Beerneuring Freezing Saddles Side Bet is Back!

[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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