The Beer Road

It certainly feels as if this could be an unofficial craft beer week for Roanoke.  Of course, Saturday will feature the 16^th anniversary of Microfestivus, Roanoke’s premier craft beer festival.   But the days leading up to it will hardly be quiet and uneventful.  Several steal the pint and tap takeover type of events are being held throughout the week, and they kicked off last night when Jack Brown’s in downtown held an all cider steal the pint night (Crispin, Fox Barrel).  Things continue this evening when Apocalypse Ale Works is the featured brewery at Local Roots Restaurant for a steal the pint night, and Jack Brown’s will feature beers from Smuttynose (New Hampshire) Brewing.  Events continue the remainder of the week in similar fashion.  Check out the list below for specific location and brewery information. 

Tuesday:  Apocalypse Ale Works at Local Roots.  Featured brews are their Golden Censor, Lustful Maiden, Glorious Dead ESB, and the Imperial Red Ale Hopocalypse.  Smuttynose Brewing at Jack Brown’s Burger & Beer Joint featuring a few of the New Hampshire based brewery’s beers, including the Farmhouse/Saison Ale, Homunculous Belgian Golden Ale, and Baltic Porter.

Wednesday:  Devils Backbone Brewing at Local Roots Restaurant, apparently featuring a collaboration beer made with well known Troegs’ Brewing and Church Brew Works, both of Pennsylvania.  Reviews have been good across the board of this Black Rye IPA, which is officially part of Troegs’ limited release “Scratch Series” of beers.  Also on hand will be Devils Backbone’s Kash’s Kavern Stout, a hopped up American style stout.  This is the kind of beer that is usually available only in small batches at Devils Backbone’s brewpub.  Their Four Point Pale Ale will be available as well.  Apocalypse Ale Works will be featured at Jack Brown’s. 

Thursday:  Legend Brewing at Local Roots, featuring their Locomotive 231, a limited release California Common style beer, their Hopfest IPA, and two years of their Tripel, 2012 and 2013, for a mini vertical tasting of the beer.  Starr Hill Brewing will be featured at Blues BBQ in downtown Roanoke.

(Most, if not all, of these events are designed to be steal the pint events.  As always, the breweries and beers listed are subject to change, so if you want to be sure, call ahead.)

On Friday, Blue 5 in downtown Roanoke has invited several distributors to bring some limited release type of beers to officially kick off the Microfestivus weekend.  Everyone’s been pretty quiet on just what will show up, but from the couple things that I know of, it will be one heck of an evening.

What a week, Roanoke craft curious.  There will be several chances to try limited type releases from many of our local and regional breweries at various locations all around Roanoke, with the crowning event topping it all off on Saturday.  Could this be the most exciting craft beer week – ever – for Roanoke?  (So far.) Please come out and support the restaurants for hosting these fine events, and support the breweries for their participation.  This is the kind of week Roanoke deserves from a craft beer standpoint.  Plenty of events, and all sorts of uncommon beers dot the week leading up to Microfestivus 2013.  Along the way, you’ll taste some pretty amazing craft beer, possibly be introduced to some styles that are new to you, and find a new favorite or two.  Cheers, Roanoke!

~ by thebeerroad on August 6, 2013.

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