February 2004

Issue xx

http://www.hbd.org/carboy

Mike Dixon (mpdixon@ipass.net)

January 2004 Meeting Minutes

Unfortunately due to hazardous driving conditions, the January meeting had to be canceled.

2004 Shamrock Open – Saturday, March 27th

The 2004 Shamrock Open Hombrewing Competition will be March 27^th at the BB&Y. Rules and Entry information can be found here: http://hbd.org/carboy/shamrock.htm

The Organizer is Mike Weiss, Judge Director is Jim Brewer, Steward Director is Donna Murphrey, Raffle Organizer is Dave Buning.

Please assist with the competition as a judge, steward, or just in general.  It takes the efforts of the entire club to make the event a success.

Road Trip – Virginia Beer Stores

By: Mike Dixon mpdixon@ipass.net

Since the NC law limits alcohol by volume to 6% in beer manufacture or retail, homebrewers searching for many of the commercial examples from the BJCP Style Guidelines have to resort to travel out of state to make those purchases.  SC has similar ABV limits as NC, and TN only allows higher alcohol beers in liquor stores.  GA recently made great strides in raising their ABV limit to 14% ABV, but travel to GA from the triangle is lengthy.  Luckily, our neighbors to the North have no alcohol limits and many stores are within a reasonable driving distance. 

Of course, I am talking about Virginia.  The following article is a sort of users guide to beer stores I have found in Virginia.  The article is not meant to be all-inclusive, but if you find yourself traveling to VA, you can certainly use it to assist in your quest for beers not available in NC.  If you know of others worth mentioning, drop me a note so I can check them out.

Note:  The list is by metro area, but some of the stores may be 20 min or more from that area. The list also begins with closest stores to the triangle and continues to farthest away, the listings within metro areas is also in proximity to the triangle.

South Boston

The Vinter's Cellar

303 Main Street, South Boston, Virginia, 24592, (434) 575-5645

Notes: Very easy to find in downtown South Boston.  The selection is small, but a handful of Belgians.  The owner can probably get you anything you might desire with some advanced notice.

Danville

Southern Gourmet

643 West Main Street, Danville, Virginia, 24541, (434) 799-0523

Notes: The Southern Gourmet is a little difficult to find in an out of the way location.  Their selection is very small but growing.  I would not go out of my way to visit, but if you find yourself in Danville, check them out, they plan to expand their beer offerings.

Chesterfield

The Mug & Chalice

6523 Centralia Road, Chesterfield, Virginia, 23832, (804) 796-5522

Notes:  The Mug & Chalice has a nice selection in a well laid out store with an easy to find location in from of Ukrops.  The prices are in line with other stores and while he doesn’t have the biggest selection, it is a good place to stop. 

Richmond

Carytown Wine & Beer

3144 West Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23221, (804) 257-5910

Notes: Carytown can be a little difficult to get to due to one-way streets in that part of Richmond.  The prices are better than several other locations and the selection is very good. Their selection contains both single bottles and six packs.

Ellwood Thompsons Natural Market

4 North Thompson Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23221, (804) 359-7525

Notes: Ellwood Thompsons is located in Carytown at the corner of Ellwood and Thompson.  It can be difficult to access.  Their selection is available many other places and is mainly 6 packs stored in cold cases.

River City Cellars

2931 West Cary St., Richmond, Virginia, 23221, (804) 355-1375

Notes: River City Cellars is primarily a wine store but has an interesting eclectic mix of single bottle beers.  Just a block or so walk from Carytown.

Corks & Kegs

7110 A. Patterson Ave, Richmond, Virginia, 23229, (804) 288-0816

Notes: Corks & Kegs has a decent selection, but check the freshness dating on the bottles.  Many times the beers can be months to years old.  Also they mainly sell individual bottles of beer and the price per bottle can be high. Discount given on 6 or more singles.

Total Wine & More

8099 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23294-4219, (804) 935-7750

Notes: Total Wine has an awesome selection in Richmond, much better than any other Total Wine location I have ever visited.  Sixers, singles, and case prices tend to be some of the least expensive around Richmond.

Wine and Beer - Westpark

9631 West Broad, Richmond, Virginia, 23060, (804) 965-9100

Notes: Wine and Beer is located beside Ukrops.  It is a small store with a mighty collection of Belgians.  They have the best Belgian selection available in Richmond.  Also, they carry individual bottles and sixers.

Ashland

The Caboose

108 South Railroad Avenue, Ashland, Virginia, 23005, (804) 798-2933

Notes: The Caboose is located off I-95 just past the RR tracks in town.  The selection is good and always 100% fresh.  At times, I have even been given beers they felt were too old to sell. 

Roanoke

Lee And Edwards Wine Merchants

309 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, Virginia, 24011, (540) 343-3900

Notes: Lee and Edwards has an excellent beer selection.  The selections are fresh and well done.  I was surprised at just how nice their selection was in this small store downtown.

Charlottesville

Harris Teeter

975 Emmet St., Charlottesville, Virginia, 22903, (434) 984-2900

Notes: Yep, that is right, Harris Teeter.  The HT in Charlottesville has 4 beer aisles and a walk-in beer cooler.  Also, they have several Belgian beers.  Check it out!

Wine Warehouse

1804 Hydraulic Rd., Charlottesville, Virginia, 22901, (434) 296-1727

Notes:  The Wine Warehouse has an awesome beer selection.  Tons of Belgians line the walls.  It can be difficult to see all the selections due to the wine in the main floor, but take the time to check out everything.  There is a lot to see.

Whole Foods Market

300 Shoppers World Ct, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22901, (434) 973-4900

Notes:  A great selection and excellent prices await you at Whole Foods.  The main selection is single bottles and sixers.

Blacksburg

Vintage Cellar

1340 South Main St., Blacksburg, Virginia, 24060, (540) 953-2675

Notes: Also a homebrewing shop, VC has the best and largest selection around.  The only problem is some of their merchandise does not move very rapidly.  Be sure to check those dates to be sure.  Also no discount until you purchase 24 individual bottles.

Virginia Beach

Total Wine & More

741 First Colonial Rd, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23451, (757) 428-6998

Notes: Not an awesome beer selection, but decent prices and easy access.

FarmFresh Supermarket (#911)

2058 S. Independence Blvd, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23456, (757) 416-9832

Notes: This grocery store has a great beer selection and excellent prices.  Be sure to search it out if in Virginia Beach.

Vienna

Norm's Beer & Wine

136 Branch Rd. SE, Vienna, Virginia, 22180-4714, (703) 242-0100

Notes: Norm’s has a great selection and has awesome case and individual bottle discounts. 

Whole Foods Market

143 Maple Ave East, Vienna, Virginia, 22180-5724, (703) 319-2000

Notes: Just down the street from Norm’s, WF has a great selection and excellent prices. At my last visit they had an Eisbock on special!

Pop The Cap – Please check the updated website at www.popthecap.org

Next meeting is Wednesday, February 25, 2004.