My latest Pumpkin Challenge contender is from C'ville-ian Brewing Company located in downtown Charlottesville. I had heard that they had a pumpkin sour beer and I was intrigued by the notion. When I arrived early Friday afternoon, the owner Stephen Gibbs was walking back and forth from the bar to the brewery. He stopped and talk to me about the brewery and the beer. Stephen is a military veteran that started brewing in his garage in 2013 and opened the brewery in spring of 2014. He is very passionate about his beer and his military background. That's why his bar is red, walls are white and his ceilings are blue.
On the menu was a Farmer's Ale, which he said he decided to call his pumpkin sour, because people get turned off by the sour connotation. He poured me a glass of this mystery sour. I was extremely surprised by the taste. The flavors of fresh pumpkin, coriander, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and ginger hit my palate and with a very subtle sour taste. Everything blended perfectly with the sourness.
I finished this rather quickly and decided to have another. I couldn't get over the taste. Out of all the pumpkin beers I have had so far, this has to be one of the most interesting. It was very refreshing and with a little warmth from the 5.6% ABV, it was perfect for the day we were having. I would suggest stopping by, even if it's just out of mere curiosity to try this beer before he runs out.
I still have a few pumpkin beers in my fridge to try out and a couple on draft at some local breweries that I would like to get to before I'm done. So keep an eye out for those.
This weekend I will be taking a break from the beer and going to Centerville to check out the Food Truck Rally. It looks like great event with a lot of great food.
Until next time, drink up and eat well.
