If you happen to be traveling out of state before the holidays, maybe I can help you find something special for the beer-geek who thinks they’ve tasted everything.
As you should know by now, West Virginians are all but required to spend their hard earned beer money out of state, especially if they want to buy any of the countless world class beers that are considered illegal in this state. Thankfully many are available just over our border in the free states of Ohio and Kentucky.
What to buy? Personally I am a big fan of Belgian specialty ales as most are packaged in corked 750ml bottles, which makes them especially nice to give as gifts instead of clunky six-packs. This is one area where something from the wine world can be useful. Most wine shops or any store that sells gift wrapping will also sell very decorative gift bags designed for wine bottles, but beer-filled 750’s will fill the bag just as well. The beer inside the bottle is also usually very good (it’s a Belgian thing).
Where to Buy? The answer is simple. Just about anywhere outside of West Virginia. Yeah, I know that you have seen a beer called “Witches Brew” sitting on the shelf at some local beer stores for nearly twenty bucks a bottle. We should really boycott such beer and not cave in for convenience (Click for details). So in good old fashioned Soviet Style, erase that one from your history books as it doesn’t exist. (Readers are encouraged to post their favorite beer store in the comments section)
The closest place to buy contraband beer is just 10 minutes drive from downtown Huntington over in South Point, Ohio. The place is called Leo’s. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the beer on the inside makes up for it. (Click here for a map)
There are a few shops in the Marietta Ohio area right on First Avenue; scattered around in the antique district. While you’re there, be sure to stop in and see Kelly Sauber at Marietta Brewing Company (He is the guy in the rubber boots). Kelly’s beers are good, so you should try one and maybe even buy a growler to-go. Ashland Beverage in Ashland Kentucky usually has a few good beers mixed in with a wide range of macro products.
Here are a few of my favorites available this time of year. (Not all of them Belgian)
Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw (Brouwerij Het Anker-Belgium) – This beer is brewed once a year on February 24th to celebrate the birthday of King Charles the 5th. A few of us local beer geeks were in attendance during the brewing session for 2008! The beer is a very rich and strong (11%) version of traditional Flemish ale that’s balanced toward sweet rather than sour and able to cellar age for up to 10 years.
Stille Nacht (Silent Night) (De Dolle Brouwers-Belgium)- This is a strong Dark ale that is brewed for the Christmas season. It packs 12.5% alcohol along with a potpourri of fruit flavors including apricot and dried fruits, balanced with hops and acidity from the fermentation. This beer also ages well if stored at cellar temperature.
N’ice Chouffe (Brasserie Achouffe-Belgium)- Those familiar with Belgium will know by the French spelling that this beer hails from Belgium’s Wallonian region in the south. This beer is also a seasonal beer, like the above mentioned beers, is brewed strong and rich instead of being over-spiced. This beer will definitely tend toward sweet end of the balance spectrum and makes an excellent beer to pair with dessert. Flavors like banana and apricot will be subtle but evident. Drink this one when you buy it.
Quelque Chose (Unibroue – Canada) – The name translates from French as “Something” and is often used idiomatically; like we would use “That’s really something else”. The beer is simply described as ale brewed with cherries. I have had mixed luck with this beer. I have found bottles with little or no carbonation and others that were delightful. I don’t think the goal here is to be as bubbly as champagne, but some carbonation helps. This beer is really something else, and it will spark conversation. Try it with venison tenderloin, sheep’s milk cheese or an almond tort.
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Queleque Chose is actually better when the bottle is gently warmed and served like a mulled wine. Carbonation just gets in the way when it’s served this way.
Delerium Noel, the Xmas version of Delerium Tremens (you know, the belgian with the pink elephants on the bottle) is always worth a shot.
Xmas also brings us Anchor Christmas Ale, Great Lakes Christmas, and Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, none of which are available in W. by-god Va. Anchor and Great Lakes are spiced red ales, what most of us think of when we think holiday beer, while the SN Celebration is an uber-hopped IPA. Always, and I mean ALWAYS, worth getting a couple of sixes. All are available at Leo’s or, if you know someone heading that way, at most PA distributors. SNCA is only $28 a case in most PA areas; a six at Leo’s usually goes near $9, but worth every penny.
The House of Wines (http://www.houseofwines.com/index.htm) in Marietta is a good beer destination too. Decent selection, often with products from Avery, Great Divide, and Three Floyds. It’s a couple of miles outside “downtown” Marietta so google map it first.
Thanks for the comments Rob. I have never tried the warmed version of QC, but I have heard those recommendations. Ipersonally am not a big fan of warm ciders or Wassail,so I guess that’s why I never did the warm QC thing;though it would definitely be interesting to try at a holiday party.
Leo’s Update:
So I get all enthused and head over to Leo’s this afternoon. None of the beers I mentioned above are there, even though the manager told me just before Thanksgiving that all would be in by now. There are some Xmas beers but few worth making a separate trip. However, all is not lost.
First, Leo’s now carries Troeg Brewing products (which means we might get Nugget Nectar in two months, the Best Beer Ever). That also means Mad Elf Xmas Ale and Troegenator Doppelbock are in. Worth a trip themselves.
Second, several examples of my favorite winter seasonal – the Imperial Russian Stout – are in.
Ignorant Silver Bullet/Miller Lite drinkers often scoff at Guinness for being “too heavy” simply because it’s black when, ironically, it’s lighter by both gravity and ABV than almost all adjunct (re: American) lagers. Well, IRSes ARE heavy. Big, enormous beers, black as coal, high in alcohol, and bigger in flavor. The style STARTS at 8% and goes up from there. If you like stouts or porters and are looking to trade up to the big time, an Imp’y Stout is the way to go. Leo’s has several excellent choices in stock right now.
As I write this I’m drinking a Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout. 10% ABV and powerfully flavorful. It was $9.40 after tax for the six and worth every cent. Avery Brewing’s Czar is in stock in 22oz bomber bottles; no price on that. Flying Dog’s Gonzo Porter – a Baltic Porter, the sister style to the IRS – is available by 12oz bottle or in a nifty (if pricey, $14.99) mixed box of 8 7oz bottles of big dogs – Gonzo, Double Dog, Horn Dog, and whatever dumb-ass name they call their Tripel. Good Xmas/Hanukkah gift sampler pack for a beer lover in your life.
And finally, the Victory Storm King. Storm King is my hands-down favorite in this category. And it gets better and better with ageing. I’ve got some ’06s and they’re fricking spectacular. I picked up some ’08s to cellar but will probably crack one upon later tonight.
There are others too, worth the journey down I-64 and US-52. And for the person who asked about cider, they’ve got some Longbow, an English Dry Pub Cider that’s very good. Just bring cash ’cause no credit cards are accepted. It’s an Ohio law or something. Apparently, stupid alcohol laws are not limited to the 304.
Rob, excellent field intelligence…
As for the alcohol laws, did you know that in WV, the wholesalers must be paid in cash when they deliver beer? That’s really great for those operating a cash biz. I wonder how much income tax evasion goes on? And it’s a wonder more beer truck drivers arent picked-off…
Speaking of Ohio, Great Lakes Christmas Ale is a fine seasonal offering that many will enjoy.
I definitely want to second Rob’s vote for the House of Wines in Devola (outside Marrietta). I don’t know the guy’s name that works there/runs the place, but he is very knowledgable about beer and wine. (imagine that…) Oh, and Rob the dumb-ass name that Flying Dog calls its tripel is Kerberos. I believe it is a mythical 3 headed dog-like beast (reference to 3/tripel and a dog). Hope you enjoy that little tidbit next time you’re enjoying a drink. ; )
It is the Guard dog for the underworld. Greek/Roman mythology.
Don’t forget to refill your bellies & growlers at the Marrietta Brewing company. Right across the street from the Wine Shop. Leo’s is slacking in Belgians, huh. Not much of a Troegs fan. They’re OK. I may have to go to Leos to check out the other beers & Ciders. Not sure if the cash only is a law or small business practice.
I crawled out long enough to see if I had a shadow…too soon? O’K, how about Merry Christmas & I really miss you guys. I still have books looking to go home & a wine cask looking for a starring role in the next episode of “adventures in brewing”. I’m headed to VA next week. What tasty seasonal should I scare up for the trip home?