TWIB – Hello Raleigh, It’s Wedding Season!

This Week in Beer (TWIB) is a feature where I’ll highlight some craft beers I had during this past week mixed with some related (and unrelated) thoughts. Yes, it’s a play on the name of the show This Week in Baseball which I grew up on and loved.

This Week in Beer was all about trying new beer in new places.

It’s wedding season!

Leesburg Brewing Company

I checked out Leesburg Brewing Company on Friday for lunch. It’s in a great location in downtown Leesburg, Virginia which is quickly becoming a craft beer Mecca with MacDowell Brew Kitchen, Fireworks Pizza, Doner Bistro, the future Crooked Run Brewing, and more all within close walking distance.

Leesburg Brewing Company has been open for two weeks. Unfortunately they aren’t serving their own beer yet. They are still getting the proper state licenses. The owner said they hope to be serving in the next three or so months. They will be specializing in ales with something like 40 different ale recipes they brew offsite. However in the meantime they still carry five craft beers on tap. I had DC Brau’s Penn Quarter Porter for the first time with my WOW! Burger made with chorizo. The beer was just as good as the burger — I highly recommend them both.

Hey give Leesburg Brewing Company a follow if you’re on Twitter!

North Carolina Brewery Trifecta

Big Boss Brewing

I was lucky enough to go to my cousin’s wedding in Raleigh, North Carolina this weekend. It was a beautiful ceremony for a beautiful couple. What made the night even better was that they served two Big Boss Brewing beers. I’ve never even heard of them, a brewery in Raleigh.

Angry Angel KÖLSCH-STYLE ALE

This beer was a perfect beer for a summer day. It’s almost a session beer at 4.75% ABV and is very light tasting. I’d buy this if I came across it where I am in Virginia.

High Roller American-Style IPA

This one wasn’t as good as the Angry Angel. But I’m also not a hophead. The couple hopheads I talked to at the wedding seemed to like this one a lot. It’s not for me however.

Foothills Brewing

Somehow I got roped into planning the after-party. The front desk at the hotel recommend the View Bar. I walked my entourage of 15 or so family members over there and found nice bar with two guys jamming on the guitar and an empty corner suitable for us. I was disappointed the bar was out of the Foothills Brown Ale. As I mentioned earlier I’m not a hophead but the bar had their Hoppyum IPA so I gave it a shot since it’s a local beer and my tastebuds are already shot from everything else from the night. Despite the palate fatigue I really enjoyed this beer and would order it again. It was flavorful but not overpowering.

Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout

If you’ve read this blog a few times you probably know that I love this beer. It is my absolute favorite beer. There is nothing better than this beer and if there is it will never have the history this beer and I have together.

As we finished our night at the View Bar with two longhaired guys playing Freebird in the background, I thought it fitting to end with a sure winner in North Carolina’s Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout. It was the perfect way to end the night. What made it even better was that I had my 21-year-old cousin (female) try it. Before she tried it she claimed that she doesn’t like beer at all and hasn’t had one she’s liked. After she had it she admitted that it wasn’t bad and that it could grow on her. I think I started a transformation…

Last week’s question:

Would you rather go back in time and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great grandchildren?

My answer would be to go into the future however my responses mostly went the other way and people wanted to go to the past (don’t you want to see flying cars?!?).

This week’s question:

If you could only drink one beer the rest of your life which would it be and why? I think you already know my answer… Leave your responses below!!

Summary

What a week. I managed to drink a trifecta of North Carolina breweries’ beers. I’m not sure what next week has in store for me but I’m positive I’ll find a way to squeeze in a new beer or two and share it with you. Remember to leave your responses to this week’s question and your other thoughts below!