Chillin' at The Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival

Microbrew beers are becoming big in Central Virginia. First the wineries came, then the Monticello Wine Trail. Then the breweries came and now we have the Brew Ridge Beer Trail. The Charlottesville-area beer trail is believed to be the first trail in Virginia that focuses primarily on locally brewed beer.

In Nelson County there recently was the first Brew Ridge Trail Music Festival at The Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company. The beer and music festival was held on Aug. 22 from 12-8. The breweries in attendance were Starr Hill Brewery, South Street Brewery, Blue Mountain Brewery, and Devil’s Backbone Brewery. There was also Hard Cider from Albemarle CiderWorks. There were many bands: Earl Knox, William Walter & Tucker Rogers, Robbing Mary, Jesse Harper, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Sons of Bill. It rained, no pored most of the day. It was chilly because of the rain like it has been so many weekends this spring and summer. Many people stood out in the rain with their coats and umbrellas and listened to the music when the rain was light enough to be able to hear it. Others huddled under the beer tent and kept drinking or hung out in the restaurant or in the covered entrance to the restaurant rocking in the rocking chairs straining to hear the music. When it was raining lighter the kids ignored the rain and played with their hula-hoops. It was as if they were chanting away the rain. The bands played on even when no one could hear them. We all cheered when the sun came out and the day warmed up. The crowd grew and the day went by fast. It was a great day despite the rain. Hopefully we can enjoy the sun more next year.