Drink In Williamsburg, session notes from the Rogue.

"About four o’clock in the morning, we descried the Land of Virginia. The same day we entered into the Bay of Chesupioc [Chesapeake] directly, without any let or hindrance. There we landed and discovered [explored] a little way, but we could find nothing worth the speaking of, but fair meadows and goodly tall Trees, with such Fresh-waters running through the woods, as I was almost ravished at the first sight thereof."

-the Honorable George Percy aboard the Susan Constant, Jamestown: 1607, The First Months.
         L-R: The 40-ton Godspeed, 16-ton Discovery, and 120-ton Susan Constant tied to their final mooring.
                                                           Jamestown, VA 10/19/2019.

   Autumn trip to Virginia's tidewater region. Look forward to it every year. Sometimes I wondered if my Wife wasn't gettin' tired of it, but she had suggested it...honestly, she seems to enjoy it as much as me. I really get stoked about the history of the area, it's proximity to the waters of the Atlantic and Chesapeake, and the whole craft beer scene of the Triangle. Of course. Post kinda ended up leaning in this direction. A beeline to Merchants Square upon cracking Williamsburg's borders. Ravaged the samples at the Peanut Shop. Poked around the Williamsburg craft stores. Did my tour of the Hair of the DoG (Duke of Gloucester) Bottle Shop. Picked up a few cans of savory Virginia peanuts, a couple of gifts, colonial beers brewed by Alewerks, and of course, a sixer of various other local suds. 

The Peanut Shop...the
samples always have
us walking away with a

few cans.

Missed out on The Cheese Shop this trip. Have quite the
beer selection in their basement. A "next trip" destination.

Beer for sample and purchase. Shelves of beer, and
a draft room in the corner. Hair of the DoG Bottle Shop.

The Virginia beer scene rocks year 'round, but this time of year some choice heavies, darks, and stouts are a must have. Virginia tidewater area breweries do a great job. No better time to sample 'em then when visiting the
Williamsburg historic area. Speaking of, Duke of Gloucester Street. America's "most historical avenue." The great street. The main drag. Had to do it. Plenty of buildings of historical significance. Taverns too. Could feel the presence, the footsteps, of our country's founders nearly 300 years ago as they walked the streets, ale in hand. 

Alewerks' Virginia Small Beer.

Commonly brewed in the home.

Poured a clear amber with

a finger thick head. Aromas of 
wheat, grains, and spice. Sweet
molasses and peppery spice in
the taste. Light bitterness in
the finish. Fair brew. 5% ABV.
25 IBUs. Rated a B-. 

John Blair Kitchen and Garden

Blaikley House and Shop

Bryan House

Taliaferro-Cole Shop (Harnessmaker-Saddler)

Greenhow Lumber House and Store

Shoemaker's Shop

Greenhow Tenement and Brick Office

An Oatmeal Stout. Elbow
 Patches from Virginia Beer
 Company. Deep mahogany
pour with a 2-finger dark
tan head. Some char and
dark roasted malt in the
 nose. Thick with coffee
 and dark chocolate in the
flavor. Oats provided a
 creaminess to balance the
roast of the malts. Not
overly bitter at 26 IBUs.
 6.2% ABV. Rated an A-.

Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg's cornerstone.

     Headed on over to Jamestown. Racing the sunset. An unseen settlement, with a brewery in need of sampling. Never been there. The brewery, or Jamestown. Explored through to the Island. Traveled the Isthmus to Jamestown Island. Stopped at the entrance. Sun was dropping. Ferry had left.

Jamestown-Scotland Ferry

 Brewery waiting. Billsburg Brewery on the Harbor. Comfortable taproom with outdoor deck overlooking the harbor, and a food truck in the lot. Did a flight of four. The lighter beers were bland, but the Oatmeal Porter Nitro at 5.8% and the Tourist Trap Hazy IPA at 7.1%...both bad-ass brews.

Tasting deck.

Billsburg's Tourist Trap

NE hazy IPA. Golden
haze pour with a finger-
plus white head. Pine-

apple citrus aroma.
Taste of resinous pine

and telltale grape-

fruit hop bitterness.

Dangerously refreshing.

Rated an A.

Judge on call.

Toasted the night (and day) at Craft-31. Thirty brews on tap with oysters on the half shell, and a craft burger to pair. Nice. The pooch comes along on some of these trips. An extra judge. Burger got 'im. Gonna say that made him bias (not much of a beer drinker).

   Finished the ride Sunday. Carved our way through an old fashioned Virginia breakfast. Outlet stores. Coffee. Started in a downpour. Finished with the sun peaking out as we crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel back to the Peninsula. Great run.

Storm clouds clearing over the mouth of the Chesapeake.  Choppy point break, Fisherman Island. 10/20/2019