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Simon Smith, Vice President of Food and Beverage, Williamsburg Winery
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Glenn Lavender, owner, Silver Hand Meadery
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Robby Willey, co-founder, The Virginia Beer Company
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Rick Wasmund, owner, Copper Fox Distillery
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Adam Steely, owner, Illy Caffe
As you celebrate the holiday season—and, let’s face it, the end of 2020—local restaurants, breweries and other establishments are ready to pour you an assortment of libations. Here is just a sampling of what you can imbibe on your next night out on the town.
Williamsburg Winery
Williamsburg Winery has five seasonal sips for your enjoyment.
Simon Smith, the winery’s Vice President of Food and Beverage, recommends the Spiced Wine Cider made with Williamsburg Winery’s Jamestown Cellar Spice Wine, blood orange slices, cinnamon-infused juniper berries, allspice berries and cloves, served warm. “It’s a very festive drink,” Smith said. “It can be paired with food while you are sitting by the fire. It is very versatile.”
Silver Hand Meadery
Silver Hand Meadery, meanwhile, has their seasonal apple cider-based mead, Dream by the Fire, available. They also released two brand new meads in November, a spiced fig mead named Gettin’ Figgy as well as a traditional mead made with Hawaiian Christmas Berry Blossom honey.
The Virginia Beer Company
If you are a fan of The Virginia Beer Company’s popular Evil Santa, co-founder Robby Willey suggests grabbing a pint of the Double Evil Santa, an Imperial Milk Stout that is best “suited for the coldest of winter nights,” Willey said. “Double Evil Santa is a stronger version of our Evil Santa Spiced Milk Stout that has been aged in Bourbon Barrels for six months. Nutmeg, cinnamon and allspice are complemented by the caramel and vanilla notes that arise from extended barrel aging.” It is available in cans for the first time this year.
Copper Fox Distillery
For a warm holiday cocktail, head over to Copper Fox Distillery to swig on the Williamsburg Toddy. “This is a great cocktail for someone who is looking for something served hot that isn’t coffee or hot chocolate,” said Jon Arroyo with Copper Fox Distillery. “It is our variation of a hot toddy.” The drink is made with Copper Fox Original Rye, mint syrup, black tea, heavy cream and freshly grated cinnamon or nutmeg. “I would consider sipping it outdoors by a warm fire and a warm body,” Arroyo said.
Illy Caffe
Coffee enthusiasts looking to spice up their cup of java should stop by Illy Caffe in Merchant’s Square. “We make a fantastic Orange Mocha Latte that is a huge holiday hit,” said owner Adam Steely. “We use organic orange marmalade and milk from a local dairy and our Illy espresso.”
The Meadows Original Frozen Custard
Those looking for a non-alcoholic holiday treat should try one of The Meadows Original Frozen Custard specialty milkshakes. The custard shop recently expanded, adding seasonal milkshakes to the menu, with a peppermint Oreo shake currently ready to be savored. “Customers really like eye-popping items, and we knew we could create something that is budget-friendly and tastes amazing,” said owner Emily Brown. “No one in the state of Virginia offers a true custard specialty shake like this.”
williamsburgwinery.com | silverhandmeadery.com
virginiabeerco.com | copperfoxdistillery.com
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