According to the announcement from Blue 5 this afternoon, it really isn’t all about IPAs, even during the summer. Or perhaps the recent influx of keg upon keg of hop forward beers due to Stone’s “Most Bitter Bar” contest led to this. Either way, If you are a fan of delicious, big on flavor stouts, I would highly recommend making your way to the downtown restaurant this weekend. No fewer than seven new stouts are making their way onto the taps. Included, according to the release, is the new Stone Farking Wheaton Woot Stout, a barrel aged beer with pecans added, which has been riding a wave of social media and internet related popularity. Another is the Lost Rhino Woody Stout, which made an appearance at this years Big Lick Beertopia and was quite good. Others include a version of Avery’s The Czar and fan favorite Creme Brulee from Southern Tier. Whatever you do, don’t necessarily count out the stout from New Zealand, from Moa Brewing. If this is the same beer that has been seen around town in bottles, it has been aged in Pinot Noir barrels and is well worth a taste.
Not One, But Two Starr Hill Events Here In Roanoke Tomorrow!
•July 16, 2013 • Leave a Comment
While Starr Hill continues to expand production and distribution into new markets along the East Coast, the nearby Crozet based brewery is certainly not forgetting its roots. Following up events centered around the release of its coffee cream stout Red Roostarr back in March, Starr Hill continues to show plenty of Virginia love right here in Roanoke, as not one, but two different events will be held in the Star City showcasing Starr Hill beers tomorrow night. The first of which is occurring at Jack Brown’s Burger and Beer Joint (5pm), followed closely by a second at Corned Beef & Company at 8pm. The word is that founder and brewmaster Mark Thompson will be on hand at both events.
Rumor also has it
that a possible beer at one or both events will be the uncommonly found “Smoke Out”, Starr Hill’s Rauch Beer (a German style lager using smoked malt). Also likely available will be their Northern Lights IPA, as well as their recently introduced seasonal pale ale “Grateful”, which I’ve been singing the praises of for a couple months now. Grateful is about as tasty a pale as I’ve come across, featuring the same kind of citrus centered flavor that so many craft beer fans love in their IPAs, without the higher abv% and that style’s more bitter taste. Also likely will be the Red Roostarr stout, which apparently, and appropriately, will be well featured at this year’s upcoming Floydfest music festival, being held a little over a week and a half away. Of course, the coffee used in the Red Roostarr stout comes from none other than Red Rooster Coffee Roasters, based in Floyd Va.
Come out and support Virginia craft beer at two Starr Hill events tomorrow night!
Virginia Brewery Snapshot: Charlottesville’s Champion Brewing
•July 9, 2013 • 1 Comment
Restless and buzzing with tense, anxious energy, bordering on desperation, the characters written into the song lines of the Bruce Springsteen’s classic album release Born To Run cannot wait to break free from their lot in life and uncover new possibilities. So it’s not a stretch to understand why Hunter Smith, Owner and Head Brewer of one of Charlottesville’s newest craft breweries – and a lifelong Springsteen fan – could relate to their stories. During the earliest of Champion Brewing’s start-up days in early 2012, he repeatedly turned to those songs for inspiration, or for at least for a chance to commiserate, as he weaved through the endless hours and stress of starting up a new business, let alone a brewery. “Born to Run is my favorite record and kept me going when I thought this thing was going to kill me”, Smith says. Chances are good the record continues to get plenty of air time today. As anyone in brewing will tell you, it is a business which is tireless work, but is one rich with rewards. Hunter continues, “[Champion] is/was my idea, and is a labor of love.”
While Springsteen story songs might have kept Smith going as the brewery began, a different inspiration played into its creation. A home brewer and fan of American craft beer for certain, Smith also has an affinity for many “old world” beer styles, and began Champion in response to a perceived lack of those styles among breweries within the state. “One thing that inspired me to start Champion was a little bit of a lack in more experimental styles in the Virginia beer scene. I took a bet on coming out with some weird stuff and being unapologetic about sour beer and salty beer and whatever else, and people have been willing to play ball with us.” Among the beers currently listed on Champion’s website, there is plenty of evidence of these more fringe styles. A Berliner Weiss, a refreshingly tart, German style beer, as well as a Gose, a similar type of beer notable for the traditional inclusion of salt, are among the offerings, and were some of the first beers Champion produced. But Smith’s interest in beer styles hardly stops here, so hop devotees and the perhaps more mainstream craft fans need not worry. He is quick to mention that he is “probably most inspired by the stylistic boundary-pushing of west coast American craft brewing”, and one result is Champion’s Missile IPA, “our flagship and #1 seller and we’re very proud of it”. Current reviews on internet discussion boards note Missile’s wonderfully citrusy aroma and matching taste. Among many others, the brewery also offers “ICBM”, an Imperial IPA, as well as an Imperial Stout called Red Scare, both of which Smith refers to as fan favorites. Other beers which have made seasonally based or temporary appearances at the brewery have ranged from an oyster stout to pale wheat type ales, but regardless of the beer, the recipes and quality of the brews remain at the forefront of Smith’s mind. “We work hard to make standout examples of styles and I tweak and tweak and constantly lose sleep trying to make the best beer we can. That is all that matters to me.”
In the seemingly ever growing Charlottesville area craft beer scene, Champion is fitting in nicely. A collaboration with a friend of Smith’s, none other than Devils Backbone’s Head Brewer Jason Oliver, resulted in one Champion beer so far, and Smith has also worked with several local restaurants and suppliers in order “to make truly Virginia- inspired beers.” Distribution currently reaches Richmond and the Virginia Beach area, and plans are in the works for a larger production facility. “We want to cover Virginia and grow from there”, Smith mentions. As he continues to look into the future, his primary concerns remain focused on the Virginia craft beer scene in whole, and not just in terms of how his own brewery fits in. As a matter of fact, Smith is less worried about quality beers being produced by other in state breweries that might serve as competition to Champion than with the exact opposite. “My biggest concern is the growing scene and the potential ability for folks to make beer that doesn’t meet quality standards. My fear is not of competition but of folks making less than standard quality beer and hurting the Virginia or [overall] craft reputation.” It’s a concern that likely will serve Smith and his brewery well in the coming months and years. In keeping such things in mind, as well as with producing beers such as its Missile IPA and the selection of more varied, lesser known styles, Champion could very well be the next nationally known ambassador of Virginia craft beer.
For the moment, Smith and his crew at Champion are continuing to turn out more delicious beer, and within the walls at the brewery, I’m betting they’re turning up the music too. I asked Smith which Champion beer paired best with which Springsteen song. “I would choose an ICBM Double IPA and crank ‘Jungleland’ to describe our mentality right now, and wouldn’t trade it for anything!” Check out Champion’s website HERE
Quick Notes: Stone RuinTen, Wasena City Events, and Plenty of “Bitter” Beer To Go Around
•June 26, 2013 • Leave a Comment
Stone Brewing’s “Most Bitter Bar Challenge” (see previous post for details) continues to influence events and what’s on tap around Roanoke. Blue 5 Restaurant is showcasing Stone’s highly regarded RuinTen 10th anniversary edition of their double IPA Ruination, as well as their Ruination “Tropical Heat” edition (infused with mangoes and habanero peppers). Wasena City Tap Room will be also featuring a few Stone beers at two separate events, tonight (Wednesday 6/26) and tomorrow night. Both restaurants will not only have the beers, but if you’re into picking up some free Stone related swag, you’ll likely find plenty going around.
On a non-Stone related note, Local Roots Restaurant added one extremely fine IPA to their taps yesterday, Troegs’ Perpetual IPA, a personal favorite of mine since it debuted not too long ago.
Check out the previous post about the Bitter Bar Challenge! Cheers!
The Beer Road 