Williamsburg Alewerks is a nice, friendly little brewering operation
Craft brewery operations exist in every U.S. state and many are located nearby other important attractions. In Virginia, there is a craft brewery located near the area where the United States was colonized and the U.S. fought its final decisive victory over the British. The area I am referring to is Williamsburg and the brewery is Williamsburg Alewerks, a small craft brewery located just minutes from Yorktown and Jamestown. Here are some facts about this craft brewing operation:
Address: 189-b Ewell Rd., Williamsburg, VA
Phone: 757-220-3670
When Opened: 2006
Head Brewer: Geoff Logan
Williamsburg Alewerks produces nothing but ales in its small brewhouse. The year- round brews offered include:
Alewerks Wheat Ale– an American Wheat Ale
Tavern Ale– an American Brown Ale
Washington’s Porter– an American Porter
Red Marker Ale– an American Red Ale
Chesapeake Pale Ale– an American Pale Ale
Drake Tail Ale– an American India Pale Ale
Seasonal brews at Williamsburg Alewerks include:
Coffeehouse Stout– a Milk Stout
White Ale– a Belgian Witbier
Pumpkin Ale– a spiced ale
Then, there are some distinctive reserve brews offered at Williamsburg Alewerks. They include:
Bourbon Barrell Porter– an imperial porter aged in bourbon barrels
Ironbound Ale– an Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with extra hops
Rapadou Porter Ale– an Imperial Porter brewed with caramelized Rapadou sugar
Grand Illumination Ale– a Barleywine Style Ale
Judging the year- round brews, the standouts in the pack include the Washington’s Porter and Chesapeake Pale Ale. Washington’s Porter is a very dark porter that offers the taste of bittersweet chocolate with a roasted coffee flavor, along with bready notes. Chesapeake pale ale is a golden colored pale ale with flavors of citrus, caramel, bread, biscuit, and wheat. It is medium in body and offers a good dose of hops without going too far. These two are the standouts, but each person will have his/her own opinion and part of the reason is because the products are tasty and agreeable. Each of the year- round offerings is good in taste, even if none stand out as incredible.
The seasonal products offered by Williamsburg Alewerks are all good- tasting, just like the year- round offerings, but the standouts at this brewery are the Reserve series. Each of these products offers more intense character and flavor and will likely be a huge hit with beer connoisseurs. These reserve products are available as limited release brews and are sold in a large, wine- size bottle. They are difficult to find, but certainly worth the discovery.
Williamsburg Alewerks offers a tour on Monday through Saturday at 3pm. A nominal cost of five dollars gets you the tour, a complimentary pint glass, and samples of the products on tap (which will include most of the year- round products and possibly a seasonal and/or reserve product). The tour begins with a briefing about the business, held in the Brewery store. Guests then walk outside and head over to the brew house (just a few steps away) and learn about the brewery, its processes, etc. The tour then proceeds back to the Brewery store where guests enjoy a sampling of the products.
Williamsburg is certainly an area rich in history and a quick diversion to Williamsberg Alewerks is a good way to round out your visit. The brewhouse area isn’t air conditioned and can get quite hot in summer. Keep in mind, too, that the Brewery store is quite small and can hold only a limited number of people (make reservations if you have a large group). But if you get the chance to visit, Williamsburg Alewerks is worth the trip. Its products are enjoyable and its location, right in the heart of America’s founding, makes it a memorable part of a history- rich vacation experience.
Rating: 7 Cheers out of 10
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