A few weeks ago I headed north from Canton to spend a summer vacation in New Jersey and Rhode Island. One of the highlights of the trip was a stop in Fredericksburg, Virginia after a full day of driving. We didn’t stop there by chance, of course: I had beer on my mind when I planned our respite here.
That’s because there are two brewpubs here just off of I-95, both within a stone’s throw of plenty of hotels and each other.
The first stop for me was Blue & Gray Brewing Company, home of Lee’s Retreat. As you park, you’ll notice that Lee’s Retreat, the brewpub and restaurant section, is located up front, while the brewery is just around back.
We made a beeline to the brewery first, picked up some 22 ounce bomberbottles of fresh beer and the obligatory T-Shirt, then headed inside Lee’s Retreat for a pint or two.
One of the beers I bought in the bottle was Stonewall Stout. I ended up popping one of the bombers of this one as soon as I got back to the hotel, just after a trip to the nearby Battlefield Brewery.
Stone wall Stout was an impressive beer indeed, and as I savored each sip I couldn’t help but thinking how lucky locals are to have access to great fresh beer like this.
Here’s how the brewery describes their stout on their website:
Stands firm with full flavor and provides strength all year round. We use roasted and flaked barley malt for a dry, smooth, rich and exceptionally comforting experience.
The bottle also says “So Good... You'll Say... "I'd Give My Right Arm For A Stonewall Stout"”, an allusion to the arm Jackson lost to friendly fire. At about four bucks for the bomber bottle, though, the reasonable price means you won’t have to.
Blue & Gray Stonewall Stout pours to a jet Back color with a thick creamy head formation and a rather roasty chocolate nose. The first sip told me this was a very tasty stout indeed, with suggestions of chocolate pudding on the palate, a little roasty coffee, and some burnt roasty malt. A hint of grassy hops and more of that roasted barley bitterness in the finish balance nicely.
This is definitely a repeat for me and a beer I would love to enjoy on a regular basis. If you’re travelling by Fredericksburg, stop by and pick some up fresh to take home-and tell them Bruguru sent you.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft