In recent years, the word about Devil’s Backbone has spread by mouth around campfires and in the shelter trail-logs up and down the Appalachian Trail. Devil’s Backbone has also begun to host cycling, mountain biking, and cross-country races on its property, which they anticipate will become annual events. The weekend is full of food, drink, tent camping, bonfires, and of course, music. Since the fall of 2009, the earthy, music loving county has been annually treated to a weekend long outdoor music festival called The Festy. With all this accessible, award winning beer, and Crandall’s initial vision for a wilderness lodge, Devil’s Backbone Brewpub has successfully become a hub for the community that pre-existed it. This approach welcomes the typical Nelson County beer drinker, and creates a range of choices for visitors. Oliver puts all his best work and attention into making beers that are more interesting and flavorful than their mass produced counterparts, but are not so edgy or gimmicky as to be unpalatable. I find them a little more exacting as a brewer to make there’s less to hide behind with a lower alcohol beer.” This emphasis on what’s enjoyable is at once a provision for the uninitiated craft beer drinker and a philosophy of excellence. “There’s nothing wrong with having some good, drinkable, traditional beers that are very solid, very well built, and are not gimmicky. As Oliver puts it, “I really like to drink beer.” Giving due respect to the complex and boundary pushing movements within craft brewing, Oliver is comfortable with honing the familiar. With this kind of experience and recognition, it is little wonder that Devil’s Backbone has become the most widely distributed Virginia Craft Brewery in its short five-year existence.ĭriving all the passion and expertise is a simple disposition, likely shared by anyone reading this article. as a guest brewer at a pub in East Anglia, where he concocted an American Amber Ale for U.K. The following winter, Jason was invited down to Thunder Road Brewery in Melbourne, Australia, to help brew a series of “hop aroma driven beers.” Two weeks after his return, he shoved off once more for the U.K. After winning awards from the World Beer Cup in 2010, Oliver was invited to Bamburg, Germany and went as a visiting brewer (think visiting professor) to produce a Rye Pilsner for German distribution. Oliver’s experience is recognized elsewhere, and he is regularly invited to collaborate on beers both nationally and internationally.

And yet, his breadth of knowledge and experience serves not to inhibit but to enhance experimentation, as evidenced by the 100 + styles of beer brewed in the first five years of production. His traditional beers are of such quality that he beat out European breweries to win the Gold medal at the World Beer Cup for his Vienna Lager style beer. In a craft beer culture that often emphasizes experimentation at the expense of excellence, Oliver stands out for his willingness to studiously learn from established styles and methods. Oliver has been brewing for seventeen years, and has been with Devil’s Backbone since the start in 2008. But for all this, the main reason the Devil’s Backbone name is known throughout Virginia and surrounding states is brewmaster Jason Oliver, who uses the location to brew internationally award winning German, Belgian, and English style beers. Five years after its start, Crandall’s vision has come to life with hikers, bikers and weekend visitors coming from Route 151 or streaming down from the Wintergreen Mountain Resort to enjoy the beautiful Devil’s Backbone lodge and artisan pub fare including house smoked meats and fresh, local ingredients. Owner Steve Crandall’s vision was to create a Wyoming style lodge in celebration of and in harmony with his love for Virginia’s beautiful outdoors. With the exception of the Moosehead from Jackson Hole over the fireplace, the Devil’s Backbone mountain lodge brewpub is ornamented with trophy worthy game from Nelson County. DEVIL'S BACKBONE BREWING COMPANY World Class Beer in a Backwoods Brewpub 151 Nelson Brew Tour

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