I stopped in at Garden Grove Brewing in Richmond, Virginia and enjoyed the Farmhouse Saison. The beer was a relaxing and enjoyable choice for happy hour. The saison had a familiar, refreshing taste. Hints of fruit flavored this delicious beer.
I stopped in at Isley Brewing Company in Richmond, Virginia. One of their flagship beers is Choosy Mother Peanut Butter Porter. This is an awesome beer. The flavor is right-on! Of course, you pretty-much need to be a peanut butter lover (at least, liker) to enjoy this. The porter is not as heavy as a stout. This is very easy to drink. The peanut butter flavor is very present but not overpowering. Delicious. Stop in and try some!
I stopped in at Strangeways Brewing in Richmond, Virginia and sampled two of their sour beers (which they are widely known for). Their Uberlin Berliner Weisse Sour was delightfully crisp and tart with hints of fruity flavors. The Bartlett and Bosc Pear O.T.I.S. was deliciously pear-flavored, tangy and refreshing. On a warm summer day these sours will be perfectly refreshing.
I stopped in at The Answer Brewpub in Richmond, Virginia for lunch and a beer. The Obey Berliner Weisse beer was crisp, tart and delicious. I felt it paired beautifully with the pork belly Bahn Mi. Obey your thirst! This is a great place to stop for delicious food and delicious beer.
I stopped in at Center of the Universe Brewing Company in Ashland, Virginia and enjoyed a flight of their beers, all of which were very good. The one I especially liked was the El Duderino White Russian Stout. This was absolutely delicious.
I’d been wanting to stop in at Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland, Virginia for quite some time. And, when I finally got the chance it did not disappoint! Their Eight Point IPA was very good and their Ten Point IPA was even better! Not only that, I had the opportunity to enjoy dinner which was delicious – pulled pork sandwich and fried pickles. Much of the menu is locally sourced. The brewery/restaurant is wonderfully crafted with local materials and looks great! I’d recommend this brewery to everyone for the beer, the food and the atmosphere. It’s worth stopping.
I stopped in at Devil’s Backbone Outpost Brewery & Tap Room in Lexington, Virginia. I love enjoying beers at breweries that aren’t available anywhere else. The Berliner Metro Weiss was so delicious that I went back out to my car and got the emergency growler from the trunk and immediately filled up! What a delicious beer with a tart finish. O’Fest was also yummy – malty and warming for the season. The Smokehaus Rauchbier I just had to try but it’s not my thing. I am not a fan of smoky. Sorry. The Wee Dram was as tasty a Scottish Ale as I’ve ever had. Malty and caramelly and smooth. I’m glad I finally made it to the Outpost to round out my Devil’s Backbone experience.
I stopped in at the Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, Virginia for lunch and, you guessed it, a beer. I ordered fish tacos which were excellent. There were three tacos and they were large and they came with cole slaw. Delicious. I enjoyed the lunch with Rye Barchetta, a full-bodied rye IPA and Full Nelson, a very drinkable pale ale. The atmosphere in the restaurant/brewery was really nice and I’d definitely stop there again if in the area. Oh, and I liked the Full Nelson so much that I brought a six-pack home. I’ve given away a few cans to close friends that are “wrestling” with some of life’s issues and I felt this would be a thoughtful gift. They were both very grateful. The last two cans are for me! I also brought home a bottle of the Local Species Belgian but haven’t tried it yet.
I was fortunate enough to stop at the Roanoke Railhouse Brewery in Roanoke, Virginia. When I arrived, the owner, Steve, stopped everything he was doing an spent the next hour pouring his beers for me, describing each in detail, and discussing the craft beer scene and the general business climate of Roanoke. Steve is great to talk with and a great brewer. The first beer I tried was the Track 1 Amber Lager which I found to be not too sweet but full-bodied. The second beer I tried was the Broken Knuckle IPA which I found not too bitter and very drinkable. And the last beer I tried was the Switch Monkey which is a Belgian pale ale, light and very easy to drink. The brewery is in a converted warehouse space and has plenty of room to hang out and enjoy a few beers.
I stopped at the Piccadilly Public House in Winchester, Virginia with a business partner for lunch. I had the George Washington salad with grilled chicken which was a large and filling salad. I also tried the house beer, summer moon. This is a wheat beer which isn’t my preference, but if that’s the house beer then that’s what I’m having. This beer had a high alcohol content and I could taste the alcohol in the beer. I wasn’t able to finish it. The beer was sweet with a bite to it.
I Stop For Hops 