This weekend I made the trek down to Virginia Beach to visit family and friends, but also to celebrate, since my dad’s birthday is on Tuesday. As usual, there were plenty of things to keep me occupied, but I managed to slip beer in between the important stuff… especially the night before I left.
First came Friday afternoon. End of the work week, and I’m ready to sip something special. As it just so happens, Capital Ale House opened a new location on the Southside of town, in the little village of Midlothian to be exact. The soft opening was Thursday night, and while I was desperate to go check out the newly-built Beer Mecca, I couldn’t make the drive. So I settled for Friday right after work, which was a good way to spend the evening before I left town the next day.
Fearing they had no Ola Dubh 30-year left, which was featured on tap, I made it out there as quickly as possible. My fears were allayed when I was able to start off with a snifter of it, and soak up all the deliciously boozy Scotch notes. Actually, woody Bourbon notes came to mind as well, which makes sense seeing as how single-use Bourbon barrels are normally used for aging Scotch whisky. Once they’re used for aging Scotch, they’re used again and again, and can have a rather extensive lifespan in this capacity, even undergoing repairs over the years.
There was a minimal, almost non-existent, level of carbonation, but a viscous, roasted malt Old Ale quality that made it an absolute treat. The beer itself was as black as night, which makes sense, seeing as how “Ola Dubh” means “Black Oil” in Gaelic. What a privilege it was to be able to try this stuff. I’ve got a few bottles of the 12- and 16-year sitting in my cache, which I’ll have to give a whirl in the future.
Turns out, Friday night was perhaps a more lucrative night to attend. At 6pm, they tapped a firkin of cask-conditioned Uerige Doppelsticke! After a messy attempt to open it up, the staff began pouring, and yours truly was able to get his hands on a glass. The beer poured a nice, hazy dark amber/copper color, and there were noticeable hoppy and boozy notes in the nose. My tasting notes wouldn’t do it proper justice, but suffice to say, the flavor was a bit muted, yet at the same time more naturally appealing. Another beer that I consider an honor just to be able to taste and enjoy.
More on the Alt goodness to come, but for now, I’m gonna kick back with a fresh beer and call it a day.
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April 28, 2008 at 6:59 am
The Beer Nut
Wow: whoever thought up the name “Beer Mecca” is either monumentally culturally insensitive, or shares my sense of humour. I love it.
I’ve been keeping a very beady eye out for Ola Dubh. The base beer — Old Engine Oil — is becoming more commonplace over here. I’m hoping the barrel-aged version isn’t far behind.
April 28, 2008 at 9:33 am
E.S. Delia
Well that’s not the name of the establishment… it’s just a stream-of-consciousness term I came up with to name my favorite area beer bar. So I think we’re on the same page when it comes to humor: sometimes my love of beer is a bit too much like worship!
I’m shocked that Ola Dubh hasn’t made it to your shores yet, seeing as how you’re right there in the neighborhood. Old Engine Oil is great also, and I’m glad to see it making an appearance again here in Richmond.
That being said, I feel a little guilty about getting all this good stuff. I’ve been noticing that many of these breweries have been crafting their wares for the American market, or our importers are somehow crafty enough to acquire some of the better beer Europe has to offer.
Here’s to hoping they kick a case your way, Beer Nut!
April 28, 2008 at 10:43 am
The Beer Nut
Well that’s it: it’s all about the importers and how much of market they think there’ll be. The importers are the ones navigating the problems of excise duties and taking the big risks of buying and bonding beer which may not sell.
In the US there’s a huge and hungry market for craft beer. 70% of the produce from our largest bottling micro — Carlow Brewing — goes to the States. The Norwegian micros like HaandBryggeriet and Nøgne Ø make beers specifically for the Shelton Brothers to sell. In both cases it’s because the stuff just won’t shift at home. I say enjoy it.
If I wasn’t such a lazy git I’d just go to the UK and buy some. That’s a lot easier for me to do than you.
May 1, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Boak
I’m not sure the market for fancy foreign stuff is that strong in the UK. Witness the fact there are only two specialist beer “shops” in central London and both are in fact, glorified market stalls.
There are certain styles that some of our brewers seem to make almost exclusively for the US. I’ve never seen Young’s Oatmeal stout in a Young’s pub, for example, but I’ve read about it on American blogs. Sam Smith’s Imperial Stout is a rare beast too.