On our recent trip to Williamsburg, we had to stop in at Alewerks Brewing Company for a taste. Their pumpkin beer is consistently one of my very favs, so we wanted to try out some of their other flavors. And if Matt ruled the world, he would visit every craft brewery, coast to coast.
We stopped by the Williamsburg Cheese Shop for a picnic and headed over. The tap room was rather small..
…but the staff were very friendly! And the beer selection ample.
Matt did a tasting and I tried only a sip of each (driver). I really liked all of them – from the light Wheat ale like a Blue Moon to the thick and rich Coffeehouse Stout.
While dining at Chowning’s in Colonial Williamsburg, we tried the Old Stitch and the Tavern Ale, both by Alewerks and both wonderful! Dark, nutty, and malty.
But by far my favorite that Alewerks makes (other than the pumpkin!) is the Brewer’s Choice Bourbon Barrel Porter. Of course, because I heart bourbon! It is made with a special Caribbean unrefined sugar and the bourbon barrel flavor is strong. (So is the ABV – it’s 10%!) LOVED this beer!
We might have brought home a bottle or two : )
Our picnic was delish –
I had a hot smoked salmon sandwich with house dressing on pumpernickel
LOVED it! Instead of your typical slimy smoked salmon (which I love) this was a flakey smoked fish – much like a cooked filet. The house dressing was pretty smashing as was the watercress sandwiched in-between.
Matt had prosciutto and provolone on focaccia with sprouts – extra cheese on the side
I also loved that the Cheese Shop sells end pieces for $1. We grabbed a bag and enjoy a few hunks with the two stinky cheeses we picked out to go with the picnic.
Good cheese. Good food. Good beer!
char eats greens says
I never really got into drinking beer, but I think I’m missing out!! I can do ciders once in a while, but they have to be fairly sweet! I DO love pumpkin beer…or maybe I was just very pregnant when it was around and I was missing an alcoholic bevy haha. I’ll have to try again this year, you know, just for experimental purposes only 😉
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I’m all over Matt’s sandwich – it looks fabulous!! We have a local tourist trap about an hour north of where I live and they have this cute little lunch bistro that serves the most amazing black bean salsa bread. I keep wanting to buy a loaf and bring it home with me but they won’t let me 🙂
Anna Ming says
Why couldn’t you have been in Williamsburg yesterday?! Haha I was like MOM, did you know Kath Younger was here just last week?!?! If I had seen you in the Cheese Shop, it would have made my life.
KathEats says
: )
Lauren @ The Highlands Life says
I love me some good craft beer! I told someone at work today that my husband and I got an impromptu date night last night while someone watched our baby and we went for wings and beer. They were shocked that I drank beer. Man, the secrets I have kept apparently.
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
Love the extra cheeses on the side! I would not have planned ahead enough to think to bring a picnic, what a great idea for a small brewery tasting!
Avery Hudson says
I absolutely love hot smoked salmon! If you like it a lot too I would definitely recommend the ‘Honey Smoked Salmon’ by the brand Vita! It is the most moist smoked salmon I’ve ever bought. It is slightly sweet and a lot smoke! So good on top of a salad or between two pieces of bread. I get this at Publix right under where all the fresh seafood is. Hope you give it a try one day!
Maggie @ Sunnyside Up Smile says
The hot smoked salmon sandwich looks like something I would like 😉 I love salmon! And the cheese…oh my gosh. Love cheese! By the way Kat, who is your blog host and what theme do you use?
KathEats says
I use Dreamhost and Thesis Theme
Kelly @ Kelly Runs for Food says
Cheese shop house dressing is the best! So glad you had a great trip!
Melissa says
The breads look so yummy, especially the foccacia bread!
DG says
I love visiting micro-breweries. I loved living in Colorado where they were plentiful.
Pumpkin beer actually is very good isn’t it.
DG @ Healthy Food Matters
Kim says
Yummo! Looks like a wonderful little picnic!
cathy says
If you come to south Florida try Big Bear Brewing Co. The food and beer are delish.
Lauren @ Lawfully Wedded Wife says
I’m so glad you made it to Cheese Shop! We had WEEKLY visits when we lived there, and it’s probably the place I miss most now. Oh the glorious house dressing!!! 🙂
Erika @ fortheloveofpeanutbutter says
Haha I love how they sell the end pieces! Nothing to waste!
Amanda says
Love cheese, love fresh bread, love great craft beers. That’s my ideal lunch or dinner! Can you tell I live in Wisconsin? 😉
Ideal in my dreams, not on the waistline, I guess…
Chelsea [email protected] says
Oh! Smoked salmon is one of my favorites. I can see why that sandwich was such a hit (:
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
The coffeehouse stout sounds incredible! I love thick and rich brews.
NaturesComplete says
That looks like it was a lot of fun.
Katherine says
the last picture is the cutest!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
Cindy says
Did you know that the Cheese Shop is owned by the same people as Take It Away in Cville? They have similarly delicious sandwiches 😉
KathEats says
Really!? I had no idea!
Cindy says
Yep! Take It Away is smaller, but they have the same type of menu and sell the same bread ends and delicious house dressing!
Neil Butterfield says
Great post, those sandwiches sound amazing. Your posts always entertain me.
Lindsay says
I friggin love a good beer! What a great selection, and I am dying to try that Bourbon ale…you can take the girl out of Kentucky (okay, I grew up in Ohio but went to school at WKU!…you HAVE to learn to love whiskey/bourbon down there) but you can’t take the whiskey/bourbon Kentucky out of the girl! Sounded amazing…as did your lunch! Holy smoked salmon goodness;)! I am off to eat previously prepared thai chicken on the porch…happy eats and sipping that awesome beer!
Kris says
One of the reasons they probably sell the end pieces is so people can go feed the carp at the Williamsburg Lodge — they’re huge and hungry. If you missed it, Mazen would have loved it.
Leigh Ann says
I live in Williamsburg and have never been there. I’ll have to try it!
Lauren @ Peaks and Passports says
Mmmm Cheese Shoppe house sauce! My friends and I used to order a pint of it and a bag of bread ends and that could be lunch. Disgustingly unhealthy? Yes. Totally delicious? Also yes!