I was driving by the Spotsylvania Towne Centre this afternoon when I spotted three Budweiser trucks in the parking lot. That could only mean one thing, the Budweiser Clydesdales were making an appearance. I remember visiting Grant's Farm in St. Louis as a child and seeing these majestic animals. Even today I am still impressed at the sight. And judging by the crowd that had gathered, I am not the only one.

More photos are here.

With the word of the closing of Old Dominion Brewery came laments about the loss of the monthly "Taste of the Tanks" events. At these first Wednesday gatherings, visitors were treated to brewery tours and early tastes of upcoming Old Dominion releases. Duane Carr who frequently attended the gatherings posted this to the DC-Beer mailing list.

From what I was told by the brewers out in Ashburn in November, this WEDNESDAY - Dec. 3 - will be the FINAL Open House at the soon to be shuttered brewery out in Ashburn,VA. The brewers have promised to bring out all of their one off/single batch/experimental beers that have been aging in the warehouse in bourbon barrels, casks, etc. They promised around 10 different casks/barrels in addition to the line-up of drafts ( last time, they had the Baltic Porter, an oaked aged barrel Millennuim, the new pale ale, and a few others ). With the brewery in Ashburn closing up by the end of the FIRST QUARTER of 2009, this will be the final opportunity for touring, tasting, and lifting a few glasses to the Old Dominion brewery in Virginia that will soon be just a memory. So, before the brewers stop brewing and before Coastal/Fordham pulls all of the tanks to Delaware, let us join one more time in the back of the brewery to share in the fellowship, good beer and good memories that Old Dominion has provided out in Ashburn for almost 20 years. The event begins around 6pm or so...maybe a little later.....and goes until????????

It's likely just two more seasonals will be released from the Ashburn facility, Millennium this Winter and Spring Buck in the early Spring. If you can get to Ashburn on Wednesday evening (that's tonight), you'll be part of an historic event.

So, stuck on what to get your special someone for Christmas?
Other good lead off sentences:
- Want to impress your wife (girlfriend, special someone, partner)?
- Want to take it to the next level?
- Want to check out the city as a slower pace?
- Want to show off your carriage riding skills to 11 of your closest friends?
(there are more that just keep coming)
Of course I'm talking about the Holiday Lights tours downtown by Olde Towne Carriages.

From the city events page:

Enjoy the Holidays with an old fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride through
Historic Fredericksburg during the Christmas lights season. The carriages can
accommodate 2-12 people, or multiple carriages for larger groups. Carriages
depart from the Fredericksburg Visitor's Center each evening Sun-Fri (6pm &
7pm) and Sat (6pm, 7pm & 9pm). Call for Reservations. (540) 371-0094

You can check out Olde Towne Carriages and see all the specials they have for not only the Christmas lights in December, but also for a New Years night package.

I only have a few tasting events to list for this weekend. If you are out braving the holiday sale crowds, take a break and stop in at one of these local tastings. You might find a new beer to serve your holiday party guests.

Friday, November 28 - 5:00 - 8:00pm
Rick's Wine, Alexandria
Beer Tasting:
Kona Pipeline Porter, Abita Christmas Ale, Brooklyn Winter Ale, Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser Winter Ale

Saturday, November 29 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Kybecca, Fredericksburg
Beer Tastings in 2 Locations:
William Street (Downtown):
Bell's Christmas Ale, Dogfish Head World Wide Stout, plus 1 Customer Choice
Plank Road (Next to Ukrops)
Bell's Christmas Ale, Dogfish Head World Wide Stout, plus 1 Customer Choice

Saturday, November 29 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Rick's Wine, Alexandria
Beer Tasting:
Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, Dogfish Head World Wide Stout, Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock, Aecht Schlenkerla Urbock Rauchbier, Blue & Gray Spiced Winter Ale

Every Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Blue & Gray Brewery, Fredericksburg
Beer samples and brewery tours

Please support the folks who bring us these events. Let them know there is an active craft beer community in the area. When you attend any of these events, tell us about it in the comments, and be sure to let the proprietor know you heard about it here.
Have something to add? Let me know, my contact information is here.

Event schedules subject to change. Call ahead before traveling.

Join HFFI for the 2008 Candlelight tour
38th Annual Candlelight Tour (View Info Summary Page)

Saturday, December 13, 2008
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.( for general admission)
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.(for Private Tour Ticket holders)

Sunday, December 14, 2008
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Featured Homes this year:
99 Caroline Street – “Steamboat Landing”
101 Caroline Street
129 Caroline Street
133 Caroline Street – “Sentry Box”
134 Caroline Street
201 Caroline Street – “Pink Lady”
205 Caroline Street – “Victoriana”

The annual auction gala for our son's school was held this weekend. This is always a fun event and helps to raise much needed funds for the school. The auctioneer is the 2006-2007 International Auctioneer’s Championship winner and he is quite adept at getting the crowd excited. It's a good time for school parents to dress up, leave the kids at home, and have some fun for a good cause. This year's auction raised about $50,000 for the school. Historically, there are usually one or two wine dinners to be auctioned off. Last year, Colleen and I decided to donate beer tasting. The beer tasting was well-received and we were asked to repeat the donation for this year's auction.

The beer tasting is an event for 6 people, in the winner's home, that includes 6-8 different beers. We provide food pairings for each beer, along with some (hopefully) informed narrative. This year our donation includes a couple of glasses and a copy of "Ultimate Beer" by Michael Jackson. We also threw in a bottle of Delirium Noël for the winner to enjoy now. Although the offer states 6-8 beers, last year we ended up including 11 different beer and food pairings. You can read the beer menu from that event here.

The bidding for the beer tasting this year was very lively. In the end, the couple who won the tasting event last year walked away with the highest bid. They had been telling us they had such a good time that they would be fighting hard to win this year. And they did just that. Their winning bid was $850. That's $500 more than last year! Needless to say, Colleen and I are quite pleased. It's a thrill to be able to help raise money for the school, and at the same time do something we enjoy very much. I look forward to "paying up" on this donation.

BTW, this year Colleen and I successfully bid on a six course wine dinner. It's a gourmet dinner to be held lakeside in the Spring. I look forward to it as well.

As always, your local retailers are offering free tasting events this weekend. Devils Backbone Brewery opens today. Many beer fans from the area are heading to Roseland, VA to join in the celebration at Jason Oliver's new digs. Sadly, family obligations prevent me from going, yet.

Friday, November 21 - 5:00 - 8:00pm
Total Wine, Fredericksburg
Friday 5 @ 5 Beer Tasting:
Penn St. Nikolaus Bock, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve Ale, Kingfisher Lager, Lakefront New Grist Gluten Free Beer

Friday, November 21 - 5:30 - 8:30pm
Virginia Wine Experience, Fredericksburg
Beer Tasting:
TBD

Friday, November 21 - 5:30 - 7:30pm
Corks and Kegs, Richmond
Beer Tasting:
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Harpoon Winter Warmer, Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout

Saturday, November 22 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Kybecca, Fredericksburg
Beer Tastings in 2 Locations:
William Street (Downtown):
Bell's Winter White, St. Rieul Grand Cru, plus 1 Customer Choice
Plank Road (Next to Ukrops)
Bell's Winter White, Avery Old Jubilation, plus 1 Customer Choice

Saturday, November 22 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Rick's Wine, Alexandria
Beer Tasting:
Blue & Gray Winter Spiced Ale, Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale, Bell's Christmas Ale, New Holland The Poet, Rogue Santa's Private Reserve

Every Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Blue & Gray Brewery, Fredericksburg
Beer samples and brewery tours

Please support the folks who bring us these events. Let them know there is an active craft beer community in the area. When you attend any of these events, tell us about it in the comments, and be sure to let the proprietor know you heard about it here.
Have something to add? Let me know, my contact information is here.

Event schedules subject to change. Call ahead before traveling.

As always, your local retailers are offering free tasting events this weekend. Devils Backbone Brewery opens today. Many beer fans from the area are heading to Roseland, VA to join in the celebration at Jason Oliver's new digs. Sadly, family obligations prevent me from going, yet.

Friday, November 21 - 5:00 - 8:00pm
Total Wine, Fredericksburg
Friday 5 @ 5 Beer Tasting:
Penn St. Nikolaus Bock, Sierra Nevada Celebration, Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve Ale, Kingfisher Lager, Lakefront New Grist Gluten Free Beer

Friday, November 21 - 5:30 - 8:30pm
Virginia Wine Experience, Fredericksburg
Beer Tasting:
TBD

Friday, November 21 - 5:30 - 7:30pm
Corks and Kegs, Richmond
Beer Tasting:
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, Harpoon Winter Warmer, Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout

Saturday, November 22 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Kybecca, Fredericksburg
Beer Tastings in 2 Locations:
William Street (Downtown):
Bell's Winter White, St. Rieul Grand Cru, plus 1 Customer Choice
Plank Road (Next to Ukrops)
Bell's Winter White, Avery Old Jubilation, plus 1 Customer Choice

Saturday, November 22 - 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Rick's Wine, Alexandria
Beer Tasting:
Blue & Gray Winter Spiced Ale, Anderson Valley Winter Solstice Seasonal Ale, Bell's Christmas Ale, New Holland The Poet, Rogue Santa's Private Reserve

Every Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Blue & Gray Brewery, Fredericksburg
Beer samples and brewery tours

Please support the folks who bring us these events. Let them know there is an active craft beer community in the area. When you attend any of these events, tell us about it in the comments, and be sure to let the proprietor know you heard about it here.
Have something to add? Let me know, my contact information is here.

Event schedules subject to change. Call ahead before traveling.

A bevy of plays are floating and twirling around town this weekend. We have it good authority that it's well worth the trip to go see Christian Youth Theater perform "Willie Wonka Junior" at Spotsylvania High (I'm branching out of city events for this one). Friends attended this performance last weekend and offered to baby-sit Bennett for the night so that we could see this weekend's edition. Looking forward to the experience.

Reading the paper this morning, the FLS has a great article about the various versions of 'The Nutcracker' around town. The one by the Academy of Ballet at James Monroe High looks like a winner. I was surprised that there are four other regional choices, fitting for a variety of ages and wallets.

Ok, so I don't leave out the adventurous types, it looks like KC's downtown (central station) is having a variety of bands on Thursday night, and are also doing their Friday Night Rocks. Along with the normal open mic nights and free bands at your favorite hangouts.

Anyone else notice that on several event calendars there is Salsa dancing almost every night of the week? Friday night there are Salsa lessons at no less than three places.

The Fredericksburg Boy's And Girl's club and Chili's are combining forces on November 26th for Spirit Night. If you print out this flyer (link) (it's 3.5Mb, so it may take a little while to load). 10% of your check will be donated to the Boy's and Girl's Club. This is good at all three Fredericksburg, VA locations:

Fredericksburg
3104 Plank Road
540-548-4270

Fredericksburg
10010 Southpoint Parkway
540-898-6666

Stafford
1030 Stafford Market Place
540-288-1212