Blacksburg Brew Do Weekend

Last weekend was the Blacksburg Brew Do.  We volunteered at the event and were pouring for Heavy Seas in the afternoon.  Rather than risk the traffic and hassle parking at the event, we decided to take our bikes to the Christiansburg Mall and taking the Huckleberry Trail into town.  The ride was very cool, but very pleasant.  We were surprised at how much better people were in terms of walking on the correct side of the trail and not down the middle, and keeping their dogs close.  There also was not a single person walking with a retractable leash all extended out to 10000' (that might be a slight exaggeration).  Having gone back and ridden the path to work here in Radford again, the difference between here and there is like light and day.  The trail goes right over to 1st and Main where the event was being held, and coincidentally also the home of Vintage Cellar.  We had some time before volunteer check-in, so we went over and tried some wines.

679. 2012 - Domaine de Saint-Lannes - Vin de Pays des Côtes de - Gascogne Blanc
680. 2009 - Labouré-Roi Mâcon-Villages - Unoaked Chardonnay
681. 2009 - Matchbook - Chardonnay Old Head
682. 2009 - J. Vidal-Fleury - Côtes du Rhône
683. 2009 - Whiplash - Redemption
684. 2010 - Lone Birch
685. 2011 - Pendulum - Red Table Wine
686. 2010 - Opolo - Zinfandel
687. 2009 - Ca' Bea - del Maniero Provincia di Pavia IGT
688. 2003 - Castello di Lucignano - Chianti Classico Riserva
689. 2011 - Bodegas Mas Alta - Priorat - Black Slate La Vilella Alta
690. 2008 - Abelis Carthago Toro - Fighting Bulls
691. Raclette cheese - this was out to have with the wine;  neither of us really like raclette, but it wasn't bad with some of the red wines

We think the most interesting, if not the absolute best tasting, was the Lone Birch blend.  It has Mouvedre, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Barbera, Zinfandel, and Grenache grapes in one bottle...   Yep - they're all in there and the wine is a cacophony of aromas and flavors.

We wandered down to Kroger to change clothes in their restroom and tried a couple more things there. 

692. Kroger - Applewood smoked cheddar barbecue dip - this was quite good
693. El Cortijo - Manchego - nutty, smooth, and delicious

We headed over to Brew Do and started trying the 12 beers, 6 each, that we were allotted to try by volunteering, plus the 4 beers Heavy Seas brought with them.

694. Boulevard - Smokestack Series - Double Wide I.P.A.
695. Victory Brewing Company - Golden Monkey
696. Apocalypse Ale Works - Lustful Maiden
697. Starr Hill - All Access - Cryptical Imperial Stout
698. Woodchuck - Fall Cider
699. Highland Brewing - Kashmir IPA
700. Wolf Hills Brewing - White Blaze Honey Cream Ale
701. Southern Tier Brewing - IPA
702. The Duck Rabbit Craft Brewery - Milk Stout
703. Blue Mountain Brewery - Steel Wheels ESB
704. Heavy Seas - Cutlass Amber Lager
705. Heavy Seas - Loose Cannon
706. Heavy Seas - Red Sky at Night
707. Heavy Seas - Powder Monkey

Last but not least, our second mailing from the Craft Brew club came.  Brett tried one beer from this set so far:

708. Florida Beer Company - Florida Lager

Thanks for reading!