Collegiate Times

Two weekends ago, I got to do something I've always wanted to do. While I've never had a strong desire to brew my own beer, I have always wanted to tour a brewery.

I'll freely admit that I can't help but watch Discovery's "How It's Made" because there's just something intoxicating about seeing how something you use and take for granted is created. And there's probably nothing the average college student takes for granted more than beer.

So I set out to find a nearby brewery that gives tours of its facilities. Starr Hill Brewing Co. landed at the top of my list when the cheery woman who answered the phone not only seemed extremely pleased that I might bring a group of six to eight people with me, but also noted (several times) that the Saturday tours are free and come with as many complimentary tastings as we might want -- Sold.

The only drawback was the distance. Because Starr Hill is in Crozet, just outside of Charlottesville, we had to drive about two hours to get there. I hadn't been out of Blacksburg since returning for the semester, so a small road trip hardly seemed unappealing. And even better, six of my friends were willing to come with me.

So we set out on Interstate 81, and arrived in the very small town of Crozet, in just about the promised two hours.

Because we were early for both of the tour times (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.), we got to hit one of The Washington Post's top 10 pizza places, Crozet Pizza, which was a quirky plus. It's one of those little hole-in-the-wall places that usually make the best pizza you've ever had.

But finally, we got to the main event. We arrived at 5391 Three Notch'd Road to a non-descript white building with Starr Hill's signature, well, star on the side.

We went up the ramp and stepped into a room with kegs and cases stacked to the ceiling -- things looked promising -- and continued into the main room. A friendly man named Shelly Moss greeted us and encouraged us to look around in the gift shop and to taste any or all of the Starr Hill varieties.

"Should we wait until after the tour?" I wondered out loud.

"Well," Moss said, "You know you can try them before the tour and then have some more after the tour if you'd like. We have no problem with that." Again, sold.

The gift shop contained everything from T-shirts to belt buckles and of course, mixed six packs and growlers, or glass containers, available for taking home beer straight from the tap.

A small bar was where we found the free tasting (for which you must be at least 21 and able to present valid ID). We were given small plastic cups and allowed to try each variety as many times as we wanted.

Now, at this point I should mention that though the cups are rather small and you're unlikely to sample enough beer for you to need a designated driver, but if you do plan on testing the hospitality of Starr Hill's offer of unlimited tasting, make sure someone stays sober and can drive you home.

After trying each of Starr Hill's six beers, I have to say I was partial to the only variety they don't yet sell in bottles, The Love. It's a wheat beer that's currently only available at the brewery, though we learned that Starr Hill hopes to make it the next bottled variety in the near future. It was light, but with a noticeable hint of the promised wheat, and who doesn't like the idea of getting a round of love at the bar?

The other beers each had a different and distinct taste and were definitely each worth a try. The Dark Star Stout (named after the Dark Star Orchestra) had a pleasantly surprising coffee taste to it; the Jomo Lager was a pretty typical lager; and the Amber Ale, a darker, maltier beer with a good caramel taste, was probably my second favorite. There was also a pale ale and an India pale ale, which were much stronger and not necessarily my favorites, but again, worth a try. After all, how often do you get to try beer on tap straight from the brewery?

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