Edible Blue Ridge Fall 2022

WMD&T: I think if you’re going small-batch … Brewing Tree and Woodridge Farm Brewery. At Brewing Tree, my friend Gina operates the [Scratch Kitchen] food truck on site — you can count on that being there. Outback [Brewhouse] is also on US-29, super small and

is mine! My choice for when I’m in my chef ’s kitchen, what pumps me up and gets me going, is The Beastie Boys. EBR: What are your favorite beers to brew? WMD&T: The next one! [Terri notes that Obi-one,a barrel-aged por ter brewed on May 4th, and Alpaca Kick, a jalapeño beer inspired by their South America travels, are some favorites, and that just brewing WMD&T: We have shift beer at 3 o’clock. We brew from 7 to 2, then clean everything up. What’s funny is that we’re not open, but a lot of our neighbors know it’s shift beer at 3. So the door will slide open and someone walks in and then another guy walks in and we just have a hang session. It’s kind of gotten to be a Nelson “in the know.” It’s turning into a tradition. I sat down and enjoyed a flight at the end of my visit. They tell me about the malt (usually local fromMurphy & Rude in Charlottesville), hops, and tasting notes of the award-winning beers such as We Are Pivo, a smoked wheat beer, and my personal favorite, the Pik Ax Irish red ale. The Crooked Room is a berliner weisse brewed with seasonal fruit — either from their own personal berry patch or a neighboring Nelson County producer. The couple takes the best of local products and melds them with inspiration from their global beer-centric travels, so you’ll always find true-to-style beers with knowledge and stories attached to them. 279 Avon Rd, Afton, VA 22920 (540) 798-1781. them brings back nice memories.] EBR: Any brew day traditions?

just opened up. EBR: Cideries?

WMD&T: On the cider side, I would say Blue Toad has a great small batch location. Bryant’s is small batch cider as well — it’s a little off the

path; they’re doing great little ciders up there. EBR: What is your favorite neighborhood meal?

WMD&T: My favorite place is Basic Necessities. It’s a little French Bistro. After pouring concrete in the brewery all day, I went to Basic [Necessities] for a wine dinner (Kay [owner] does wine tastings from all over the world) and had a world-renowned cellist tasting wine and composing on the spot with her little dachshund on a pillow under her cello. So that’s my favorite little secret. EBR: Any other spots that are a little under the radar? WMD&T: The Batesville Market — they have a deli case, cold drinks, beers on tap, music set up outdoors. Quirky little crossroads market and an unexpected hole in the wall. EBR: Back to the brewery — what are your favorite brew day music choices? WMD&T: Yesterday I was on a big motown kick; it depends on the day and what the mood is. The classic stuff is Dan’s, and the weird stuff

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