Devil's Backbone Brewing Co.

We were up at Wintergreen Resort, but it was too warm to ski - so our alternate plan was to visit wineries in the area. Fortunately, there are lots in the greater Charlottesville area. We have visited many, and will come back and comment on them as time permits. Granted, we have eclectic tastes, but the objective is to enjoy life and see what's out there.

So our first stop for lunch, logically, was the new brew pub just outside of Wintergreen, the Devil's Backbone Brewing Co, Roseland, VA. The four of us shared two samplers of their beers while pondering our choices and the menu. The brewpub just opened in Late November with a full complement of brewed beers of many varieties, lager and otherwise.It appears that locals and visitors are finding the new brewpub, located just behind the Ski Barn as the bar and restaurant was packed at 3 pm the day after Christmas. Their pub grub was nicely priced, under $10 and we needed sustanance before doing some major tasting around the area.

We tried the buffalo sliders, spinach salad, brewhouse steak hoagie and chicken pita and their most excellent onion rings. All were tasty and hit the spot. Hits on the beer front were the Vienna Lager, the Eight Point IPA, the Ale of Fergus. The Stout was also wonderful, but we had an afternoon of wine tasting ahead.

Fortunately, our waiter Don Rhodes, co-owner and founder of Wine Tours of Virginia, had lots of opinions on local vineyards we should visit on todays adventure. He called Lovingston Winery for us as we learned that they are open for tastings and tours by appointment only and it turns out the owners were out of town for the day. We will try another time as we headed towards 29.