Several local establishments were recently recognized at VEER Magazine’s “Golden Tap” awards for excellence in beer and brewing.
The magazine, which is devoted to food, arts, entertainment, beer, wine and culture in the Hampton Roads area, held its first annual Golden Tap awards ceremony earlier this month.
Inspired by the growing interest in craft beer culture in this region, VEER decided to introduce the awards ceremony as a way to recognize the best breweries and beer-oriented bars, restaurants and shops in the area.
Half the consideration for the awards came from a poll conducted through the magazine’s website; the other half came from a panel of judges with expertise in the field.
York County-based AleWerks took home six gold, three silver and three bronze medals for its beers.
Wins included a silver medal for “Shorty Time” in the best light American ale category; silver and bronze in the British bitter category for “Maizie’s ESB” and “Best Bitter,” respectively; gold for “Olde Stitch” in the English mild and brown ale category; bronze for “Bitter Valentine” in the Imperial IPA category; gold for “CoffeeHouse Stout” in the stout category; gold for “Café Royale” in the Russian imperial stout category; gold for the “Grand Illumination” brew in the strong ale category; silver for “White Ale” in the Belgian session ales category; gold for “Lover’s Greed” in the sour ale category; bronze for “Bourbon Barrel Porter” in the smoked and wood aged beers category; and gold for “Pumpkin Ale” in the herb, spice and vegetable beer category.
AleWerks’ collaboration with fellow York County brewery Virginia Beer Company on “Public Frenemy #1 Red Rye IPA” also netted a bronze medal in the collaboration category.
DoG Street Pub, located in Merchants Square in the City of Williamsburg, took home several awards in the bar and restaurant category, including the gold medal for best overall draft beer selection for bars with under 20 taps; silver for best overall bottle and can beer selection; silver for the best overall American craft beer selection; bronze for best international selection; and gold for best beer with outdoor patio; gold for best beer with an atmosphere.
Yorktown’s County Grill & Smokehouse won bronze for best overall American craft beer selection and bronze for best beer and live music.
Hair of the DoG won the bronze medal for best bottle shop.
Whistle Belly, which was sponsored by DoG Street Pub and the Junior Woman’s Club of Williamsburg, won silver in best outdoor beer festival.
For a complete list of winners in each category, click here.
