A Free Lesson on Grand Openings

Pride of Fauquier County, VA

It’s still August, which means Virginia Craft Beer Month is still going strong! There have been all kinds of brewery events going on this month, and I've been fortunate to make it to a few of them. Last Saturday, for example, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Old Bust Head Brewing Company’s tap room in Fauquier County, Virginia.

Old Bust Head opened their brewery doors back in early 2014 (February if I remember correctly) and began creating their core flight of brews – an English Pale Ale, an IPA, a Chestnut Porter and a Czech Pilsner. They slowly started distributing this deliciousness to local stores and bars, all-the-while hosting visitors in their 30 barrel brew house. Bust Head quickly became known for quality brews, friendly people and a laid-back atmosphere.

Then last weekend happened. Old Bust Head spent the last several months constructing the other half of their facility… the tap room… and on Friday, August 15th, they unleashed it upon the world. Their tap room, much like their entire operation, is quite impressive. The bar area has 48 taps (some of them nitro) and ample chalkboard space for announcements and flight information. Next to that are a large merchandise sales area and restrooms, as well as a door that leads out to the loading docks where food trucks set up their operations. There is also a stage area inside the tap room, a separate room for parties, loads of tables and seating options, and an outdoor biergarten area. Talk about a huge operation!

The place was jumping!

We went to visit them on the second day of what was their grand opening weekend and the place was jumping. People standing and sitting elbow to elbow, beers being poured continuously, band playing, barbecue served… an absolute mad house! They used an aggressive social media, word of mouth and advertising campaign and it paid off. By the time I left, the line for the bar was out the door and into the parking lot! In other words, OBH put on a demonstration of how to do a grand opening correctly.

Vixen, Shorthorn, Gold Cup and Chukker

As for the beer, which is the real star of the show, Old Bust Head was serving seven of their creations, including a new offering. They had their Old Bust Head English Pale Ale, Wildcat IPA, Chukker Pilsner, Chinquapin Chestnut Porter, Vixen Irish Red, Shorthorn American Pale Ale and Gold Cup Russian Imperial Stout.  The Gold Cup was brand new and it was delicious! Jet black with a full-bodied sweet malt-forward flavor, this Russian Imperial Stout is quite something and I highly recommend it. Particularly when they pour it through a nitrogen tap!!! The Shorthorn Pale Ale was also quite good, and the Chukker continues to be one of my favorite pilsners that I've ever had.

Of course, no trip to a brewery in Old Bust Head’s neck of the woods would be complete without barbecue from Bad to the Bone, who naturally had their food truck parked in the loading dock area… always delicious!

I’m already planning my next trip to Old Bust Head… perhaps when it calms down a little bit. I love a good crowd, but I also enjoy the laid-back atmosphere where I can have an opportunity to sit down and over-analyze beers… because that’s what I do.

OBH Team doing work.

I highly recommend you pay them a visit too if you haven’t already done so. Great brews, friendly folks, and now with a bright shiny new tap room!

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!