Virginia Beer by Lee Graves

Author:Lee Graves [Graves, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, Food & Drink, Beverages, Beer, History, Americas, United States
ISBN: 9780813941721
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Published: 2018-10-02T04:00:00+00:00

Other changes were under way in 2017. A second facility, named the Smartmouth Pilot House, took shape in a 9,457-square-foot space in a former post office in Virginia Beach. The brewing system, though smaller than the twenty-barrel setup at the home base, enabled increased production, which stood at roughly 4,500 barrels in 2017. In addition, the “pilot” system opened creative possibilities, including barrel-aging. “It’s our playground, our experimental station,” Hardy said. “This will give us flexibility to just have an idea, let our brewers experiment more and try a variety of styles or twists on styles that we haven’t ever made before.”

The eight beers available in the Norfolk taproom during my most recent visit in September 2017 reflected Smartmouth’s philosophy of “no gimmicks, no funny business, just an appreciation for well-crafted beer.” Cowcatcher Milk Stout (rich with roasted coffee notes) and Golden Standard Golden Ale (fermented with Belgian Trappist yeast) caught my attention, but it was the Cargo Schwarzbier that captured my fancy. This black lager is not a staple of many breweries, so savoring a sample that was smooth, complex, and sessionable (5.2 percent ABV) brought a smile to my palate.

Try this: If the schwarzbier is available, ask for a sample; it’s a limited release, however, so odds are low. Notch 9 DIPA is a sure bet. It’s not the dankest of the doubles, but the citrus-grapefruit aroma from dry-hopping sets you up for the rich hop flavor (Centennial, Columbus, Falconers Flight, and Simcoe are used in the brew). The blend of pilsner, Carapils, and crystal malts gives balancing sweetness. Pay heed to the alcohol content (9.1 percent ABV); this is not a session beer.

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