Beer and (not) skiing:
Two recent ski trips afforded the opportunity to sample local VA and VT beers.

VA skiing rained out, but an excellent selection of 6 at Blue Mountain Brewey in Afton, VA hepled provide diversion. Their "flagship" Full Nelson IPA is a nice, hoppy IPA but I thought their best brew is their Evil 8 Belgian style dubbel (10%). Mandolin is an extremely malty brew on tap and in 750ml bottles. Kolsch 151 also excellent, sold only in the spring.

Fared better skiing (Jay) in Vermont, w good brews before and after. Farmhouse Tap in Burlington has an excellent selection of local and distant microbrews. The Hill Farmstead Ales were outstanding, especially the Edward (black IPA w rye.) and Foster (pale ale). Several good Trapp Lodge selections, in particular the Winter Geist, made me revise upward (way upward) my estimate of Trapp's beers. Their Snow Bock was also quite good. Post skiing, a Switchback Ale and an Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter at Jay's Tower Bar provided fuel for the drive back to Burlington. Next day, Zero Gravity microbrewery (attached to American Flatbread) supplied their excellent IPA ("TLA IPA"). Also had, for the first time, their french saison "Lunatique." It was excellent.

Ski season about done but beer season continues. Happy St. Patrick's to all

Hill Country

Last night I went to Hill Country Barbecue & Market in Penn Quarter, DC, as a going away gathering for a friend and co-worker.  We were downstairs in the bar.  At some point they started bringing us large trays of sausage, pork and beef that were all pretty tasty.  That said, I didn't really have a meal, so I will move on.

The beer list is relatively long - about 20 - but fairly unimaginative.  It sticks mostly to macro-brews (Miller, Bud, etc.) and Texas/Mexico brews that kind of fit the theme (Lone Star, Dos Equis, Negra Modelo, Shiner Bock).  I started with a Shiner Blonde draft (they also had regular and Shiner Hefeweizen).  It was about as expected - pretty light and watery.  It did, though, come served in a Mason jar, which was at least interesting.  It seemed like all of their drafts (Shiners only) came that way.

After that, I had a Starr Hill Northern Lights.  I drank from the bottle, so I have no comments about color, etc.  It was a solid beer that I would drink again, but probably not go out of my way for.  As an IPA, I just didn't find it all that flavorful - a little light on the hops.

I debated a Dogfish Head 60 Minute, but decided to be a little more boring and just finished with a Dos Equis Amber.  It was again served in the bottle and was exactly what a Dos Equis Amber always is - malty smell and slightly malty taste, very smooth drinking beer.  Nothing to spend time on, but almost always just fine.

A quick plug for Hill Country.  As I was leaving they were starting something that I had never seen before - live band karaoke.  You some on stage and sing and the band plays behind you - keyboards, drums, guitars - the whole works.  It was pretty cool.  I only heard country songs and do not know if they do anything else.  Pretty big crowd in the place, too, for a Wednesday night. 

Washington's Porter - Williamsburg AleWerks

I admit right up front that I probably would not have had this beer right now were I at a restaurant or bar, but it was the only thing in the office beer fridge that I had not had this year (and thus was not on THE LIST).  Note to self: need to improve the variety in the office fridge.  This was picked up as a Virginia brew for an event.

It pours with a reddish tint, but looks black in the glass.  Despite some effort in the pour, very little head, though what there is sticks to the side of the glass pretty nicely.  Definitely a coffee and chocolate smell and flavor - ends almost a little sweet. 

I give it a solid - all right.  Highly drinkable, not a meal in itself.  Would definitely drink it again, but probably would not go out of my way for one.

But, it really hit the spot for still being at my desk at 7 pm.

A Good Friday Afternoon

Lunch today was at Brasserie Beck, one of my favorite places to visit for mussels, frites, good company and good beer.  Started with a Scaldis - nice amber poured in an appropriately labeled tulip.  Pretty big alcohol taste, but what do you really expect from something that is 12%.  Followed with an Omer, also in a tulip.  Nice blond, a big step down from the Scaldis.  Thinking Scaldis may have been strong to start.  The Omer goes nicely with the white wine garlic mussels and frites.  Next step, which was designed to be a finishing beer, was La Trappe Quadrupel, poured into a red wine glass.  The glass was chipped, so it was repoured into another glass, resulting in a three inch head that took a while to drop down.  Pretty strong, but smooth.  The conversation lingered and another beer was in order.  The waiter suggested Bacchus, which was on draft.  He kindly brought a sample, but it was too sweet for this point in the meal.  Ended up with a Stillwater 25 to 1, out of Baltimore, Md.  It poured pitch black and had a big taste.  It is a slow drinking beer that was perfect to finish an afternoon of good conversation and good times with friends.

Honestly, I love this restaurant and their beer list.  It makes me happy.