B&D Gastropub supports beer community

(B&D closed in the spring of 2018)   With so much focus on craft breweries and their latest and greatest brews, it is easy to overlook the important contribution to craft beer made by our restaurants and taverns. We owe buckets of appreciation to our favorite on-premise proprietors who help keep the masses up to date with the big bad world of craft beer.

I was reminded of this last night during my visit to B&D Gastropub in Charleston, West Virginia.

The world would be so much less fun without restaurateurs who devote their considerable energies to the hospitality pursuits—and do it with craft beer.

B&D proprietors Donna Taylor and Branden Ledford are two such folks.

They provide such an important service to the local beer community by navigating through the sometimes daunting sea of craft beer. They don’t try to have everything, but attempt to offer a balanced subset of the best beers available in their market. Whether you are a craft beer newbie or geek, you can find plenty to pique your interest. On top of the beer, they offer a friendly relaxed gathering space for craft beer enthusiasts, clubs, and events.

For instance, last night they hosted an event in honor of a new set of Belgian beers that were just introduced to the Charleston market. A couple weeks back they hosted a meeting of the local craft beer enthusiast club. This is just what they do.

With 10 alternating draught taps and a couple coolers full of bottles and cans, there is room for your old favorites and your soon-to-be new favorites. Four of their 10 tap handles are normally dedicated to small West Virginia breweries. Yesterday found selections from Big Timber, North End Tavern Brewery, and Greenbrier Valley on draught.

They strive to  get the best of the new beers in the market, and last night you could find several varieties of cans from Terrapin Brewing, which just hit the Charleston market this week.

Charleston, WV, is a developing beer market where many beer drinkers are just earning their craft beer sea legs. In the crowded, constantly changing craft beer universe, many people can benefit from having a craft beer guide. This is something B&D does well.

Don’t overlook the food at B&D Gastropub

Being a Gastropub means they keep a quite varied menu. It’s casual dining style is nicely matched with the beer selection. You’ll find a long list of gourmet burgers, grilled sandwiches, and salads.  Popular apps include Dragon Bites and Jerked Chicken Nachos. This winter you will see daily specials like Chicken Gyros, White Chicken Chili, Greek Kabobs, and Mediterranean Wrap with Tabouli & Hummus. B&D will also show its fancier side during Charleston Restaurant Week, which runs from February 2-7, 2015.

Verdict: Van Honsebrouck beers are tasty

Now, back the Van Honsebrouck Belgian beers we tasted last night. The consensus among the resident beer geeks was that these are all tasty well-made beers. Kasteel Winter—a chocolate-flavored  Belgian Strong Dark Ale logging in at 11% abv—was the top beer of the evening, although the St. Louis Fond Tradition Gueuze and Bacchus Flemish Brown were getting raves too.

Good food, real beer, and a warm, friendly atmosphere make B&D Gastropub the kind of place you want to call home base. It is to on-premise retailers like this that craft breweries owe much of their success.

Keep up the good work guys.