Double Simco (Weyerbacher Brewing)

    I got caught up in a bit of whaling again on June 12th, when a total wine manager posted a picture of an anniversary ale by Bruery. A beer in fact that we thought didn't make it outside the walls of the brewery, let alone the state of California. It is rare that I catch these in Richmond, and I missed by a mile last time I tried, but I enjoy the chase. I tore down Parham rd. and to my surprise, I got one. It will probably be quite some time before I blog about it, but I assure you I am cellaring a Bois as we speak.
   Well all the excitement made me thirsty. I also browsed the large bottle selection in the cooler, which is lacking, and settled upon this $8.99 double IPA. The price and quality are incredible, then I began to have some concerns about freshness. How old is this 11% ABV unfiltered brute? Who cares, it's not really that kind of IPA. I am sure when it is fresh it has some subtle earthy notes. This beer is more like a meal. Look at the head on that thing!
    Weyerbacher is a brewery that started in 1995. They are known best for this beer and the insanity.  They are descendent from german immigrants and brew big beers. Weyerbacher brewing is based out of Pennsylvania, spawned from a home brewing back ground. There are a lot of breweries in PA, and it is definitely something I would like to check out some day or just visit online. http://weyerbacher.com/

Strangeways Brewing (Richmond, Va.)

    It is about that time. The time of the year when all of the breweries that you've been following through out the paperwork process want to open their doors to the public. The weather is right to push the over flow out into the parking lot. Strangeways was the first of these breweries to pop this spring.

64oz of Albino Monkey (Belgian Wit)

    This brewery is now the closest to my house. According to google maps it is 3.2 miles away in the industrial park where Loveland distributing is (slight chuckle). Strangeways, like Midnight brewing has two parcels in a strip of business. The atmosphere inside is that of a freak show or carnival with bright colors and off the wall monkey pictures everywhere. They have a full line of merchandise already, including shirts, hats, patches, stickers, growlers, and growler bags. The graphics for the printed material are very pink floydesque, gas mask, mono chromatic. 

    The intentions of the owner are kept close to the chest. I am told they do not plan on having big brewery events but will organize  distribution events at bars when new beers come along. This past Thursday they released a honey saison that was available at 6 bars around town. Currently they have 3 beers, the wit, brown. and saison. There will be one more all the time beer that should be out soon.  I look for this brewery to take some risk to really push the envelope of styles that most don't attempt, IE sours or gose. I like the different approach and will enjoy taking friends to their tasting room. Their website is a fine example of the fun that can be had at http://strangewaysbrewing.com/