Visiting Virginia Breweries in Fairfax, Sterling, and Ashburn – Or Voyaging within the Land of Animal Breweries – Saying Farewell to Rocket Frog Brewing and Hiya to Chubby Squirrel Brewing, Misplaced Rhino Brewing, and Previous Ox Brewery

Visiting Virginia Breweries

Thats in all probability the headline I ought to simply go along with. As a result of, lets be sincere: Visiting Virginia Breweries in Fairfax, Sterling, and Ashburn – Or Voyaging within the Land of Animal Breweries – Saying Farewell to Rocket Frog Brewing and Hiya to Chubby Squirrel Brewing, Misplaced Rhino Brewing, and Previous Ox Brewery — is a mouthful! And doubtless ruins all makes an attempt at search or advertising and marketing or no matter.

A less complicated, higher title would have simply been “Visiting Virginia Breweries” and even “Visiting Virginia Breweries in Fairfax, Sterling, and Ashburn”, or possibly simply my subtitle – “Voyaging within the Land of Animal Breweries”. I dunno, however I couldn’t determine on what I wished, and so right here you go – benefit from the lengthy winded title!

However sufficient on why I named the article what I did, lets transfer onto the precise article proper?

Firstly, let’s discuss why we headed right down to Virginia within the first place….

Rocket Frog Brewing Firm Broadcasts Closure

Again on November twenty ninth, Rocket Frog Brewing Firm introduced they’d be closing their doorways for the final time on December eleventh. You may examine it right here: Rocket Frog Brewing Broadcasts They Will Be Closing December eleventh.

We had first visited them again on January fifteenth of 2022. Right here, I’ll share an excerpt from the closing article:

Amy and I acquired to journey to Rocket Frog again in January on a Bengals play-off gameday. I acquired out of labor early (I used to be nonetheless working Saturdays then), utilizing my prime of the EO card and we made the 2 and a half hour trek right down to Virginia hitting some breweries. We stopped within the Sterling Park Enterprise Middle to hit two breweries proper off the bat. The primary of which was Rocket Frog.

We had a extremely good time. We acquired to see the Bengals win towards the Las Vegas Raiders – their first playoff win in 30 years (they final gained in January 1991). We acquired to Rocket Frog Brewing Firm earlier than the sport began. We then watched the primary half at Crooked Run Fermentation, earlier than driving to Beltway Brewing the place we noticed somewhat little bit of the third (they didn’t have any TVs on, so we shortly left to get to Mustang Sally’s after a flight), and we completed the sport out at Mustang Sally’s the place I acquired to witness the primary playoff win since I used to be 5 and a half years previous. Amy and I then celebrated and completed the evening out watching the Payments rout the Patriots at Bunnyman Brewing.

Rocket Frog Brewing Broadcasts They Will probably be Closing December eleventh – The Beer Thrillers

You could find our journey right here: Journey All the way down to Sterling Virginia and Past to Go to Rocket Frog Brewing Firm, Crooked Run Fermentation, Beltway Brewing, Mustang Sally Brewing Firm, and Bunnyman Brewing.

December tenth – The Journey

Touring with an almost (sooner or later shy) month previous actually modifications issues a bit. It actually doesn’t make the journey go easily, thats for certain. So there was actually a brand new monkey wrench thrown into the works that wasn’t there our final journey to Virginia.

To start out the day, we determined we might hit Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm first, primarily as a result of its the furthest from dwelling, and do a ‘hit the others as we work our method dwelling’ strategy. Our typical strategy to brewery visiting, and normally the one which works out greatest for us.

Plus, Amy has completely been trying ahead to hitting Chubby Squirrel. (To the purpose the place she acquired two Christmas presents for her from the brewery…. shhh…. no person inform her…. she has no thought….) They popped up on our radar from an Instagram or Fb suggestion put up. They instantly grabbed Amy’s consideration – firstly with the enjoyable title, secondly with the meals choices. Poutine and pierogies. You had us at poutine and pierogies. We might significantly do a whole weblog put up on simply poutine, and one other on simply pierogies. Perhaps checklist all the most effective breweries within the space with poutine and pierogies… hmm….

Anyway… I digress.

So we initially had deliberate on leaving within the morning at 10:30AM. In accordance with Google Maps it could take us 2 hours and half-hour to get there, placing us as at getting there at 1PM. Excellent.

Properly, as you may think, issues didn’t go in accordance with plan. We’ve been within the technique of shifting Amy’s Uncle Bob’s automobile into our title, and with him having moved into an assisted care dwelling and unable to drive anymore we wanted the title, and this and that, and so on, and so on, and so on… and Uncle Bob’s been having some reminiscence points, so it was a little bit of a problem discovering the title and the whole lot required, so we had been simply going to request a brand new title; however fortunately simply earlier than we had been about to do this he discovered it. This then took up our morning, taking SueAnn (Amy’s mother), Amy, Scarlet, and myself to the notary and getting this all finalized. And some different errands, after which dropping her mother again off, after which lastly on the highway… at a wholesome 12:20PM to begin the day…

Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm

After a cease at a Sheetz exterior of Gettysburg (the place Amy says to me, hey… possibly on the way in which dwelling we will cease at Fourscore Beer Firm, and I simply guarantee her and say, certain… certain… certain pricey… we’ll have time I’m certain… – insert huge eye roll right here), and one other cease a little bit of the methods down as nicely (each stops had been to feed and alter Scarlet) we lastly made it to Fairfax Virginia at roughly 3PM.

I ordered a flight, and we acquired the pierogies and the poutine to go along with it. (As a result of, after all we acquired the poutine and pierogies to go along with it.)

The beer flight was:

• Prancing Squirrel Christmas Ale – a Spiced / Herb Beer. 7.4% ABV, 15 IBU. World common score of three.82. I gave it ****.
• Hazy Squirrel – a New England IPA. 6.2% ABV, 55 IBU. World common score of three.56. I gave it ****.
• OK That is Gonna Be Bizarre IPA – a West Coast type IPA. 5.4% ABV and 55 IBU. World common score of three.73. I gave it ****.
• FUCOVID Cinnamon Bun Stout – an Imperial / double stout. 8.9% ABV. Too new for world common score. I gave it ****.

The poutine and pierogies had been great. We had an absolute great time there. The women working had been so very good and had been loving attending to see Scarlet Emma. I extremely suggest Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm in case you get within the Fairfax Virginia space. Discovered as we had been leaving, there may be even one other brewery only a block away – Ornery Brewing; which sadly we didn’t have the time to cease at. We’re undoubtedly planning on coming again, so will definitely be stopping there as nicely. Additionally regarded just like the city was doing somewhat Christmas factor within the close by park / enterprise district space.

For extra data on Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm, try their hyperlinks:

Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm’s data on Untappd: they’re thought-about a brew pub out of Fairfax, Virginia. They’ve 146 distinctive beers with round 10,000~ scores. They’ve a worldwide common score (as of 12.13.22) of three.65. Their Untappd description reads: “No should be bitter, we’ve acquired the hops! Positioned in Downtown Fairfax, Virginia, Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm is the primary nanobrewery & brewpub within the Metropolis of Fairfax.”

Scarlet Emma

Talking of Scarlet Emma, she’s now been to fairly a number of breweries already (and is only a wee bit over one month previous). Her first brewery was Boneshire Brew Works (as a result of, proper now, the place else?). She’s most lately been to Compass Mill Faucet Room, Jackass Brewery, Selin’s Grove Brewing, and simply the day earlier than this Virginia journey we had errands in Studying so she acquired to go to Willow Creek Brewing and Saucony Creek Brewery at Franklin Station. And now after this journey, you’ll be able to add Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm, Misplaced Rhino Brewing, and Previous Ox Brewery. (You’ll see why shortly I don’t think about her journey to Rocket Frog Brewing Firm as counting.) So in whole she’s been to 9 breweries to date.

Rocket Frog Brewing Firm

From Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm to Rocket Frog Brewing Firm was a few twenty – 5 minute drive. (And was the longest distance between the breweries we hit; apart from the preliminary drive down and residential.) We acquired there round 5:15 – 5:20PM and the place was completely rocking. Standing room solely on the within, their deck was fairly packed, and even the spill over tables they had been utilizing within the parking zone had been full. The parking zone itself was fairly full as nicely.

Amy determined to remain out within the automobile with Scarlet and feed her reasonably than even courageous the insides of the brewery. Amy will get a little bit of an anxiousness in massive crowds, so it was totally comprehensible for her to remain out, particularly with Scarlet. (You may learn Amy’s glorious article about her anxiousness right here – Brewfests with Nervousness.) We debated about skipping the brewery, and even heading over proper subsequent door (nicely, a block across the nook) to Crooked Run Fermentation; however we determined that we made this complete journey to cease at Rocket Frog Brewing Firm, so I went in and grabbed two tasters and acquired a stein to go.

The tasters I acquired there have been:

• Bowcaster – a brown ale, 5.2% ABV, no IBU. World common score of three.92. I gave it **** and 1/4.
• Snark Infested Waters – a schwarzbier, 4.5% ABV and 22 IBU. World common score of three.71, I gave it ****.

Rocket Frog Brewing Firm has already listed their brewery as “completely closed” on Google, Google Maps, Fb, and Untappd. They delisted all of their beers on Untappd as nicely. So the next data is barely skewed as a result of that.

Rocket Frog Brewing Firm on Untappd is listed as a “completely closed” brewery from Sterling Virginia (previously listed as a micro brewery). They’ve 0 distinctive beers with a complete of 42,298 scores, and a worldwide common score of three.82 (as of 12.13.22). Their Untappd description reads: “Closed December 2022 Rocket Frog Brewing Firm is an unbiased craft brewery primarily based in Sterling, Virginia, serving the larger Northern Virginia and Washington, DC neighborhood. Our ardour for high quality craft beer runs deep and we reveal this with our 4 to 5 flagships, seasonal choices, and a wide range of specialty beers all year long.”

For extra data on Rocket Frog Brewing Firm:

They lately did a podcast with DC Beer, which you’ll find right here: A Second to Have fun a Beloved Brewery.

Misplaced Rhino Brewing Co.

We determined to skip Crooked Run Fermentation as we had been operating out of time, and actually didn’t need to be leaving Virginia too late. (Even from the Ashburn space the place Misplaced Rhino is, its a few 2 hour and 12 minute drive dwelling.) Because it was, we had been taking a look at possibly having to skip Previous Ox Brewery, so time was changing into a little bit of a problem. We did cease and get fuel, as fuel is all the time 20 to 30 cents cheaper in Virginia than it’s again dwelling in Central PA.

Misplaced Rhino was one other pretty brewery discover. We noticed it on our one journey to Virginia, however sadly solely on the way in which again dwelling so we didn’t have time to cease, so I made it a focal point to hit it immediately. And apart from I figured – why cease the animal themed brewery names? We had been already hitting Chubby Squirrel Brewing Firm and Rocket Frog Brewing Firm, why not add Misplaced Rhino Brewing Firm and Previous Ox Brewery to the checklist? If we wished, we might have went and hit Ocelot Brewing (once more) as nicely, to actually spherical out an all animal named brewery tour of Virginia.

I ordered a flight as we watched the tip of the Military vs. Navy sport that went into additional time and offered an amazing ending. My flight included:

• Coco Caliente – an Imperial Double Pastry Stout. 8.5% ABV, 20 IBU. World common score of three.93. I gave it ****.
• Tmavý Darkish Lager – darkish lager, 6.2% ABV, 32 IBU. World common score of three.64. I gave it a ****.
• Pink Panther – Bitter / gose. 5.2% ABV. Too new for a worldwide common score. I gave it a *** 3/4.
• Face Plant – a West Coast type IPA (IPA American). 6.8% ABV, 65 IBU. World common score of three.64, I gave it a ****.
• Darkish Hours – Imperial / Double stout. 10.9% ABV, 79 IBU. World common score of three.98, I gave it a **** and 1/4.

‍‍We very a lot favored our time there, and will certainly be again down within the space for a return go to. (Actually, we actually loved each brewery on our journey this time, not all the time a lock for our journeys.)

Misplaced Rhino Brewing Firm’s data through Untappd:

Misplaced Rhino Brewing Firm is a micro brewery from Ashburn, Virginia. They’ve 252 distinctive beers and round 122,000~ scores. They’ve a worldwide common score (as of 12.13.22) of three.59. Their Untappd description reads: “Misplaced Rhinoʼs founders, Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia, set out on an journey of their very own: a coast-to-coast journey seeking discovering the best traditions and the wildest frontiers of beer brewing. Our beers are impressed by the expertise of selecting the scenic route, the powerful problem, the highway much less traveled. Within the brew home, we take delight in bringing collectively a worldwide perspective and domestically harvested elements. All the pieces we craft is private, from our modern pursuit to domesticate wild Virginia yeast strains from close by orchards, meadows, and even fossils, to our steadfast dedication to assist native Virginia farms.”

For extra data:

Fast Shout Out

If I acquired you studying this far, please indulge me on a fast shout out. This Sunday we might be showing on the Central PA Pour Podcast. You could find out extra data on them right here:

Pretzels – Pretzels – Pretzels

Whereas I’m at it right here, let me do a fast public service announcement. Now we have lately joined up with Pretzels.com to offer you a less expensive choice on pretzels; an ideal present for this time of 12 months. They make an amazing Christmas present or stocking stuffer. We may have a number of posts and movies (an unwrapping / unboxing video, in addition to beer and pretzel pairing posts) so be looking out for all that. Sure, we’re an affiliate with them, so whenever you go and order, make sure to use our present code: THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – this may offer you 20% off your order, in addition to assist us preserve the weblog operating.

Okay, now, again onto our final cease of the evening.

Previous Ox Brewery

Fortunately it didn’t take an entire lot of convincing to get Amy to cease at yet another brewery, specifically as a result of she wished some meals for the trip dwelling. I used to be given a “laborious quick” 8PM deadline at Previous Ox (spoiler alert – we didn’t depart til 8:30PM). We ordered the meatballs which had been extraordinarily tasty, and I did my traditional – ordered myself a flight.

My flight from Previous Ox Brewery was:

• Billionaire House Celebration – a collaboration with RAR Brewing – a west coast type IPA. 7.1% ABV, no IBU listed, world common score of three.81, I gave it a ****.
• Robotic Desires – a milkshake IPA, 7% ABV. A world common score of three.88, I gave it a ****.
• Hoppy Place IPA – conventional west coast / American IPA. 6.5% ABV, 65 IBU. World common score of three.69, I gave it a ****. (Humerous notice: when trying issues up right here for the put up, on Untappd they’ve a examine – in for this from an individual from a day in the past that claims “fairly hoppy. stable style” and proceeded to present it **1/2 …….. and because of this individuals don’t take Untappd all that significantly.) (Checking the dude’s profile, he offers one beer a “tasty” remark and solely **, however then additionally says “very tasty” for Voodoo Ranger and offers it ****1/2 ….so as soon as once more, take Untappd with the grain of salt that it must be taken with.)
• Bourbon Barrel Oxorcist – Pumpkin / Yam beer. 10% ABV, 12 IBU. World common score of three.94, I gave it ****.

We had a extremely nice time, talked to the bartender at closing, who comes up typically to the realm to play softball – at Spooky Nook – the place we had been simply at a number of weeks in the past (thus why we went to Compass Mill Faucet Home). As soon as once more, as with the opposite stops, great meals, beer, and nice service.

Some data on Previous Ox Brewery through Untappd:

Previous Ox Brewery is a micro brewery from Ashburn Virginia with 482 distinctive beers and 115,000~ scores. They’ve a worldwide common score of three.66 (as of 12.13.22). Their Untappd description reads: “Previous Ox is a household owned and operated business brewery. Our household works collectively. Performs collectively. Celebrates collectively. Faces life’s obstacles collectively. We’ve based our brewery on laborious work and a dedication to the neighborhood. We’re searching for methods to companion with the artists, farmers, eating places, retailers, and different companies that make Loudoun County a particular place to dwell. We selected Previous Ox Street because the inspiration for our brewery. Previous Ox is among the oldest roads in Loudoun County and was initially constructed to attach the agricultural producers of Loudoun County to the markets in Fairfax County and past. It’s this similar sense of connection that we need to present for our clients…whether or not they’re right here in our tasting room or having fun with a pint of their favourite restaurant or tavern. We brew in a 30-barrel brewhouse. Simply to present you some perspective, every batch we brew will produce 930 gallons of beer. That’s sufficient for 9,920 12-oz. cans of beer or somewhat over 413 instances of beer per batch. Our beer is on draft in lots of eating places and in on the cabinets in shops in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. In fact, our beer is all the time obtainable within the Tasting Room both by the pint, refillable growlers or kegs.”

For extra data:

Heading House

After hitting up Previous Ox Brewery it was time to move dwelling. For sure, like I referred to as it, we didn’t have the time (or vitality) to hit Fourscore Beer Co in Gettysburg. No points on the return journey and we made it dwelling round 11PM, simply sufficient time for me to take Leela for a stroll and hit my 10K steps (haven’t missed a day this complete 12 months, not about to overlook one but).

Conclusion

This journey actually hit it out of the ballpark. Each brewery was improbable. The beers had been great, the meals was nice, the workers in any respect the spots was on level and wonderful individuals. We all the time have a blast on our journeys, however there’s normally a dud or two breweries on our journeys. Not this time, every place was a house run. Can’t suggest the breweries sufficient. In case you get right down to Virginia – notably Fairfax and Ashburn, ensure you hit these guys up. They’re nicely price your time and go to!

Different Journeys and Travelogues

Thanks For Studying

Thanks for studying everybody! The 12 months is nearing its finish, and 2022 has been a wild one! I’m nonetheless off till the twenty sixth after I return to work. Amy has already gone again, so its principally me right here at dwelling with Scarlet (and Leela). So when she’s asleep I’ve been engaged on the weblog. Lot of huge issues within the works for 2023!

However 2022 isn’t over but, and we nonetheless have some nice stuff popping out.

Like I mentioned earlier, we’re affiliated now with Pretzels.com so make sure to examine them out and use our promo code – THEBEERTHRILLERS20 to get 20% off your order.

Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, we might be doing a podcast / video with Central PA Pour on Sunday. So be looking out for that.

We nonetheless have a deliberate journey to The Alementary in Hackensack New Jersey; simply undecided once we’re gonna be going. However you’ll know once we do.

Thanks for studying everybody, as all the time, we respect it a lot right here. Cheers to all!

(PS: This text took me all day to put in writing as a result of I needed to do it in small bits and items at any time when Her Majesty Scarlet napped.)

Cheers!

-B. Kline

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