Woodstock Inn Brewery

Woodstock Inn Brewery was in the the throes of expansion when I last visited in February - sawing, hammering and all kinds of hubbub.  

So, I was very excited to come back when they were done with construction.  The brewery and restaurant look fantastic!  The old is nestled nicely with the new and the additional brewery space is impressive.

I slid onto a barstool with hubby at my side.  We ordered up some brews and some food and sat back to take it all in.  

And who should be serving us?  None other than the lovely and talented head brewer himself, Butch Chase! Cool!  Never one to let a good opportunity go to waste, I plied the poor man with questions! 

(^_^)

I offered him my card and introduced myself.  The three questions that were most important for me to have answered were:  

Q: Is the Raspberry Weasel Wheat on tap?
A: Yes!

Sweet! Two please!

Q: Are you brewing all your own beer onsite now? (as opposed to contracting out the packaged beer)
A: Yes!



Excellent! Shipyard's beer (who was the contract brewer) isn't nearly as good as Woodstock's!

If you've ever had a Woodstock beer in the bottle and thought "meh".  Try them again now that they're brewing and bottling their own.  I'm sure you'll notice a difference!

Q: Have you ever considered serving only Woodstock beers at the pub?
A: Yes but it probably won't happen due to demand for other *gasp* commercial beers.

That's my gasp, not Butch's.  

One thing I just don't understand.  Why do people go to a brew pub that makes wonderful handcrafted beers right on site and then order a Bud Light or some other such crap?  I see it all the time.  I just don't get it.  If it was my brewery, I'd probably haul off and chuck the bottle at that dumb sap's head.  But that's just me.

Anyhoo . . . 

He probably thought I was some rabid beer fan, but Butch was generous with his time and patiently answered all my questions.  He even gave us a quick tour of the brewery.  All in all, a stellar visit!  



Casked Kanc Country Maple Porter (5.6% ABV) is aged in the cask and available only in the pub - one of my very favorite Woodstock brews.  Served in a shaker pint it is dark and dense.  It arrived with a diminished head.  Maple is evident in the nose and is a lovely tease for what's to come. The taste is typical of a nice solid American porter with a dose of local maple syrup.  There's a perfect balance of light sweetness and mild hopping.  Delicious and very drinkable. This beer totally rocks!  Overall: excellent




Raspberry Weasel Wheat (4.13% ABV) This is a beer I look forward to all year. Served in a shaker pint, it is a clear gold color with a bit of foam floating on top. The aroma is solid raspberry.  The taste is a good grainy wheat beer with a sweet dose of raspberry to take it over the top. Not a hint of bitterness. This beer is terrifically quaffable.  I dare you to have just one!  Overall: excellent.




4000 Footer IPA (6.50% ABV) If you're a hophead, then this beer is for you! Served in a shaker pint, it is a hazy amber with a goodly amount of suds resting on top of the brew.  The aroma is big citrus and piney hops with a tease of caramel malt.  The taste is very much the same.  Intense hoppy bitterness, bursting with flavor.  A solid malt backbone gives this beer the perfect balance of flavor.  Bold and delicious, this beer is rockin'!  Overall:  very good