The Beer Road

A passion for creating sensory rich experiences is an integral part of, if not at the absolute heart, of craft brewing.  Treats for the eye and nose as well as the mouth flow from breweries on a daily basis.  Visit most any brewery and you’re likely to find souls hard at work, who, on any given day, are busy finding  new ways to stretch the boundaries of taste and aroma with their ales and lagers, while also making them uniquely their own.  At the new and soon to be open Parkway Brewing in Salem, Virginia, it’s obvious that such artistic and creative spirit resides within their building’s walls – and that’s before you even reach the front door.

Gracing a large section of the front of the main building is a beautiful and fanciful mural, complete with mountain streams flowing into a larger body, all not of water, but – you guessed it – beer.  A gently drawn, graceful looking figure sits on a river bank, pouring ale out from a large vessel, as the sun beams down overhead.  Needless to say, it’s enough to make you more than a little thirsty.  It’s also so much more than any “normal” welcome sign on the front of a brewery could ever hope to be.  It incites a sense of curiosity and wonder.  It’s also a signal that other grand creations are likely to be found behind the wall on which it is painted.  As calmingly majestic as the mural is, a quick look at the beers which Parkway intends to release in the coming months means no one is going to get caught spending all of their time in the parking lot.  The beer coming our way simply sounds too good.

Of course, the brewery isn’t quite open yet.  But a glimpse at some of the styles with which the brewery plans to launch itself with, and those which might follow thereafter shows a brewery full of ideas – and one not willing to develop one or two “flagship” beers and stop there.  The four styles planned for launch are an IPA, an Imperial IPA, a Belgian Blonde style ale, and a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.  Belgian and other classically European styles also seem to figure predominantly into styles to follow.  Ryan Worthington, Parkway’s Brewmaster, is looking into developing a Saison, a Biere de Garde, an Altbier, a Witbier, and a Dark Mild Ale.  All together, it’s an impressive list style wise, stretching from the purely American craft beer end of the spectrum, with the Imperial IPA, to the classic European styles, such as the Saison.  It’s certainly one that seems to back up Parkway’s tag line on their facebook page, which describes the brewery as one “specializing in complex ales for the discriminating beer enthusiast.”

Parkway’s anticipated opening is still on for late fall to early winter.  Until then, the mural may be the only visible evidence of Parkway Brewing’s existence.  But the mystical and somehow calming, idyllic setting which it depicts, one in which the sun and the moon share the sky simultaneously overtop a body of ale and a deeply rooted tree stands on a hillside under which hang pint glasses of beer ready for the picking, seems to be the perfect representation of the world of craft brewing in painted form – one of rich, full sensory experiences.  If such a glorious depiction on the outside of the brewery gives even the slightest hint at what Parkway Brewing is capable of, beer wise, behind that wall – and I feel pretty sure it does – we’re in for quite a few of these experiences to come.

Note:  The amazing mural, by the way, was painted by none other than Brewmaster Ryan Worthington’s wife, Jessica.

Visit Parkway Brewing’s facebook page here!

Posted in Uncategorized

Stereotyping a beer style to a season always seems a bit unfair. True, there are “leaner” stouts than others, but the ones which so many of us clamor over –dark, rich, smoky, dense, chocolately experiences –just seem less suited for an afternoon on the beach in ninety degree weather than a crisp cool fall evening by the fire. Just recently, the weather in my area is ever so reluctantly breathing its last warm breaths of summer for evenings that have a slight chill in the air, and right alongside them, my thoughts have begun turning to those things which will soon bring sweet, cozy relief against their brisk attitude: warm blankets on the bed, multiple layers of clothing, and yes, I admit –a stout in my glass. Much like a favorite blanket or a long sleeved flannel shirt, the smooth and velvety, robust body and roasted flavors of a good stout also have a way to ward off the chill of cooler weather.

True, a good stout can –and should be –appreciated any time of year. Some enjoy their roasty personalities regardless of what the calendar says. But many do begin to lean towards them when the mercury starts to edge downwards. It was this kind of spirit that no doubt influenced at least my own thoughts recently when Brian Sallade, co-manager at Local Roots Restaurant, and I began to look for a new, shared “pick” for their tap selections. Sitting by a window one recent evening, I found myself watching a cold rain come down outside. The temperatures finally reflected something fall like. I had recently seen a news item about a stout being produced at nearby Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet, just about two hours north. Given Local Roots’ affinity for local and regional brews and the quick note about the beer’s flavor from the brewery’s own website (“a wallop of dark malt flavor”), their Imperial Stout “Cryptical” sounded like a perfect choice.

Imperial Stouts, as the name suggests, are generally stronger versions of the average stout, boasting bigger, deeper, and richer flavors. Generating the bigger flavors found in these kinds of beers often means an accompanying higher alcohol content as well, although Cryptical is not excessive, at least by today’s big stout standards, with its abv coming in right at 7%. Occasionally, these kinds of beers can have a hint of “dark fruit” like flavors that can be tasted in the midst of their more typical roasted nature, and according to notes on the Starr Hill website, Cryptical has this going for it also, mentioning “notes of raspberry and plum”. Also noted are flavors of licorice and anise. You might also expect to find tastes of roasted coffee or a more semi sweet like cocoa. At any rate, considering all of these flavors together should make for one very tasty stout.

Odd, how we embrace the change to fall –whether its relief from summer’s heat, or because you simply enjoy the cooler temperatures on their own, so many of us embrace the change to a colder time of the year by wrapping up against it. It’s that sweet, cozy feel of burying yourself under multiple fuzzy layers, or wrapping up with a loved one. Maybe you’re a stout drinker year round, or maybe you enjoy one only when it’s a bit chillier outside. Either way, perhaps it’s time to admit that while not absolutely linked to fall and colder days, the stout is a perfect, fond addition to the list of things with which we both welcome the crispness in the air with, but also helps to keep it a comfortable, cozy distance. Starr Hill’s Cryptical Stout should fit perfectly among all these, so go taste for yourself at Local Roots Restaurant now – tonight, it’ll be included as a part of their first of the month sampling of all eight of their taps.  The forecast is calling for a slightly cooler evening, after all.  Cheers!

Posted in Uncategorized

“So, what is it like?”  It’s the natural beginning to the most common of conversations overheard at beer festivals.  Stand in a few tasting booth lines, and you’re bound to hear it quite a bit, even enough to begin taking the question, and then its value, for granted.  But the opportunity to ask the question so many times at one location should never be taken lightly.  Given that diversity of styles is one of the cornerstones of the American craft beer revolution, the opportunity to taste a wide variety of beers and beer styles in a single location, like at next weekend’s (Oct 6) Blacksburg Brew Do, is one that many craft beer fans hold quite close to their heart – or perhaps more accurately, to their taste buds.  Craft breweries are constantly stretching the boundaries of styles and flavor, and with them, always keeping the craft beer fan’s curiosity on edge. In a way, the question “So, what is it like?”, and how often it’s asked, is both a reflection of the constantly changing releases from craft breweries and the always watchful craft beer fans who want to try them, and as any of those fans will tell you, asking it never truly gets old.  It’s also seems like the best way to introduce the two – second only of course to actually drinking the beer.

This year, Blacksburg’s Brew Do will offer even more chances than before to begin that conversation.  The number of breweries represented this year has increased to nearly 40, about ten more than last year.  Of course, the breweries will range from local and regional ones such as host host Bull & Bones and Devils Backbone to the more nationally known, such as Sierra Nevada, Rogue, and Goose Island.  The event organizers currently have a list on the event website of not only these breweries, but a list of individual beers which should be available and a brief description of each, always helpful as a way to plan out what to try.  Some of the listed beers of note include several pumpkin beers, currently “in season” of course, as well as some excellent IPAs, including Southern Tier’s (NY) 2xIPA.  Not into the bitter brews?  Heavy Seas (MD) will apparently have their “Plank II” doppelbock on hand, and for a craft beer take on the golden colored lager, Flying Dog (MD) will have their under appreciated Underdog Atlantic lager.  Just remember, as a general rule of thumb if at all possible, start with least bitter and move to more when tasting beers.  Bitterness has long lasting and taste numbing effects on the palate.

Tickets will be available at the gate, but organizers are recommending picking them up beforehand at both Blacksburg Kroger stores or through the event website.  Of course, there will also be a home brewing tent including samples and beer making demonstrations, and talks given by some quite knowledgeable beer experts, including Virginia Tech’s well known professor and champion of wine and beer appreciation John Boyer.

Yes, those in attendance at next weekend’s Brew Do may hear that often mentioned question many times throughout the day, but when talking about craft beer, it’s a question that never gets old.  While it may seem like an innocent way to begin a conversation, so much can come of the simple little question “So, what is it like?”.  It can often signal the discovery of a new favorite beer, or open the door to styles never tried before.  It is the chance to open up a new conversation, of sorts, between the wonderful and delicious efforts of craft brewers and craft beer’s ever curious fans.  So come out to the 4^th annual Blacksburg Brew Do – all sorts of wonderful answers await.

Visit the event website here!

Posted in Uncategorized

When news of beers going up on tap around town begins to feel like breaking news on CNN, you know the atmosphere surrounding craft and well made beer in Roanoke is a healthy one.  Late Friday afternoon, news of two beers reaching the draft lines began circulating, both noteworthy because of their limited or seasonal release status.  One, an annual release from Dogfish Head, is this year’s edition of “Bitches Brew”, a beer first brewed to help celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the 1970 landmark jazz fusion release of the same name by Miles Davis.  The beer is a “thread” (blend of different beers) of three stouts combined with a honey beer with gesho root.  Gesho is a small tree or shrub common in Africa, and in Ethiopia, parts of the plant are used along with honey to produce a mead like beverage.  It went on draft at Blue 5 Restaurant around 5pm.

Oktoberfest continues in Roanoke with an excellent imported version of the seasonal lager making its way onto the taps at Local Roots Restaurant.  Hacker-Pschorr, in Munich, can trace its roots as far back as the 15^th century, and their version of the legendary fall lager is an excellent one to try.  Medium bodied, the beer is just rich enough, full of deep malty flavor with the slightest touch of hop presence.  In today’s beer world, where food pairings are all the rave, Hacker-Pschorr’s Oktoberfest pairs well…with a perfect fall day or evening.  Also, don’t forget that the royalty among pumpkin beers, Southern Tier’s Pumking, continues to hold a spot on draft at Local Roots as well.

Not to be left out, a delicious “Harvest Ale” called Scythe & Sickle from Ommegang Brewing in New York can also be found at Blue 5 as of yesterday as well.  So called because to brew it, Ommegang used several types of grains to pay homage to the craft of farming, from which brewers “benefit greatly”, as it is perfectly stated on the brewery’s website.  Barley, oats, wheat and rye are all used to create a “smooth and creamy mouthfeel with light toastiness and gentle sweetness”.  If you can’t make it down to try this one on tap, bottles are currently in limited availability around town.  It is definitely a must taste.

This weekend will also see the official opening of “Beamer’s 25”, a restaurant housed inside the Lofts at West Station building in downtown Roanoke.  A post on the restaurant’s facebook page around 6pm tonight promised an opening for serving dinner tomorrow (Saturday) night.  For months, the rumor was that the draft beer list would be wonderfully lengthy and full of interesting brews.  Although I can’t guarantee a few late minute substitutions, the beer list will likely include some of the following:  Smuttynose Brewing’s Pumpkin Ale, St. George Brewing’s Porter, North Coast’s Belgian Ale Brother Thelonious, Terrapin Brewing’s far east inspired Samurai Krunkles, Victory’s Donnybrook stout and their tripel Golden Monkey, Stone Brewing’s Sublimely Self Righteous Ale, Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout as well as many others, including several Virginia craft brews, including ones from Blue Mountain, Devils Backbone, Starr Hill, and Roanoke Railhouse.  The list will likely also include a lambic, a typically low abv% Belgian style fruit beer in which the fruit flavor is usually quite dominating but incredibly refreshing.

Get out and taste excellent beer all around Roanoke!  Cheers!

Posted in Uncategorized