Blackwater Brewing Company

In our first night in Canaan Valley, this was directly across from our hotel so my girlfriend and I went over for a drink. I got the Canaan Valley Kolsh, her their EPA. The beers themselves were both fairly decent, but a little too close to room temperature. Not that a frosted mug or ice cold beer is necessary, but I like experiencing the change in flavor when a beer goes from at least a little cold to room temperature. Still, they tasted fine. Being from WV, I tend to judge WV beers on a higher curve than out of states. The bartender plainly said you're not going to get anything too flavorful in their bar, they go for much more mellow beers.

The highlight of the place was the bartender, who suggested an overlook trail in Blackwater Falls that we had never heard of before, Lindy Point. It's less than a mile walk and one of the most beautiful views of the entire valley. He also suggested that we go to Stumptown Ales (which we had already planned on) but it made me appreciate the community aspect in such a small area, instead of a rivalry. He gave the place a very welcome feeling, considering that we were there only 20 minutes before it closed, with the place empty and him in the process of cleaning up. We went after the kitchen had closed, so the food isn't being considered.

My travels sure take me to some far-out places. This is the first and only brewery I've been to in WV thus far. It was kind of awkward too. I mean it was a nice place, but we went in on a weekend around dinner time and it was completely dead, i.e. there was no one there except for the bartender/owner. So first off he told us no food, but we found a very nice diner (Sawmill) right around the corner and went there, because the tot needed her dinner. Flash foward about an hour or so, we returned to the brewpub and still...no one else there, lights mostly off, but they were indeed open. Kind of surprising to me actually, because, well I know Davis is a small town, but I can't imagine there being a bigger "hot spot" than this for people who want a drink. Then again, they've been open for a long time, so I guess they're doing okay?

It is a cool hangout, in the style of a German pub/restaurant. Looks like they might have live music sometimes, I'm not sure. So after a little chat with the owner, I ordered up a sampler flight, consisting of a kolsch, EPA, maple porter, saison, and oatmeal stout. These brews were all...okay. Nothing really interesting going on, but nothing really bad. Growlers are available.

Overall, I'm up in the air on this place. It's a nice hangout and the owner seems very nice. Seems like if they upped their game with the beer quality, and offered some food, they'd definitely rake in some more customers, and give me personally a reason to come back.

Additionally of note, the gas station across the street sells beer, including some local craft stuff.

Looks like a very nice place but at the time I was there they were doing some renovation and the kitchen was closed. The beer was ok, and I will be going back to try again.

 

I have been to this bar many times over the years and have not ever had an disappointing trip. Apart from their in house selections of beer their isn't much variety, but most come for their micro-brew. They have pretty good in house beers with some lacking majorly and other being quite good. It used to be the place in Tucker county to grab some wings and beer on Wednesday nights, but their food has fallen off in the past two years or so, so try the food at your own risk. If you are in the area skiing or otherwise, I would recomend checking their beer out.

Anytime I am in the Canaan Valley area, I try to swing by the Blackwater Brewing Company. The dining area and bar area are separate. The bar area is spacious with a cozy hearth area, and TVs spread around.

There are usually 6 or so beers on tap. The stout is my favorite. The beer is not excellent, but is above average.

Service is adequate, usually not over friendly though. The female brewmaster is nice. I usually sit by the taps at the bar and notice that the beer comes out very foamy.

I have never tried the food, but have heard it is good. I know they have german dishes, italian, and standard american fare.

Stop by if you are in Davis.

Oh, I drifted way away from the hotel again. I tend to do that. I was only 5 minutes from the state line but got pulled well in once I crossed it. Seems there are just 3 live brewpubs in the entire state of West Virginia and 2 of them are located within 2 miles of each other, thus the literal one-two. Having jalapeno turkey wrapped up dinner nearby, I'm ready to proceed onward to the one further out to work my way back though with proximity to each other as such, it really doesn't matter...

Little Bavarian Tudor looking place on the side of the road with no specific address of its own. I entered through the door to the left, I'm pretty sure there's a restaurant side, I'm not in it or don't think I am as the bar is here, but maybe I am, we'll see. A bunch of hightops in the center of the room, a few booths off to the right, some construction wood tables & booths to the left, and the bar to the rear, which is where I think I'll be heading, thank you. Red tile floors, stucco ceiling, and wood board walls with some slight prints, framed beer ads & coaster displays, as well as some faux barrel ends. On closer inspection, the prints, ads & coasters are all vintage German & European goods, promoting beers and breweries I've never heard of. Fireplace inlayed on a stone wall with steins shelved over the mantle and bench seating below. I thought it was at the end of the room, but really there's space behind and around it. I hadn't realized it was as in the middle of the room as it is. Tables around the backside and the far corner raised for Dj'ing. Strangely lodgey but not.

An 8 seat, "L" shaped, stained wood laminate topped bar sits to the rear with an overhead piece holding a slat glassware rack, the area above lined with lit glow rope. Debbie's tending bar. She also cooks there. And she also brews there by default apparently, on the baby 3 barrel system sitting right behind the bar. Someone else was supposed to be the brewer and bailed, she stepped in temporarily or something. That was 11 years ago; there's some drama there to be sure, you'd probably do better not to ask. In any event, she's not at all happy today 'bout a variety of things.

A single tower of 6 taps on the bar houses the same 6 beers always on, but my sampler will be a bit lighter today as 2 of them have kicked (Blackwater Gold Ale & Marzen. I was suspicious of the year round Marzen anyway), indicated by their handles sporting purple Crown Royal bag hoods. The Seneca Golden Wheat, an American wheat, was mild, bland and a bit fruity; the IPA, had a very light hop presence, pretty weak for an IPA. I asked her what hop she used and she balked, "Ughh, I had to change up...", I don't think she knows; Parsons Porter, medium bodied, roasty, good flavor and easy drinking; Black Diamond Stout, a bit more sturdy, dark black, deep & roasty, with some coffee tones. Having gone through the sampler, I opted for a pint of the Stout which was the best of the lot, although the Porter was a close enough second. Easy enough to hide things in them dark beers.

A single TV sits mounted above the forward of two doors off the bar. One puts you into a front entranceway dining area with seating at homemade tables; the room entirely wallpapered with newspaper (some of which are Brew News) and dotted with German beer coasters. A little showcase with brewery shwag for the buy there. The other door leads to a game room holding a single pool table and a Trophy Hunter arcade game. More pasted newspaper walls, but here, the ceiling is slanted giving the room that Batman effect. Thanks for the vertigo. In the corner, there's a doorway to a small gaming room with video lottery just for you, you degenerate gambler (just in case the drinking wasn't enough, you can get twice your vice on, hooray!)

I had already 'etten but looked over the food menu which takes an odd turn after the soup, salad and sandwich options. For entrees, they do a half dozen plus German dishes (Schnitzel, Rouladen & Spatzle, Sauerbraten, Bratwurst), just as many Italian dishes (Lobster Ravioli, Pasta Alfredo, Veggie Lasagne, Manicotti, Spaghetti), and some standard steak, chicken & fish dishes. Kind of like the kitchen had a fight over what they were going to be (and still haven't decided).

Beers weren't bad, but they weren't really standout good either. And it need be said. Seems the brewing situation here has been on autopilot practically since inception. It's a wash, rinse, repeat kind of place where they brew these six beers and only these six beers with no variation on the theme. Ever. In my opinion anyway; no variety, no spark, no art, no love.

Stopped through during a visit to Blackwater Falls State Park. It's a nice, clean place that looks like a German Bierstube, inside and out, except for the newspaper wall papering.

The menu consists of several wonderful selections between German, Italian, and general American brewpub food. The brats were good and my daughter seemed to enjoy the spaghetti and meat sauce.

They were out of a couple of their beer styles, but the marzen and the stout were really good, especially the nice, complex coffee tones the stout had. The wheat beer is good enough to try.

Service was all right, but not spectacular. The girl seemed like she'd rather be anywhere else but there and couldn't answer much of anything about the beer.

Still, a good place for food and drink if you're on a West Virginian byway.

Atmosphere: Blackwater Brewing is located in Davis, the highest incorporated town in the state of West Virginia, and a good distance inside the Monongahela National Forest, sitting right on the main road (WV 32) with a big green sign, so it's not hard to find. Inside, the walls are papered with newspapers (including some old Brewing News editions!) which added a unique charm, and the tables inside were a lovely unstained wood finish. The bar room reminds me of a hunting/ski lodge, only with a brew kettle and fermenters behind the bar! With stone base and a log cabin-ish feel (and even a fireplace!), it definitely feels like one of the more homey places I've ever had a beer. German heritage is definitely emphasized here, with German flags and beer advertisements all over the place, and a nice collection of steins over the fireplace. When my roommate and I went, the place was fairly vacant except for employees, but I probably wouldn't expect much tourist travel to an outdoorsy location in December (though a few locals did step through the door), but I imagine they do all right when rafting/camping season is in full swing.

Quality/Selection: With such an amazing setup, it's sort of a shame that the beers just didn't measure up to where they should be. True, there were a couple real treats, such as a nice wheat pilsner-ish Seneca Gold Wheat and a big-flavored if a bit thin Black Diamond Stout. However, the rest were somewhat bland versions and in some cases downright missed the style completely (an IPA with absolutely NO hop bite whatsoever!). Reading Tony's review and noticing that they're extract-based beers does not surprise me in the least. We noticed 6 tap handles for beer, which seems right around here. In general, I gave it a 3 on quality because the good was something I could drink a few of and ignore the terrible.

Service: Well, the service seemed a bit bored so we did get served fairly quickly, and they were fun to talk to (even discussed the LEGAL slots/video poker that they had...a shock in wink-wink nudge-nudge PA). I guess the only complaint is that our bartender's directions (or our lack OF direction) back to I-79 got us lost!!!

All in all, I though the trip out to Blackwater was worthwhile, since we were in the area (Oakland, MD) and decided that it was now or never. I definitely loved the area and the building; it's just a disappointment that the beers didn't match up. As there is no 4 lane interstate highway within 40 miles of Davis (either I-68 to the north or I-79 to the west is the closest you'll get), it's definitely a place that's a challenge to get to! I would wholeheartedly recommend a trip at some point to the Monongahela National Forest area of West Virginia (we'll likely go back next summer) and if you're down there, I'd say give Blackwater a try, but I just can't recommend the trip specifically to visit the brewery. Overall, I thought it was better than River City, but nowhere close to West Virginia Brewing.

Atmosphere: Depending on the time of the year you go, for there infamous ski culture is dormant right now so the place was chilled out with regulars, locals, and campers like myself grabbing some dinner and imbibing on their beer. Watching some college football and throwing a few games of darts was where we spent our time. The place didn't really entertain us but my buddies and I made the best of it and had a great time. We kept joking that we drove two hours to throw darts and drink beer when we have two dartboards at our apartment along with a sixtel of Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, well I couldn't see the problem with that. Quality: Had the opportunity to get some details about the brewing epuipment with the brewmaster Ms Sampson, it was a quaint but consistent operation producing 93 gallons or 3 barrels at a time of each batch which is comparative to the size of the town. She told me the story of how she fell into the job of brewing beer for a living, she was just a worker at the restaurant and the owners son (hombrewer) who was in the military wanted to discharge and start brewing operations in the restaurant, however after all the equipment and additions were completed the son backed out and decided to stay in the Marines. They brought in people to train her with no brewing experience and she's now been brewing for five years. I think she's missing the hombrewer creativity background it comes through in the mediocrity of the beer. Service: Some fine southern bells waiting the tables on top of things and good to us at the same time good service here didn't have to wait on refills and never let the table get too croweded with empty glasses or plates. Selection: Six of their craft brews were on and I saw them sell a few Bud, Bud lights for those who asked for it. Food: The food was some German style Schnitzel very good similar to my mom's pork culet, and my friends chose from the Italian selections and seemed happy with their selections.