Once again, another Brew Review brought to you by Freedom Rolling, but this time a little something different. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia has reached out to some of the local brewers to contract a few selections that are exclusive to the park, and today, we'll be looking at some that will be available within the various visitors' centers. As with all of the Brew Reviews, please ensure that these, or any beers, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws, whether you enjoy these at the park, or take them to another location.
Our first trip takes us over to Waynesboro, Virginia and the Basic City Beer Company for the Limberlost Lager. This brewery is proud to be able to use the spring water from the park as a base. This light colored brew, upon first taste, gives the drinker an experience light to the palette. Without any sort of taste of hops or the heavy presence of a malt, this is a neutral beer that would seem well with just about anything, even by itself, during a summer day.
Welcome to Harrisonburg, Virginia; home of James Madison University, and the Brothers Craft Brewing Company for their offering of the Skyline Falls Hazy IPA. A beautiful golden color greets the drinker along with the very familiar scent of hops that one would come to expect with this type of brew. However, the sip shows the hops to very controlled, as the tip of the tongue doesn't give that forcefulness of the hops; it isn't until the beer hits the roof of the mouth that the bitterness will come. Although the name is inspired from the park, this brew is regularly available at the brewery, and for good reason, as it is one to certainly enjoy during or after spending time with nature.
We return once again to Waynesboro, Virginia and the Basic City Brewing Company, this time to be able to try out their White Oak Canyon Wit. Once again, the local spring water is used as a base for this particular brew. The first sip had a hard bitter taste hit the palette, but further sips reduce that initial hit making for an enjoyable experience, and is typical of what a good witbier should be. The drinker would very much enjoy this during the summer months.
So the next time your Internal Compass takes you to Shenandoah, stop by the visitors' center to enjoy a couple of local craft beers.
Have you been longing for great views while on your Sunday Drive? Check this one out.
Welcome to Shenandoah National Park, a lovely stretch of Appalachia in the heart of Virginia. For those familiar with the song about Shenandoah, that refers to the name of an Indian Chief and the Missouri River, and has nothing to do with this area despite its use as an interim state song. First established in late 1935 and dedicated in July of 1936, this long yet relatively narrow stretch of land meanders its way in the hills to the east of the Shenandoah River. Communities are scattered mostly to the west of the park along the river itself, while found along the east side is a vastness of nature.
If you're a visitor to Shenandoah National Park, you'll almost certainly want to take a trip along Skyline Drive. This is the main highway of over 100 miles that runs through the park. Do make sure to bring some electrolyte fluids with you, as there will be quite a few elevation changes along the way. Skyline Drive tops out at 3,680 feet in elevation near the Skyland lodge and restaurant; quite the change from the northern entrance at around 700 feet. Dozens of overlooks adorn this route and occur every mile or so on average, along with several hiking opportunities along its many trails, including the country's famous Appalachian Trail which runs through the park along the majority of the highway.
If you bought that National Parks pass, you'll be using it to access Shenandoah. If you're looking to do the entire route, the entrance and exit points are from the north at Front Royal near Interstate 66, and from the south in Waynesboro at Interstate 64. The southern end also serves as the northern terminus for the Blue Ridge Parkway, which continues the views without additional cost to those who enter. There are also a few entry points if you don't want to do the entire highway, using US Route 211 near Luray and the park's headquarters, as well as US Route 33 near Elkton. One tunnel at around a 12 foot height is near US 211, so you may need to plan ahead if camping with your RV.
So should your Internal Compass tell you to take a nice drive through nature, consider Shenandoah National Park for your next adventure.
Welcome back to Freedom Rolling's Brew Review, as we sample three different beers from across this great nation and give our take on what they have to offer. As with all of the Brew Reviews, please ensure that these, or any beers, are enjoyed in accordance with local laws wherever you may be.
Take a trip with us to the Three Notch'd Brewing Company in Charlottesville, Virginia for their 40 Mile IPA. Brought to you in a wonderful golden color, the immediate scent and first sip of this particular brew is the American-grown hops we've all come to know and love with the West Coast version of this style. The amount of hops isn't as heavy as some other IPAs, whether single, double, or imperial, as this beer is given a refreshing balance to relax the palette between sips. This was recommended to us by a local connoisseur, and we can understand why it's so popular, as it's one of the better IPAs we have had in the Brew Review series.
Shooting down to Charleston, South Carolina, we go to the Cooper River Brewing Company for their orange-infused blonde ale. The first scent makes the oranges very clear, as the entire fruit is used in the creation. However, the lack of a foam head coupled with the fruit would make someone think it was a cider. Aside from the overpowering taste of oranges, there really isn't much of anything else to this particular brew. Although it isn't so bad for a foray into outdoor grilling, there are plenty of other better choices to enjoy.
We head back to Charlottesville and the Three Notch'd Brewing Company for another one of their IPAs, this time the "Minute Man". This particular brew a little more of an orange-ish color, along with the scent of hops, you also smell what seems to be the zest of an orange. Upon first sip, the flavor of the orange, which seems more like the powdered drink style than the juice, seems to overpower the taste of hops that you would expect from an India Pale Ale. Hops lovers will find themselves disappointed, but the drinker that is just starting to get themselves into this style will find it to be an appropriate education, as they'll be eased into the familiar after-taste of the hops so they know what to expect when experiencing other IPAs.
So until the next time we review more beers in the country, be sure to Follow Your Internal Compass.
For some, whether with or without the home along for the ride, the journey itself is the most gratifying part of a road trip. Sure, the destination can be a focal point, but why miss what you could otherwise see along the way? Enter one of the most famous drives in the country.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is an over 450-mile scenic drive through the Appalachian Mountains. Spanning through West Central Virginia and Western North Carolina, this road is maintained by the National Park Service, yet remains one of the properties that does not charge a fee to travel. Those towing a rig are permitted to travel this parkway, although caution is advised along this windy road with breathtaking views. If you wish to travel the entire length, give yourself a couple days to really soak it all in.
Those starting from the northeast can hop off Interstate 64 around Waynesboro, just a bit west of Charlottesville, and past the southern edge of Shenandoah National Park. Start heading south, and once you get used to the tight curves and lack of significant guard rails, a number of overlooks allow for views of incredible valleys and expansive wilderness. It's an easy going road, so take your time and soak it all in. If a break is ever needed from the parkway, the road visits the outside of Roanoke, or you could hop off just a little before that onto the US 501 and visit Lynchburg, the home of Liberty University. Campgrounds such as Otter Creek and Rocky Knob are found along the parkway in Virginia.
Mile marker 217 is reached, just past the Chestnut Creek Bridges, and a welcome to the Tar Heel State of North Carolina. Continue along the parkway seeing the peaks of Fodder Stack, Meditation Mountain, and Tomkins Knob. The campgrounds of Doughton Park, Julian Price, and Linville Falls will give you a chance to take a rest in North Carolina. A bit further down the way, make a stop in Asheville, made famous by the author Thomas Wolfe. Those continuing to travel to the southwestern end will eventually make it just outside Cherokee and US 441, at the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
If your internal compass tells you to be literally on the road, never fear in following it. The Blue Ridge Parkway may just be one of the options for you.
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