Blue & Gray Oktoberfest

The Baron von Steuben Oktoberfest is now available from Blue & Gray Brewing Company. Brewed in March and cold lagered over the Summer, this limited beer is for sale in September and typically sells out by the end of the month. I shared some of this year's release with friends Friday evening, and Colleen and I enjoyed it as well while relaxing Saturday before dinner.

I poured the Blue & Gray Oktoberfest into a Blue & Gray pint glass. A hard pour produced a bubbly beige head that dropped very rapidly. The beer is a dark tea color with a slight red tint. A very faint sweet malt aroma can be detected. My impression of the flavor is malt, and more malt. There's a slight sweet note at the start. The finish is dry and the malt flavor lingers in the mouth. The mouthfeel is moderately thick and slightly creamy.

Blue & Gray Oktoberfest is currently available in a limited number of 22 oz. bottles. After September 12, the beer will be available for growler fills at the brewery. And, the beer will be available at the annual Blue & Gray Oktoberfest. This year's celebration is a three-day affair, Friday, September 26, 2008 - Sunday, September 28, 2008. I suggest picking up your supply of the Oktoberfest beer early. I recall last year I visited the brewery the day after the Oktoberfest celebration only to find the beer was sold out.

Sad News on the Local Restaurant Scene

Bryan at "In The 'Burg" brings word of the passing of two key figures in the Fredericksburg restaurant scene.

On August 18, Samuel T. Emory of Sammy T's passed away. Dr. Emory opened Sammy T's in 1980 as a groundbreaking restaurant featuring a selection of vegetarian as well as standard fare. I have many found memories of extended stays at Sammy T's enjoying the food, beer, and good company. In fact I was just reminiscing about Sammy T's last night at the Fredericksburg Blogger Happy Hour. The "shelf of beer" offered a large selection of bottled beers. Early employees were mostly college students, many of who were taught by Dr. Emory who was a professor of geography at Mary Washington College (now Mary Washington University.)

On August 22, Rob Ivy was lost. Rob was just 29 but had already made an impression with the popular Sunken Well Tavern. I'm not as familiar with Sunken Well Tavern. I have only eaten there once but had a very enjoyable meal. Whenever I drove past the establishment there were always folks coming and going.

Two successful entrepreneurs, both leaving lasting marks on Fredericksburg. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends.

See Sadness In the F'burg Restaurant Business on "In The 'Burg"

Weekend Beer Events

This will be a 3-day weekend for many in folks in the U.S. While you enjoy some craft beer with friends, please be responsible and safe. In Richmond, the Capital Ale House "Beer Geek Week" continues through Sunday, August 31. In Fredericksburg, the Blue & Gray Brewery is offering preview tastes of their Oktoberfest beer at the brewery.

Friday, August 29 - 5:00 - 8:00pm
Total Wine, Fredericksburg
Friday 5 @ 5 Beer Tasting:
Spanish Peaks Honey Raspberry Ale, Alhambra Cerveza Negra, Spaten Oktoberfest, Peroni, North Coast Acme Pale Ale

Friday, August 29 - 5:30 - 8:00pm
Virginia Wine Experience, Fredericksburg
Beer Tasting:
Avery Anniversary Ale - Fifteen, Brooklyn Local 1, plus a selection of Ocktoberfest beers

Friday, August 29 - 5:30 - 7:30pm
Corks and Kegs, Richmond
Beer Tasting:
Monty Python Holy Grail, Left Hand Imperial Stout, Dogfish Head Black and Blue

Saturday, August 30 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Kybecca, Fredericksburg
Beer Tastings in 2 Locations:
William Street (Downtown):
Legend Hefeweizen, St. Bernardus Abbey Ale #12, plus 1 Customer Choice
Plank Road (Next to Ukrops)
Weyerbacher Thirteenth Anniversary Ale, Kulmbacher Eisbock, plus 1 Customer Choice

Saturday, August 30 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Rick's Wine, Alexandria
Beer Tastings:
Sam Adams Octoberfest, Brasserie Gayant La Divine St. Landelin, Boulder Brewing Co. Cold Hop Ale, New Holland Ichabod

Every Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Blue & Gray Brewery, Fredericksburg
Beer samples and brewery tours

Please support the folks who bring us these events. Let them know there is an active craft beer community in the area. When you attend any of these events, tell us about it in the comments, and be sure to let the proprietor know you heard about it here.
Have something to add? Let me know, my contact information is here.

More Photos of Devils Backbone Construction

Nelson County Life, a print and online "lifestyle magazine" covering events in Nelson County, VA, has been keeping local residents up on the progress of the Devils Backbone Brewery.
Check out the articles linked below for pictures from the brewery.

Progress On Track For Devils Backbone Brewery - April 5, 2008
Tanks Going In At Nelson’s Newest Brewery - July 16, 2008

Also, this early report shows the brewery's tanks being prepared for shipping, from Japan.
Brewery tanks on the way! - July 19, 2007

I did get word this week from Jason Oliver that a November opening for Devils Backbone is still planned.

Where in the 'burg is that?

I came across this interestingly labeled structure today. Any observant folks in the Fredericksburg area know where it's located, and what it is?

Post your answers in the comments. No prizes, just that personal good feeling of being right. :-)

Beer Tourism in Virginia

I've written on the prospects for beer-related tourism a number of times recently. I once mused "I look forward to the day I'm following hop-emblazoned signs through the Virginia countryside." According to an article at NewsVirginian.com, that dream is getting closer to reality.

Now, the region’s breweries and brewpubs are organizing a beer trail that would aim to attract beer-loving tourists from elsewhere in Virginia and surrounding states. The trail would emulate the state’s eight regional wine trails that promote Virginia’s numerous vineyards and wineries. “Our industry is like the wine industry was 20 years ago,” said Mark Thompson, master brewer of Starr Hill, which produces the popular Jomo Lager, the Dark Starr Stout, the Love unfiltered wheat beer and other brews. “Wineries have come together and gotten lots of love. We can do that too ... A rising tide lifts all boats.”

The Charlottesville-area beer trail is believed to be the first trail in Virginia that would focus primarily on locally brewed beer.

“We don’t know yet exactly what the trail is going to look like, but that’s OK,” said Maureen Corum, director of economic development and tourism for Nelson County. “People come here for the experience. They come for the recreation. They come for the scenery. These breweries fit right in with all that.”

Corum is leading the effort to set up the beer trail, which she expects to be more fully developed in the fall. Nelson County has already obtained the trademark for “Red, White and Brew” for use in future marketing campaigns. The list of breweries that would be included on the trail has yet to be decided, Corum said, though Starr Hill, Blue Mountain and the Devil’s Backbone are natural fits because of their relatively close proximity to one another. Others, such as South Street Brewery and several breweries in the Shenandoah Valley, have also been mentioned as potential spots along the trail.

While this effort is currently focused on Charlottesville and surrounding areas, I see no reason why it eventually won't extend further afield. There are breweries and brewpubs in the works for Winchester, Fredericksburg, Floyd, and Northern VA among others.

See the entire article at "Brewed egos".

Old Dominion Brewpub Closed Permanently

I was alerted to this news via DC-Beer, and it is confirmed by this posting on the Old Dominion Brewing Company website:

Coastal Brewing Company has decided to close the Old Dominion Brewpub in Ashburn, VA, which the company acquired in 2007 with the acquisition of Virginia-based craft brewer Old Dominion Brewing Company.

The brewpub closing is effective August 25, 2008.

The closing of the brewpub will allow Old Dominion Brewing Company to focus on its primary objective - producing authentic, high-quality craft beers and sodas.

This decision will have no impact on other operations of Coastal Brewing Company. Brands under both the Old Dominion and Fordham names will continue to be distributed and marketed along the east coast of the U.S.

We apologize for any convenience [sic] this may cause.

Thank you.

If you have any questions, you may reach us through our website at:
www.olddominion.com

Sad news indeed. The brewpub had been getting excellent reviews from visitors and the "Taste from the Tank" nights were well-attended. The brewpub even underwent renovations recently.

Craft Beer Tasting - An Exploration of Beer and Food

Last November, Colleen and I offered a Craft Beer Tasting in the fund raising auction for our son's school. Due to varying schedule conflicts, the event had been postponed several times. However, we were finally able to do the presentation Saturday evening. We loaded up our car with coolers of beer, food, glasses, and serving dishes and utensils for the tasting held at the winning bidder's home. The winning bidders had also been previously given a selection of 6 different beer glasses and the book "The Brewmaster's Table" by Garrett Oliver.

The original offer was a tasting of 6-8 beers, along with food pairings, for 6 people. Narrowing down the beer selection, while still demonstrating variety, proved difficult. We ended up presenting 11 beers.

• Jomo Lager - Starr Hill Brewery, Crozet, VA
  Vienna Lager paired with artichoke dip on crostini


• Prima Pils - Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA
  German Pilsener paired with Cabot 3 Year Cheddar


• Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier - Brauerei Weihenstephan, Germany
  Hefeweizen paired with strawberries, blueberries, kiwi and custard on lady fingers


• Backdraft Brown - Hook & Ladder Brewing Company, Silver Spring, MD
  American Brown Ale paired with smoked beef and corn bread


• Dale’s Pale Ale - Oskar Blues Grill & Brewery, Lyons, CO
  American Pale Ale paired with Jamaican jerk shrimp


• Avery India Pale Ale - Avery Brewing Company, Boulder, CO
  American IPA paired paired with spicy Buffalo wings


• Stoudt’s Double IPA - Stoudt’s Brewing Company, Adamstown, PA
  American Double IPA paired with guacamole dip with tortilla chips


• Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Company, Fort Bragg, CA
  Russian Imperial Stout paired with homemade brownies


• Three Philosophers Belgian Style Blend - Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY
  Quadrupel paired with Stilton cheese and pears


• Dominion Millenium Ale - Old Dominion Brewing Company, Ashburn, VA
  English Barleywine paired with cashews and blue cheese dip on pita crisps


• Yeti Imperial Stout - Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, CO
  Russian Imperial Stout served with vanilla ice cream as a "float"

We began with a brief introduction to craft beer in general. I talked about enjoying all aspects of the beer; appearance, aromas, flavors, and aftertaste. Each participant was given a menu listing the beers and the foods to be served with each, along with room for notes. I was happy to see that folks took lots of notes on the beers. Most of the attendees had some familiarity with craft beer, and I believe everyone found something new to enjoy.

We then spent almost three hours working our way through the beers. We served 4 - 6 ounce samples of each beer, along with a small dish of each food. As I discussed each beer, Colleen was busy serving up the foods for each course. Not only did she do a masterful job of preparing the plates, she also cleaned the dishes from the previous course. All of the food was enjoyed as much as the beers were.

Except for the Dominion Barleywine, most of the beers selected are available locally at this time of year. I couldn't find any barelywine in local retailers, so I pulled some bottles from my "cellar." Unfortunately the Yeti stout (indeed all Great Divide beers) is no longer being shipped to Virginia, but a local retailer still has some stock that I availed myself of. The purpose of the event was to illustrate the variety offered by beer, though the selection was heavily influenced by my own preferences. The other "promise" to the winning bidder was that they'd had beer left over to enjoy at a later date, so we left behind bottles of most of the selections.

The menu for the event actually only listed the first 10 selections. The stout ice cream float was an unlisted surprise meant to cap off the tasting. The floats generated many "oohs" and "aahs" as the glasses were brought out

The auction winners treated everyone to a dinner of grilled steaks after the tasting. This gave us all a chance to relax a bit before heading home. Preparing for the event was a lot of work, and created some nervousness as we wondered if we'd pull it off. It turned out to be a success and everyone had a great time. Colleen and I are considering making the same donation for this year's auction. The folks attending this event did give us a warning regarding offering the event in a future auction. They jokingly told us not to be surprised if they told other folks how awful the event was, in order to keep the bidding low so they didn't have to battle others for it. I'll take that as a sign of a success.