Road Trip for Beer: Up in the mountains to Terra Alta & Deep Creek Lake

Special feature to Brilliant Stream by Andrea Salina Fleming

After the first significant snowfall of the year in parts of West Virginia last weekend, my husband and I decided to jaunt off on the backroads, which were thoroughly cindered, and head from our home in Marion County towards veteran-owned High Ground Brewing in the mountains at Terra Alta, WV. 

We were the first guests to arrive a little after lunch time in hopes of catching some WVU hoops and sipping some delicious craft. Both of those goals were achieved. It was brew day, so the aroma of hot cereal and cake batter was alluring to the senses. We were warmly welcomed by Jeff the bartender, who said he used to make wine in the Salisbury, Maryland area. He was well-versed on the beer offerings, and we ordered a flight of four beers we had never tried before.

Since the crew was brewing Weird Handshakes, which is a milkshake IPA (a beer style I’ve never tried), we added that to the flight. Jeff arranged the four beers from the least bitter to the palate destroyer being fourth in line. 

First, we tasted Working Stiff, which is an English Ale which had a crisp, toasty flare. Next up was Weird Handshakes, their milkshake IPA that had hints of fruit and a smooth finish much like a milkshake. Then we had the Woodsman, a Munich Dunkel, which had dry, chocolate notes with a crisp finish. And finally, the DDH Druid Fluid, a double dry-hopped New England IPA which featured a mildly herbal and dry, fruity sensation with a kick.

Owner Dallas “D.J.” Wolfe welcomed us back to where the magic happens. He brews on the weekends because he has a full-time job with the US Army. He offered us a taste of the spent mash which goes on to a cattle farm so the cows can enjoy a treat. Think oatmeal with lots of added goodies. D.J. wanted us to be sure to give credit to his team which includes Austin Weser and Adam Moats. 

Taproom business strong

The High Ground taproom was at full capacity during our visit. A group of ATV riders, who trekked all the way from Leadmine in neighboring Tucker County, stopped by to warm up with a brew. The atmosphere is cozy, and folks were enjoying the conversation, the Mountaineer game, and amazing craft brews. 

Stay tuned to High Ground Brewing who has some exciting plans on the horizon including on-site canning, which will start small with a target of 500 to 1,000 cans produced weekly. Roughly half of those cans will be reserved for the taproom and the other half would be offered on a limited basis to select retailers. And finally, the brewery plans to add sour beer to the menu soon, including smoothie sours and tart shake styles of sours. Also, on deck is a peaches and cream brew with peach puree and vanilla, which is due to debut in a few weeks, and then look for a coffee stout coming in mid-May.

High Ground Brewing will also begin selling its beer in Maryland as soon as early March. For a brewery that has only been open for a little more than a year, their beer has all the consistency of a seasoned operation. 

Lots of good things on tap for the fine folks at High Ground Brewing. We will definitely be back to visit with D.J. and friends to enjoy some new offerings as well as the old faithful stylistic brews that keep the customers coming back for more.

Short Story’s new Maryland taproom

Next on our journey was a stop by the Short Story Brewing taproom that just opened in Deep Creek Lake, MD on January 3. Owner Aaron Rote was there working the crowd, which had just come from the slopes to enjoy the ambience of the inviting taproom.

I enjoyed an Argonaut, a citrusy Helles Lager, while the hubs sipped Ready Steady Go, a Citra Pale Ale that is light and fruity and not too hoppy. 

This next chapter of Short Story Brewing, whose original brewery and taproom is located in Rivesville, WV, has settled nicely into the Deep Creek Lake scene. The taproom was crowded as heavy snow fell outside. Aaron touted that the business has been steady since the grand opening, and he hopes the crowds continue flowing much like the beers on tap. Short Story had an eclectic mix on tap offering one IPA, two Pale Ales, a Helles Lager, a Dunkel, a Brown Ale and a Stout, which is always nice in the winter months. The taproom at Deep Creek Lake also offers growler fills and new merch.

This little brewery tour through the West Virginia and Western Maryland mountain region is worth the trip. 

---

Andrea Salina Fleming is a craft beer enthusiast who resides in Marion County, WV. In addition to following the local brewing scene, she works as a business operations manager for an information technology firm. All photos in this article are by Andrea Salina Fleming.

---

BRILLIANT STREAM LINKS:

Aaron Rote discusses the new taproom (Podcast)
High Ground Brewing opens at Terra Alta (article)