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It’s the holiday season so allow me to be sentimental. I live in Dallas (and there is some kick-ass beer here, people – not just Shiner) but during the holidays, my heart and my palate crave some fine Virginia beer. Perhaps it’s because that’s where I first got into craft beer, perhaps it’s because I’m always back in the Commonwealth for Christmas, or perhaps it’s because I just want what I can’t get regularly – but whatever the reason, there’s no denying that Virginia is becoming as big a craft beer powerhouse as it is a wine region. Allow me to share some of my favs…
Pumpkin Ale – Williamsburg AleWerks Brewing Company
Anyone who knows me is well aware of my affinity for pumpkin beers. I know it’s a controversial subject, but for me, fall can start as early as it needs to if I can have an orange-hued spicy brew in my pint glass. And one that typically arrives in August that deserves to be celebrated is Alewerks Pumpkin Ale. Some pumpkin beers are so heavy, spiced, and sweet that they overwhelm the palate – not so with this balanced beauty. It’s got a high enough ABV at 7.3% that it will warm you up but not so high that it will weigh you down. The secret to its oh-so-delicious medium body is the fact that it’s made using roasted and caramelized butternut squash instead of pumpkin. Since butternut squash is actually richer and nuttier in flavor than pumpkins, it lends a natural sweetness to the ale that doesn’t taste cloying. I’m happy to say I’ve got cases of this beer awaiting me as I travel home, and I can only hope you’ve collected and stored some for the holidays as well.
Gingerbread Stout – Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Ok, so I like spiced beers. Believe me – you’re missing out if you think these flavors only belong in dessert. Not only did owners Eric McKay and Patrick Murtaugh almost single-handedly revive Richmond’s now-amazing beer scene when they opened Hardywood two years ago, but they also skyrocketed to stardom by brewing some of the most creative and out-of-the-box brews imaginable. One of their cult status creations is their Gingerbread Stout, an unapologetic 9.2% ABV Imperial Milk Stout brewed with fresh local ginger, local wildflower honey, whole Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans, and Vietnamese cinnamon. The rich ingredients sing together, creating a mahogany-hued masterpiece that evolves every time it hits your tongue. The aromatics alone are enough to make your oven jealous. I want it as a candle, as a soap, and most importantly, in my glass this holiday.
Jack’s Java Espresso Stout – Three Notch’d Brewing Company
Coffee and a hearty stout beat any sinful combination I can think of. And the fact that the brand-new Three Notch’d Brewing Company brews their Jack’s Java Espresso Stout in one of the most beautiful places on earth – Charlottesville, Va – only sweetens the deal. The terrific coffee flavor and aroma can be attributed to the fact that Dave Fafara, the roastmaster of Shenandoah Joe coffee shop right across the street from the brewery, came up with a special blend just for this beer. The coffee beans are then cold-infused to keep the fresh flavor and cut the acidity, and then added to their oatmeal stout recipe. Boasting notes of semisweet chocolate and wonderful coffee aromatics, the only downside to this brew is that it’s only available on draft locally. But then again – a beercation to Charlottesville? Sign me up.
