Practice makes perfect at Bridge Brew Works

Bridge Brew Works co-founder and brewer Nathan Herrold has been an integral part of his brewery’s success ever since its opening 12 years ago. Along with his brewery partners Ken Linch and brother Adam Herrold, Nate and the guys are never ones to chase the latest trendy things, but have forged Bridge Brew Works their own way, in their own style. Twelve years of practice produces good results.

While Nate is definitely not prone to self-promotion and isn’t one who seeks accolades, we will say it for him: Nate is one of the best things about the small brewing industry in the state.

You can listen to Nate in his own words on this podcast episode of West Virginia Beer Roads. It’s fun hearing how he and his partners make the decisions to do business and brew the way they do.

Listen here to WV Beer Roads Podcast, Episode 46

‘Old School’

In the world of American craft brewing today, so many brewers chase he latest, greatest beer styles, head to the experimental or extreme end of beers, and even brew stuff that isn’t really beer as we know it. There is certainly nothing wrong with that model. It produces some fun and tasty things that really move the market—like the hazy IPAs and fruited kettle sours that have kept many small breweries in business the past few years.

But I have to say it is reassuring to visit a brewer who takes a different approach. Nathan and his Bridge Brew partners are like that. It’s not that they couldn’t brew juicy-fruit IPAs and hibiscus peach tea sours if they chose too. The guys are masterful brewers. They choose to stick with more traditional beer styles because that’s just want they want to do. They realize they may be giving up some business to the competition, but they don’t care.

“We’re old school,” says Nathan.

Bridge Brew an educational experience

It’s an educational experience for many craft beer drinkers of today to stop into a brewery that only has one IPA on it’s 10 taps, and no sweet-fruited sours either. This forces the drinker to explore the broad range of other beer styles and flavors that are equally delicious, if not as popular at the moment. The luscious malt treatments that Bridge Brew Works achieves is something every beer lover would benefit from trying. Their Dun Glen Belgian Dubbel is a work of art. Their Peregrine Baltic Porter is a masterpiece. The intricacies of the mash-up they achieve among several premium malts is like the interplay of instruments you’d expect in a symphonic production.

Their lagers speak to the benefits of long, slow, cold lagering. Clean, clear, crisp, tasty. The beautiful balance they hit between bittering and aroma hops and malts is not something just any brewer can claim. Bridge Brew Works gets it right much more often that not. You just don’t find these high-level, complex flavors and delicate balance everywhere. That’s a craft that they’ve mastered over their 12 years in business. It’s not where they started; it’s where they are today.

You won’t find a brewery in West Virginia that has more style consistency than here. Bridge Brew beers, on average, are more true to style than most. You want to find out what a classic Belgian Dubbel, Baltic Porter, Kolsch, or Pale Lager should taste like, come to Bridge Brew Works. Anyone getting started in homebrewing or just wanting to educate their palate would be wise to drop by Bridge Brew and taste all the beers. Samples are free; flights are available and fairly priced.

The most unique taproom in WV

Over the dozen years charting their own path included a different approach to a taproom. They were about the last brewery in WV to open a taproom where they could sell their beer by the glass. Even more than their brewing model, their taproom is unique. It’s an open air, wooden beam structure and outdoor beer garden that is its own masterpiece. You won’t find another like it anywhere else. Using locally sourced hemlock timber and local contractors, Bridge Brew Works put together a look and feel that perfectly complements their forested location outside Fayetteville. It’s visually such a cool place to hang out. And they have plenty of on-site parking too.

Food trucks are there most every day the place is open. Featured food vendors include three that Nate says they’ve had great experience with over the past couple of years. Get a plate of Kevin’s BBQ from the Cast Iron Smoker trailer; Justin brings the Pole Cat Wood-Fired Tacos; and Amanda cooks up American classics in her Mountain Mamas truck.

Beers for spring and summer

Seasonal releases on tap now or soon in April include: Dun Glen Dubbel, 3 River Tripel, Maibock, Whitewater Belgian Wit, Peregrine Porter (a Baltic Porter), Coal River Coffee Stout, and Shay’s Revenge Oatmeal Stout. Year-round beers on tap are Long Point Lager and Mountain Mama Pale Ale.

Coming up this spring and summer will be Mamma Rye IPA (Late April/EarlyMay), Crux Kolsch (May), Iapetus Gose, (May), New River IPA (June/July) Pillow Rock Pilsner (August), and Oktoberfest (late August). Nate says a batch of Golden Ale will hit possibly sometime in the late spring or early summer.

The Bridge Brew guys are taking a break from bourbon barrel aged ales this year. In fact, they are taking a break from most high ABV beers. With the exception of their Tripel, which measure in at 9.75%, all the beers for spring and summer release have low (4.0-5.5%) to moderate (under 7.5%) alcohol levels. This makes them good warm weather quaffers.

Three releases are currently available in 375 ml (12.7-oz) bottles. They include Dun Glen Dubbel, 3 River Tripel, and Peregrine Porter. Some of their beers also find their way into distribution at craft beer bars, especially in the Charleston, Beckley, and Morgantown markets.

LINKS

Bridge Brew Works overview
Bridge Brew Works article from 2016: Adam joins brewery
Website: Bridge Brew Works

Taproom days and hours may vary with the spring weather. Best to check the brewery Facebook page for the latest info. https://www.facebook.com/BridgeBrewWorks