Archive for June, 2009

Former Old Dominion Brewers to Open New Brewery

As mentioned in the previous post, Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia, both formerly of Old Dominion Brewing, have joined up to open a new brewery in Northern Virginia. The pair were at this weekend’s Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest to promote their new venture. Here is the press release that was being distributed at the NOVA Brewfest.

Old Crew, New Brew
Local Brewmasters Team Up to Open M. A. Hagerman Brewing Company

Leesburg, Virginia, June 27, 2009 – Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia, formerly brewers for Ashburn VA’s Old Dominion Brewing Company are planning a fourth quarter 2009 opening of a new Brewery in Ashburn. M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company intends to build on the rich brewing tradition created by Old Dominion Brewing Company. “Our goal is to provide this supportive Northern Virginia and D.C. community with high quality craft beers that local beer lovers have come to expect from us,” said Favio Garcia, Old Dominion’s former Brewmaster. “We plan to produce high quality kegged and bottled beer, as well as Root Beer and other sodas.”

The Company will house two distinct brands: Rhino Chasers™ Brewing Company and later, Catoctin Brewing Company. Hagerman and Garcia plan four different styles of beer under Rhino Chasers: a wheat beer (Under Toe Wheat), a pale ale (Riptide Pale Ale), an imperial India pale ale (Shark Tooth LPA), and a stout (Black Fin Stout). Catoctin Brewing Company will produce three core beers: a lager (Revolution), a red ale (Cardinal Red Ale), and an oak barrel aged stout (Dogwood Stout). The Company offerings also include a variety of seasonal ‘limited releases’ and sodas.

Rhino chasers are big wave surfers on a continuous journey for the next perfect wave. We, at M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company, are on a similar journey to create enjoyable beers while preserving the laid back and creative attitude of the Rhino Chaser surfer.

“The local community has been very supportive of a micro brewery in the area,” said Hagerman, M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company’s founder and President. “It has always been my aspiration to create high quality beer through a local, independent brewery.” Hagerman and Garcia are in negotiations for a local space, and they are actively raising funding from local investors by selling company membership interests through a private placement offering.

Follow us online (coming soon!) at: www.rhinochasersbeer.com

For more information about M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company contact:

Matthew Hagerman
M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company +1 703.727.9087
live2brew@gmail.com

Exciting news indeed. These brewers have many friends and fans in the area who are undoubtably looking forward to the new brewery opening.

Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest

The Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest took place this weekend, June 27-29, in Leesburg, Virginia. I headed out to Leesburg Saturday morning to spend the afternoon at the festival. I arrived just as the gates were opening so I was able to make a tour around the grounds prior to the crowds arriving, to get a sense of what was available. My plan was to try out only beers that I had not had, or don’t remember having, previously. The lone exception to that was Bill Madden’s Wee Heavy that was the stealth beer being poured at the Vintage 50 tent. (It’s just too good to pass up.) The Wee Heavy was my leadoff beer for the festival.

Next, I ran into “Dr. Joel” Armato from New Holland Brewing. Joel recommended that I try the New Holland Existential Ale. This big beer is a Barleywine or Double IPA, depending on who you ask. Plenty of citrus hops a big malt backbone. The alcohol level is noticeable, but really comes across as flavor, rather than a burn. Unfortunately Existential is not being bottled. I’ll have to look for it on draft, or perhaps at the World Beer Festival – Richmond. The Existential might just qualify as my pick for my favorite beer of the festival.

Next up, Mountaineer Brewing Pale Ale, followed by 21st Amendment Brew Free! or Die IPA. The Mountaineer Pale Ale was a lightly hopped, drinkable ale. The 21st Amendment IPA was not as highly hopped as I had expected. Unfortunately, I also sensed a bit of sour, off-flavor in the sample, so I do want to try this again. (I understand the cans are now available locally.) I paired the IPA with a bowl of Chili Mac from Hard Time Café

I then moved on to a couple of very nice dark beers, the first being Williamsburg AleWerks Coffeehouse Stout. This a smooth, moderately light, stout with hints of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. I followed the stout with Sweetwater Chipotle Porter. The porter has a very enjoyable kick of pepper with a hint of smoke in the flavor.

As noted in a previous post, there were to be a number of fresh casks available at the festival. Unfortunately for my schedule, these weren’t being tapped until later in the afternoon. I had to leave mid-afternoon for another engagement so I missed most of them. The first cask I saw tapped was Bell’s Amber Ale. This was a pleasant, slightly sweet, red ale and refreshing in the midday sun.

After a break for some water and a rest in the shade, I headed over the the Allagash tent to see if their cask offering was available. It was not, so I opted for a glass of Allagash Four, and I wasn’t disappointed. This dark brown Quadrupel gave off aromas of dark fruit and sweet malt. The flavor was more of the same, with a bit of citrus tartness in the finish. Certainly another high point of the festival.

I spied Bob Tupper over at the St. George Brewing tent and went over to say hello and have a taste of the new-again Tuppers’ Hop Pocket Ale. There was a good sized crowd around the St. George tent as folks are very excited about the prospect of drinking the Tuppers’ beers again. The beer being poured at the festival is from the initial, and only, batch of Hop Pocket Ale made at St. George so far. Bob and Ellie Tupper were joyfully getting feedback from folks on the new beer and there was a lot of “buzz” around the tent. I thought the Hop Pocket Ale was quite tasty and enjoyed the citrus and floral hop flavors and aromas. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this beer back on the store shelves. You can read the latest news about Tuppers’ here.

Just as I was about to head out, I spied Tom Cizauskas at the Clipper City tent hooking up their cask of Loose Cannon. I stopped to watch him work and hopefully get a chance to say hello. As soon as he finished that task, Tom was informed that the Flying Dog cask was not pouring properly. He grabbed his bag of tools and supplies and moved to the next tent. Quite quickly, the issue was solved and the beer flowed. Next, he was off to tap a fresh cask of Brooklyn Blast. I decided to delay my departure a bit as this was one of the beers I was looking forward to trying. Tom was a whirlwind of activity, and didn’t slow down even as it was realized that a needed fitting was not on hand. No matter, out came the duct tape and someone proclaimed Tom “the McGyver of beer.” In short order The Blast was flowing and I was treated to the first pour of this hoppy Double IPA. It was certainly worth the wait.

The festival wasn’t only about the beers that that were being poured. There was plenty of news about things to come. Clipper City had 22 ounce bottles of their new Big DIPA on display. The first beer in the brewery’s Heavy Seas Bomber Series will be appearing on shelves later this month. A new brewery with a display was Holy Brew Liquid Confession. They had six-packs of their two beers on hand, Heavenly Light and Purgatory Pilsner. However licensing details were not completed in time to allow sampling at the festival.

Finally, and this is may be the most exciting news of the festival, former Old Dominion brewers Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia are opening M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company later this year in Ashburn, Virginia. They’ve purchased some of the Old Dominion brewhouse equipment and are currently looking for a suitable location. The Company will house two distinct brands: Rhino Chasers™ Brewing Company and later, Catoctin Brewing Company. I’ll post more details about the M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company tomorrow.

The weather on Saturday was perfect. It got very warm later in the afternoon, but still quite pleasant for enjoying friends and fine beer. The Northern Virginia Brewfest is well-organized with numerous regional breweries in attendance. The crowds are large but the festival is laid out with plenty of room for everyone. The next festival will be in the Fall. Make plans to attend the Northern Virginia Brewfest, October 24-25.

I’ve posted some pictures from the event here.

Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest

The Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest took place this weekend, June 27-29, in Leesburg, Virginia. I headed out to Leesburg Saturday morning to spend the afternoon at the festival. I arrived just as the gates were opening so I was able to make a tour around the grounds prior to the crowds arriving, to get a sense of what was available. My plan was to try out only beers that I had not had, or don’t remember having, previously. The lone exception to that was Bill Madden’s Wee Heavy that was the stealth beer being poured at the Vintage 50 tent. (It’s just too good to pass up.) The Wee Heavy was my leadoff beer for the festival.

Next, I ran into “Dr. Joel” Armato from New Holland Brewing. Joel recommended that I try the New Holland Existential Ale. This big beer is a Barleywine or Double IPA, depending on who you ask. Plenty of citrus hops a big malt backbone. The alcohol level is noticeable, but really comes across as flavor, rather than a burn. Unfortunately Existential is not being bottled. I’ll have to look for it on draft, or perhaps at the World Beer Festival – Richmond. The Existential might just qualify as my pick for my favorite beer of the festival.

Next up, Mountaineer Brewing Pale Ale, followed by 21st Amendment Brew Free! or Die IPA. The Mountaineer Pale Ale was a lightly hopped, drinkable ale. The 21st Amendment IPA was not as highly hopped as I had expected. Unfortunately, I also sensed a bit of sour, off-flavor in the sample, so I do want to try this again. (I understand the cans are now available locally.) I paired the IPA with a bowl of Chili Mac from Hard Time Café

I then moved on to a couple of very nice dark beers, the first being Williamsburg AleWerks Coffeehouse Stout. This a smooth, moderately light, stout with hints of roasted coffee and dark chocolate. I followed the stout with Sweetwater Chipotle Porter. The porter has a very enjoyable kick of pepper with a hint of smoke in the flavor.

As noted in a previous post, there were to be a number of fresh casks available at the festival. Unfortunately for my schedule, these weren’t being tapped until later in the afternoon. I had to leave mid-afternoon for another engagement so I missed most of them. The first cask I saw tapped was Bell’s Amber Ale. This was a pleasant, slightly sweet, red ale and refreshing in the midday sun.

After a break for some water and a rest in the shade, I headed over the the Allagash tent to see if their cask offering was available. It was not, so I opted for a glass of Allagash Four, and I wasn’t disappointed. This dark brown Quadrupel gave off aromas of dark fruit and sweet malt. The flavor was more of the same, with a bit of citrus tartness in the finish. Certainly another high point of the festival.

I spied Bob Tupper over at the St. George Brewing tent and went over to say hello and have a taste of the new-again Tuppers’ Hop Pocket Ale. There was a good sized crowd around the St. George tent as folks are very excited about the prospect of drinking the Tuppers’ beers again. The beer being poured at the festival is from the initial, and only, batch of Hop Pocket Ale made at St. George so far. Bob and Ellie Tupper were joyfully getting feedback from folks on the new beer and there was a lot of “buzz” around the tent. I thought the Hop Pocket Ale was quite tasty and enjoyed the citrus and floral hop flavors and aromas. I’m very much looking forward to seeing this beer back on the store shelves. You can read the latest news about Tuppers’ here.

Just as I was about to head out, I spied Tom Cizauskas at the Clipper City tent hooking up their cask of Loose Cannon. I stopped to watch him work and hopefully get a chance to say hello. As soon as he finished that task, Tom was informed that the Flying Dog cask was not pouring properly. He grabbed his bag of tools and supplies and moved to the next tent. Quite quickly, the issue was solved and the beer flowed. Next, he was off to tap a fresh cask of Brooklyn Blast. I decided to delay my departure a bit as this was one of the beers I was looking forward to trying. Tom was a whirlwind of activity, and didn’t slow down even as it was realized that a needed fitting was not on hand. No matter, out came the duct tape and someone proclaimed Tom “the McGyver of beer.” In short order The Blast was flowing and I was treated to the first pour of this hoppy Double IPA. It was certainly worth the wait.

The festival wasn’t only about the beers that that were being poured. There was plenty of news about things to come. Clipper City had 22 ounce bottles of their new Big DIPA on display. The first beer in the brewery’s Heavy Seas Bomber Series will be appearing on shelves later this month. A new brewery with a display was Holy Brew Liquid Confession. They had six-packs of their two beers on hand, Heavenly Light and Purgatory Pilsner. However licensing details were not completed in time to allow sampling at the festival.

Finally, and this is may be the most exciting news of the festival, former Old Dominion brewers Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia are opening M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company later this year in Ashburn, Virginia. They’ve purchased some of the Old Dominion brewhouse equipment and are currently looking for a suitable location. The Company will house two distinct brands: Rhino Chasers™ Brewing Company and later, Catoctin Brewing Company. I’ll post more details about the M.A. Hagerman Brewing Company tomorrow.

The weather on Saturday was perfect. It got very warm later in the afternoon, but still quite pleasant for enjoying friends and fine beer. The Northern Virginia Brewfest is well-organized with numerous regional breweries in attendance. The crowds are large but the festival is laid out with plenty of room for everyone. The next festival will be in the Fall. Make plans to attend the Northern Virginia Brewfest, October 24-25.

I’ve posted some pictures from the event here.

Drink Wisely on beerconnoisseur.com

I’m proud to announce that yours truly is now a writer and blog personality at the brand spankin’ new beerconnoisseur.com website. This slick new site is the precursor to the publication of the inaugural issue of Beer Connoisseur Magazine, slated for first publication in November 2009. I’m excited to be a part of this new endeavor and look forward to contributing to the site and magazine as the “beer Styles” guy.

Vacation and BrewLocal

Garrett Oliver Book Signing at Wegmans

The “Garrett Oliver Tour” in Fredericksburg just keeps getting bigger and better. The Brooklyn Beer Dinner at Capital Ale House on June 30 sold out quickly. Capital Ale House then added a Beer and Cheese Tasting with Garrett, to take place right before the dinner. Tickets are still available for that event. I’ve just learned that, prior to the beer and cheese event, the Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster will be signing copies of his book, The Brewmaster’s Table, at the new Fredericksburg Wegmans. The book signing will take place 4:30 – 6:30 PM on June 30.

Details on the Garrett Oliver Book signing at Wegmans here.

Lemon Pepper Single

As I’ve alluded to in a couple previous posts, I’ve been seeing a wonderful girl (Audrey) for the last few months. One of our joint interest is a passion for both food and drink. She may not be as much of a nerd as I am when it comes to beer, but she certainly enjoys it (especially Belgians). As I have gotten her to geek out a bit more in return she has been getting me into running… once every couple weeks.

A couple months back she invited me to go down to the Outer Banks for a long weekend with her family. I thought it would be a good idea to bring some homebrew (and homemade goat cheese) to help win them over. We decided to brew something that would go well with the seafood we were sure to eat down there. We struck upon the idea of doing a pale Belgian ale with plenty of wheat and spiced with lemon zest and black pepper.

The malt bill was pretty simple, pils, wheat malt, and Munich plus a touch of cara-10 to keep it from being too dry. For hops we went for moderate bitterness with Glacier (which has some lemony aspects to its flavor). We added the spices at flameout to preserve their aroma (we went easy on the amounts knowing we could add more later). After reading the yeast descriptions she liked the sound of White Labs 550 (Belgian Ale Yeast originally from Achouffe), it is a pretty mellow yeast, and I fermented it cool to further mellow the character since we wanted it to have broad appeal.

Last weekend we were down there and the beer went over well with her family (and luckily so did I).

Tasting 6/24/09

Appearance – Cloudy golden-orange (it clears as it warms indicating chill-haze). Nice two finger white head, retention is moderate at best. When it sank the head became clumpy, certainly reminiscent of the coagulated protein flakes I saw in the boil.

Smell – There is a complex spice aroma with clove, citrus, pepper, and coriander. It is hard to tell what is actually from the spices and what is just yeast derived. As it warms the smell turns yeastier, like fresh dough.

Taste – The flavor has similar spice notes to the nose, but it is enhanced by a solid bready malt backbone. It is a bit sweeter than I wanted, just .25 lbs of crystal may have been too much. More bitterness could also help to cut through the sweetness as well.

Mouthfeel – Not as carbonated as I intended, closer to a bottled British beer (~2 volumes). As a result the body seems thicker than ideal for a moderate gravity Belgian.

Drinkability & Notes – It is a solid beer, but it is not as dry/crisp as I was aiming for. This is partly a result of the lower carbonation, but I think the crystal malt is also partly to blame. I am happy that the spicing plays with the yeast, I don’t think I would change the amounts if I brewed it again.

OBX Seafood Ale (Lemon Pepper Single)

0.25 lbs. Crystal 10L

A Few Spanish Reds, and Then It’s Off to Spain

I had the privilege recently of having lunch with Pablo Álvarez, the general director, and Xavier Ausás, the technical director, of Vega Sicilia, the great Spanish estate in Ribera del Duero. They were in New York briefly to discuss arrangements for an auction to be held this fall at Sotheby’s, and it was a great opportunity to get together to taste a few wines

Blue & Gray Brewery Closing, Temporarily

The move is on! The Blue & Gray Brewing Company will close its manufacturing and retail operations in their current location at 3321 Dill Smith Drive in Fredericksburg on Saturday, June 27th at 5pm. They will re-open at the new location, 3300 Dill Smith Drive, on Friday July 3rd for their “Value & Values Weekend”. On Friday evening, July 3rd, the celebration, from 4-10pm, will include live entertainment, and an outdoor kitchen with a preview of the brewery’s future pub food. They’ll also have a pie-eating contest and a corn-shucking contest. The winner of each gets to eat and drink for free all day the next day during the 4th of July celebration.

More information on the celebratory events will be coming soon. You can also see some pictures and news of the brewery moving process at Blue & Gray’s Facebook page.

Blue & Gray Brewery Closing

But don’t worry! It’s only temporary.

The move is on! The Blue & Gray Brewing Company will close its manufacturing and retail operations in their current location at 3321 Dill Smith Drive in Fredericksburg on Saturday, June 27th at 5pm. They will re-open at the new location, 3300 Dill Smith Drive, on Friday July 3rd for their “Value & Values Weekend”. On Friday evening, July 3rd, the celebration, from 4-10pm, will include live entertainment, and an outdoor kitchen with a preview of the brewery’s future pub food. They’ll also have a pie-eating contest and a corn-shucking contest. The winner of each gets to eat and drink for free all day the next day during the 4th of July celebration.

More information on the celebratory events will be coming soon. You can also see some pictures and news of the brewery moving process at Blue & Gray’s Facebook page.