West Virginia Beer Roads

West Virginia Beer Roads

By Charles Bockway & Erin McCoySociety & CultureBusinessArtsPlaces & TravelFood
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West Virginia Beer Roads episodes

  • Chestnut Brew Works makes big move

    PROJECT CANCELLED. Brilliant Stream learned that this project was cancelled when Chestnut Brew Works decided not to move to the new location (Winter 2023). We have not yet heard if the building owner is seeking another brewery partner to open… Continue Reading…

    The post Chestnut Brew Works makes big move appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    38 min
  • Big Draft Brewing creates big impact

    What’s the hippest, coolest, most impressive brewery/restaurant/entertainment complex in West Virginia? It’s Big Draft Brewing for the win. Now one year old, this brewery is West Virginia’s best example of local craft beer flexing its economic and community development muscle—using… Continue Reading…

    The post Big Draft Brewing creates big impact appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    57 min
  • Big Draft creates big impact

    What’s the hippest, coolest, most impressive brewery/restaurant/entertainment complex in West Virginia? It’s Big Draft Brewing for the win. Now one year old, this brewery is West Virginia’s best example of local craft beer flexing its economic and community development muscle—using its magic to turn night into day.



    The brewery has led the transformation of downtown White Sulphur Springs from a windows-boarded-up Main Street to a must-visit and must-hangout-there hot spot. The town, once known for being the sleepy little burg sitting next door to fancy The Greenbrier resort, is today itself a destination for great beer, food, and live music — thanks to Big Draft Brewing.



    Head brewer Dave Barron (left) and Brewmaster/Co-owner J.W. Groseclose



    The West Virginia Beer Roads team made a visit to Big Draft to talk with the brewers and owners about their winning concept. We think you’ll be as impressed as we were with the success they’ve achieved. Founding partners David Bostic, Clay Elkins, and J.W. Groseclose, along with head brewer Dave Barron, are leading a charge that may not stop at the town borders but may, before long, appear in other towns and communities of our state.



    Listen to the podcast here



    Episode 51 • West Virginia Beer Roads • 56 minutes



    The inaugural Dry Creek Music & Arts Festival at Big Draft Brewing beer garden [PHOTO: Big Draft Brewing]



    One fine brewery, two music venues, and three restaurants



    Their Cross Creek On Main indoor music venue has already hosted many popular acts, including top-line entertainers like Arlo McKinley and Joslyn & The Sweet Compression; their outdoor beer garden stage hosts summertime music at the brewery, including the recent three-day Dry Creek Music & Arts Festival, which attracted 2,500 people. The three restaurants include their Big Draft Taproom which features a classy dinner & lunch menu led by professional chefs; the soon to open Big Draft Bistro, with its menu of sandwiches, pizza, and lighter fare; and the popular, highly-rated Road Hog’s Barbeque, which sits next door.



    15 beers on the tap list



    Big Draft beer now available in 12 and 16-oz. cans, with label art by West Virginia artist Craig Reger.



    You’ll find classic ales and lagers along with newer styles like the sour Raspberry Bellini Berliner Weisse. The beer menu is tilted towards drinkability with no beer higher than 7.5% ABV. Foreman Blue Collar American Lager is their consistent best seller. Their 15 taps have remained pretty consistent since they were filled up with Big Draft brews. J.W. says he’d like to have made 40 different beers, but as they originally added beer to the menu, each one attracted such a passionate following among regulars that they hated to take it off to add another — so he just kept rebrewing them. Canning began this month, and you should soon find cans of most everything they brew for sale in the taproom.



    Business is good. The brewers say they already need a lot more fermentation space to support their 10-barrel brewing system. They also say they wish they’d purchased a 20 barrel brewhouse to start with. A brewery expansion is on the horizon.



    This nicely landscaped walkway leads from Main Street to the Big Draft beer garden.



    Erin and Charles check out the brewhouse platform.



    WV Beer Roads crew at Big Draft Brewing with founding owners David Bostic and Clay Elkins (on right)



    LINKS



    Brewery We...
    27 min
  • Podcast with Fife Street Brewing owners

    The West Virginia Beer Roads crew met with Lisa and Derek Godwin, two of the founding owners of the new Fife Street Brewing in downtown Charleston. We got their read on what it’s like to open a hot, new small… Continue Reading…

    The post Podcast with Fife Street Brewing owners appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    27 min
  • Gore realizes dream at Fermata Brewing

    When a Logan County, West Virginia boy makes good in the competitive craft beer world of the big city, I think that’s news. Alan Gore is that story. Back in the first decade of the 2000s, when he lived in… Continue Reading…

    The post Gore realizes dream at Fermata Brewing appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    38 min
  • Johnson provides legislation update

    While this year’s legislative session was not a major one for beverage alcohol legislation, still several significant measures were adopted and are becoming law. A little bit of progress, with no real harm done. On this episode of the West… Continue Reading…

    The post Johnson provides legislation update appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    31 min
  • Welcome Gil Peterson to Charleston WV

    Ever since Fife Street Brewing announced their plans to open a brewery in downtown Charleston, a question on many a craft beer fan’s mind was: Who is going to be their brewer and what can we expect from them? Today,… Continue Reading…

    The post Welcome Gil Peterson to Charleston WV appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    28 min
  • Practice makes perfect at Bridge Brew Works

    Bridge Brew Works co-founder and brewer Nathan Herrold has been an integral part of his brewery’s success ever since its opening 12 years ago. Along with his brewery partners Ken Linch and brother Adam Herrold, Nate and the guys are… Continue Reading…

    The post Practice makes perfect at Bridge Brew Works appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    36 min
  • Morgantown Brewing: Pivoting to success

    Today’s Morgantown Brewing Company (MBC), is a wonderful example of how a staid, old brewery tied to an oppressive business model can be reinvented and come out the other side, updated, enthusiastic, and growing. Four years ago when Cody Cheesebrough… Continue Reading…

    The post Morgantown Brewing: Pivoting to success appeared first on BrilliantStream.

    51 min

About West Virginia Beer Roads

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All about craft beer from a West Virginia perspective