Harrisonburv VA

Well the only way you will be able to find Cafe Royale right now is through a trade as it is more than likely nowhere except in people's cellars! However I do recommend Alewerks' Pumpkin Ale, as it is damn fine and reasonably priced, too! I hear Capital Ale House is a definite must to check out! I haven't been there yet but have heard they have great things available! I also hear that 3 Brothers Brewery is doing well, too so you could check them out. Unfortunately that is all the info I can give you, but maybe other BA's can steer you in the right direction!

BTW BASC was f'n nuts (but great at the same time)!

 

Best Bars: Capital Alehouse, Jack Browns (Both in Court Square)
Best Shops: Downtown Wine (Court Square, same building as CAh), Midtowne Market (Near Wolfe Street parking garage, a block or two from Court Square)
Best Brewpubs: Redbeard (In Staunton).


All 3 Brothers beers are terrible.

 

I went to college at JMU and lived in Hburg for 4 years. Go to Jack Browns. Whatever you do, go to Jack Browns and get a burger and a couple beers.

 

There are a couple places en route in Roanoke: Wine Gourmet and Mr. Bill's come to mind. New Brewery in Salem called Parkway is getting good press, but check their hours. If willing to veer about 15 min away from I-81, go to Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg. That's a good one.

 

I would also add Billy Jack`s Wing and Draft Shack in Harrisonburg. Right beside Jack Browns with a larger tap selection. In all honesty, if you are stopping in Salem/Roanoke I would suggest going by Kroger at 4404 Brambleton Ave. Best bottle selection around. Bill`s is nice, priced reasonable, and only a 5min drive from Kroger so you could probably hit them both.

 

Agree on Redbeard but I think you're being a little harsh on Three Brothers. Their Hoptimization IPA may not have been sensational but it was at least solid. I should say that's the only beer of theirs I've tried.

 

I disagree. No head and it's watery as hell. Taste is ok I guess, but it's nowhere near hoppy as what its name implies. They came out of the gate already bottling, even before they made sure their beer tasted good. Their quality needs significant improvement. But hey, if you like it, that's all that matters right?

 

There's not exactly world class beers brewed in our neck of the woods. But as I mentioned earlier, make an attempt to stop in at Redbeard Brewing if you're up here, quality beer at reasonable prices, not to mention the Wharf area of Staunton is a great local place for beer lovers. I've heard great things about the Devils Backbone tap-room, Starr Hill make's a solid DIPA (Double Platinum) and if you're up around the area of Charlottesville/Afton there's Blue Mountain Brewery who makes good food and even better beer. The Blue Toad is up there too and has a decent selection as well: http://www.thebluetoad.com/beers-2/.

PM me if you need any more help.

 

Wild Wolf makes a solid Pale Ale and Pils, the Devils Backbone Pumpkin beer is solid, though lacks head retention. Williamsburg Alewerks makes one of the better pumpkins beers out there in my opinion. Should be readily available. Also, you might find some of the Lost Rhino offerings, Face Plant is really tasty and the Pils is really good too.

 

Kinda rough to say about a brewery that won a GABF medal their first year isn't it? But hey, the guys judging GABF don't know anything right?

http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/winners/

 

Stopped by 3 Brothers today in Harrisonburg and I was pretty pleased with what I tasted. I had the Hoptimization IPA, the Admiral double IPA, the porter and the collab saison with Devil's Backbone and every single beer was at least good. Very pleasant tasting room as well. Maybe they had some inconsistency out of the chute but I had 4 well made beers today. Very solid addition to VA's brewing lineup.