperial Porter (on nitrogen)
Copper Fox's main product, Wasmund's Single Malt Whiskey, is a fiercely local spirit: the barley comes from a farm in Heathsville, VA and the apple and cherrywood used to smoke the grain all comes from sources around the property. Although VA law prohibits tasting or bottle sales at the distillery, I've had a chance to taste the products before, and the results of Wasmund's innovative techniques is a whiskey that is unlike anything you've ever tasted: intensely smoky, with hints of the apple and cherrywood.
Tours are available on the weekends at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. and are led either by Rick Wasmund or his mother. The other advantage of stopping off in Sperryville is that you get closer to the gorgeous stretch of mountains around the Shenandoah National Park, making the drive down to Charlottesville even more picturesque.
The next logical stop is Starr Hill in Crozet. Starr Hill is now distributed by Anheuser-Busch, which means the previously regional-only beers are starting to be seen further afield. It's unclear if the recent InBev-A/B merger will affect their distribution deal with Starr Hill.
A short drive up towards the mountains from Crozet leads to Afton, where Blue Mountain brewing is located. A gorgeous mountain view from the outside patio is the perfect complement to a Full Nelson Pale Ale or Blue Mountain Lager, and the brewers are always doing experimental batches of seasonal beers. The brewery has been open for only a couple years and is notable for also being the site of a hop farm: The Cascade hops grown on the premises are used in several of their beers.
From Afton, it's a fun 20 minute drive into the mountains to hit up Devil's Backbone, a ski resort brewpub that has opened last fall. The proximity to Wintergreen Ski Resort means that the clientele is largely still decked out in mountain gear, and the building is constructed to match that ambiance: The place looks like it was transplanted entirely from a mountain somewhere in Colorado, with a huge wooden vaunted ceiling and lots of copper. The beers at Devil's Backbone are brewed by Jason Oliver, who most recently was the head brewer at D.C.'s Gordon Biersch outpost. Some of the Gordon Biersch influence is noticeable (Vienna Lager, anyone?) but many of the offerings are a stark departure from Gordon Biersch's lager-only system. Standouts included the Eight Point IPA, an Imperial Stout, and an excellent session brown ale called Ale of Fergus. It will be interesting to see what other seasonal beers come around as the new brewery continues to get settled in.
It's at about this point in the day when you need to make the decision: drive back, or get a hotel room in Charlottesville. The nice thing about Charlottesville (and really, the whole area) is that things are super-cheap. We ended up at a slightly dive-y Days Inn a couple miles off the main stretch for $50/night, but the Red Roof Inn on University is another good option at $90/night. The South Street brewpub was worth a stop, but we had better beer luck at Michael's Bistro/Taphouse (HopSlam for $4!) and the relatively new 12th Street Ale House.
The Charlottesville beer scene is getting an infusion of new blood to make it step up its game. Both Devil's Backbone and Blue Mountain are wonderful additions to the brewpub scene. For a college town, that's a very good thing. And for those in D.C., it has the makings of a great road trip.
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The Mount Vernon Distillery is also a fun tour, a short drive from downtown, and you can buy the stuff to take home from the gift shop. It's actually a blend of several whiskeys, not just the George Washington stuff, seeing as that's basically white lightening with no character apart from "$h!tfaced."
That's disappointing news about Old Dominion moving to Delaware. But after getting bought out by Coastal/Anheuser Busch, I suppose it was inevitable that all the best qualities of their operation would be watered down or outright dismantled.
With Dominion closing up shop, there really won't be anything left that's locally brewed that you can pick up a sixer of at the corner store. And that's a sad state of affairs for folks like me who would like to drink locally.
Dude, it's called "a recession." Should be homebrewing that stuff anyway. I can personally recommend Shenandoah Brewing Supplies. Great buncha people and you have the satisfaction of being totally in control of what goes in your mix. Because when the going gets tough, the tough start brewing alcohol in their basements and shooting at tax collectors and census takers.
That place looks really interesting. Had no idea it was there. I've been brewing at home here on Ust and usually drive out to Falls Church to get supplies.
Any idea if they sell supplies to take home? Couldn't find any info on their site.
I don't think they do. I've been there twice to brew batches, and didn't see any for sale. But it's about as close as you can get to home brewing - you pick out what you want from a long menu and do all the work - with any of the hassle (i.e. cleanup). And the price is quite reasonable - about $2.50 a bottle, including labels, depending on what type of beer you make.
We drive up to Frederick - the folks at the Flying Barrel are very cool.
http://www.flyingbarrel.com/
Another great local brewery i dont think has been mentioned is Clipper City out of Baltimore. They are expanding rapidly throughout the US, but are gaining significant market share for the DMV (district, maryland and virginia area.) The sell out of OLD DOM has been sad, but there are still very good local brands looking to expand presence. Also look to hear from a new start up from our capital city founders called MAD FOX Brewery in VA soon.
-Beer Universe
www.beer-universe.com
Hopefully VA doesn't decide to plop a 1,000% tax on brewers like Oregon is trying to do. $10 6 packs aren't recession friendly.
Also, I believe I've stayed in that Days Inn.
See, now I have to track down a bottle of Wasmund's. At least I'll be next to a VABC store tomorrow. My usual boozeria hasn't ever had it, at least not that I've seen.
In the District, Central Liquor on F St. NW b/t 9th and 10th (across from the old 9:30, next to the old 5th Column) carries Wasmund's. It's worth tracking down.
I'm just lazy and a creature of habit. And cheap. I'm sure with a little effort I could have a bottle in my grubby little hands by the end of the day, but I'm content to wait until tomorrow's work takes me to McLean.
Gotta love C-ville...be sure to check out Court Square Tavern. as well.
Did see 3 different types of Starr Hill for sale at DC's Best Supermaket on U Street.
How could you possibly leave Virginia Lightning distillery off this list: http://www.virginiamoonshine.com/
The Belmont Farms distillery is in Culpeper off 29 on the way to Cville - they make Virginia Lightning corn whiskey and Kopper Kettle Virginia whiskey. VL is grim but wonderful - as close to legit moonshine you can get...
Nice article. Though I also liked it when it ran in the Post Jan. 21:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012003675.html
If you're looking for something a little closer to home for your beer needs, check out Shenandoah Brewery in Alexandria. You can brew your own beer using their equipment, it's a hell of a fun way to spend an afternoon (I don't work there or anything, just a fan).
i have to agree with muckraker. your title is even a little too close. you kinda summarized the post article.
Relax, folks. I had read the post article on the same topic, and I clearly neglected to check that article before choosing a title for mine (the title overlap is embarassing, I admit). But to charge that I merely summarized the post article is a bit ridiculous. Apologies for any overlap, but this is a trip I researched before mike and jenny took theirs. No harm or copying intended, I just clearly shouldve doublechecked the post article before posting mine.
I believe protocol dictates that you buy them both a beer.
Bad form, Eric. Bad form. At least to link to the original article...
Inspired by the aforementioned Post article, the fiancee and I took a Valentine's getaway to Charlottesville to do the Starr Hill tour and we stopped at the Blue Mountain Brewpub as well. Didn't make it out to Devil's Backbone. Starr Hill's brews I've had before and it was a good informative tour with some good tasting afterwards, the Blue Mountain place seemed like a brewpub built in a McMansion. It was packed with people, so didn't see the brewing facilities. The brews there were OK to pretty good. Food looked good, the fresh hot pretzel I had was good. The folks at Starr Hill mentioned they've been getting a lot more people stopping in for the tours due to the Post article. In fact, we saw many of the same people at both places making the stops on the tour.
And Old Dominion going to DE? Good riddance to medicore brews.
Also, I've been drinking Wasmund's on the rocks at home for the past few weeks. The VABC by the house had it in the Scotches section, which isn't correct appellation, but whateves. It tastes like what it is, a scotch-like whiskey that could probably benefit from a little bit more age in the barrel.
On a related note:
A shark on whiskey is mighty risky,
a shark on beer is beer engineer.
Capitol City Brewing Company is located in Va; I've enjoyed their selection quite often. However I will miss Old Dom. Brewery!
VABC #267 on Chain Bridge Road in Mclean had batches 3, 16, and 21 of the Wasmund's, if anybody's looking for it.