Interesting new beers from WV – May 2020

Is it our imagination or are West Virginia breweries using this safe-at-home time to get real creative with their brews and packaging.

We’re seeing a flurry of cool beer releases that are truly tickling our fancy. Seems like everyone is canning and bottling, even if they never did before. Here are some interesting new beers that caught our attention.

High Ground Brewing

Heavy Ghost is an Imperial NEIPA with loads of African Queen, Cascade and Mackinac hops and a smooth finish. 8.4% ABV. Limited can release.

Big Timber Brewing

Logger Joe is a crisp pilsner blended with cold-brewed Guatemalan coffee. Widely released in cans.

Double Bit is the popular, tasty double IPA widely released for the first time in cans.

All Together is a beautifully hopped New England-style IPA that shows all the things that makes this style so popular. In limited distro but may be hard to find outside the brewery. 

Also watch for these cans which should be at the brewery this week and see limited distribution soon: a Mexican chocolate cake pastry stout and a serrano and lime Mexican lager.

Abolitionist Ale Works

WV Tequila Bees is a Belgian Strong Golden Ale aged in Tequila barrels with wild WV honey. 10.5% ABV. Another cool Brian Pickens label design. Available in 16 oz. cans at the brewery.

Dirty Beard “Chocolate and Coffee” is an Imperial Stout conditioned with chocolate and coffee. 10% ABV. Available in crowlers at the brewery.

Chestnut Brew Works

Tropical Brut Punch is heavily blood-orange and tangerine-fruited version of their lovely, dry Brockway Brut IPA. 6.1% ABV. Available in cans at the brewery.

Morgantown Brewing

Listen To Dolly Parton is a refreshing fruit beer brewed with lactose and conditioned on strawberries, rhubarb, and vanilla. 6.7% ABV. Available at the brewery in growlers and cans for pickup or delivery.

Weathered Ground Brewery

Smolder Bock is a bold yet smooth lager with toasty caramel notes and a little smoke. 7% ABV. Limited distro in cans.

Pass the Pinapple is a Golden Sour fermented and aged entirely in Chardonnay barrels with pineapple purée. 6.2% ABV. Crowlers at the brewery.

Stringband Sour is a tart, dried-out golden sour beer fermented with raspberries. It was a quick sell out at the brewery.

Stumptown Ales

Victor Trace is a Russian Imperial Stout that has been barrel-aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels. 12% ABV. Limited distro.

Berkeley Springs Brewing

Mandarin Orange Rooibos Tea is a sorghum beer brewed with fruited rooibos tea and no hops. 3.5%ABV. Available in 6 packs at the brewery.

The Freefolk Brewery

Sweet P Stout is an oatmeal stout made with added sweet potatoes. 4.8% ABV. Available in 22 oz. bottles at the brewery.

Bad Shepherd Beer Company

Brett Def is a beautiful aged saison with brettanomyces added. Limited distro.

Greenbrier Valley Brewing

Wildcat Ridge Trail is a blackberry fruited saison with low bitterness and a good spritz. Growler fills available at the brewery.