It’s a real testament to craft beer and a really positive note for PA as we see yet another great craft brewery start distribution in our area. Prior to the last few weeks only some limited markets in Virginia were able to taste the beers we sampled today, and I’m excited to report not only are they now available in PA, but they’re really good as well.
Blue Mountain Brewery comes to us from Afton Virginia where it was started in 2007. The brewery has a restaurant and brewpub with some great outdoor space as well as something unique…a hop farm! With the desire to return Virginia to it’s former glory when it was considered the hop capital of the world, Blue Mountain currently has 400 Rhizomes of Cascade Hops and 100 Rhizomes of Centennial hops growing at the brewery. As if that’s not enough…the first 150-pounds harvested each year go into a special fresh Hop Harvest celebration beer and much of the remaining hops are used in their Full Nelson Pale Ale.
With a name like a pro-wrestler, brewmaster Taylor Smack co-founded Blue Mountain Brewery after attending the Seibel Institute and brewing with Goose Island in Chicago at their brewpubs. Taylor not only does some really unique and award winning beers, but he also manages to do something even more special. Through the Blue Mountain Barrel House (founded in 2011), Taylor Double Thread brews, splitting the mash into two smaller kettles to make two different beers…many of which are then barrel-aged. If I mentioned that one of his brews is named Double Barrel Aged Chocolate Cherry Bourbon Stout would you be interested? I know I am.
Of course we sampled beer on the show today with Taylor. Up First was Kolsch 151. Named after Route 151 in Virginia, this beer is a classic Kolsch style lager that is clean, drinkable and it has a really crisp finish that will make you want more. A perfect summer beer and I suspect it’s only a matter of time before we see this one hit cans.
We also sampled Dark Hollow. This Imperial Stout is aged in American oak bourbon barrels “still dripping with uncut whisky” for 100 days and you can certainly taste it. The flavor is big and bold and at 10%, so is the ABV. This beer is bottle conditioned, so if you can get your hands on one, lay it down for a few years and see how much better it gets. I really enjoyed this beer and Taylor should be proud of the complexity and depth this beer has.
Be sure to get out tonight (7/19) from 5-7PM at Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer to check out the Blue Mountain Brewery Tasting event and welcome Blue Mountain Brewery beers into PA.
Thank you to Taylor Smack from Blue Mountain, John & Joe for yet another
fun Friday (we miss you Nancy).
The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together. As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.
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Co-founder and brewmaster at Blue Mountain Brewery, Taylor Smack is the winner of the 'Best Brewers Name' award on the WILK Friday Beer Buzz for 2013. (Well he would be if we had that award.)
ReplyDeleteHe's also the winner of 'The Guy Who Made Two Excellent Beers That We Featured Today' award! Kolsch 151, PERFECT hot weather beer. 5.0 ABV means you can have enough to quench your thirst without waking up with a sunburn four hours later wondering what happened. Now the Dark Hollow, delicious but not something you can get into without a plan. lol
Anyway, great beers, great guest, thanks Taylor, thanks Bill from MyBeerBuzz.com, and as always thanks to you for listening!
Best,
John
webster@wilknewsradio.com
Great show I love the name Taylor Smack!
ReplyDeleteJan
Krugels tonight. Check!
ReplyDeleteBob
PS I want to try Full Nelson
OK I'm interested in the Kolsch. Why is it called 151?
ReplyDeleteMark
Mark...I think it is named for Rt 151 in VA.
ReplyDeleteAhh! I get it. What are they sampling at Krugels tonight???
ReplyDeleteK
They are sampling Full Nelson Pale Ale from Blue Mountain...named I believe for Nelson County VA where the brewery is.
ReplyDeleteExcellent show. I really enjoy seeing the new breweries who all want to come to PA. That's 2 in 2 weeks I believe correct?
ReplyDeleteGem
Gem. Yes both last week's brewery Starr Hill and this weeks Blue Mountain are in VA (about 10 miles apart) and BOTH are new to PA. We launched both of their first PA tastings so it's very exciting to see.
ReplyDeleteCount me in for the tasting. I buy the beer you guys do every week so this one sounded really good. Cheers to Taylor Smack.
ReplyDeleteChris
Nice show!
ReplyDeleteIt was a really nice mix to see both a can and coked bottle form the same brewery. Both good beers?
ReplyDeleteJenna
Yes Jenna. I think the Dark Hollow was my favorite but they were both good beers and yes the diversity of packaging coming from the same brewery was great
ReplyDeleteI tried last weeks beer and I liked it. Starr Hill Grateful! I always try what you guys say to try so now I want to taste the Dark Hollow. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteTex F
I just bought a bottle! its getting cold for tonight so I'll let you know. Marcus
ReplyDeleteLet us know what you think of Dark Hollow Marcus.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one buying every week's beers from the WILK show. I plan to hit Krugel's tonight to sample Blue Mtn. Thom
ReplyDeleteI usually do the Georgetown Deli tastings when it's your beer of the day so I'll be there tonight. I hit some of the others too but I know when it's on the beer buzz it's got to be a good one. Ray
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. We always recommend trying the beers at the weekly Friday night Krugel's Georgetown Deli samplings so be sure to get out tonight to try the PA debut of Blue Mountain brewery.
ReplyDeleteFUll Nelson comes in cans?
ReplyDeleteMexS
Correct Mexs. I believe it also comes in bottles, but is definitely in cans. Try it tonight at Krugel's.
ReplyDeleteWe really had a blast talking to the man with one of the best names in brewing...Taylor Smack from Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, VA is really making some great beers and we especially enjoyed the Dark Hollow barrel-aged Imperial Stout. Thanks Taylor!
ReplyDeleteYou guys have too much fun on the show. When can I visit the studio for the live show? Amy
ReplyDeleteWe still haven't worked out the studio audience thing Amy but you can check out our video!
ReplyDeletewilknewsradio.com or
ReplyDeletefridaybeerbuzz.com
Thanks to the Beer Buzz guys and thanks to you all for your enthusiasm!Blue Mountain loves PA! Cheers, -Taylor Smack
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