We arrived at Strangeways in the late afternoon. Located in the midst of an industrial park, it was pretty quiet when we showed up, which was quite pleasant. Immediately we noticed the outside seating (spread across a few parking spaces no less), and since it wasn't raining yet, that was a huge plus. Walking in to the taproom, we surveyed the situation, checking out the large variety of seating options, as well as a nice rail along the wall on which to set your beverage if you prefer to stand.
Their website states that they always strive to have 25 unique beers on tap. Not a typo, twenty-five beers! And they weren’t guest taps either. I have to say, I was a bit skeptical, but they do, in fact, have that many. Granted, some of those are variations on the same beer (e.g. nitro, or various aging techniques/additions), but still, not too shabby.
After scoping out the taproom, we sidled up to the bar and got the scoop on the tasters. They sell tasting quantities individually, so you can get as few or as many of their beers as you want. This is certainly a plus from the customization standpoint, but it can get a little heavy on the wallet. Nevertheless, I opted for a six-beer flight including the four headliners, plus two others (tasting notes at the end).
Flights in hand, we headed outside to enjoy the beer and the weather while it lasted. The outdoor seating provides a great opportunity to soak up the sun, or to bring your dog and let them get their brew on (kidding). In true beer nerd fashion, we had lively discussions on the flavor profiles of each of the beers we tried.
After a while, the rain did come and we retired inside. Since our flights were wrapped up by this point, we decided to check out the “other” bar. This is how they manage to have so many beers on tap. The bar in front has a dozen and the bar in the back has a different dozen, and both share the same walk-in cooler (or Walken cooler if you will).
for the growler fill, you got the growler itself free. A couple of our party opted in on this deal, and I
decided to go for the “grunt”.
Anyway, we cashed out and headed home, but we left a solid brewery in the rearview mirror. Strangeways is certainly not afraid to push the envelope with their styles and twists on those very same styles. I imagine I shall return, and I believe there will be an entirely new set of beers to sample when I do. In the meantime, I’d say go check them out and see for yourself what strange brewing ways can do for a pint.
Beers of Note:
Wallonian Dawn Honey Saison (4% ABV, 21 IBU): Really nice example of the style. The honey really ferments out, so the name can kind of throw you off, but with a low ABV, I would imagine this is actually the type of beer farmers might have had at lunch back in the day. I also learned that they use a smidge of brett in this beer, which gives it a hint of that wild taste and is not at all unpleasant.
Albino Monkey White Ale (5% ABV, 25 IBU): Not typically a huge fan of white ales, but this one had a good balance to it. The spices and the clove and banana notes from the yeast were all certainly detectable, but not overpowering as in others I’ve had.
Woodbooger Belgian Brown Ale (6% ABV, 20 IBU): Aside from having a phenomenal name (which makes me giggle like a second-grader every time), Woodbooger is a neat twist on a very standard style. There’s just enough fruity notes that shine through to confirm its Belgian influence, and while this means the roasted flavors are a bit muted, it still makes for a very nice pint (and provides a canvas for many of the creative aging/serving techniques employed at the brewery)
Phantasmic East Coast IPA (7% ABV, 70 IBU): I’m not entirely sure what an east coast IPA is, but if this is the poster boy, I’ll have to defer to the west coast on this style. It was certainly enjoyable with a nice malt body and a good finish, but it didn’t have the hop-forward aroma and taste of the “West-Coast” or “American” IPAs that I personally adore. On the other hand, if you’re testing the waters with IPAs and aren't ready to get punched in the face with hops, this might be a good one to try.
Virginia Vulgarian Bourbon Bock (6.7% ABV, 40 IBU): I’m a sucker for a good bourbon beer. This dark bock had really good bourbon and oak flavors, which were backed by the toffee sweetness of the beer. Interesting flavor profile and a good sipper, but I did feel that the flavors were a bit disjointed. That said, the Vulgarian would do nicely for a companion on any cool fall evening or crisp winter afternoon.
Wake Me Up Before You Gose (4.6% ABV, 10 IBU): I have to say, I’m a recent convert to sour beers and the like, so I was excited to try this guy. He didn't disappoint, bringing a nice, lip-smacking tartness without completely melting your face with sourness.
Gingerbread Woodbooger Belgian Brown Ale (6% ABV, N/A IBU): Full disclosure, I have never had a gingerbread beer that I've even tolerated...until now. Despite my prejudices, I got peer-pressured in to tasting this one in the back bar, and to my pleasant surprise, I really enjoyed it! Whether that is because it’s not truly a gingerbread beer or because they've just mastered the balance is yet to be seen. But it had a great balance of flavors, with the spices gently stepping in front of the fruity and toffee notes, but not completely destroying the backbone of the beer.
Whether you’re testing the craft beer waters or an old veteran looking for a new flavor, I certainly recommend a visit to Strangeways to see what kind of tasty nonsense they’re brewing up at the time.
Visit: 2277 Dabney Rd, Richmond, VA 23230
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