"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/18/2016 at 20:31 • Filed to: Beerlopnik
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"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
04/18/2016 at 20:31 • Filed to: Beerlopnik | 3
| 11 |
I got a lot of random free beer from a coworker today, and to make room in my fridge I decided to drink some of what I already had in there. I had two blonde ales from different Virginia breweries, so I thought I’d drink them both to compare and contrast them.
I started off with the one I was familiar with, Blonde Hunny, from Wild Wolf Brewing Company out of the Charlottesville area. The only beer of theirs I’ve found so far (Richmond-area Krogers and beer shops carry it, and a few local restaurants have it on tap), I’ve drank this one quite a few times, and it’s among my favorite beers. Has notes of honey and spice. Goes down smoothly. At 6.8% ABV it’s the stronger of the two. Highly recommended.
In between brews I had a drink of water to reset my taste buds.
Bridge Builder is by Parkway Brewing Company out of Salem. I’ve had one or two of their beers before, but this is my first time trying this one. Also very good. Has a fruitier flavor than the Blonde Hunny. Slightly lower ABV (5.9%), but a little smoother as a result. Very good. Haven’t seen it outside of a local craft beer place, so may be less common than Blonde Hunny.
Conclusion: despite their smooth flavors they’ll both get you nice and buzzed. Especially drinking them back to back. I still prefer the Blonde Hunny, but the Bridge Builder makes a nice change of pace and is recommended if you like fruit beers.
d15b
> interstate366, now In The Industry
04/18/2016 at 20:33 |
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BIRU. Nice!
Conan
> interstate366, now In The Industry
04/18/2016 at 20:37 |
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I’ll have to check them out. My folks live close to Blue Mountain, Wild Wolf, Devil’s Backbone, Bold Rock. I don’t visit elsewhere enough.
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interstate366, now In The Industry
> Conan
04/18/2016 at 20:42 |
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Bold Rock makes some good hard cider. Devil’s Backbone has some good stuff too, but they sold out to Anheuser-Busch last week. Not sure I’ve had anything from Blue Mountain. Here in the Richmond area we’re spoiled for craft beer. Almost makes up for the draconian speeding laws.
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Conan
> interstate366, now In The Industry
04/18/2016 at 20:46 |
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Dark Hollow is the best Blue Mountain beer. They’ve also got a fairly nice little restaurant/frat and beach game setup. Devil’s Backbone has had some good stuff but was always better as a spot to see entertainment than a brewery to me. You’re absolutely right about the nice variety of beer and sadly absolutely right about our stupid laws. One of my students got a ticket for merely revving his truck last week.
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interstate366, now In The Industry
> Conan
04/18/2016 at 20:58 |
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I have friends in the Charlottesville and Roanoke areas, so next time I head out to the mountains I’ll have to pay a visit to a brewery or two. On another note, I haven’t had many issues with police in my 12 years of driving here, and it isn’t as bad as the FP makes it seem, but I am selective about where and when I’m irresponsible.
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Conan
> interstate366, now In The Industry
04/18/2016 at 21:04 |
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It’s mostly only excessive in small towns on a few highways that are looking to raise revenue. Those breweries/the ciderworks are definitely worth checking out. Bold Rock did a really generous cider trade with my grandfather’s winery (Rebec) a bit back. It was really appreciated and tasty.
GTI Sprinks
> Conan
04/18/2016 at 21:08 |
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Are they in Nelson County proper? Great driving area. I'm in Charlottesville proper myself and love getting out that direction. Also, highly recommend the champion and three notched brewery beverages to round out the quintessential blue Ridge area beer list.
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Conan
> GTI Sprinks
04/18/2016 at 21:13 |
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They’re in the northern end of Amherst County by my grandfather’s winery so right on the edge of Nelson. I love driving to all the little mountains in Nelson and up to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Amherst as well as wandering all over the back roads in both counties.
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interstate366, now In The Industry
> Conan
04/18/2016 at 21:28 |
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Yeah, there are a few towns like that around here. I live in one (Colonial Heights, which is really just a result of bored police) and close to another (Hopewell, home to the infamous I-295 speed trap). Chesterfield County only goes after you if you’re stanced, and the other cities and counties in the greater Richmond area don’t really care unless you’re doing something totally egregious.
MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
> interstate366, now In The Industry
04/19/2016 at 08:12 |
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I was at Wild Wolf on Saturday after our blue ridge cruise. Try their seasonal flight, there’s some great stuff in there. They have a ginger beer that’s to die for.
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interstate366, now In The Industry
> MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
04/19/2016 at 08:31 |
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Thanks, I’ll hit them up next time I’m out that way. Also, I’ll have to check out one of your meets since I own a few old Preludes.