Beer aging in Barrel. Photo by Tommy Stafford.
Colleen
Nelson County, VA
Blue Mountain Brewery, an Afton staple, is expanding once more – and this time they’re headed a bit further down the road. Though they’ve been brewing and distributing bottled beer since April, on July 1, the Blue Mountain Barrel House will be opening their tasting room at the new brewery in Colleen (in the southern part of the county).
“It’s available in places like Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, Fresh Markets, Total Wine, small wine shops, restaurants, and bars,” said Blue Mountain Owner Taylor Smack. “I think it’s everywhere! Thirty-six hours into our roll out they sold 800 cases of it. So we’re psyched.”
The opening date coincides with SB604, signed by Governor McDonnell, which takes effect on July 1.
“Thanks to the governor passing SB604, you can enjoy full portions of beer,” said Taylor. “So you can get a full pint of Full Nelson, a goblet of Dark Hollow.”
The cafe tables set up in the tasting room (which will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) will open up to the production factory.
“So on Friday’s it’ll be loud and proud and you can watch guys on forklifts zipping around doing their thing and then on the weekends (when production is closed), it will be more of a brewery piece atmosphere.”
