When you think of microbrews chances are West Virginia does not pop into your mind. You might think of a state with wonderful state parks, plenty of National Forest, wild rivers, ski areas, and hiking trails. One can truly enjoy the great outdoors in West Virginia and nothing tops off a day of enjoying the outdoors than a delicious, well crafted beer. West Virginia has a few craft beer breweries in the state. Three of my favorites are Mountaineer Brewing, Blackwater Brewing, and Mountain State Brewing. All three of the breweries produce fine brews which can hold their own with other craft beers from across the nation.
Mountaineer Brewing, Martinsburg, WV
Mountaineer Brewing is located in Martinsburg, West Virginia. This is probably the most distributed brewery in West Virginia. Mountaineer Brewing beers are probably the only West Virginia beers you will find distributed to other states. Mountaineer Brewing brews the following beers Nut Brown, Lager, Pale Ale, Red Ale, a Stout, and seasonal beers. The beers rank with the top craft beers in the world. Reviewers at the beer advocate grade the Mountaineer brews from a C+ to an A+.
Blackwater Brewing DavisWV
If you are traveling through Davis, West Virginia you are probably looking to enjoy the ski slopes of Timberline or Canaan Valley. If not the skiing you are in the area to enjoy the outdoors of Blackwater Falls State Park or the Monongahela National Forest. Finding a micro brewery is a bonus. Blackwater Brewing Company is set in a rustic German style restaurant and bar. The selection is limited to six different styles. Golden Wheat, IPA, Marzen, Gold Ale, Porter and Blackwater Stout are the staple beers of Blackwater Brewing Company. The distribution is limited to the restaurant and a few scattered spots. My favorite beers here have been the Gold Ale and the Blackwater Stout. Most of the times I have stopped in for a brew have been during the winter so the Stout really hit the spot as winters are quite a bit colder in Davis.
MountainState Brewing Thomas WV
Mountain State Brewing is located just a couple of miles away from the Blackwater Brewing Company in Thomas, West Virginia. Again Tomas is not a town you are going to run into on the main highways and you are likely in the area to enjoy the wonderful outdoors. Mountain State beers are distributed throughout the state of West Virginia and to restaurants in the Deep Creek Lake area of Maryland. Mountain State Brewing offers a Cold Trail Ale which is an American Blonde Ale, Almost Heaven Amber Ale, Seneca Indian Pale Ale, and Miner’s Daughter Oatmeal Stout. The Beer Advocate does rank Mountain State Brewing beers highly as the brews range from a B to A-.
Sources:
Mountaineerbrewing.com
Beeradvocate
Mountain State Brewing
Beeradvocate
Reference:
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/2092131/the_best_beers_from_oregon.html?cat=22
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/2092129/chinas_top_beers.html?cat=22
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/2315501/seven_beers_for_winter.html?cat=22
