With more than 5,000 small and independent craft breweries now operating in the U.S., there are more options than ever when it comes to enjoying great beer. But what are the very best places?
That's a question the Brewers Association posed to more than 7,000 beer drinkers in a survey to select the group's "2017 Great American Beer Bars," highlighting the best place to belly up for a beer in all 50 states.
No surprise here, but in West Virginia that place is Huntington's Summit Beer Station, an ultra-cool (but tiny) place I praised during my "West Virginia Tastiest Town" trip to the river city last year. It has also appeared on multiple "50 Best Beer Bars in America" lists.
Open since 2014, Summit serves more than 70 different bottled and canned craft beers, along with 16 rotating taps listed on an interactive digital display.
Summit recently announced it will be closing its doors inside the old train loading dock at Huntington's Heritage Station, but only temporarily. They're moving to a new, larger location at downtown's 9th Street Plaza later this spring.
History shows many restaurants or bars lose their charm when they abandon the surroundings folks love in hopes for something better. I sure hope that's not the case here.
You can see the full list of "2017 Great American Beer Bars" at craftbeer.com.
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Even though spring hasn't officially sprung yet, the annual turning ahead of the clocks always gets me psyched for the summer months to come - and the fun annual food festivals they bring.
One of the biggest is FestivALL's Taste-of-ALL Charleston, which has already announced the first round of restaurants that will be participating in this year's sampling extravaganza.
So let's hear it so far for Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille, Recovery Sports Grill, Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream, Stuff It, Mardi Gras Casino & Resort, Fusion Teriyaki Grille, Black Sheep Burrito and Brews at The Brewery, and host Four Points by Sheraton, whose fantastic lobster roll with Appalachian slaw won my vote for last year's best tasting dish.
Stay tuned for additional participants announced leading up to the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 27.
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Speaking of food events, I'll be at a great one from noon to 4 p.m. this Saturday during Capitol Market's 15th annual Green Chili Shootout.
Dozens of chili cooks from all over the country will be on hand, offering public samples and stirring up their own competition batch in hopes of winning the event's $1,000 grand prize - and an automatic berth to the World Championship Chili Cookoff.
You'll also enjoy live music, children's activities, green (and regular) beer - and me! I'll be on hand to help emcee the activities and judge the winning pots. Cold or not, I can't wait.
For more information, visit capitolmarket.net.
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So guess what next Monday is? March 20, you say. Well, yeah.
But it's also the "official" first day of spring, an event Dairy Queen will be celebrating by giving away free ice cream cones.
Did you hear that, y'all? Free ice cream!
While supplies last, guests can receive a free small vanilla cone (complete with that signature swirl on top) that day. Limit one per customer, of course.
Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and an occasional food blog at blogs.wvgazettemail.com/foodguy. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by email at wvfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook as "WV Food Guy" and on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as "WVFoodGuy."