{"id":8679,"date":"2018-08-20T09:49:01","date_gmt":"2018-08-20T13:49:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/?p=8679"},"modified":"2018-08-20T09:49:01","modified_gmt":"2018-08-20T13:49:01","slug":"celebrating-the-hop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/celebrating-the-hop\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating the Hop"},"content":{"rendered":"

August\u2019s monthlong craft beer party<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ascendancy of craft beer in the United States is a remarkable tale. From a handful of breweries in the 1970s, today over 6,300 establishments are pulling tap handles daily.<\/p>\n

Even more impressive? The entire industry sprang from whole hops driven by hobbyists.\u00a0 As talented amateurs realized their beers were getting accolades from friends and neighbors, they turned professional to the lasting gratitude of their local communities.<\/p>\n

Here in Virginia there are now over 215 breweries, 20 more than North Carolina; long considered a craft beer destination state.<\/p>\n

And while beer is associated with fun and good times, consider that the industry contributes more than $9.4 billion annually to the Commonwealths economy, employs over 28,000 people and annually sends one billion dollars to the state\u2019s treasury.<\/p>\n

Always nice to hoist one for a good cause.<\/p>\n

\"\"Caroline Rodan, spokesperson for the Virginia Tourism Corporation says, \u201cThe beer industry is an authentic way to get travelers to come and visit the Commonwealth with their taste buds. Many of the breweries are kid and pet friendly, making it an ideal family destination trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rodan underscores today\u2019s success story has a direct link to our state\u2019s history. \u201cBeer was produced in Jamestown and Founding Fathers Washington, Jefferson and Madison were brewers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Reinforcing Virginia\u2019s accelerating beer reputation, two large West Coast breweries have opened facilities here: Stone Brewing and Ballast Point Brewing Company.<\/p>\n

In 2021, Deschutes Brewery will open a $95 million production facility in Roanoke. The brewery is the eighth-largest craft brewery in the United States highlighting the Old Dominion\u2019s reputation as impressing even the big boys.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the media buzz has grown to such an extent the Travel Channel named Virginia as one of the Nation\u2019s top seven beer destinations.<\/p>\n

In concert with the explosive facility growth, an increasing number of breweries are now farming or contracting to purchase Virginia grown hops and barley creating a collateral \u2018Farm to Stein\u2019 industry.<\/p>\n

So with all the good news there must be a way to toast its success, right? Indeed, and it\u2019s coming to a brewery near you in August.<\/p>\n

Toast Virginia
\n<\/strong>Virginia\u2019s August Craft Beer Month was launched several years ago and is showcased by the Virginia Tourism Corporation.<\/p>\n

The celebratory month spotlights the passion, creativity and local values that make the state\u2019s craft beer scene unique. It\u2019s likely your favorite brewery will be hosting several events throughout the month with the focus on beer, entertainment and community outreach.<\/p>\n

A centerpiece of VTC\u2019s promotion is toasting Virginia breweries. It encourages beer lovers to post a video or picture of a \u201ctoast\u201d to their favorite Virginia beer or brewery using #ToastVA, then to \u201cpass the microphone\u201d by tagging a friend and inviting them to do the same. Weekly winners with the best Toast to Virginia will be chosen throughout August to win beer related gifts.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a toast? It\u2019s open to interpretation, but salutes, songs, tributes and photos are all options. Follow #ToastVA and #VACraftbeer on Instagram for additional ideas.<\/p>\n

One brewery that mirrors the industry\u2019s August creativity splurge is Lost Rhino Brewery Company in Ashburn. Each August Lost Rhino releases it \u201cRhin O\u2019fest\u201d M\u00e4rzen Lager which is a German-style lager. The M\u00e4rzen style originated from Bavaria and is traditionally served at Oktoberfest.<\/p>\n

Logan Martin, the brewery\u2019s graphic designer said, \u201cOur Rin O\u2019 fest is an excellent companion to autumn\u2019s first chill with its full body, malty flavors and a clean, dry finish. Additionally we are also planning on releasing one of our barrel-aged sours as a part of our \u2018Sour Sundays\u2019 program.\u201d<\/p>\n

The purpose is to educate Rhino\u2019s customers about the process of souring beer and the myriad flavor profiles that can be achieved with the process. Its August sour release has yet to be determined but Barrel Master Alex Lynch has a few ideas already foaming in his head.<\/p>\n

The number of activities similar to Lost Rhino\u2019s is seemingly limited only by your beermagination. Here\u2019s a recap of a few August opportunities that might lure you away from your smart phone and get you connected with live folks and real beer:<\/p>\n

*Statewide music concerts and performances at both breweries and outside venues.<\/p>\n

*New and special beer releases at numerous breweries.<\/p>\n

*Barbeque & Beer festivals.<\/p>\n

*Myriad restaurants featuring local and statewide brews and tap takeovers.<\/p>\n

*India Pale Ale Day August 2.<\/p>\n

*International Beer Day August 3.<\/p>\n

*Virginia Craft Brewers Fest August 18 at Three Notch\u2019d Brewery, Charlottesville.<\/p>\n

*Beer centric charity fundraisers.<\/p>\n

*Growler giveaway events.<\/p>\n

The partial list can be fleshed out by visiting your favorite breweries online or searching https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List of breweries in Virginia for breweries near you.<\/p>\n

And if beer seems to be a pedestrian libation for such gustatory celebrations, keep in mind what Plato said 2,300 years ago, \u201cHe was a wise man who invented beer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now we\u2019ll drink to that. In August.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Published in the Summer 2018 edition of Dine, Wine & Stein magazine.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

August\u2019s monthlong craft beer party The ascendancy of craft beer in the United States is a remarkable tale. From a handful of breweries in the 1970s, today over 6,300 establishments are pulling tap handles daily. Even more impressive? The entire industry sprang from whole hops driven by hobbyists.\u00a0 As talented amateurs realized their beers were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[1],"tags":[938,949],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n