Starr Hill rolls out new IPA
If you’re looking for a hoppy beer this summer, look no further than Starr Hill Brewery’s newly renovated tasting room in Crozet. Last week, the brewery announced the debut of King of Hop Imperial India Pale Ale, the latest installment of its limited release All Access series. The new brew is made with American hops from the Pacific Northwest, including Citra, Simcoe, Amarillos, and Falconer’s Flight. The generous hopping gives it a fresh aroma, highlighting the citrusy notes of the hops. The herbal bite and dry finish come from the flavor notes of orange peel, passionfruit, grapefruit, and gooseberry. The IPA is currently on tap at the tasting room and will be available in 22 ounce bottles beginning on July 1. It’s replacing the Whiter Shade of Pale White IPA, which recently won gold at the 2014 World Beer Cup in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category.
Would you like some cheese with that…cider?
Washed rind cheeses are bathed in a liquid solution of some sort. It’s usually a saltwater brine, but the practice of washing cheeses began in monasteries in the Middle Ages, when there was an abundance of wine, beer, and spirits available to mix in with the saltwater solutions. On Sunday, June 29, head on over to Whole Foods to learn about cider-washed cheese for an “interactive event” (read: tasting). You’ll sample Albemarle CiderWorks Winesap cider, along with Caromont Red Row cheese, the rind of which was bathed in Winesap. The free event begins at 4pm, and staff from both Albemarle CiderWorks and Caromont Farm will be on hand to answer questions.
Nothing fishy about it
It’s been about a year since Georgia coast native James Fountain opened Oceanwide Seafood, a fresh seafood market with a takeout lunch counter, in Nellysford, and he’s already expanding the business to include a full restaurant and bar. The shop’s counter currently features everything from fresh-caught flounder and snow crab legs to live crawfish and homemade key lime pie. In addition to the catch of the day, seafood fanatics can grab a basket of fried shrimp or a bowl of clam chowder to go. We’ve heard more than once that the area doesn’t have enough seafood options, and beginning next week, you’ll be able to stop by Oceanwide for a sit-down seafood meal. The newly expanded space will include a restaurant with a menu featuring classic low-country boil soups with shrimp, red potatoes, corn on the cob, and smoked sausage, simmered in seafood seasonings. The 36-seat restaurant officially opens on Thursday, July 3.
Family fun in Fluvanna
For the third year running, Fluvanna County is hosting BBQ, Bands, & Brews, an event that’s exactly what it sounds like. More than 40 vendors featuring food (barbecue and otherwise), local craft beer, crafts, live music, and kids’ activities will be at Pleasant Grove in Palmyra on Saturday, June 28 for an all-day festival. Visit www.fluvannachamber.org for advanced tickets ($8 for adults, children 12 and under get in free). And if you show up between 11am and 2pm, you can be a barbecue judge for $5.
We’re always keeping our eyes and ears out for the latest news on Charlottesville’s food and drink scene, so pick up a paper and check c-ville.com/living each week for the latest Small Bites. Have a scoop for Small Bites? E-mail us at bites@c-ville.com.