So the spring game is quickly coming. I know a lot of people will be down there for this game. I will be in town that night, however for another reason.
The Hogs 4 Hokies ride has always been the last Saturday of April, and this year, will coincide with the spring game. I'll be rolling down with a bunch of my motorcycle club members. This will be our 3rd year doing it, and the event has been going on now for 7 years.
If you are not familiar with Hogs 4 Hokies, the website is here: http://www.hogs4hokies.org - It is a 4/16 memorial ride, which raises money for the Virginia Tech Foundation.
Anyway, since so many people are going to be in town, and I'm pretty sure the game will be over when we arrive (5pm or so), I was hoping to drum up support. We end up on the drill field. Typically we have a band (if you know anyone who would like to play on the drill field, let me know) and some great raffles (including a signed Beamer bobble head, photos, footballs, etc).
So any support you can provide would be great. Anything from sharing the information with friends, coming to the drill field when we arrive (we stage at north endzone parking lot), or even writing a check/paypal, would be greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions, or want to help out. Post up.
Thanks.
Comments
I wanted to do this ride this year but, you arrive after the game. Think about rescheduling the times so we can arrive and watch.
Well, there is also an annual 3.2 for remembrance run that goes on campus. I will be there.
Just curious, is the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund still a thing, or did it all get rolled over to the VT Foundation over the years?
I didn't organize the ride. Wasn't amped about the timing, but we are road captains and couldn't let that drop. Sucks to miss the game, but showing my support. Worried that this ride could disappear.
As we get closer, wanted to bump this. So far, the turn out is looking on the low side. So if you could help spread the word that would be great.
Hope to run into a few of guys later that night downtown too.
Bumping this. There are three weeks till this event. I'm worried we are going to have lower numbers this year, so if you know any riders out there, spread the word (even if you are at the game).
I'd love to do it but, I'm coming in for the game from Asheville so, I'll need to hit it next year.
what are you doing in Asheville, if you don't mind me asking?
I only ask, because I live in Asheville. (Weaverville, technically, but close enough)
Visiting breweries.
As a professional brewer, I can pretend drinking beer is a professional necessity. Kidding, sorta.
Wife wants to go drink beer.
well, have fun!! which breweries are you hitting up?
Your mom's [ducks]. J/m. Actually it's the brewery of my shiny metal ass [also sarcastica].
We'll be there for 4 days so probably, all of them or close to it.
Plus the Thirsty Monk for a Pint O' Bacon.
Looks like my little metal buddy doesn't recognize what a brewery mecca Asheville can be.
man that sounds awesome...I've been to some of the breweries but not all of them...and I LIVE HERE! Although, to be fair, I work during the week and travel most weekends so I don't get out much. There are definitely some cool bars; Thirsty Monk is a good choice. I also really like Barley's Tap Room and Pizzeria. Upstairs they have a big bar with lots of taps and pool tables and dart boards. It's a nice place to just hang out and chill with some friends.
I've been before and hit most of them.
Liked sitting outside at Asheville Pizza and Brewery and liked the atmosphere and beer at Pisgah.
The Oysterhouse is really good food and the oyster porter is great.
Didn't get the little place over near French Broad.
The beers at LAB were unremarkable but the front of the place near the windows was a very good vibe.
Looking forward to checking out one of the new big places, I understand one of them from the west coast that relocated east is opening.
If the weather is good, I plan to ride my motorcycle right down the Blue Ridge Parkway from Roanoke to Ashville.
I would also recommend checking out Wicked Weed. It's a new bar right next to the Orange Peel (if you know where that is)
They are a microbrewery and they do some pretty high gravity, dark beers. It's good stuff! They also have good food so if you want to check it out with the Lady for dinner one evening I think that would be a great way to start the evening. If the weather is nice enough, they have a good out door patio upstairs. I don't know if you're a smoker or not, but they have some outside seating downstairs where people can smoke. I think they might have a corn-hole set downstairs too, but don't quote me on that.
Just did a trip there a few weeks ago. LAB was sad. Wicked weed was great, lot of unique beers there. Pisgah was also one of our top visits. Green man bat is closed, though they still serve there. Thirsty monk is supposed to brew soon. Hi-wire was decent. and bruisin ales was an "ok" beer shop. I just formed www.gravitytasters.com here in DC. We are going to do tastings and brewery visits. Sounds like a beer between us is necessary.
LAB is a tourist trap...it's a cool set up but the beer is sub-par. I really like the Dyson hand driers in the bathrooms...that's my favorite part of the whole bar
Totally funny, I liked the hand driers too and my daughters kept finding excuses to go to the bathroom. We were concerned until we figured out why.
I absolutely do support sharing some time and brews.
I'll be down that weekend obviously, but should do a proper weekend. Did you hear stone is eyeing Crozet for their east coast location?
Stone is so early in their search process they have only started weaning out large general areas. Don't get excited about anything for another couple months.
For gosh sakes Norfolk is claiming they've got a front seat, and they do not. Not by a long shot. Too much coal dust in the air for that kind of thing, amount others. Norfolk ABC is a job destroyer for another.
I know Richmond has a group of people trying to get Stone to come in. Is this legitimate at all?
Right now they are so wide open almost anything is possible but, I don't see Richmond being high on the list.
Generally, as discussions with other brewers go, it's further west for those looking for distribution along the East coast. The reason is rt 95. 95 north from Richmond essentially send trucks into the metropolis to get anywhere. South is fine but to legitimately move north they have to drive west to rt 81 then head north.
Unless they plan on all shipments north going by train, then its another matter AND, Greenflash went into Virgnia Beach with that plan in mond but, they also plan on the tourist activity at the beach to drive local retail sales and introduce new people to the product from all the traffic from the east coast going to Virginia Beach and Nags Head.
Not saying they won't but, I wouldn't hold me breath for Richmond. they'll visit but I suspect it'll get written off quick like the last 4 majors to create East Coast Production.
Thanks for the info! I love the craft brewing industry, I just don't know enough about it to have the insights that you do.
I think Green Flash also felt more comfy in a beach community, being San Diego and all. Eventhough Stone is considered an SD brewery, its actually in Escondido, which is more inland and not really a beach community. From what it sounds like, Stone would want to follow similar path as New Belgium and Blue Mountain. Create a place to have their beer garden, maybe have some farm land, or nice grounds. They would definitely love to replicate what they have out west. The benefit to Crozet, is that you have 64, 81, and 95 all within easy distance for distribution. Plus, there are plenty of people traveling through this area. So they don't need to hit a tourist destination, as they would be come a destination in themselves. I've heard that there are plenty of others trying to get their attention. So we'll see. Just thought it was interesting to hear Crozet, especially since Crozet wasn't even courting them.
I used to be a big fan of Stone, and love their marketing. However, some of their beers are just plain nasty (crime and punishment and some others along that line). Plus the food at the beer garden is a bit overly done. Greg can also be a bit of an ass. But if they did open along that corridor, I definitely won't stop. It's great to think that you can drive down 66 to 81 to 24, and hit so many great breweries along the way.
I head out to SD a lot. Have family there. It was part of the inspiration for gravity tasters. I end up going out there, and come back with loads of beer from Hess, Alpine, Stone, and more. Wish Societe bottled. Anyway, so when I come home, I have all these bombers and would love to have people do tasting with me. Same goes for anytime I end up at other places with breweries, I can't stop stocking up, haha. Right now I have a stockpile of VA, Asheville, and SD beers ready for tasting.
You hears Crozet because of Star Hill.
I don't expect Crozet to be in the running as none of the previous guys even looked there and I don't think there is any operating commercial rail depots there now. Also, none of the VA distributors has warehousing there, which increases costs for VA distribution more than you'd think.
Look for on a rail line, closer to either right on 81, 83 or similar highway, good water and good politics.
Of course I could be completely wrong.
Green Flash was going to go in NC and the owner and wife were stopping at beaches while they were on the east coast.
Owner's wife fell in love with VA Beach and there was a property there that was already ready for modification that suited their needs, it was too convenient and there was a spur of the Norfolk Southern that essentially went to their back door that could be easily added on to get them a siding. Too many things fell in place to pass up. And of course, it suited their beach culture.
My favorite Asheville watering hole is the 'Jack of the Woods' listening to the Sons of Ralph bustin' out some great bluegrass.
(sorry to butt in...)
Sons of Ralph.
Great name, is one of them really Ralph's son or is it a metaphorical son?
Funny you ask......
Ralph is the patriarch-easily 70+ years old and still plays some mean bluegrass.
The 'Sons of Ralph' are his actual sons x 2-(there may be more) and they get up and play, and dad (said Ralph) will occasionally join in on the early set.
That's cool, I haven't seen Ralph play live for years.
Actually I think Asheville is better known for a different, stronger and historical type of beverage.
Ashville won the title of Beer City City USA several times running.
Few cities in the country have more breweries esp. Considered per capita.
It has a thriving artist community and music community. Outdoor performers are really common.
Outdoor life there is popular and one of the oldest rivers in the world, some say the oldest, runs through town. Mountaineering, river sports and anything to do with these 2 are very popular.
I am unaware f any particular standout reference to moonshine for this area, especially in light of the history of SW Virginia in that regard.
A trip through Asheville for the weekend is a nice, relaxed and inexpensive thing I would recommend for anyone in our area. Real nice getaway. Especially if you like craft beer.
And "who-shot-Sally". I do know because my grandfather was born and raised there (till he left to join the Navy).
Same guy that put the "Bullet Hole in Peggy's Kitchen wall".
You know it meatsack.