The Beer Enthusiasts of Blacksburg

Style: Red Ale Purchased at: Bull & Bones Restaurant and Brewery What makes this beer different: The Wonderful Smell Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: B+ Comments: This is my favorite beer at a local brewhaus here in Blacksburg. It collides perfectly with BBQ, Nachos, and fresh Pretzels. The smells consist of fresh cinnamon, molasses, and cloves. It reminds me of being out in the woods when I was little. The color is beautiful as well. If you are ever in Blacksburg head to Bull & Bones and give one of their brews a try! Updates to follow .... Recommendations: 1) Order the Brewery Sampler, 2) Order a pint of your favorite brew sampled, 3) Order some Game Day Nachos, YUM!

Style: Cream Lager Purchased at: BrewDo Fest What makes this beer different: Honey Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: A Comments: This was one of the many brews I chose to sample at the BrewDo Fest this past weekend in Blacksburg, VA at First & Main. This beer was hands down my favorite overall. It had excellent complexion, lacing, smell, head, and taste. My two favorite things about this beer is the amarillo hops and the wonderful blend/tone of honey. This restaurant/brewery is conveniently located down the road in Radford, VA. I plan to make a trip down soon to pair a dish with this beer; will update once I do so! Recommendations: Liz got us some of the tempura battered onion rings, made with red onions and spicy batter ... they were AMAZING and I would pair this brew with them anytime!

Style: Fruit Beer Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: This is a new one ... BANANA'S  Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: A- Comments: Homemade banana bread + Banana smell + 5.20% ABV = AWESOMENESS. Nough Said. This beer is worth a try for every beer lover .... EVERY person. Recommendations: Take a bite of homemade banana bread, then take a taste of this beer. Wow!

Style: Fruit Beer Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Strawberries! Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: B+ Comments: A gorgeous red-ish gold color compliments the sweet smelling (and tasting) strawberry ale created by Samuel Smith's brewery in England. I can't drink bottle after bottle as it gets too sweet, but at an ABV of 5.2% you are getting more alcohol from this brew than you would from a Budweiser, MGD, Heineken or the like (5.0%). Recommendations: Pair it with a semi sweet brownie?!

Style: Imperial Stout Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Thick dark chocolate smell Will I be drinking this again: Maybe Grade: B Comments: When I heard Stone was creating a IRS, I admit I was smitten! This is a well crafted beer; that being said it loses in every category to the St. Georges IRS seasonal. There is nothing wrong with this beer, but there is also nothing that makes it amazing. Dark thick stout, with a nice two finger tan head, tumultuous amount of lacing and plenty of carbonation. Dark chocolate and roasted malts accentuate this IRS beautifully! If you're feeling advenurous, try the St. George and Stone IRS head to head and post your thoughts here! Cheers mates! Recommendations: 1) Pour this IRS in a snifter. 2) Have another. This beer has an ABV of 10.5% so be mindful of that fact!

Style: Imperial Stout Purchased at: St. George Brewery by DJ & Liz What makes this beer different: It's drinkability Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: A- Comments: This was probably one of the top five beers I had over the summer. It is thick & rich enough to be a stout, but at the same time it is extremely drinkable. Just ask Liz: she normally hates stouts, but she ended up liking this brew. It would not be her top choice however. Medium carbonation levels, with a large pillowy head. Ever so slight detection of molasses, chocolate, cinnamon, and cloves complete this beautiful brown bomber. Bottom line: Try this Virginia breweries RIS before you knock it, I think you will enjoy it :) Recommendations: Pair this with a warm, homemade pretzel with spicy mustard for dipping ... BAM!

Style: Fruit Beer Purchased at: Vintage Cellar by DJ & Liz What makes this beer different: The Rare Blueberry & Wheat Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: B+ Comments: This brew combines a wheat and a classic favorite of mine; blueberries! It smells sweeter than it tastes, and has a faint blueberry taste. So for those of you who do not prefer blueberries, I can safely say you can tolerate and enjoy this blueberry wheat beer. As with most wheat brews, this one has a fairly large head with a low amount of lacing and a surprisingly large amount of carbonation. Also, it has an average ABV of 5.50% so not a lot more than your light beers. Thumbs up to this brew; it isn't perfect (less carbonation, more hops, more blueberries, and a little malt ;) ) but shows a lot of promise in this Colorado Brewery! Enjoy! Recommendations: I'm going to recommend what I had it with, because it was phenomenal! Pair this brew with chocolate fondue; 3/4 Milk chocolate, 1

Style: English IPA Purchased at: St. George Brewery by DJ & Liz What makes this beer different: It's drinkability Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: A- Comments: I typically prefer a nice bold/spicy American IPA, so I naturally thought I would feel unmoved by this English IPA. Spoiler alert - I was anything but right! This brew exhibits a beautiful copper shade with perfect lacing, delicious english hops, and an overall well balanced malt based recipe. This beer does have moderate carbonation, so make sure you don't let it sit around and linger for long as it will undoubtedly lose its full flavor impact.  I will definitely be drinking this brew again, so thanks to Liz and DJ for this find! Recommendations: This beer pairs well with spicy foods. Period. That being said, I would prescribe a nice bowl of steamed mussels with a white wine reduction sauce including shallots, sea salt, fresh ground peppercorn, italian parsley, tarragon, sauvignon blan

Style: American Red Ale Furnished by: Justin Barber What makes this beer different: The AMAZING drinkability Will I be drinking this again: Yes. 'Nough Said Grade: A+ Comments: On his first try, Justin Barber and associates have created a knock out brew! Incredible vibrant color and flavor intensity; it has beautifully crafted hops and sweetness interlaced throughout every sip. EXTREMELY drinkable, and definitely a crowd pleaser for even the novice beer officianado! Thumbs up mate, you have my vote! Recommendations: Take a drive to Blacksburg and pair this brew with a nice meatlovers sicilian pizza at PK'S!

Style: American Pale Wheat Ale Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Blandness Will I be drinking this again: Probably Not Grade: D Comments:   Not a whole lot I can say about this beer. Very bland and bitter in taste. Hops ... what hops? Quite disappointed in this beer. Do not recommend!

Style: Extra Special/Strong Bitter (ESB) Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Malty Will I be drinking this again: Possibly Grade: C Comments: This is one of the better strong ales I have had before; unfortunately that doesn't say much. Pours a cola brown, and actually looks quite appealing in a glass. This brew possesses malty and fruity elements, but just not enough of them. Kind of leaves a dry taste in your mouth, and hardly any depth to this brew. Worth a try if you are new to Strong Ales. A typical old world crafted, American Ale. Would prefer this brew more if it possessed a little more gumption however, and quite a bit more depth. Recommendations: A great mix with a Nathan's Hotdog, Sauerkraut, Ketchup, Onions, and Mustard (add some relish to go the whole way)!

Style: American Pale Ale Purchased at: Whole Foods What makes this beer different: Citrusy Will I be drinking this again: Yes. Grade: B+ Comments: This is a great summer beer; it's light, crisp, and quite drinkable! This is an unfiltered brew, with little pieces of orange and other citruses floating around ... but that's a good thing. Excellent lacing, with a ton of carbonation. The major downside of this beer is the cost. It's about $9 for a six pack. That being said a 6 pack of Blue Moon, which is a comparable brew, will still run you $6-$8. This is definitely a beer I can get behind and recommend, especially in these upcoming summer months! Give it a try, and post your comments here on the blog :) This beer was recommended to me by the lovely Dabney Topp, and purchased for my enjoyment by the Topp Family! Bottoms Up, and good catch Dabs! :) Recommendations: Some crab legs would go perfectly with Oberon Ale. Cheers!

Style: American Strong Ale Purchased at: The Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: A kick in the face! Will I be drinking this again: Definitely Grade: A- Comments: Let me start by saying that this beer is not for everyone (cough cough Ruth Ann). This beer is thick and hearty and will not be any easy drink ... it is a sipping beer that is full of flavor, hops, and malt. The first sip I had, I didn't know what to expect. Slightly citrusy and a nice full brew. It is a fairly complex blend that is pleasantly unique. Bottom line: If you are looking for something new, strong, unexpected, and full this is a go. MOST WILL NOT LIKE THIS COMPLEX BREW. If you like the Bashah reviewed last week I would definitely recommend this beer to you. So far Stone is 2 out of 3 for me! Look for more Stone brews in the coming weeks :)  Recommendations: 1) Read the description and warnings on the bottle. 2) Take them seriously, contemplate and make your decision to take on this br

Style: American Strong Ale Purchased at: Once Upon A Vine What makes this beer different: Nice Dark IPA Will I be drinking this again: Most Definitely Grade: A- Comments: This is an excellent beer! One of the best I have ever had. To me it seems like 65% strong IPA mixed with 35% Porter; a masterful combination in my book. Pours a deep dark brown with a hefty head on the brew and some lacing. Recommendations: Try this baby out in a tulip glass ... it is definitely a sipper beer, so enjoy each and every last sip with a baguette and a little asiago cheese!

Style: American Amber/Red Ale Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Amarillo Hops Will I be drinking this again: Probably Not Grade: C Comments: I don't know exactly why, but I do not like this beer. It has a few perks (e.g. smell, lacing, etc.) but the aftertaste of this beer was enough to knock me out ... and not in a good way! Some will love this beer; others, like myself need to try another brew. Recommendations: Pawn this beer off on a friend. That simple.

Style: Dubbel Purchased at: Vintage Cellar, Courtesy of DJ What makes this beer different: Quite Fruity & Spicy Will I be drinking this again: Yes Grade: A-   Comments:   On the 25th beer, I thought it would be best if I reviewed a beer created by a brewery I hold in HIGH esteem; Brewery Ommegang. You may remember them from an earlier review of one of my favorite Quads, Three Philosophers. Ommegangs foundation is in developing traditional Belgium style ales, and adding their twist to them. This ale is comprised of figs, honey, licorice, cloves, chocolate, toffee, spicy hops, and a plentiful amount of dried fruits. The aroma is very inviting and I just love how it feels in my mouth, mostly do to the delicate balance of carbonation. For a dubbel, this is one of my favorites; the Westmalle is still the favorite, but this classic American brewery has created another hit in my book! Ommegang Abbey Ale was presented to me for enjoyment at one of the many gatherings put

Style: Irish Red Ale Purchased at: Wine Gourmet What makes this beer different: Amarillo Hops Will I be drinking this again: Definitely ... Period! Grade: A- Comments:   This ale bodes a strong hoppy taste with a slight detection of toffee! There are no bubbles in the brew ... well that's a lie, but there is one bubble every 15 seconds or so. Kind of curious looking. I was worried that this thing would have no carbonation, but let me tell you, it has the PERFECT amount. This is unique ale, something worth searching for. It will run you about $7 a bottle, and you can't get it in a six pack ... but if you have the means to afford a crate regularly, give me a call and I'll be there! All things said, a fantastic brew and one worth trying at the very least; the beer gods demand that much :) Recommendations: Had this one by itself, but I think a nice marinated flank steak with some greens on the side would compliment the beer!

Style: Irish Ale Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Spicy, Earthy flavor! Will I be drinking this again: Yes. Grade: B+ Recommendations: Just like its big brother, the black lager, this pale ale is a winner! Smooth & crisp tones accent this hoppy ale. McSorley's Pale Ale is a mix between an English Ale and an Irish Red Ale. Word to the wise: You will find this brew quite drinkable, so don't lose track of how many you put back! Recommendations: Try pairing with a nice cut of prime rib and garlic mashed potatoes :) YUM

Style: Euro Dark Lager Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Heavy carbonation. Will I be drinking this again: Definitely. Grade: B+ Comments: First off, what an AWESOME beer! DJ turned me onto this beer, and its lighter sister the pale ale, and I love 'em. Thanks DJ! Ok, so the bad thing about this beer is that sometimes, just sometimes it leaves you wanting a little more flavor and oomph; that being said it is unbelievably drinkable and one of the best Irish Lager's I have had to date! Any day, any night, anytime this beer is refreshing and I would put my recommendation behind it. END OF BANTER! Recommendations: A must with a corned beef sandwich or traditional Ruben! Mouth watering :)

Style: Hefeweizen Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: The slight detection of banana. Will I be drinking this again: Maybe. Grade: C+ Comments: This hef is no match for a traditional Bavarian Hefeweizen. That being said, it is actually pretty good. It isn't the best beer I have ever had, but it is worth a try ... let's put it this way, I wouldn't turn it down if offered to me at a barbecue! It is an easy drink, with medium consistency. Recommendations: Have this one with a nice Italian grinder sandwich!

Style: Wheatwine Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Sweet Wine Will I be drinking this again: Hell no. Grade: F Comments: This beer is HORRIBLE, but the label on the bottle is sa-weet! It has a turtle looking like he is going into combat and it reminds me of my younger years and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles :) Ahhh, the good times ... but back to the beer. It has a bitter, yet sweet wine taste that does not come close to agreeing with my pallette. This is a no go for anyone; NO MEANS NO! Recommendations: Take a six pack of this to a house warming of friends you don't really like.

Style: American Double/ Stout Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Oh the sweet smell of COFFEE! Will I be drinking this again: DEFINITELY. Grade: A Comments:   This is a delicious, and nutriscious beer; trust me I'm a doctor! ... Not really, but this beer combines wonderful spicy hops with another fabulous liquid: Coffee! Even if you don't like stouts, I would recommend trying this one. It has a nice malty, sweet coffee blend to hide a lot of the bitter taste. For stout and coffee lovers this is a match made in heaven! Recommendations: Combo it with a nice hot roast beef sandwich with Au Jus :)

Style: Hefeweizen Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Nice cloudy Hef! Will I be drinking this again: Probably. Grade: B Comments: This is a nice, unfiltered, traditional Bavarian Hefeweizen. There isn't a lot to complain about on this beer. That being said, there isn't much that sets it apart from the likes of Sam Adams or ... when it comes to Hefeweizens. Should be $2 or less from most places; that is a little more than I would like to see on this beer. You can get a 6 pack of Sam Adams Hef for about $8, and it is just as good. Definitely worth a try though if you are looking for something new to try. Recommendations: This beer is a MUST with a nice juicy bratwurst. PERFECT COMBO!

Style: Witbier Purchased at: Kroger What makes this beer different: Oranges! Will I be drinking this again: Probably. Grade: B Comments: This is a special release beer, brewed by Blue Moon. Overall the beer looks great, chunky floaters, and a ton of action . Essentially this is a spicier version of a Blue Moon with bits and chunks of orange in it. As this is a special release, I have to admit I am a little dissapointed. Don't get me wrong, the beer tastes great. But paying $9 for this beer, it doesn't WOW me completely. WOW is a must for vintage/special release brews!!! Recommendations: Don't put an orange slice in this beer. It has enough citrus in it already! Pair this with some fresh made guacamole and chips. You're gonna like it!

Style: American Pale Ale Purchased at: Kroger What makes this beer different: It's thick, bold aroma. Will I be drinking this again: Definitely. Grade: A- Comments: A wonderful, full bodied beer with something for everyone. Starr Hill Pale Ale may be a little heavier than your typical ale, but I guarantee you will enjoy it down to the very last sip! Full, rich, honey laden, thick and malty and nice lacing; a beautiful amber color defines this beer. Recommendations: Enjoy this brew with some fried flatbread & a nice spinach dip! 

Style: Lager Purchased at: Kroger What makes this beer different: Woodsy kind of taste. Will I be drinking this again: Probably not. Grade: D+ Comments: I am usually a pretty big fan of Magic Hat brews, but I think they really dropped the ball on this one. It leaves a dirt/bark like lasting taste in my mouth and an overall dryness, which I hate. Has a nice hop smell, and the head on this beer is actually quite nice. Little to no lacing present. Give this one a try and let me know what you think; personally I would stick to #9 until the next seasonal is released! Shame on you Magic Hat. Recommendations: 1) Finish this beer, 2) Have a nice Beck's waiting and ready to drink immediately following the last sip of Vinyl. That's all I got!

Style: American IPA Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Strong citrusy hops. Will I be drinking this again: Possibly, but will not go out of my way to get it. Grade: B- Comments: A very citrusy hop can be detected in this beer along with a decent amount of carbonation. That being said, there is a very weak head on this beer which confuses me a little. Overtones of oranges, grapefruit, and pine can be detected in this beer. If you are used to American IPA's, then the slightly bitter finish will not surprise you. To be honest I was pretty disappointed in this beer, and it is probably one of my least favorite IPA's. It has a strange smell, and not a whole lot of bite. I would also recommend shaking the beer before you open it, as it re-ferments in the bottle. Recommendations: 1) Seriously consider another IPA, 2) If you do get this one, drink with a hot, salty pretzel. 

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Dark Rich Taste! Will I be drinking this again: Definitely. Grade: A Comments: This is a wonderful Trappist Ale, and one of my favorites of all time.  The brewery at Rochefort has been brewing beer since 1595. Plenty of time for them to perfect their recipes. The three recipes they have, 6, 8 and 10 are each aged for 6, 8, and 10 weeks respectively.  It is a sweet beer, with a generous amount of alcohol; so it goes down so smooth but lets you know you're alive! One Word to the Monks - BRAVO! Recommendations: Pair this ale with a nice french miche coupled with brie; trust me, you will LOVE IT :)

Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Strong 9% kick! Will I be drinking this again: Probably. Grade: B+ Comments: Man this beer has a kick! Smooth, sweetness with a lasting bitterness is what I take away from this beer. This beer should be enjoyed at the proper, which is slightly chilled (not warm however). Quality of the brew varies on each bottle, so  I hope you obtain one of the better bottles. There is heavy carbonation, followed with a light head and excellent lacing. Not the greatest beer I have ever sampled, but a good one none the less! Recommendations: Enjoy this beer with a selection of fresh dates and apricots to punctuate the excellent overtones.

Style: Stout Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Blueberries! Will I be drinking this again: Yes. Grade: B Comments: Yes, another blueberry beer. But this one is more aligned to my tastes! The moment the aroma hits your nose, you smell the blueberries. But the smell can be deceiving, as the delicate blend of hops and barley in this beer contrast the blueberries in a wonderful way so they are not too strong. This is a full and heavy stout so be prepared. If you are looking to shake things up with something a little different than the norm, give this one a shot. If you don't like stouts or porters, this one is no different and I would stay away if I were you. Recommendations: Try this brew out with some hot wings and fried mozzarella while watching Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and watch Violet Beauregarde turn into a plump blueberry!

Style: Fruit Beer Purchased at: Somewhere in Maryland What makes this beer different: The strong floral and citrus overtones. Will I be drinking this again: Possibly. Grade: C Comments: I have to say, this is a pretty good looking beer in a glass! The aroma is citrus-y feeling, which is a nice change of pace. The feel in the mouth lacks quite a bit of oomph which was disappointing. People kept telling me this beer was great, but it was a just a lot of hype in my humble opinion. I would like this beer more if it was (1) Heavier taste by adding more hops, (2) Orange peel taste didn't have a medicine like taste, (3) Less tea like aroma/taste and more spice through careful selection of fine English hops. That's just my take on this beer. Many of you will love it; but it's not for me. If you like light, fruity like beers that are pretty smooth you will LOVE this brew. Recommendations: Have this beer with some grilled pepper shrimp for a delicious combo!

Style: Dubbel Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Underlying tones of dates & -bananas aroma. Will I be drinking this again: Yes. Grade: A Preliminary Ranking: 2 Comments: Coming soon .... Recommendations:

Style: Fruit Beer Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Blueberries. Will I be drinking this again: Possibly; if in the mood. Grade: B- Preliminary Ranking: 6 Comments: Light in color and very light, fluffy head. I love blueberries in everything, and this beer is packed with 'em. Pretty smooth & sweet taste, not bitter. Sweet malt mixed with the blueberries make tis beer quite unique. Plenty of carbonation, no lacing. In Dabney's words, "It's interesting". This beer is more of a dessert to me, but it is an excellent fruit beer. Recommendations: Pair this brew with a slice of New York Cheesecake topped with blueberry sauce and it's a perfect combo. Magnifico!

Style: Tripel Purchased at: Vintage Cellar What makes this beer different: Strong aroma, smooth taste. Will I be drinking this again: Yes. Grade: A Preliminary Ranking: 1 Comments: Quite a scrumptious Trappist Ale, the first I have reviewed in fact. Needless to say, I am very impressed. Probably the best tripel I have ever had the privilege of tasting. This is a very complex beer exhibiting smoothness of a lighter beer but taste of a darker brew. It has an ever so slight bitter aroma, but a ridiculously smooth taste. Very slight carbonation, and beautiful lacing. ABY is about 9.5% in this ale. It is a rare trappist ale, so it may be a little difficult to locate without a specialty store (I can help find it if you anyone needs assistance. Great aftertaste, & wonderful down to the last sip! Recommendations: A nice selection of cheeses and bread would blend perfectly with this trappist ale!

Style: Irish Red Ale Purchased at: Whole Foods What makes this beer different: Slight detection of brown sugar and Perle hops. Will I be drinking this again: Yes. Grade: B Preliminary Ranking: 3 Comments: This is a nice amber ale co ntains Perle & Goldings sweet & spicy hops, which compliments the chocolate and caramel malted barley perfectly. I would like to see what this brew would taste like if Galena hops were substituted .... hmm, maybe I should give it a shot!? This is a traditional English ale, with small overtones of spice & fruit with a deep, rich honey color. Starr Hill Amber Ale has a low bitterness and a slightly sweet aftertaste to me, which makes it very drinkable. That means it is a pleasure to drink, but if you are like me, you will down a more than fair amount in one sitting! Recommendations: This beer will pair well with a lot of foods, but try it with some sweet & tangy barbecue ribs ... Delicious!

Style: Foreign/Export Stout Purchased at: Vintage Cellar | Whole Foods What makes this beer different: Aroma of chocolate! Will I be drinking this again: Definitely. Grade: A- Comments: Just pouring this brew was a delight, so I knew I was going to like this stout right away. Very nice lacing and head on this beer (very impressive). This is a thick & bitter, yet subtly sweet stout which is more than I could ask for! The taste is not as complex as the aroma would suggest, but I think you will still be pleasantly surprised. Not the greatest aftertaste from this beer, which is something I value in a beer.  This beer is worth a try for all of you stout lovers out there. If you like a nice dark stout, I would whole heartedly suggest this beer for you! Recommendations: Lion Stout is a pleasant complement to a nice slice of chocolate cake or a rich brownie!