local microbrew? other local products? (Roanoke, Lynchburg: co-op, hotels, restaurants)

[headnsouth]

So we're hanging out with some non-Roanoke friends this weekend and I want to give them some local treats. Are there local beers? Sodas or kid drinks? Snacks? Something like Route 11 chips maybe. Wine would be ok too so recommendations are welcome but a wine tour would be a trip in itself. This weekend is a beer weekend =)

[j1n]

Originally Posted by headnsouth

So we're hanging out with some non-Roanoke friends this weekend and I want to give them some local treats. Are there local beers? Sodas or kid drinks? Snacks? Something like Route 11 chips maybe. Wine would be ok too so recommendations are welcome but a wine tour would be a trip in itself. This weekend is a beer weekend =)

Hit the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op...they carry local stuff I believe.

[seanpecor]

This resource might be useful:

Star City Brewers Guild - Homebrewers of the Roanoke Valley - Home

Sean

[j1n]

Originally Posted by headnsouth

So we're hanging out with some non-Roanoke friends this weekend and I want to give them some local treats. Are there local beers? Sodas or kid drinks? Snacks? Something like Route 11 chips maybe. Wine would be ok too so recommendations are welcome but a wine tour would be a trip in itself. This weekend is a beer weekend =)

This weekend you say?
Check this (http://microfestivus.squaresociety.org/home.asp?page=Home - broken link) out.

[whynot?]

Well, okay. Starr is in Charlottesville, if you call that "local." Shock Top is actually a confusingly-marketed Anheuser-Busch product (hardly local or micro, "brewed in Colorado"), as is Skipjack (brewed by Anheuser-Busch in Williamsburg -- which IS in Virginia), and Red Hook (good old dependable Red Hook).

Stick to the Starr and have fun.

[seanpecor]

Being a Vermonter transplanted to the Roanoke area I'm pleased that many of my Roanoke friends who are fans of micro brews prefer Vermont brews

I read recently in the Roanoke Times that an old building in Roanoke is being converted into a micro-brewery? Anyone hear about that?

Sean

[Diamond Dave]

Originally Posted by seanpecor

I read recently in the Roanoke Times that an old building in Roanoke is being converted into a micro-brewery? Anyone hear about that?

Yeah, the Patrick Henry Hotel--story upon story upon story of BEER!

Hadn't heard that one, but somebody please fill us in.

[headnsouth]

mmmmm ... beer =)

Bummer that the closest "local" beer is from Charlottesville. Thanks for the ideas --- the co-op does have the Starr beer, plus some local table wines from Salem and Meadows of Dan. j1n, that festivus looks like fun! If we were going to be in Roanoke we'd definitely do that!

A friend told me Awful Arthur's is planning a brewpub, and here's a cached businessweek article on Roanoke Railhouse Brewing Co.:



Microbrewery still on tap [The Roanoke Times, Va.]

The proposed Roanoke Railhouse Brewing Co. will sell beer to restaurants and bars through a distributor, in keg form and in a unit equivalent to one-third of a keg.

The company plans to blend beverages under two brands, Roanoke Railhouse Brewing Co. and Blacksburg Brewing Co., on a contract basis. It also will sell the brew on a retail basis to the public and hold tasting tours.

But it isn't brewing yet.

Steve Davidson, president of Roanoke Railhouse, is awaiting federal and state licenses to make and sell beer. He applied for the federal license in May. Once he receives it, he'd like to start manufacturing beer this month.

Still, other details for the new microbrewery are going forward.

[j1n]

Originally Posted by headnsouth

mmmmm ... beer =)

Bummer that the closest "local" beer is from Charlottesville.

There's a microbrewer out of Blacksburg...closed currently as they search for a new location for the business.

[kt_mom]

I believe they opened a micro brewery in downtown Lynchburg if I'm not mistaken. Near the new hotel.

Lynchburg dining | Craddock Terry | Lynchburg Virginia Hotels

I haven't been to the brewery, but the restaurant is excellent although pricey.