14 ELATION CRAFTED BEERS, LOCAL CIDERS & EXCELLENT WINES ON TAP
FEATURING AN ELATION INSPIRED FOOD MENU & WOOD-FIRED PIZZA FROM THE BAKEHOUSE AT ELATION
m.t.w.t.f. 6am - 6pm s.s. 8am - 4pm
Join Elation to say farewell to 2023 and welcome 2024! includes food & beverage specials, champagne toast and some celebratory local music
Way back in the mid-1980s, I was taking day classes in college and playing in a punk rock band at night.
Bars and grocery stores had a scarce selection of imported beers. The best I could hope for was a non-skunky Heineken and several Canadian lagers, with Moosehead seemingly the most popular.
Outside of the Samuel Adams brand and Anchor Steam, American craft beer was almost non-existent in the Norfolk region of Virginia.
Williamsburg Pottery Outlets opened a gourmet food and drink department within its compound of buildings. It became an oasis for discovering beers from around the globe. It’s heavy focus, however, on German, British, and Belgian beers was unparalleled enlightenment for a youngster in his early 20s.
Many imports in those days had bottle necks and caps covered in a colorful tin wrap, like a Hershey Kiss. Single bottle beers were grouped by country of origin at the Pottery.
I found stouts and other dark beers most to my liking at that time. My hands-down favorite became Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout. It was available as a 4-pack for $15, pricy back in those days but well worth it.
I often did my Christmas shopping in Williamsburg and its outlet stores on Richmond Road(Route60).Theoccasionwasperfectforstockinguponstoutsfortheholidayseason.
Today, as the nights are long and the temperatures turn cold after sundown, I’m keen on almost exclusively drinking stouts out of tradition and a long love for the style.
Of course, there are many variations ranging from my beloved oatmeal stouts and milk stouts to Russian Imperial, bourbon barrel-aged, organic chocolate, dry-Irish, and coffee stouts.
I’m heartened by the fact that so many Virginia craft breweries have embraced stouts as part of their flagship lineups and have experimented with the style, stretching the boundaries of our taste buds.
Our feature story to end the year and begin the next is on stouts. Many friends, fans, and brewers share their favorites.
Thankfully, they are in stout supply.
Cheers,
Jeff Maisey Publisher/Editor
Jennifer McDonald Brian Koski
Brenda Mihalko
Big Wins for VA Breweries
By Jeff Maisey
Since our last publishing date, the results from the 2023 Great American Beer Festival are in withindependentcraftbreweries from Virginia garnering eight medalist.
Bear Chase Brewing Company, in Bluemont, scored a gold and bronze.
Barley Naked Brewing Co., Rock Hill Irish Red, Irish-Style Red Ale
Vibrissa Beer, Scout, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout
Port City Brewing Co., Oktoberfest, Vienna-Style Lager
SILVER
Blue Mountain Barrel House, Passionfruit on Acid, Fruited-Wood/ Barrel-Aged Sour
BRONZE
Bear Chase Brewing Co., Buttons the Bear, Oatmeal Stout
Great American RestaurantsSweetwater Tavern Merrifield, Midnight Rider Imperial Porter, Strong Porter
Decipher Brewing Co. w/AHA Member Joel Miller, What Is That?, Pro-Am Competition
Bear Chase Brewing Co wears its gold well.
More Accolades
For Benchtop Brewing
Benchtop Brewing Company, which garnered the coveted Virginia Craft Beer Cup in a statewide competition in 2023, received more good news recently when Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine picked Old Wooden Ship as one of the Best 20 Beers in the nation this year.
757 Battle of the Beers Winners
Closing Time
Emerging successfully out of the pandemic has been challenge for the independent craft brewing industry as inflation, coupled with increased competition, changing consumer preferencesofdrinkinglessbeerinfavor of hard seltzer, crafty spirits and fruit mixtures, and non-alcohol choices have punctured the expanding beer bubble. Thisreversaloffortuneshasresultedin several closings this year in Virginia.
Hampton’s 1865 Brewing Company, hailed as the first Black-owned craft brewerytooperateinVirginia,shuttered its doors. The brewery took its name from the year slavery was abolished in America.
“Alongourjourney,we’veencountered the typical challenges faced by small businessesinanyindustry,”thebrewery announced on Facebook. “Regrettably, we haven’t been able to establish a sustainable business model, so after careful consideration, we’ve decided to close our doors.”
Castleburg Brewery & Taproom in Richmond also called it quits with this post on social media: “Well friends, it’s been a great ride. The beer industry is a rollercoaster.Withit,comesups,downs, andevensomeloopsonoccasion,we’ve ridden them all over the last seven and a half years…The beer industry has changed over the last few years since COVID with the market becoming even more competitive and expenses rising.
Also shutting down: Charlottesville’s Reason Beer and Champion Brewing Company as well as Chaos Mountain Brewing in Callaway and Camp Trapezium in Amherst.
Isley Brewing Company closed its Scott’s Addition headquarters in Richmond on Oct. 29.
Breweries from the Coastal Virginia region competed in the 11th Annual 757 Battle of the Beers event in Virginia Beach.
The competition, produced by the all-volunteer Beach Ambassadors, raised over $35,000 for regional charities, including St. Mary’s Home for the Disabled and Hope House Foundation. Each winning brewery was able to award a check to their non-profit of choice.
Below are the winners:
People’s Choice
1 Oozlefinch Beers & Blending Pretty Glonky Mai Tai
2 The Garage Brewery Not Carrot All
3 Big Ugly Brewing
Turtle Porter
Brewer’s Choice
1 Benchtop Brewing Company
Gaze 2 Big Ugly Brewing Peake Lager
3 Reaver Beach Brewing Co. Hazy Tides
Battle of the Brewers
1 Thin Brew Line Brewing Co.
2 COVA Brewing Company
3 Tradition Brewing Company
MUG SHOTS
757 battle of the beers, virginia beach Photos by katie culver
Brett Vassey Reflects on 2023 and the Year Ahead
By Jeff Maisey
Each year’s end, we like to check in with Virginia Craft Brewers Guild CEO Brett Vassey to get his views on the current climate of the Commonwealth’s beer industry and what the future forecast may have in store.
During the gathering of brewers at the Guild’s annual awards ceremony, many owners were quietly discussing the challenges they face as the industry seems to be plateauing.
“I think it is probably the toughest year we’ve had as a Guild since 2010,” said Vassey. “The market for independent craft beer sales are down nearly double-digits.”
Vassey expressed a variety of factors that led to this decline, including changing consumer tastes, inflation and other increased production costs.
“It has been exceedingly difficult for many of the breweries in this environment,” he shared. “Folks are feeling strapped.”
Vassey acknowledges consumer tastes shift frequently based on fads, trends, and other factors. He notes there are some bright spots within the craft beer production sector such as increases in non-alcoholic beers and related products, hard seltzers, and slushes.
A wider audience attends a brewery today than would have back in 2012 when tasting rooms became active. Some breweries have developed into entertainment centers with concert stages, picnic grounds, outdoor gaming spaces, and the like. Some serve as the starting and finishing lines for 5K races and Saturday morning bike rides. These larger indoor
Brett Vassey outside the Executive Mansion
and outdoor spaces have evolved into community and family gathering spaces, and not just for beer consumers. The opportunity to serve everyone requires a broad beverage menu. This was unimaginable a decade ago when the craft beer Renaissance began in Virginia.
“I think that business model works, but it’s very expensive,” Vassey said, “and most people can’t afford it. That’s clearly a destination angle. It’s done well for tourism. There’s New Realm in Virginia Beach. People travel just for that.
“On the other end of the spectrum, that 5-barrel brewery that doesn’t have land,” Vassey continued, “they’re having to be more creative to get their product out in the marketplace.”
As for trends affecting craft beer, Vassey said craft beer festivals are “pretty much non-existent” these days. He said smaller breweries are having to “inject themselves into other events” such as music festivals to gain exposure.
Vassey is excited about the establishment of a self-distribution enterprise that will benefit small and medium capacity breweries. The distribution company will likely be operational at the very end of 2024 and the rules are yet to be determined.
Theoretically,underthenewlaw,asmallbrewerycoulddeliver a one-off keg of a limited edition beer to a restaurant. A brewery could take a keg of beer to a dining establishment hosting a promotional event such as Belgian Mondays, Dark Winter Stout Night, or Hoppy Hour Thursdays featuring local IPAs.
“This gives them access to market,” Vassey said.
The beer distribution company will be operated by the Virginia Department of Agriculture. It’ll have a licensing system available to brewers. A brewery may list one barrel or up to 5,000 on the system for restaurants and retailers to order from. The actual physical distribution aspect — the delivery — will have to be done by the brewery. Basically, loading the keg of beer into the company vehicle and transporting to the licensed customer.
“In theory, a retailer anywhere in the state would be able to search by beer style, area, or beer name. Order it online and pay for it (in advance) online. The brewery would then get it to that retailer in whatever volume and format they requested.”
ABC licensed event promoters producing everything from a visual arts festival, seafood fest, or First Friday street festival could special order craft beer products through the new distribution system.
What on tap for 2024?
“For us, we have a couple strategic objectives,” said Vassey. “One is to get the beer distribution company up and running. We have one chance to do it right. The whole dynamic has changed to hyper local. Our future is not with statewide distributed beers.”
The Guild also plans to help smaller member breweries improve their production efficiency.
Successful Green Capture In Virginia
By Jefferson Evans and Chuck Triplett
If you walk through the brew house at Old Bust Head Brewing Company in Vint Hill, VA you notice an interesting feature — hoses that hang down from the ceiling next to every fermentation tank and the multiple sub-units of a CO2 capture unit purchased by Old Bust Head from Earthly Labs in Austin, TX. The purchase was consistent with the brewery’s mission to be a very environmentally sensitive business, a fact further reinforced by prior investment in a 100KpW solar array capable of providing 50% of the energy required by brewing operations; a state-of-the-art geothermal heating/cooling system, and heat exchangers to better utilize excess heat. Owner and operator Julie Broaddus’ daughter, Finley, who passed away in 2014 at age 18 from a rare liver cancer, had a deep passion for the environment and Old Bust Head’s green efforts are an ongoing tribute to that passion.
Julie tells me that the brewery is satisfied with the return they have received on the investment into the CICI CO2 capture unit and fully expect that return to increase moving forward. Old Bust Head, in 2022, received a tax credit, a Virginia Recyclable Materials Processing Equipment and Alternative Recycling Tax Credit, of about $7,600. The unit is able to purify the CO2, convert it between gaseous and liquid states as needed as the CO2 is transported between collection to storage to applications such as purging tanks, moving beer through the system in general, and carbonation. Capture is not continuous but rather
occurs during days of peak fermentation of a new batch of beer, which tends to be 2 or 3 days for each batch in general. The unit has the capability of engaging when a minimum threshold of CO2 production occurs. Julie and assistant brewer and cellar manager Anthony Cafiero tell me they have experienced no negative effects from implementing CO2 capture and “if anything, the unit has had positive effects.”
Early on, they performed a blind taste test between two lighter beers, one brewed with commercially obtained CO2 and one brewed with captured CO2, and the latter was the clear winner.
Head Brewer Mike Sutherland also mentions that brewing with the closed system at a 1:1.5 psi pressure seems to reduce intank foaming and positively affect head retention.
One humorous anecdote that Julie shares is that she first saw a CICI in operation when she was in Denver for the September 2021 Craft Brewers Conference and visited Denver Beer Company, which had installed one. She was impressed by what she saw although she learned Denver Beer Company, at least at that time, did not use the captured CO2 in-house because they had learned it made better economic sense to sell the CO2 to area cannabis growers. With a laugh, she assures me there aren’t any “secret gardens” anywhere on brewery grounds. On the subject of “green” applications of captured CO2, we turn to Parkway Brewing Company in Salem, VA. They came
Owner Julie Broaddus, Quality Assurance Manager Erica Davidson, and Cellar Manager Anthony Cafiero in front of the Earthly Labs CICI CO2 capture unit.
about their CICI unit in a very different way. General manager and brewmaster Mike Pensinger tells me they were approached by Earthly Labs who asked if Parkway Brewing Company would be interested in a partnership with Soli Organics, a grower of fresh herbs and leafy greens with locations in Virginia, including Harrisonburg, VA. Mike says he liked the idea of on-site carbon capture from an environment friendly perspective and also found the idea of the captured CO2 being utilized in the growing of green things to be attractive and so the partnership came to fruition and a CICI unit paid for by Soli captures CO2 at Parkway, which is then shipped to Soli for use in growing their products. Mike echoes the Old Bust Head folks in telling me they have seen no negative effects, and in fact some of the yeast the brewery uses seem to ferment more efficiently under the increased pressure of the CICI system.
Ten additional points about carbon capture
Carbon capture and storage (or sequestration)—known as CCS—is a process intended to capture man-made carbon dioxide (CO2) at its source and store it to avoid its release to the atmosphere. CCS is sometimes referred to as CCUS—carbon capture, utilization,andstorage. For some, the use of CCS is closely tied to the issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate humaninduced climate change. Other see it as good economic sense to capture and reuse CO2 resources to save money. Potential uses:
Power Sector
• Fossil fuel-fired power plants
• Biomass-fired power plants (i.e., bioenergy with CCS, or BECCS)
Industrial Sector
• Burning fuel during manufacturing/production
• Emissions from production processes
Today, in the U.S., most CCS projects use the captured CO2 in oil production, by injecting the CO2 to squeeze out more oil from aging oil fields (this is knownasenhancedoilrecovery (EOR).
Large-scale carbon capture is currently being deployed in industries such as ethanol production,fertilizerproduction, and natural gas processing. But, it’sstillexpensivefromlargeCO2 sources (but getting cheaper) because chemical and physical capture technology that is fitted onto the emissions sources is still evolving.
13 capture facilities commercially operating on a large scale in the U.S. (e.g., production plants, natural gas plants)
In 2022, Congress provided $8.5 billion to the Department of Energy for CCS in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act) and has shown solid support for the technology since its early stages.
President Biden has stated that his administration is committed to accelerating the responsible development and deployment of carbon capture, utilization, andpermanentsequestrationas needed to decarbonize the U.S. economy by mid-century.”
Could be state and local incentives to capture CO2, such as tax credits (currently, a federal tax credit for largescale carbon capture from power plants and other sources)
The International Panel on Climate Change says that “negative emissions” technologies like CCS that take away CO2 from the atmosphere will be needed to keep global temperature increases below the limit most scientists agree is needed (within 1.5 and 2 degrees C).
THURSDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH-17TH, 2024 9AM – 3PM
Something for everyone interested in Brewery Advertising or History
All types of beer-related items, from Historic to Craft Brews Game Room / Man Cave Décor 44TH
By Staff
Thanks to a strong El Niño, high-tech weather forecast models — and even the Old Farmer’s Almanac — are calling for a stout winter with heavier than average snow fall in most of Virginia, especially from Roanoke all the way north to Loudon County, and including the mountain regions, Richmond, and Fredericksburg.
Translation: Stock up on stouts —- beer.
Wintertime is ideal for those mugs of dark, frothy brews known for their full flavor and body, a hearty liquid accompaniment to a bowl of beef-n-barley soup with a tasty grilled cheese sandwich on the side.
While many international and nationally distributed stouts remain popular choices for the style, Virginia-brewed stouts are plentiful and exceptional.
So, what are the best? What would we recommend?
At the recent Virginia Craft Beer Cup awards ceremony, produced by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, the top medalists (in order) in the stout category were Barley Naked Brewing Company, Irish Prenup; Thin Brew Line Brewing Company, An Garda Siochana; and 6 Bears and A Goat, O’Dark Thirty.
We reached out to readers, friends, and local brewers for their stout suggestions.
Enjoy!
FUTURE YOU HATES YOU Adroit Theory
You know we love the local guys, but I took a pole here and we all agree...Adroit Theory makes some of the best stouts around. Specifically, Future You Hates You (coconut/cacao & maple variant). Rich and dark, big notes of chocolate and espresso balanced out by the coconut. SO GOOD! Perfect for stout season.
— Kevin Sharkey, owner/executive chef, 1608 Crafthouse, Virginia Beach
DARK HOLLOW
Blue Mountain Barrel House
Blue Mountain Dark Hollow is a classic that never disappoints. It leads with an aroma of dark chocolate, hits the palate with rich, dark, roasty flavors, then washes the senses with the bourbon notes of vanilla and toasted oak. The flavors meld wonderfully, with no dominant flavor overpowering the others. — Annie Tobey, freelance writer specializing in travel & craft beer, Richmond
Blue Mountain Brewing Company’s Dark Hollow imperial stout is one of my favorites. Taylor Smack is a master at barrel-aging, and this beer’s complex layers of vanilla notes from the oak bourbon barrel aging--combined with coffee and chocolate from the malts and its silky texture —make it a wintertime delight. — Lee Graves, beer historian and author, Richmond People that know me well, and my love of session beers and lagers, might want to sit down...but I will never turn my nose up at Blue Mountain Brewery’s Dark Hollow. There are few Virginiabrewed beers that I love to sip my way through next to the fire, once the kids are in bed.
— Alistair Reese, reader
Pigeon Scout Pastry Stout from Eavesdrop Brewery is delicious.
CHRISTMAS MORNING
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
My favorite by far is Hardywood’s Christmas Morning… everything from the label to the seasonal ingredients feels like a warm hug (from a cold beer).
— Melanie Gazzolo, Director of Marketing, Virginia Beach Neptune Festival/Neptune Craft Beer Festival
TINY DICTATOR BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT
Dynasty Brewing
While Dynasty has done variants including everything from hot peppers to blueberries, the standard version of this big (13% ABV) barrel aged stout is a wonderfully balanced example of the style - rich and smooth without being too sweet or too thick. No need for any crazy adjuncts with this exceptionally well made, well-balanced beer.
— Jeff Evans, Virginia Craft Beer Magazine contributing writer, Annadale
SNICKERDOODLE STOUT
Three Roads Brewing
I had never really been a dark beer fan until our local brewery, Three Roads, opened in Farmville. I worked my way through their menu, putting off their Snickerdoodle Stout as long as I could. When I finally tried it, it tasted nothing like the bitter and burned stouts I’d bought off the grocery store shelves. It’s a clean, mildly chocolatey version of the style and ended up becoming my gateway stout.
— Chris Cook, Virginia Craft Beer Magazine contributing writer, Farmville
CAFE ROYALE
Alewerks Brewing Company
A Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Coffee Milk Stout with a smooth meld of roast, chocolate and bourbon notes. Big and drinkable at 8.4% ABV.
— Chris Heinz, reader, Fairfax
IMPERIAL STOUT
The
St. George Brewing Company
The St. George Brewing Company has one of the peninsula’s-and the state’s--best beers that comes in the form of imperial stout in the traditional sense, à la Samuel Smith. Complex roasted malt also brings savory notes, molasses, licorice, and coffee (without coffee addition, thankfully). Glad to have a true imperial stout that isn’t trendy pastry.
— Cabot Bartlett, reader
HEARTS CONTENT STOUT
Rip Rap Brewing
Perfect beer for winter and tastes like the holidays!
— Ryan Yahne, reader, Virginia Beach
TUPAC SHAMORE S’MORES STOUT
Maltese Brewing Company
Look forward to this delicious treat each year and it only gets better each time.
— Bobby Cook, reader, Spotsylvania
SHELLBACK COCONUT STOUT
The Bold Mariner Brewing Company
It has all the dark, roasty, coffee notes you’d expect in a stout, but the coconut adds just the right amount of softness to make it SO drinkable. A really great craft beer.
— Sam Agami, reader, Norfolk
Blue Mountain Barrel House’s Dark Hollow remains popular with many craft beer aficionados.
MY ONLY FRIEND
Ocelot Brewing Company
Ocelot Brewing Company’s My Only Friend is an excellent Russian Imperial Stout aged in Widow Jane bourbon barrels. It’s perfect for warming up on a chilly day.
— Rod Bartlett, reader
LORD WHANGDOODLE
The Veil
Well,TheVeil’sLordWhangdoodleseriesobliterateseverything else....I can’t turn back. Been spoiled.
— Capy Barra,
reader
O’DARK THIRTY IRISH EXTRA STOUT
6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company
I might be biased, but O’Dark Thirty Irish Extra Stout from 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company is proven to be the best stout brewed in Virginia. Classic dry stout with flavorful dark roast barley and coffee notes. Smooth and easy drinking. Beats Guiness in multiple head-to-head tastings. Accolades: Medal winner 2023 VCBC, US Open Gold Medal 2022, US Open Silver 2020, US Open Bronze 2019, GABF Bronze 2019, and Rated #1 in the country by Beer Info.com.
— Chuck Arnold, head brewer, 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company, Fredericksburg
VIBRISSA SCOUT MILK STOUT
Vibrissa Beer
We just won a Gold medal at GABF with this one! We are a little biased, haha.
A couple other stouts that come to mind that I have had recently that have stood out: Three Notch’d, Bigge Smores Stout; Crooked Run , Social, a barrel-aged with vanilla and pistachios; and Sojourn, Gorilla Named Zahra (12.5% ABV).
— Jeffrey Carroll, marketing director, Vibrissa Beer, Front Royal
PIGEON SCOUT PASTRY STOUT
Eavesdrop Brewery
Nod to a favorite coconut, caramel, and chocolate cookie delivered by girls in green... For more fun, try saying it five times fast when ordering your second.
— Sam Madden, general manager, Eavesdrop Brewery, Yorkshire
BARREL AGED IMPERIAL MOCHA STOUT
Barrel Oak Brewery
This exquisite stout has been aged for a year in a French Bourdeaux Barrel, giving it a unique and refined flavor profile. With an alcohol content of 9.2%, it delivers a rich and indulgent experience. You’ll find notes of Espresso, Chocolate, Toast, Caramel, and Honey dancing on your palate. What sets our stout apart from others is the influence of the oak from the barrel. It imparts just the right amount of character, adding complexity and depth to the brew. Unlike whiskey aged stouts, the wine barrel aging truly makes our stout stand out. I must inform you that due to the exclusive use of only one barrel, our on-tap availability is limited. However, we do have a small number of 750mm bottles available for those who want to take this exceptional brew home with them.
— Jon Bowman, head brewer, Barrel Oak Brewery, Delaplane
CHESS CLUB FISTFIGHT
Heliotrope Brewery
Stout with toasted coconut & chiles, and a touch of milk sugar. ABV is 6.5%. Local barley, oats and wheat, lactose, hops, toasted coconut, chilies, and House Ale Yeast .
Our newest stout at Loose Shoe Brewing Company, Surrender Grounds, brewed at our Appomattox location, is a chocolate coffee, stout that has been getting excellent reviews.
— Derin Foor, owner, Loose Shoe Brewing Co., Amherst
COFFEE OAT STOUT
Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery
We are kegging a Coffee Oat Stout next week! The touch of oats adds a silky mouthfeel while the coffee brings out the roasty overtones without awkwardly increasing the overall bitterness.
— Stephen Mackey, president, Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, Purcellville
DYING DAYS RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Big Lick Brewing Company
We also offer barrel aged variants that keep you toasty for the winter.
— Donovan Reed, taproom manager, Big Lick Brewing, Roanoke
BOURBON BARREL-AGED COCK ISLAND
IMPERIAL STOUT
MoMac Brewing Company
Our Bourbon Barrel-aged Cock Island 8.5% Imperial Stout is aged in Ironclad barrels. 757 beer with a 757 bourbon twist. This beer is super roasty with notes of bitter coffee that lend balance to the subtle oaky sweetness imparted from the bourbon barrel.
— Matt Caputo, employee, MoMac Brewing, Portsmouth
AMERICAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Capstan Bar Brewing Company
An intensely-flavored, big (7.4% ABV), dark ale with a wide range of flavor balance of roasty-burnt malt, a touch of chocolate and coffee and dried fruit flavors, and a warming, bittersweet finish. Despite the intense flavors, the components meld together to create a complex, harmonious beer.
— Marcus Raschke, head brewer, Capstan Bar Brewing, Hampton
FROSTY’S CUP COCOA STOUT
Brewhaha Brewing Company
Frosty’s Cup Cocoa Stout (w/ marshmallows) is a 10% ABV beer. Rumor has it…will be brewed early this year (Dec/Jan).
— Peter Ballou, owner, Brewhaha Brewing Co., Elkton
St. George Brewing Company’s righteous Imperial Stout.
BARRELMAN’S BREAKFAST STOUT
Tradition Brewing Company
Brewed with whole oats and freshly roasted coffee beans from Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters. Barrelman’s Breakfast stout is complete with a rich and bracing presence, nice body, and smooth finish.
COVA Brewing is releasing their Gold Foil Stout soon in December! Gold Foil is a chocolate hazelnut Stout.
— Harley Varga, digital marketing manager, COVA Brewing Co.
WHATCHAOUGHTADO
Young Veterans Brewing Co.
Whatchaoughtado pays homage to all the suggestions we get as brewery owners on what types of beer to make or what types of ingredients to use. It’s tongue in cheek sort of playful humor and the image is based on the Whatchamacallit candy bar. It’s brewed with chocolate and peanut butter and lactose.
— Tom Wilder, owner/president, Young Veterans Brewing Co., Virginia Beach
WICKED WALTER ’23 - MACADAMIA VARIANT
Benchtop Brewing Company
Imperial stout aged in Weller Bourbon barrels and then aged on Brazilian Velosa Coleda coffee, Cacao nibs, Toasted Coconut, Maple Syrup, and roasted Macadamia nuts.
— Eric Tennant, founder/head brewer, Benchtop Brewing Co., Norfolk
INCEPTION IMPERIAL COFFEE STOUT
Brew Republic Bierwerks
My definitely not biased recommendation is my Inception Coffee Imperial Stout. I hate the cold, so a nice kick of warmth from my beer is perfect to get me through until it starts warming back up outside. Custom roasted whole beans, infused with the previous batch of beer, go into the hot and cold side of the brew to make sure the smell and flavor are still present despite the high ABV — 9.4%.
— Scott Kirk, head brewer, Brew Republic, Woodbridge
SECRET STASHE
Honor Brewing Company
Anover-indulgentPastryStoutwithmarshmallow,peanutbutter, milk sugar, chocolate, vanilla and caramel. Satisfy your craving for both ice cream and beer in one glass! It’ll be our little secret.
— Madeline McMahon, marketing director, Honor Brewing Co., Loudoun County
THE STOUT
Water’s End Brewery
This rich ale delivers undertones of malty dark chocolate and finishes with robust roasty flavor. The Stout tastes great but make sure you also enjoy the aroma before your first sip.
— Sarah Morrisey, marketing manager, Water’s End Brewery, Fredericksburg/Lake Ridge/Potomac Mills
BLACK FRIDAY BOURBON BARREL STOUT
Makers Craft Brewery
A warm and semi-sweet stout with hints of dark fruit and just the right amount of flavor from the bourbon barrel.
— Michele Lowney, head brewer, Maker’s Craft Brewery, Norfolk
POLLYWOG IRISH STOUT ON NITRO
Harpers Ferry Brewing Company
It is a clean, traditional Dry Irish Stout with a perfect cascade and ultra creamy Nitro head. Perfect for any day and sessionable at 4.1% ABV.
— Edan Valkner, head brewer, Harpers Ferry Brewing Co., Purcellville
CRAZY IVAN RUSSIAN IMPERIAL STOUT
Dancing Kilt Brewery
This stout is barrel aged and has a complex, dark, rich malty flavor with a pleasant citrus aroma, combined with an earthy, black pepper background. Also try our Balor Breakfast Stout and Cauldron Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout.
We love Lefthand Brewing’s Nitro Milk Stout when we don’t have our Totochtin Chocolate Milk Oatmeal Stout (w/cinnamon & vanilla) on tap here.
— Anna and Ed Shore, owners, Solstice Farm Brewery, Catawba
Water’s End Brewery has a fine pour in The Stout.
Giving Back is the Mission at Honor Brewing
By Jeff Maisey
Look no further than the company logo to get a sense of what Honor Brewing is all about.
An illustrated pair of well-worn empty boots rests front and center. They represent, of course, those who paid the ultimate price in service to their country.
Those soldiers — the boots on the ground — and those of our nation’s first responders are top of mind for Honor Brewing founder Allen Cage, himself a 24-year active duty Army vet who piloted a Cobra helicopter for half of his service.
An entrepreneur at heart, Cage learned the craft of wine and beer making in “retirement.” He started the brewery due to his love of beer but also as a way to pay homage to his fellow men and women of the armed forces by raising awareness and giving back.
“I wanted to make sure that those who have served… [that] they’re not forgotten for what they do and what they’ve given up,” Cage said.
Honor Brewing began small by contracting-out its beer production and operating a cozy tasting room location in Chantilly. That was January 2021.
Soon after, Honor Brewing Kitchen was born in a special partnership with a restauranteur in Fairfax.
This year, Honor Brewing established its real-deal headquarters in Sterling, a 35,000 square-foot production facility and restaurant, boasting a Michelin star chef in John Dylan Snyder and in accomplished brewer to director of brewery operations in Greg Fleehart.
Fleethart began his brewing career in the Seattle region
before moving to Virginia to help launch Commonwealth Brewing Company followed by the Amber Ox Brewpub and Precarious Beer Project companies, all highly regarded for quality craft beer.
After a short hiatus from working as a brewer, Fleehart repped Proximity Malt to regional breweries. He was recruited by Honor and joined the operation in January 2023 to help establish the new 30-barrel brewhouse.
All beers are now made in-house, obviously, at the Sterling brewery. Fleehart said demand has intensified and Team Honor is in the process of expanding brewing capacity within the building.
“The taproom here is doing really well,” Fleehart said. “We’re going through beer at twice the pace we anticipated, so were trying to get some more tanks online so we can maintain all our core beers.”
Those best selling beers include Honor’s Classic Lager, Hazy IPA, and a West Coast-style IPA.
The interior of Honor’s new facility is industrial with lots of warm toned wood. A Wall of Honor showcases photographs and stories of fallen heroes.
The brewery and its spacious outside grounds with inviting fire pits and seating is a community gathering destination, especially for those who have served and their family members.
Now serving in Sterling/Loudoun County.
Photo courtesy of Loudoun Chamber of Commerce.
To date, Honor Brewing has donated nearly $60,000 to such organizations as NOVA Veterans Association, 82nd Airbourne Division Association, Allied Forces Foundation, Purple Heart Foundation, Veterans Moving Forward, Danger Close, CJ3 Foundation, Irreverent Warriors, Loudoun First Responders Foundation, and Veterans Moving Forward.
Hop & Wine distribute Honor Brewing draft and packaged — cans — products in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Virginia Distribution Company takes its products to the western side of the state. Pretty Ugly Distributions expands its product reach to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
While there are many breweries owned by veterans in Virginia and also an increasing number of military themed breweries, Honor Brewing takes a less bombastic approach to its brand and remains steadfast to its mission.
“Our whole purpose is to make sure that those in the military who sacrificed are not forgotten,” Fleehart said. “Our philanthropic efforts and the visibility of that is what separates us.”
GLOUCESTER BREWING CO
To learn more, visit HonorBrewing.com.
Honor Brewing’s spacious tasting room in Sterling/Loudoun County.
Photo courtesy of Loudoun Chamber of Commerce.
Veditz: Serving Deaf Community
By Jennifer Waldera
In the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains, in the small town of Sperryville,sitsRappahannock’snewest brewery, Veditz and Company Brewing. A partnership of three friends, Joey Seifner, Amit Rupani, and Greg Randall, the brewery intends to be an inclusive part of the community, creating a comfortable space for guests and a place that serves the Deaf community while also educating others.
The brewery’s name, Veditz, pays homage to George Veditz, known for his plethora of contributions to the Deaf community. In fact, brewer Greg Randall says that if given the opportunity to answer the timeless question of who you’d have a beer with if you had your choice of anyone throughout history, George Veditz is the most common answer from individuals in the Deaf community.
“By many accounts, he was a very brilliant man with diversified talents and interests. Among many amazing feats, he convinced the government to abolish a law forbidding deaf people from employment in civil service before taking a train across the country with his wife to the Wild West frontier in Colorado Springs to help start up a school for the deaf. Thanks to his work, today, the US Government is the largest employer of deaf people.
Veditz is also the first person ever filmed using our natural language - Sign Language. It was in his famous film “Preservation of Sign Language” [that] he
signed, “It is my hope that we will all love and guard our beautiful sign language as the noblest gift God has given to deaf people.” This message has become timeless within the Deaf community,” said Randall.
In addition to being the head brewer at Veditz, Randall is also the operations officer. Meanwhile, Seifner is the brewery’sfinancialandlegalofficer,while Rupani handles strategic planning and
sales. The three were inspired to open a brewery by their shared passion for beer.
“We also have some great life experiences, stories, and relationships to share. Ultimately, we love a good beer with good friends who enjoy a good time. A brewery was exactly where we wanted to be,” Randall said.
The three also share an appreciation for Sperryville, having visited many times with their families for shopping, hiking,
Joey Seifner and Greg Randall
vineyard visits, and, of course, to enjoy some brews at the town’s other two breweries. Having already fallen in love with the area, it was an easy decision to make it the home of their brewery.
“It’s the ideal day trip from the Washington metropolitan area [and] it’s a prime travel corridor for tourists, locals, and suppliers. We cherish the opportunity to be a part of the quaint and historic Main Street business community. Here, you’ll find business owners with down-to-earth and proagricultural views.”
Randall says that the community has been incredibly supportive of their new business and that Veditz intends to pay homage as much as possible to the town’s rich history. The brewery is also focused on collaborating with individuals and organizations in the area.
“Currently, we’re collaborating with wellknown deaf artists. We are excited to feature their artwork on our can labels, throughout the brewery, and on merch. We are also looking into an event collaborating with the other two Sperryville brewers.”
The space that houses Veditz & Co. Brewing in the Sperryville River District was, for many years, a fruit cold storage facility. Now, the three friends have transformed it into a comfortable space that weaves together a pre-prohibition ambiance with a steampunk style and features elements of Deaf culture alongside inspirational artwork. An outdoor beer garden also offers the opportunity for guests to play games or just relax.
Whilebrewinghigh-gravitybourbonbarrel-aged beers is Randall’s favorite, the brewery will be serving up a variety of styles, from an amber ale or cream ale to sours, lagers, and more. The brewery leans toward using local ingredients as often as possible (they’re currently brewing with grains from Murphy and Rude Malt in Charlottesville). However, they are open to other options, as well, depending on what types of beer they’re brewing. And while visitors can certainly enjoy the brews in the rustic taproom or lively beer garden, they’re also welcome to have growlers filled to take home. Cans will be available as well.
While the brewery is laser-focused on creating exceptional beer, at the heart of its mission is also building an inclusive environment and being an advocate for the Deaf community.
“One of the best ways to serve the Deaf community is educating other communities about what Deaf means. We want to share our culture while making a comfortable environment for all. We want to spotlight our heroes and friends, encouraging inclusivenessandpositiveengagements.There’sno better way to have a conversation or meet someone new than over a glass of beer.”
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Concealed Darkness Release Party at Blue Mountain Barrel House
Sat., Dec. 2, 11am-8pm
Celebrate the newest release of Dark Hollow Reserve, Concealed Darkness. Bottles and variants will be available for purchase. Whole-hog pig roast and other food options. Live music all day.
Blue Mountain Barrel House 495 Cooperative Way, Arrington
Crozet Winter Brews Fest
Sat., Dec. 2, 12-5pm
A celebration of dark beers and Winter brews from local Virginia breweries and cideries. Enjoy unlimited tastings of beers/ciders, live music, food trucks, a Winter Market, and more. Claudius Crozet Park, Crozet 703.209.4717 ∙ crozetbeerfest.com
Doughnut & Beer Pairing at COTU Sat., Dec. 9, 2pm
Join us and Diablo Doughnuts for a beer and doughnut pairing flight! Enjoy four 4-ounce brews paired with four incredibleminidoughnuts.$15perflight. Center of the Universe
11293 Air Park Road, Ashland Holiday Drive to Benefit RMHC C’Ville at Decipher Sat., Dec. 9, 12-6pm
We’recollectingnew,unwrappedtoysfor the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charlottesville and needs of the House from their Amazon Wish List. Drop off youritemandenjoyabeerandlivemusic from James Tamelcoff from 3-6pm and Franks-a-lot hot dog truck from 1-5pm.
Decipher Brewing 1740 Broadway Street, Cherlottesville Pines & Pints at Three Notch’d RVA Thurs., Dec. 14, 6:30-8:30pm
Decorateyourownwreath-$55includes a fresh Douglas & Fraser fir wreath, handtied bow, and all the decorations you need!
Three Notch’d Brewery 2930 West Broad Street, Richmond
GBS Fest at Hardywood Sat., Dec. 16, 12-6pm
Enjoy a taste of all things Ginger Bread Stout including some special selections on draft plus, a visit from Santa, train rides,holidaymusic,craftvendors,food trucks, and more!
Hardywood West Creek 820 Sanctuary Trail Drive, Henrico
COASTAL VIRGINIA
Veer Magazine’s Golden Tap Awards at Elation
Tues., Dec. 5, 6pm
Celebrate craft beer in the 757 as Veer Magazine awards local breweries gold, silver,andbronzemedalsforbestbeers, events, and tasting rooms as breweries compete for the coveted Golden Tap Award!
Elation Brewing
5104 Colley Avenue, Norfolk
Krampusnacht at Smartmouth Sat., Dec. 9, 4-10pm
Krampus is coming to town! We bring Krampus and his Bavarian folklore to life withourneighborsatOtziTattooAgency. Plus, we’ll have live music, a vendor market, and more.
Smartmouth
1309 Raleigh Avenue, Norfolk
The Market:
Christmas Edition at VBC
Sat., Dec. 9, 12-4pm
Join us under the lights and warmed by the fire for a curated market of local makers and international bands, local beer, food, giveaways, craft for kids, and more!
The Virginia Beer Company 401 2nd Street, Williamsburg
Winter Market at COVA Sat., Dec. 9
Featuring 20 craft vendors, live music, and baby goats with Santa!
COVA Brewing Company 9529 Shore Drive, Norfolk covabrewco.com
Winterfest at Elation Sat., Dec. 9, 1pm
Join us for a day of wizardry to raise funds with Larchmont Friends Circle of the King’s Daughters! Order a pint of Harry Potter lager and watch as your beertender pour to see which house you will be sorted to. $1 from each pint goes to CHKD. Music by Mike & Jeff of The Fighting Jamesons at 6:30pm. Elation Brewing 5104 Colley Avenue, Norfolk
5 Year Anniversary Party at Gloucester Brewing Sun., Dec. 10, 1-8pm
Celebrate with live music by The Jason CaleBandandBobbyBlackhat,foodfrom CoastalThirstandGumbeau’sCatering, local artisans, and more! It’s a day for us to thank our supporters too!
Gloucester Brewing Company 6778 Main Street, Gloucester globrewco.com
Holiday Market at Big Ugly Sun., Dec. 10, 12pm
Featuring multiple vendors, food truck, and live music by PC Duo.
Big Ugly Brewing Company 845 Battlefield Blvd S., Chesapeake
Happy Christmas Harry at COVA Mon.-Sat., Dec. 11-16
HarryPotterholidayfestivitiesthroughout the week featuring activities, décor, themed drink specials, and more! COVA Brewing Company 9529 Shore Drive, Norfolk covabrewco.com
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Old Bust Head Christmas Party Sat., Dec. 16, 12-9pm
Join us for holiday festivities featuring Elf on the big screen, live music, food truck, and a 20% discount on all OBH merchandise!
Old Bust Head Brewing Company 7134 Farm Station Road, Warrenton
Ugly Sweater Contest at Water’s End Wed., Dec. 20, 7-10pm
Cozy up with us at the Potomac Mills Taproom for an ugly sweater contest. WinnertakeshomeaW.E.Brewgiftcard! Water’s End Brewery 2619 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge
Luau & Pig Feast at Dirt Farm
Sat., Jan. 27, 12-4pm
Beat the winter blues at our 7th Annual Luau&PigFeast.We’recreatingatropical oasis with a pig roast and all the fixin’s and tropical craft beverages. $39/ticket.
Dirt Farm Brewing
18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Cask for a Cause at Brothers Fri., Dec. 15, 1-10pm
Help raise money for Mercy House! A cask infusion (TBA) – the sale of each sold will be donated to Mercy House. Plus, a silentauctionfortheframedeventposter.
Brothers Craft Brewing 800 N. Main Street, Harrisonburg brotherscraftbrewing.com
Festivus for the Restivus at Stable Craft
Sat., Dec. 23, 1pm
Featuring a pole decorating, feats of strength,aSeinfeldcostumecontest,and Airing of Grievances. Plus, we’ll crown the King & Queen of Festivus.
Stable Craft Brewing 375 Madrid Road, Waynesboro
GF Cider Pairing Dinner at Stable Craft
Sat., Jan. 27, 6-8:30pm
Taste our extraordinary craft ciders complemented with a delicious chefinspired four course menu that is also gluten free.
Stable Craft Brewing 375 Madrid Road, Waynesboro
Cheers to Gloucester Brewing Company for 5 Years!
Celebrate with them on Sunday, December 10 with great beer, food, music by The Bobby BlackHat Band & The Jason Cale Band, local art, giveaways, and more!
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS
Festivus Ugly Sweater Paint Party at Twin Creeks Sat., Dec. 23, 2-4pm
An epic celebration of creativity and holiday spirit! Unleash your inner artist while embracing the festive season. We’ll provide the canvas and necessary painting supplies – all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and holiday cheer! Plus, we’ll have an ugly sweater contest. Dress in your tackiest, most outrageous sweater for a chance to win prizes!
Twin Creeks Brewing Company
111 South Pollard Street, Vinton
APPALACHIA
Busted Still Brewing Company
185 Homeplace Drive, Gate City
276.210.6038
Lonesome Pine Brewing Company 15 East Main Street, Lebanon
276.880.0278
Sugar Hill Brewing Company 16622 Broad Street, St. Paul
