Category Archives: craft beer

View from Dirt Farm Brewing

Blueridge Beers

craft beer

The family rented a lodge at Bear Rock in Loudoun County. It’s bear country, near the Appalachian Trail, with plenty of wineries and breweries.

On the way to our lodge (VRBO), we stopped at Dirt Farm Brewing. It sits on top of a ridge looking down on the valley below. We grabbed a table, a couple half pour beers and a bit of lunch from the food truck and enjoyed the view.

Dirt Farm Brewing Lunch
Dirt Farm Brewing Lunch

Their most popular beer is Tart 31 Cherry Ale. It’s a nice summer sour. It reminded me of a tart cherry soda, light and refreshing. It paired well with a quinoa bowl.

I shared a half pour of Hey Z to finish things off at Dirt Farm. It was a remarkable hazy (get it?) pale ale. I liked the grassy, fresh hop taste. It is an unexpected style and flavor coming from a brewery whose best selling beer doesn’t taste like a beer.

The hot afternoon drove us off the mountain before the music started. I learned later that the entertainment was worth the wait. Overall, Dirt Farm was a real find, with a magnificant view, well made beers and freshly made delicious food.

We headed to the Lodge at Bear Rock to unpack and wait for the gang to arrive. After recharging our human batteries with snacks and some downtime, we headed out to Bear Chase Brewing for some real food and beers.

Bear Chase Brewing is just down the street from our lodge, so we headed there for a nightcap and a late dinner. It was too dark to see the reported spectacular view. The crowd was busy as expected on a Friday night. My Chase N Chill was a mediocre American IPA with a very low ABV of 4.5%. I need to come back during the day to see the view and pick a potentially better beer.

Bear Chase Brewing
Bear Chase Brewing

Cheers!

Warren

Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin IPA

Death of a Pirate

craft beer, ,

Shiver me timbers, hardy har har. Me favorite pint glass is headed for Davy Jones’ locker.

Heavy Seas pint glass
Heavy Seas pirate map pint glass

What seems like a million years ago, before we all had even heard of COVID-19, the Columbia Pint Night Crew met every Wednesday night at Frisco Tap House and each of us usually collected a free pint glass. After a few years of accruing glasses, we were all up to our ears in glassware.

Thanks to my pint night collection, cabinet space in the Adventures’ household was limited. Friends would only laugh when I offered them another pint glass. I turned to eBay and Craig’s list to sell them with limited success. I did have one amazing experience when a Heavy Seas Pirate Map pint glass lured 2 eBayers into a bidding war. That glass sold for $42! (note: this story only gets better with age. This fish tale has grown over the years. But hey, this is my story and I’m sticking to $42.)

It is a very cool glass. Despite the success on eBay, I decided to keep one for my own drinking pleasure. I’ve enjoyed drinking everything from water to beer in that glass for many years. But sadly, today, this beautiful, trusted friend has seen its last day in my cupboard.

As I was enjoying a delicious Grapefruit Sculpin, I happened to notice a large gouge in my glass. It’s the kind of nick that can slice a lip wide open. It’s deep and dangerous, so this cherished “family heirloom” has bit the bucket.

A lip slicing nick in the rim of my favorite pint glass

Farewell old friend. It has been a pleasure sailing with you.

Cheers!

Warren