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| Afton, Virginia |
First, a
few words from the author.
Look
people, I know the fall beers are starting to show themselves. I have heard you
clambering for a post all about Pumpkins and Oktoberfests. I’m ignoring you,
just like I am ignoring all of the brewing industry shark-jumpers who have once
again decided that the Fall harvest season begins on August 1st. Newsflash
geniuses – Autumn starts on September 21st; not August 1st! Don't get me wrong - I love harvest seasonal beers too. But according to the
Gregorian calendar, as well as the thermometer that reads mid-80s at the
moment, IT’S STILL SUMMER!!! So enough with the fall beers!
Last
time, in the mash tun…
… was
all about a little-known slice of beer paradise (beeradise?) called Wild Wolf
Brewing Company in Nellysford, VA. We reviewed the outdoor biergarten, the
homebrew supply store, the food, but most importantly, the delicious and
creative beers. Once again, as a disclaimer, I really must insist that before
reading any further, you take notice of the (Part 5) in the title of this post.
That is as much a warning as it is a waypoint or mile marker. This is quite
literally the fifth chapter of an epic voyage that we began many weeks ago. If you
are just joining us, and feeling lost isn't your cup of tea (pint of beer?), please
go back to part
one and read through to today’s post. If you have no problem being a little
out of touch, or you’re already caught up to this point, than by all means,
continue reading.
Believe
it or not, at this point in the trip, it was only Saturday morning. We had been
questing since Thursday evening, and in less than a day and a half, we traveled
to four makers of fine beer. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
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| The large outdoor seating area, and the brewery and brewery behind. |
The
fifth stop on the trail was the Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, VA, which is
located along VA-151, just a few miles down the road from where Wild Wolf and
Devils Backbone are. Blue Mountain, in my (not-so) humble opinion, encompasses
everything that is right about this part of the U. S. of A. It is peaceful, it
is simple, it has majestic views, a huge outdoor seating area, hop farm…
seriously awesome place.
We
arrived for lunch and were seated under one of the pergola-covered seating
areas that face the Blue Ridge Mountains. The weather was perfect, the air was
still, and I truly felt like I was sitting in a place where time had stopped.
The food
was excellent. The wife and I split a beer-boiled local bratwurst and a creole Cuban
press. Both sandwiches featured pork products that came from a pig farm that
was only a few hundred feet away from the brewery. Local industry baby!
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| Beautiful! (the mountains are pretty nice too) |
The beer
was phenomenal as well! I was privileged to drink a flight that consisted of
the following brews: Virginia Draft Hard Cider (which was actually made by the Bold Rock Hard Cidery;
also on VA-151), Classic Lager European Lager, Kolsch 151, Rockfish Wheat
Hefeweizen, Maggie’s Maibock, Uber Pils, Full Nelson IPA, Double IPA, Barrel
Aged Mandolin Belgian Tripel, and Dark Hollow American Imperial Double Stout.
As with all of the places I visited on this trip, none of the beers were bad –
in fact, they were all sublime. But also per usual, there were a few standouts.
 |
| Light and summery |
The
Rockfish Wheat Hefeweizen was one of the best hefeweizens I’ve ever had. It is
an authentic Bavarian-style “Kristall Weizen” filtered wheat beer. There was
also a unique flavor, which I think was provided by the yeast, that made this
hefe a truly delicious, light, summery beauty.
The
Double IPA was sweet and powerful, citrusy from the hops, grapey from the
yeast, and caramely from the malt. The alcohol was well hidden, making this
DIPA very easy to drink, and dangerous by extension with its 9.30% ABV.
The
Barrel Aged Mandolin Belgian Tripel was mysterious – it was sweet and sour at
the same time, both derived from fruity notes. It was also a big beer at 10%
ABV. The sour notes dominated the sweets a little bit, resulting in a beer that
took some getting used to. Still good though.
The Dark
Hollow was delicious. They brewed up am imperial stout and then aged it is a
whiskey barrel, giving it complexity and character. It’s a bit like drinking
liquor, and with a higher than normal ABV (10%), it hits like it too.
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| Dark, mysterious, and I love it |
After
the beer was drunk, and the food was gone, we took a growler to the bar and
filled it with the Double IPA, and then met one of the Blue Mountain brewers
back in the brewery for a tour. The operation is surprisingly small,
considering we can find BMB brews for sale at our local grocery stores. Still,
the tour was interesting and the brewer who we met with was a stand-up guy.
The beer
and scenery alone at Blue Mountain Brewery is enough to keep me coming back.
The fact that the food is good and the people are nice is just an added bonus.
I recommend that you all add them to your list of beer places to visit. You won’t
be sorry.
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| Another view of the outdoor seating area... I can't get enough of this place |
…to be
concluded…
Here’s
to craft-brewed happiness (and the Brew Ridge)… Cheers!
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