Ladies and Gentlemen it is my esteemed honor to publish our first Beer Theater recording for your enjoyment. This is an MP3 recording of our conversation with Mitch Steele of Stone Brewing from September 18th. Cheers! This is just the first of may to come!

The actions begins about 1:30 in…

Wine
2008 Yalumba Y Series Riesling, $15
After a few weeks of some heady tasting material I’m happy to say that Y Series from Yalumba is designed for your more carefree, everyday celebrations. The Riesling is bright with citrus, lime notes, and refreshing acidity.

2008 Jip Jip Chardonnay, $14
There’s been some stirring on Unwooded Chardonnay’s lately and this one has received some spritely recommendations. Having enjoyed the Terra Barossa Eden Chard so much, I have high hopes for this as well.

2008 Thorn Clake Shotfire Shiraz, $18
It’s a been a tough couple of years for the Aussies (heat/drought) and we’ve seen our regular selection shrink as quality has declined. Despite challenges, the Shotfire prevails yet again. I won’t say this is the richest, most jammy Shotfire I’ve had, but the production is well executed and the resulting wine is a fine example of the rich Thorn Clarke style overcoming adversity.

Beer
Don’t forget we’ll have John Cochran pouring through some Terrapin beers next Wednesday the 19th from 5:30 – 6:30.

The “End of Doom” promotional contest celebrates You and the completion of the “Year of Doom.”

The contest is simple: email me or post on our wall “Why you love shopping at Wine and Beer Westpark.” Each week (Wed- Tues) we’ll pick 4 quotations and post them at the store. Then, from Wed. Aug 26th through Mon. the 31st when you stop in the store for a regular purchse, vote and receive an instant discount.

1st place will be a $50 gift certificate second place $15 and third $10!

Why you should do this…1) you really do love us. 2) there’s a chance to win a free boozy gift certificate, and honestly, who can afford to pass that up 3) you wouldn’t want us to end the “Year of Doom” with a failed promotion!?! 4) you may not love us, but you’re not afraid to lie creatively for a boozy gift certificate.

Why call it the Beer Theater? Originally, we planned on having an amphitheater like beer diplay where we could have different beers fight to the death in the center ring of the “Beeriseum.” However, the recent dip in the economy didn’t call for more of an expansion in our malty real estate, so we shelved the idea for the time being.

Enter the spring and our winemaker videos (two of which aren’t even up because of my novice video mistake of shooting sideways) and our burgeoning interest in mulitmedia. As with the winemaker videos I expected to shoot discussions on style, flavor, and quirky stories; perhaps, even include the occasional beer brawl.

I’m sure many people would enjoy us talking about the nuances of lagering versus ales and the specifics of style, but wouldn’t it be better to hear it from the brewers themselves?

This is not a particularly challenging question. Instead, let’s ask what never get’s asked – within the craft world, where is the deeper discussion of beer’s place and purpose?

Consider the legions of beer drinkers who also homebrew, and understand the process intrinsically. Given the opportunity people who are even modestly educated in wine will graduate from taste and flavor profile to food pairing, regional significance, cellaring, stylistic comparisons to other available examples. One has to wonder what’s next?

Certainly there’s a host of culturally significant topics to discuss when we move past beer tastes good… so where’s the discussion? More importantly, how do we find out what’s on the minds of the people who make it?

Now we have an interesting situation. Here, we get to speak to people who make what we love – leaders in the field, in fact. So what will you ask?

While I enjoy the flavor of the “Beeriseum,” pitting ale on ale in a flavor grudge match for supremacy, I think it would be at the cost of a more intriguing and impactful debate – both of which, would make good theater.

I just finished posting our first Vitrual Tasting with X Winery’s Reed Renaudin on our Facebook event page; I’m excited and terrified. It’s a great feeling. Monday’s Richmond Times Dispatch article jump started the buzz – thanks Louis! – with new faces from places we’re not used to. In my first four years of ownership I’ve met many new people who undoubtedly ask the “Who are you, Where are you?” questions – so simple, yet this is the essence of our biggest obstacle. Now WBW’s firing back with, “Won’t you join us Friday June 5th to find out?”

We’ve got our prom tux on and we’re hoping our date and the limo will show…

Ironically, or friends and fans who have been with us the whole way, well, I think they’ve just been waiting for a day like this to happen. We don’t pretend to know everyting about wine and beer, but we strive to add inviting and entertaining nuances to your wine and beer experiences. We’ve got ideas and information and emotion that we’re trying to stuff into the precious few minutes we’ve captured your attention.

We’re going to keep pushing and finding new ways to enrich your experience beyond bringing you fresh ales and hot wines. And, guess what, we’re learning all the time too. If you’re just getting started with finer libations, you’re not too late to join us…

After all, you can buy wine and beer from just about anywhere – the thing is, that’s not just what we’re selling.

So this is Wine and Beer Westpark, and here’s my personal invitation to join us at perhaps your first, but our biggest event. June 5th at 5 pm.

Cheers,
Matt Lake

If you’re using Facebook, let us know if you plan on attending the event. I’ve also created a a new topic on the Discussion Board to find out what questions you would like Reed to answer, and I encourage you to begin your participation now.

On Wednesay March 4 we’re planning a knock-out dinner with Executive Chef James Schroeder of TJ’s restaurant at the Jefferson Hotel. The menu is set and between the spectacular food and beer pairings by Mid-Atlantic Dogfish czar, Devin Arloski, we’re in for quite a treat. The menu details are below, and here are some other things you’ll want to know: dinner begins at 7p.m., it’s a five course meal, $75 per ticket (this includes – yes, includes – beer, tax and tip). Call your friends at Wine and Beer Westpark for reservations – 804-965-9100.

Menu:

Course 1:

Garlic Roasted Prince Edward Island Mussels

Red n White, Tomato, Saffron

Paired with: Dogfish Head 60min IPA

Course 2:

Pan Roasted Burgundy Escargot

House made Fettuccine, Wild Mushrooms, Pecorino-Romano

Paired with: Dogfish Head 90min IPA

Course 3:

A Trio of Pork

Tenderloin, Indian Brown Braised shoulder, Surry Sausage

Paired with: Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale

Course 4:

Slow Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Raison d’ Etre

Creamy Country Grits, Braised Cabbage, Natural Jus

Paired with: Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Course 5:

Roaring Forties Blue Cheese

Toasted Brioche, Candied Walnuts, Upland Cress

Paired with: Dogfish Head 120min IPA

If you were lucky enough to attend last summer’s beer dinner at Cafe Rustica you’ll be glad to know we’ve got the next installment scheduled. On February 23, W&B Westpark and Cafe Rustica will pair-up again for a custom menu presented by Andy Howell with beers chosen by Matt Lake, courtesy of Hope&Wine Beverage. Ticket prices and a specific menu will be set in the coming day, but we’re anticipating 4-5 courses for under $50 (yes, that includes the beer). A great value from a great team.

Haven’t been to Cafe Rustica? Check out the information and reviews here: http://thingstodo.inrich.com/richmond-va/venues/show/987693-cafe-rustica

Want to receive regular updates from Wine and Beer Westpark? Subscribe to our RSS Feed and be sure to sign-up for our weekly email newsletter – email us at wine@wineandbeerwestpark.com with “subscribe” in the subject field.

Hope to see you at Rustica on February 23.

Did you know that Wine and Beer Westpark has a Facebook fan page? Visit us here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Glen-Allen-VA/Wine-and-Beer-Westpark/19102225178?ref=ts

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On a few occasions we’ve discussed changes of the local beerscape (particularly in regards to cost), but perhaps it’s time to recognize the not-so-subtle expense creeping into everything. We strive for value at every price point, but sometimes that’s not enough.

We’ve established the Garden of Petite Gems, as a source for straightforward quaffers to help fit your entertaining and “it’s Wednesday and I just can’t see opening that nice bottle of wine for one glass” needs. Each wine is $8, but you can also mix and match 6 for $40 anytime – that’s like buying 5 to get the sixth free or having a l5% discount on a half case any time. Call it what you will; each of these wines has been tasted and scrutinized like every other wine* that comes through the door.

You can find these wines in the front of the store in wooden bins… the current collection includes Resonata Nero d’Avola, Tres Ojos Garnacha, Dreyer Sonoma Chardonnay, Protocolo Tempranillo, Obvio Malbec, and Siema Pinot Grigio.

New beer news…

Our next Beer Bust will be Wednesday June 4^th and we’ll taste De Dolle Boskeun, North Coast La Merle, and New Holland Dragon’s Milk… We will have 1 or 2 others, but I want to keep the spots open until I see if the NY truck will make it in time.

New Holland Dragon’s Milk and Mad Hatter IPA are new. Young’s Double Chocolate Stout in cans has returned and I’m sad to say for the time being that this is the only Young’s product that will be available. Dale’s Pale Ale in 12pks has returned for the summer, Rochefort 6 is back in stock, and Hoegaarden should be back by the end of the week, but I can’t guarantee before Memorial Day Weekend.