Just in case you missed it, WDBJ Channel 7 here in Roanoke did a quick piece about ongoing construction (that’s nearing completion!) at Devils Backbone’s brewery expansion in Rockbridge County (otherwise known as the Outpost), the highlight of which was a few questions for Head Brewer Nate Olewine, originally from this area. Yes, we’re getting ever closer to the distribution of Devils Backbone beer… good news, folks..
In Case You Missed It…
•November 9, 2011 • Leave a CommentA Craft Beer Trick or Treat Guide, Pumpkin Ale Style
•October 29, 2011 • 1 Comment
Fall is not only here but making itself comfortable, and Halloween is a mere couple days away. Real pumpkins on porches, paper cut out pumpkins taped to doors and windows, plastic pumpkins hollowed out for ideal candy storage by the truckload and just about every other possible way to honor the orange fall gourd have descended upon us faster than the leaves could begin falling to the ground. This time of year even holds something special for those of us who enjoy the occasional seasonal beer. Beginning roughly in September and running through fall, pumpkin ales also are given their due place on store shelves for those who look forward to their wide variety of flavors – and to those folks who haven’t tried them just yet – “Wait…wait. There’s a pumpkin flavored beer?” If you are one of those willing to try pumpkin ales, or have tried them before and still enjoy tasting various interpretations from different breweries, the season for them is not yet over. Pumpkin ales can still be found on those store shelves, and here in Roanoke, many restaurants which year round dedicate themselves to carrying good and different beer are still featuring them on tap. After all, and with due respect to Linus, doesn’t searching for the Great Pumpkin while sitting warmly inside at your favorite pub sound better than waiting all night in a pumpkin patch?
So as we head towards All Hallows Eve, I thought I’d mention a couple I’ve had this year that I’ve personally enjoyed, and I’d also run down the list of stops around town where these curious ales have made their way to. Consider it the craft beer fan’s guide to the best “houses” to stop at this Halloween weekend for treats only available this time of year. To those unsure or new to these beers, go with an open mind – there are lots of variations on the “style”. Generally speaking, they are not “hoppy” or bitter at all, and at the least are well balanced if not somewhat sweet, malty ales that taste wise, fit in well with the season. The best ones taste a little like a good pumpkin pie of sorts, that is, with alcohol present. They very often have some amount of pumpkin pie type spices added – nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, allspice are all typical, and of course have had pumpkin added during brewing, either with cut up pieces of actual pumpkin or by adding puree. Personally, the best Pumpkin ales feature all of these flavors in a balanced package, with no one spice or taste dominating over another, or with the spices simply hanging out in the background instead of being front and center. At any rate, here’s a guide of the best pumpkin “patches” around town!
Lucky Restaurant – New Holland Brewing’s Ichabod Pumpkin Ale. A good introduction to Pumpkin Ales, this one has a nice pumpkin pie/spice aroma and taste wise is a little spice-forward. Definitely worth trying.
Horizon Bar and Grill – Brooklyn Brewery’s Post Road Pumpkin Ale – A long time favorite among Pumpkin Ales with a B+ grade on beeradvocate.com.
Others that you may be able to still find on store shelves and that are excellent examples, as well as personal favorites, are Heavy Seas’ Great Pumpkin and Greater Pumpkin, Southern Tier’s Pumking Ale, Dogfish Head’s annual favorite Punkin’, and Saranac’s Pumpkin Ale. A brand new favorite I found this season is Shipyard’s Smashed Pumpkin Ale.
Time is running a little short on Pumpkin Ales, as the season always slows down around the end of October, but this weekend, of all weekends, makes for maybe the best time to jump into them. No plastic candy filled pumpkins are necessary, but if you want to dress up, I’m sure that would be fine. It’s a adult and craft beer fan’s Halloween weekend – no pumpkin patch needed.
The Lucky Dog Pub & Deli – (One Of) Man’s Best…Places To Find Good Craft Beer
•October 22, 2011 • Leave a Comment
Legend, if not actual fact, has it that St. Bernards trained for rescue in the Swiss Alps carried small casks of brandy to help warm those stranded in the cold. It seems like a great idea, but being a craft beer fan, my mind started wandering to what I would’ve more approved of as standard rescue equipment – an imperial stout, a good porter? Here in the Roanoke area, we have our own dog – of sorts – that carries more than once choice to quench thirsts and perhaps do a little warming. Open for roughly a year, the Lucky Dog Pub & Deli, located in Botetourt, currently carries about thirty different import, craft, or specialty brews. It represents yet another addition to Roanoke’s growing list of restaurants to recognize and support the interest in micro and craft beer. A few days ago, I stopped by and enjoyed one of my go – to beers, Terrapin’s Rye Pale Ale, and took a look around both the pub and the beer choices. Anyone who knows a beer fan also knows we love to pour over beer lists for much longer than seems humanly possible or normal, sometimes much longer than it takes to figure out what food to order.
What I found was a very good selection of both draft and bottled beers, including choices from St. George’s Brewery here in Virginia, Terrapin, Smuttynose, and Dogfish Head. The draft selection was well rounded out, and included Lionshead Pilsner, Bluegrass Brewing’s Bourbon Barrel Stout, and a couple of trusty selections in Dogfish Head’s 60 Minute IPA and New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber. There was also a nod to a local Roanoke brewery, but with a twist – instead of Roanoke Railhouse’s Track 1, which usually is the knee jerk selection just about everywhere in town, their IPA was on tap at the time.
Of course, pub atmosphere is essential when enjoying good beer, and Lucky Dog’s unique dog themed, dog dedicated décor feels fun, laid back, and just right for doing so. On the wall behind the bar, a wooden shape of a dog house houses some glasses and shows off some of the bottle selection. But in the center of the dining area is what sets the pub’s casual, friendly vibe. There, nearly running all the way from the front of the pub to the back, is a large, multi-seat table – cut in the shape of a dog bone, of course – which could be for large parties, true. But a good pub has a higher mission, of course. The pub’s website refers to t
he table as a “communal” one, one that invites pub patrons to get together, rub elbows, share stories, enjoy the pub’s good food, and over a few good, craft beers, perhaps hold a little round, or bone – table discussion about what they might consider, if ever stranded in the Alps, the perfect…rescue beer.
Extend Your Oktoberfest Celebration At Local Roots Restaurant Next Wednesday!
•October 13, 2011 • Leave a Comment
Ah, Oktoberfest. In case you weren’t able to make it to Munich this year, or even if you planned to celebrate at home but couldn’t find your lederhosen, there is still time left to enjoy fall’s biggest party. Here in Roanoke, Local Roots Restaurant will be having an Oktoberfest Celebration next Wednesday evening. Traditional German fare will be served, with homemade brats or Jaeger Schnitzel the likely main course. A reception will kick things off at 6:30, followed by appetizers around the restaurant’s gorgeous Ambrosia Maple bar (if you haven’t seen the bar, or been to the restaurant and haven’t noticed, it’s not too be missed). Additional food served during the three course meal will include mussels and a beer float.
Of course, what would Oktoberfest be without the beer, so each course will be paired with a particular seasonal brew. A yearly favorite and German import, Hacker-Pschorr’s Oktoberfest, will be on hand. Keeping in tune with Local Roots’ dedication to serving craft beers, additional brews to make the dinner list will likely include Legend’s (VA) Oktoberfest, as well as Starr Hill’s (VA) Boxcar Pumpkin Porter and Flying Dog’s (MD) Raging Bitch Belgian style IPA.
Anyone familiar with the amazing food at Local Roots will tell you that any dinner there is a mouth watering, culinary experience – mixing it with an Oktoberfest style celebration of German food, Oktoberfest and seasonal craft beer makes it absolutely can’t miss. If you’re planning to go, please call the restaurant at 540 206 2610 for additional details and tickets (please see more information on tickets below). So in case you didn’t make it to Germany, not to worry – there is still time to enjoy Oktoberfest. Make it down to Local Roots, and plan for a delicious, fun evening, even if you still can’t find your lederhosen.
Local Roots Restaurant Oktoberfest Celebration, October 19th, at 6:30. There are two ‘tiers’ of tickets – one that includes the beer pairing portion of the dinner for $55, one without the beer for $37. PLUS, just mention you saw this write up here on the beerroad.com, and Local Roots will discount your ticket by $5! Don’t forget to call the restaurant for ticket info!
The Beer Road 