Beerneuring Freezing Saddles Side Bet is Back!

[sjclaeys]

Do you like to bike? Do you like beer? If so, this side bet is for you. The rules are simple:

1. Ride your bike to a brewery or brewpub. I estimate that there are over 50 breweries or brewpubs that can be reached by bike from DC, over 10 of them are in DC.
2. Acquire a beer brewed at that location.
3. Take a picture of the beer.
4. Taste the beer.
5. Post on this thread the picture of the beer, the location, and a comment about the beer. It can be anything from “tastes mostly like beer” to “the hop aroma contained grapefruit pith and apricot that was matched by a good malt backbone, which added a hint of graham cracker”.
6. Whomever posts entries from the most number of breweries or brewpubs by the end of Freezing Saddles wins!
7. The winner will receive a bottle of beer that reflects the nature of the competition. If only a few participate and the winner had 3 entries, then you will get a good bottle but nothing super special. If the competition is heated and the winner has 30 entries, then I will do my best to get something special.

A few further clarifications:

1. BE SAFE! No riding while under the influence. If you rode your bike to the brewery but find that you need to get a ride or take Metro home, the entry still counts.
2. You can go to more than one brewery on a ride, but see above.
3. The beer must be made at that location. Having a 3 Stars at the local bar does not count. Nothing at the Capital City in DC counts because it is all made in Shirlington.
4. Some brewpubs have more than one location. A trip to each location counts.
5. Keep in mind that this competition is to visit the most number of breweries and brewpubs. Once you visit and have a beer at a brewery or brewpub, then you cannot post another entry for that brewery or brewpub, even if you go back later and try a different beer.
6. It is not required, but try to go on at least one brewery tour. Fun, educational and you usually get to sample beer.

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Let me know if you have any questions and HAVE FUN!

Topic

[Sunyata]

We took a nice little excursion to Loudoun County yesterday and hit up six breweries. Two of which I had already been to this Freezing Saddles.

The first stop was Dog Money, which is a new-ish brew pub. The service was pretty incredible (granted, we were their only customers for about an hour) and the food was pretty on point. The beer, on the other hand was pretty generic. I had the English-Style Ale (seriously, that was the name of it). It was pretty non-descript and really could have used more of a bitter bite to it.

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The second stop was Loudoun Brewing Company, which was great as always. Those that had never been before were pretty impressed with the homey feel of it. I had their newest brew, the Bombastic Ale, which was an American Strong Ale. It was boozy and full of flavour. Even though this stop does not count, here is a photo of the delicious beer being drank on my favourite couch!

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[Sunyata]

The next stop was Black Walnut Brewing. This was only the second time I have been to this brewery. They have free popcorn. And apparently their upstairs is almost as cozy as Loudoun’s.

Here, I had the Maple Brown Ale. It was pretty standard as far as brown ales go. I really wish it had a bit more of a maple kick to it.

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We then went to Crooked Run, which I visited a couple of weeks ago. There, we ran into a couple of friends (and an accidental Team 21 infiltration!). I had the Red Kolsch, which I had not had before. It was light, which I needed at that point and pretty refreshing. Again, does not count, but photo!

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[Sunyata]

Second to last stop was Lost Rhino. I am not a huge fan of theirs, but since we were out there we stopped by.

I had the Saison d’Anomalie, which was actually pretty darn good. It was yeasty and refreshing.

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I also snagged some of the sour beer that Jan was drinking, and that was delicious. I wish I had gotten a full one of that.

We also had a giant pretzel and beer cheese. SO much beer cheese!

[Sunyata]

The last official stop of the day was Old Ox. This was about 8 beers in for me and by this time, I had stopped putting comments on Untappd, so I can only tell you what I had and what I rated it at.

I had the War Wagon Red, which I vaguely remember being good, but not excellent (I rated it a 3.75). I also ended up drinking a fair amount of whatever it was that Dane had (he did not check it in, so I have no clue what it was). I heard that the Hoppier Place Galaxy was pretty fan-freaking-tastic, so I am bummed I did not get that. Good thing I have a bicycle and know where the brewery is… 😎

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[fxbooks]

Nom, nom, nom. Very well balanced, a dry sweetness. Description spot on. “Dark and inviting, a warming sensation as you’re sip brings out hints of rum and raisin. A decadent truth that is loaded with full-bodied & sticky malts, caramel & strong alcohol notes of rum. Dried fruit notes of dates & prunes meld into a maple like sweetness with rum overtones.” The perfect beer to start out a Purcellville pub crawl (i.e. ride).
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[fxbooks]

Much more balanced than I expected from a milk/coffee stout. Not too sweet, not too coffee. A favorite. Others sampled there were Accidental Amber Lager, Mosby’s Raiders Double IPA (I am a local history librarian, after all), John Champe and Oatlands.
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[fxbooks]

I would have this for breakfast. Unlike the last oatmeal stout at New District, which was more beer than oatmeal.
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[fxbooks]

My ex must not be that bitter. Quite nice. It seems to me that by brewery #4, my Untappd comments are getting shorter and less descriptive. Wonder why that is?
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[fxbooks]

No grapefruit at all. Robyne says floral, but I’m not sure I’m getting that. In other Dog Money beer selections, I commented on the Red Ale, described as a “Great entry into the world of craft beer,” by saying ,”I guess I’m not a novice. It was fine.” The Barleywine Ale doesn’t taste like 11.2%. Goes pretty well with the beer mustard and fries.
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[fxbooks]

Not chocolatey, but malty. Got it in a snifter, because they were out of stout glasses. It’s decent, would have it again.
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[fxbooks]

Pretty tasty. Dark roastiness. No smell of wet dog, so the name is a bit of a misnomer.
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[fxbooks]

Tastes almost a little sour. I like it.
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[jwetzel]

I’m behind. I have several (5-6?) stops I need to post. Hopefully soon.

[jrenaut]

IMG_20170219_171757767 by Jon, on Flickr

They definitely brewed this in-house before, but no longer. Bartender said it had been 10 years or so but I think he’s a liar. It’s not an unpleasant IPA, but it’s not going to win any awards.

[lordofthemark]

Beerneuring #2

Bluejacket. Washington, DC, Feb. 23.
During the impromptu happy hour.

Goldfinch, a belgian style ale (Not elsewhere classified)
It was marvelously yeasty, spicy and fruity. Another great one from Bluejacket.

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Okay, so I forgot to take a photo till the beer was done. Still count? (Also people,should be wary about leaving water glasses near my feet you have been warned )

BTW, while my stated goal was only to beerneur at breweries I had never visited before, so far my two entries are both breweries I have been to before, more than once. I hope I can remedy that this weekend.

[Author]

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