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The last time I was at Holiday Valley, my cousin broke her wrist snowboarding, and that night nearly broke my nose when she rolled over in her sleep and hit me in the face with her new cast; but these two sour memories could not possibly outweigh all of the good ones I have of this place. Flying down freshly groomed trails, drinking hot cocoa in the beautiful lodges, and eating the best chicken pot pie of my life are just a few of my favorites, but this weekend I made a few memories that were very different from the rest.
I had never seen the town of Ellicottville not covered in snow before. It was a little strange, but the charm of this small village was as evident as ever. I was not there to ski, and that was weird, but I was there for an equally pleasurable purpose: Beer.
The Holiday Valley Beer & Wine Festival boasted 30 breweries that kept me busy enough, I must admit, I never made it to the wine! I was so excited to see one of my home town favorites in the main Lodge. Rohrbach Brewing Company has been brewing in Rochester New York for 19 years and never disappoints! Though I’ve had their Vanilla Porter more times than I can count, it warmed my heart when my friend Christopher (a true Vanilla Porter enthusiast,) was taken aback by the brew. Its smooth and flavorful without being too sweet.
Voodoo Brewery, located in Meadville Pennsylvania also made quite an impression. The 9.5% Gran Met Belgian-style Tripel was tops in my book, boasting big balanced flavor with that signature belgian tang that I crave. The people at the Voodoo table really struck me too. These are my kind of people. They weren’t overwhelmed, there was no stress on their faces and I could tell that they were truly enjoying themselves, and that’s something I really want out of a beer experience. Nothing will make a beer taste sour like a sour person handing it to you.
The event was packed with people trying new things, and remembering old favorites. One of the most popular booths was not surprisingly Southern Tier, one of the sponsors of the event. This brewery has made a huge name for itself in the Great Lakes region and is continuing to grow as their facility in Lakewood New York undergoes an absolutely enormous expansion! I love Southern Tier and everything they’re doing for craft beer but my “wow” moment came from another one of the event sponsors.
Ellicottville Brewing Company is as quaint as the town, keeping things small and personal. EBC pulled some tricks out of their sleeves with multiple amazing beers and a few true show stoppers. The Chocolate Cherry Stout was a winner for those who like beer after dinner instead of a sundae! The flavors are dead on and taste like a fabulous chocolate covered cherry milkshake. A small glass of this and I would not be craving dessert. For me the winner was obvious, it was strong, it was full, it was slightly sweet, but most importantly, it surprised me. The Catt County Cuvee Oak Aged Blonde Ale took everything I expected from an oak aged brew and turned it on its head. The 8.5% brew was wild and wonderful and I recommend it to anyone who like a surprise!
The trip was a blast! I can’t wait to get back to Ellicottville and Holiday Valley for another trip, though I can’t decide if I’m looking forward more to next year’s festival or clicking into my skis!
