Virginia Breweries Continue a Tradition

Virginia Breweries Continue a Tradition

by Reed Hellman, Donne Tempo Magazine
Since the earliest European settlements, the brewer’s art has quenched Americans’ thirsts and pleased Americans’ palates. In Colonial times, unreliable water sources often made beer a better bet as a safe beverage, and most of the ingredients could be grown or produced locally.

In that tradition of craft-made, regional brews, more than a dozen microbreweries and brewpubs are currently quenching thirsty Virginians and visitors to the Old Dominion.

Virginia’s craft brewers seem to be of two distinct types: Microbreweries that focus primarily on producing a selection of beers and ales—such as Fredericksburg’s Blue & Gray Brewing Co--and brewpubs-- such as Richmond’s Richbrau Brewing Company-- that offer food and primarily brew for their patrons to drink onsite.

Located in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Slip, Richbrau serves two signature ales and a porter along with three seasonal brews and even a root beer. And, if you can’t decide which brew to choose, order a sampler tray with generous tastes of five of the six. The restaurant offers a wide selection of bar food, well-prepared and presented.

Richbrau’s Big Nasty Porter is particularly notable for its nutty/chocolate flavor. The dark brown porter is actually fairly sweet and fruity with 6.4 percent alcohol. It’s assertive flavor is well paired with a hamburger, steak, or grilled salmon.

Blue & Gray Brewing Co.’s microbrewery is located—not unexpectedly--proximate to four Civil War battlefields.

“We are a local brewery and want to stick with that,” said owner Jeff Fitzpatrick, making beers for on tap service at locations in and around Fredericksburg.

Brewery tours are available along with tastings of the four year-round' beers – Falmouth American Pale Ale, Fred Pale Ale, Blue & Gray Classic Lager and Stonewall Stout.

“We are first and foremost a brewery,” said Fitzpatrick. “Our beer is not pasteurized so it has to stay cold.”

The Falmouth American Pale Ale is a good example of chief brewer Madison Hill’s craft. A traditional American-style pale ale, Falmouth is double hopped and has a slightly floral flavor.

Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton is Virginia’s first countryside brewery and hop farm. Serving six hand crafted brews on draft, Blue Mountain also offers a local food menu, light fare, handmade gourmet pizzas, soups, salads, sandwiches, cheese plates, and desserts. Visitors can buy beer by the glass or purchase a six-pack, growler, or keg to go.

At Devils Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland, the beers augment an extensive menu of creative dishes and new takes on old standards. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and the music is always live.

After multiple wins in the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, Star Hill Brewery’s reputation has gone national. The four house brews—Starr Hill Amber Ale, Starr Hill Pale Ale, Jomo Lager, and Dark Starr Stout—have taken an unprecedented 13 medals.

Located in Crozet, Starr Hill's house and seasonal brews are available in regional restaurants, music clubs, and many grocery and convenience stores. The microbrewery also offers tours on the weekends.

But, not all beer gets drunk. Some winds up in recipes and can actually appear in a loaf of bread.

Simple Beer Bread

2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 ounces beer
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Lightly grease a 9X5 inch baking pan.

In a bowl, thoroughly mix the flours, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Add the beer and mix until moistened.

Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and spread melted butter evenly on top of the loaf. Bake 45 to 55 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool on a wire rack.

For More Information:
For a listing of Virginia microbreweries and brewpubs, visit here
Virginia Tourism Corporation
Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, 804/783-7411
Fredericksburg Department of Economic Development & Tourism, 800/260-3646,
Richbrau Brewing Company, 804-644-3018,
Blue & Gray Brewing Co., 540-371-7799,
Blue Mountain Brewery, 540-456-8020,
Devils Backbone Brewing Company, 434-361-1001,
Star Hill Brewery, 434-823-5671,

Reed Hellman is a professional writer living in Alberton, Maryland. Visit his Website at www.reedhellmanwordsmith.com, or e-mail your questions and comments to RHWay2Go@yahoo.com.


© 2009 by Reed Hellman Wordsmith
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