It's finally here! The much-anticipated entry of Great Lakes Brewery into the Virginia market officially begins on February 27. There are several "tap takeover" events taking place around Northern VA. The first official Great Lakes Beer Dinner will be held on March 1, right here in Fredericksburg at Capital Ale House.

MENU: 

Welcome Beer - Eliot Ness Amber Lager 

1st Course - Chestnut Soup topped with Sourdough Sage Croutons paired with Dortmunder Gold Lager 

2nd Course - Tapas plate of house made Bread n Butter Pickles, Polish Kielbasa, Sauerkraut Balls, Fontina Cheese and Smoked Cheddar paired with Burning River Pale Ale 

3rd Course - Jerk Seasoned Walleye stuffed with Roasted Red Peppers and Baby Spinach over Wild Rice paired with Commodore Perry IPA 

4th Course - Blackberry stuffed Pierogies finished with Coffee Infused Porter Reduction paired with Edmund Fitzgerald Porter

There will also be tasting events held around town that day, at Wegmans and Total Wine.

Tickets to the dinner are available at Capital Ale House. The dinner will be held from 7:00PM - 9:00PM and tickets cost $35. As of this writing they were not available online.

Valentine’s Day is less than a week away, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve failed to make your dinner reservations.  The well-known restaurants will most likely be booked solid by now, especially for the peak dinner hours.  Well, you’re in luck.  Here are a few suggestions of over looked restaurants in Fredericksburg to try.  (All have been tasted and approved!)

1.  Wegman’s- Yes, I’m suggesting eating at a grocery store.  Fredericksburg let out a cheer when Wegman’s opened it’s doors.  Many will be letting out another cheer this Valentine’s Day as they lay a pre-prepared meal on their dinner tables.  Leave the cooking up to Wegman’s and the ambiance up to you.  Wegman’s offers an assortment of culinary delights from main course and side dishes, to delectable desserts.  While you’re there, grab some flowers, a card, and/ or candy!  This is a one stop shop!  Wegman’s is located in Celebrate Virginia, across the street from Central Park.  2281 Carl D Silver Pkwy.

2.  Lee’s Retreat Brew Pub- Lee’s Retreat, the restaurant connected to Fredericksburg’s Blue and Gray Brewery, is reopening for Valentine’s Day!  They are offering a beer and wine pairing dinner menu.  Reservations are for 6:30pm on Valentine’s Day, only.  The dinner consists of  5 predetermined courses and experts’ selections of beer and wine.  The cost is $75 per person and gratuity is not included.  Lee’s Retreat Brew Pub is located in the Bowman Industrial Park off of Rt. 2.  3300 Dill Smith Drive. 

3.  Pueblo’s Tex Mex Grill- This is my new favorite restaurant!  Keep in mind, this is a very intimate dining space.  There are not many tables, so I highly recommend making a reservation to ensure seating.  Pueblo’s takes Tex Mex to a whole new level for the Fredericksburg area.  Food is made to order and the menu offers so much more than “order-by-number” dining.  The wait staff is very friendly, the food is delicious, and they offer a full bar.  Pueblo’s is located on Jefferson Davis Hwy across the street from Eagle Village Shopping Center.  1320 Jefferson Davis Hwy. 

4.  Poppy Hill Tuscan Kitchen-  Poppy Hill is a cozy environment offering farm fresh ingredients, homemade pasta, and fresh herbs.  Go as a couple or go with friends, you are sure to have a good time.  The restaurant is not handicap accessible, but is located in a historic building… it’s actually in the basement.  Poppy Hill is located at the corner of William Street and Charles Street.  1000 Charles Street. 

5.  The Kenmore Inn- This popular bed & breakfast offers a full service restaurant in the basement.  Overlooking a brick courtyard, this dining experience includes a seasonal, eclectic menu.  Be sure to visit the bar area to enjoy relaxing conversation and a beverage of choice.  Make it an overnight holiday with one of several packages offered by the bed & breakfast.  The Kenmore Inn is located near the heart of downtown Fredericksburg on Princess Anne Street.  1200 Princess Anne Street.

As noted previously, our son's school held their annual dinner and auction fundraiser this weekend. At our previous school, each year we donated a craft beer and food tasting event to the cause. Now that he's moved on to high school, we agreed to do the same for the new school. The event consists of at least  eight different courses, served for 6 people, in our home. We discuss the various types of beer, the signature marks of each style along with interesting brewing, beer culture or historical facts related to craft beer. Of course an appropriate food is served with each beer. The event has apparently developed a bit of a reputation as we have folks telling us well in advance they intend to bid it.

The Fredericksburg Brewing Insiders will celebrate the annual Teach a Friend to Homebrew Day with a demonstration at the Blue & Gray Brewery on Saturday, November 5. Join these local home brewers, and all around fun people, for a day of brewing instruction.

I stopped by for a previous year's event and had a great time.

See the Fredericksburg Brewing Insiders web page for more information.

Sometimes you just have to say goodbye to an old friend. My Blue & Gray Brewery cap has been my constant companion for many years. It's traveled to numerous beer festivals, shooting matches, and plenty of other outdoor activities. I grabbed it the other day to pack for the Fredericksburg USPSA match and noticed that the ol' boy had seen better days. The embroidered logo was faded and unrecognizable, the brim and top were stained, and there certainly wasn't any shape left to it. Even though I'm not given to vanity, I decided that perhaps it wasn't fit for wearing. It's time to retire this cap.

The next order of business is finding another suitable cap. But I don't wear just anybody's advertising. Any of my favorite breweries or shooting sports businesses want to send a new cap my way?

I had such a busy weekend that I've been remiss in sharing the news about Virginia winners at the Great American Beer Festival. Once again, some of our favorite Virginia craft breweries brought home medals.

If you missed the Capital Alehouse Oktoberfest this past weekend you can still get your Prosit! on this coming weekend. The 9th Annual Fredericksburg Area Oktoberfest kicks off Friday at the Blue & Gray Brewery, and continues through Saturday. There will be two three tents full of family fun — sing alongs, stein holding contest, Oompah music, ginger bread walk, authentic, delicious German foods and pastries, and free fall crafts table for the kids.

If you can't wait until Friday, Lee's Retreat has prepared a special Oktoberfest menu for this week. Blue & Gray's popular Oktoberfest Bier is also on tap at the brewpub. And just a word of warning, this beer sells out quickly every year so get your growler filled before it's gone.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful wife of 27 years!

Today Colleen and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. I won't say it seems like "just yesterday," because that would cheapen the significance of all those years. It's been a wonderful 27 years and I've treasured every moment of it.

Colleen, thank you for being a wonderful wife, a loving mother to our son, and a blessing to everyone whose life you touch.

? ? ? I love you! ? ? ?

Update 08/19/2011 – Ferry Road has been reopened!  Work has been completed early and the road is now open to all traffic!

This road closure will probably affect more people than one would imagine.  Ferry Road will be closed August 16-23.  The railroad tracks near the the McDonald’s just feet from the Rt3/ Ferry Road intersection is being repaired.  There are several alternate routes to avoid the construction.  Town and Country Drive saw some pretty heavy traffic this morning as drivers cut across from White Oak Road and Ferry Road.  The neighborhoods of Argyle Terrace, Argyle Heights, and Hillcrest Terrace offer a cut through from Ferry Road to Rt.3 (Kings Hwy).