The Beer Road

At first, it might seem the obvious reason to attend a craft beer festival is simply that there’s going to be a whole bunch of really good beer in one place.  Don’t get me wrong, that certainly seems like enough of a reason to go, right?  But these events offer the beer curious a chance to try out not only different beers and different styles – but perhaps more specifically, ones that they have not tried before.  It’s the best chance for anyone who is new to craft beer to even those who are already knee deep in their curiosity to find new beers and new styles that might just knock their mind.  It’s a chance to have one of those “clouds parting” moments when you find yourself saying “wow, this is absolutely delicious.”  Pretty soon, half of the fridge is stocked with it.

The next chance for those kinds of moments, at least for those of us in this region, will be this Saturday in Charlottesville.  The city is hosting their inaugural “Top Of The Hops” beer festival, and the events’ website is boasting over 150 beers to try from nearly 40 different craft breweries.  Regional favorites such as Heavy Seas, Devil’s Backbone, Blue Mountain, Legend, Foothills, and Starr Hill will be alongside breweries such as Dogfish Head, Boulder, Avery, Allagash, North Coast, Rogue, and Stone.  The entire brewery listing as well as a pdf file of the festival guide with individual beers are available on the website.  The festival will also feature seven real ale cask tappings by various breweries as well as a few classes based around beer gaining beer knowledge and appreciation.  One class seems to be squarely directed at those new to craft beer – “Beyond The Pale – Styles That Will Change Your Appreciation of Beer” – and according to the festival guide, will feature information and samples of six beer styles dedicated to expanding appreciation of beer beyond the typical run of the mill lager.

This blog is always geared to help the beer curious find their way into the world of craft beer, but let’s face it – at some point, each person has to “kick the tires” and just taste the beer.  Beer festivals do not just bring together a ton of really good beer in one spot – it’s the chance to find something you really love, and perhaps begin a love for craft beer.  This one particular festival line up looks very impressive, so hit the road to Charlottesville this weekend if you get the chance.  I still remember the afternoon at Roanoke’s Microfestivus when I tasted the Troeg’s Troegenator Doppelbock.  For me, it was one more important step into the world of craft beer, and soon I was searching out others of the style, then examples from similar styles, and away I went down the craft beer road.

~ by thebeerroad on September 9, 2010.

Posted in Events.