It was a Wednesday night. There happened to be no show. I decided we should mix it up a little, step out of the comfort zone, try something new .... so we went to a different brewery for the night instead. ;)
I'd heard about it from Sarah as the co-owner, Mike is an ex-colleague of hers from TheatreVirginia days. Mike used to be a chippie before he turned towards his other passion of brewing beer. Sarah had been to their launch & brought me back a beermat along with a positive review. Somewhat different to the Hardywood set-up but definitely worth a visit. Sold.
(They're all about the monkey:)
Stepping inside on a pre-4th Wednesday night, we were met by much of a bar set-up out front. Lots of people in a kind of Bank Holiday spirit as eat, drink & be merry, for tomorrow we do rest.
(Hardywood by contrast, has a much more industrial feel from being structured around the brewery space. As you order at the bar, there are barrels & machinery only a few feet away. This works to their advantage as well as to their detriment. Oops.)
Popkin's - across from the Rep - has a steady & ever-changing draft list so Luke, Doug & I had already sampled Strangeway's standard, Albino Monkey White Ale. The night we went was a Curiosities night.
"Step Right Up Ladies and Gents, introducing:
A COMPENDIUM OF CURIOSITIES
I. GEORGIA PEACH NECTAR
PHANTASMIC EAST COAST IPA: Taste the natural essence of peaches & peach puree as they pair with the hoppy goodness of our newest creation.
II. FIELDS OF FRANCE WALLONIAN DAWN
HONEY SAISON. (Meh.)
II. MALLORCA MELON
ALBINO MONKEY WHITE ALE:
A delicious blend of Spanish cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, hibiscus, & Seville orange for a sweet & tangy infusion."
Given that the option was there, we took a wee sample of each. The Melon was interesting, somewhat sharp. I've yet to learn to like a Saison here. The Phantasmic was a winner. Also good: strong, dark & so very tasty, their other standard draft, Woodbooger* Belgian-Style Brown Ale. Yum.
Strangeways decor is just as it says on the coaster: 
Exquisitely Peculiar
(I didn't however manage a photo
of the goat skull crucifix,
nor the mailbox which had sprung legs & a head.)
It was a good night out!
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| Photo moment & kisses with Brittany. |
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| Luke & Ginny take on Strange Monkey faces. |
* That's Southwest Virginian for Bigfoot. He hides in the woods & the hills, y'know.
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