Starr Hill Brewery

Scott Shagory — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 00:00:14 +0000

Starr Hill Brewery has been making craft beer since 1999, currently with a team of approximately thirty-five in Crozet, VA. Located in a former ConAgra plant, the facility is just about perfect for their year round, seasonal, and specialty beers.

The Crozet, VA location has a tasting and drinking room that serves as a music venue too. Starr Hill has always sought to incorporate a variety of bands and musicians into the brewery’s ethos and culture. They do not serve food, but they do have a rotating series of food trucks on the property just outside the front door. Food from elsewhere can be brought in, but other alcoholic beverages – wine, mixed drinks, beer – are not allowed.

On Saturday’s from 5pm to 6pm they offer a beer class ($12/ticket) and a tour. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time or at the facility. My class on a rainy Saturday was small, but with favorable weather in a warmer season, I am sure the spots fill quickly. The tasting room is airy with good natural light, making my two visits tasting a range of yearly and seasonal beers on draft very relaxing.

The bartenders at Starr Hill are friendly and very knowledgeable about their beers – as one would expect. During my class and tour, our guide emphasized the focus on quality. I assumed quality was a reference to ingredients, supplier relationships, and the brewing process. But when asked, he said quality was more than that. Quality meant consistency. The goal was to create an identical craft beer experience each time, like a classically trained chef preparing a perfectly roasted chicken, jus, and haricot verts. That is very difficult to do batch to batch or night after night. But doing so is essential because we all like knowing what we are ordering.

On my second visit on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, long-time bartender Skip was a great resource on the history of the brewery, current owners, music acts, and, of course, the beer. As I was winding down my tasting he recommended the Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout with Mocha. The pour was a tasty combination of both flavor profiles and I can easily see how they recommend it with some deeply glazed baby back ribs or a chocolate tart.

Tasting Notes and Details:

Front Row Golden Ale
Notes: Very good hops/malted barley balance, nice clear golden color, dry, crisp
Details: Ale yeast, Cascade hops, Caramel, Honey, Oats, & Pilsner malted barley, 4.9 abv

Jomo Vienna Lager
Notes: Smooth, clean, mild, strong toast and bread notes, nice white head
Details: Lager yeast, Tettnang & Hallertau hops, Caramel, Munch & 2-Row malted barley, 4.6 abv

Northern Lights IPA
Notes: Strong grassy aromas, smooth body, bitterness well managed
Details: Ale yeast, Falconer’s Flight, Centennial, Cascade, Columbus & Simcoe hops, Caramel & 2-Row malted barley, 6.2 abv

The Love Wheat Beer
Notes: Citrus aromas of apple and a bit of lemon, begins tarts and ends very sweet
Details: Bavarian wheat beer, Hallertau hops, 2-Row, Wheat & Munich malt barley, 5.1 abv

Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout
Notes: Chocolate, vanilla, toffee & caramel aromas, tan head, mild, mild bitterness
Details: Ale yeast, Apollo & East Kent Goldings hops, 2-Row, Chocolate, Caramel, Crystal, Golden Oats & Flaked malted barley, 7.8 abv

Thus, if your adventures take you into the Charlottesville, VA area, I can definitely recommend making an easy 10 mile side trip west to Crozet, VA along Route 240 West/Ivy Road. Their range of beers on draft should keep any beer enthusiast happy. Music, some interesting food trucks, and a sense of humor round the brewery out nicely.

Starr Hill Brewery
5391 Three Notches Road
Crozet, VA 22932
434-823-5671
www.starrhill.com
https://goo.gl/maps/SC2NdNXeayYqg8fW6

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Starr Hill Brewery

Tasting Notes and Details: