Do you have plans for Sunday, February 5th?

Cancel them. Seriously.

We’re throwing a Super Bowl party that nobody in their right mind should miss. In fact, we’ve intentionally chosen *not* to advertise it outside of the Charlottesville area because the Charlottesville/Albemarle Airport actually might not be able to handle all the traffic. And we don’t want to be shutting down airports.

What’s so special about our party? What could possibly persuade you to skip the party your friend is throwing, complete with cheese curls and wine coolers?

Two words:

Awesome Beer.

That’s right, we’re going for a tap lineup of epic proportions. The kind of tap lineup that people will write sonnets about. SONNETS, PEOPLE! Whether you like IPAs, stouts, Belgians, or something in between, we’ll have something fabulous for you to enjoy while cheering for your team… or the commercials — whatever floats your boat. Click here to head on over to our party page to see the latest news. You won’t be sorry you did.

We’ll see you February 5th.

Cheers,
Timberwood Grill

So we were sitting around a couple of months ago, and we thought, what can we do to make Charlottesville a better place? Sure, we try to offer great food and service, but that’s really just our job. We need to actually give something back to the community in return for everything the area has done for us.

So, we came up with an idea. We came up with lots of ideas, actually, but you’ll see more of those next year. For now, we said, why don’t we just see how many toys we can gather for the area Toys for Tots Foundation? We know the economy is awful right now, and sometimes it’s hard to justify buying something for someone you’ll never meet, no matter how small. That’s where we come in. We’re trying to lessen the blow a little.

We’re giving you free food.

That’s right, you heard us. For every toy you bring in from now until Christmas, we’re going to give you a coupon for a free appetizer. And there’s no limit on the number of toys you can bring in. One toy, one coupon; ten toys, ten coupons; etc. It’s just that simple. (Well, there’s one catch: it has to be new and not gift-wrapped. But that’s easy.) Shoot, you can really get into the giving spirit if you want, and bring in a bunch of toys, then use the free app coupons as stocking stuffers for everyone you love! Whoah! Giving multiplied!

Really, that’s all we wanted to report. It’s our first year doing this, but we’re hoping it’ll catch on quickly, and every year after this, everyone in the area will stop in with a toy or three. With your help, we’re hoping to bring a little extra holiday joy to some area children. So bring in those toys!

Sincerely,
The Timberwood Family

Greetings, fellow beer lovers! We’d like to take just a moment of your time to introduce a brewery to you. They’re called Southern Tier, and they’re located in Lakewood, New York. Lakewood is a tiny village on Chautauqua Lake, with a total population of 3,258 people. OK, you’re saying, small town, big beers. Big whoop. But here’s the kicker: they average 97.66 inches of snow a year — that’s more than Buffalo, and only slightly less than Anchorage, Alaska. Luckily for you, the Southern Tier crew fights through the drifts, uphill, both ways, to concoct their amazing beers year round.

That’s all fine, you’re saying, but what’s that got to do with me, all cuddly and warm down here in toasty central VA? Well, it’s got everything to do with you, if you love delicious beer. We have all of the following beers from Southern Tier available in bottles, right now:

Pumking, A- on Beer Advocate, 98 on Ratebeer.
Iniquity, A- on Beer Advocate, 98 on Ratebeer.
Mokah, A- on Beer Advocate, 99 on Ratebeer.
Jah*va, A- on Beer Advocate, 99 on Ratebeer.

As you can see from those consistently high scores, this is a seriously world-class brewery. You can either come on in and try one of these bombers from Southern Tier, or just grab one and take it home with you to explore on your own turf, and on your terms. Either way, we’re one of only a few places in Charlottesville that carry Southern Tier beers, so if you want to try one, we’ve got you covered.

As of this post’s publication time, we also have Pumking on tap, but we can’t promise that will last very long. Check our current draft list on the right side of the page to make sure we still have it before you hold us to that, or keep tabs on us through one of our favorite websites, Taplister.

It’s almost time for our measly 17.6 average annual inches of snow to start falling, so before you get trapped at home by this year’s dusting — er, blizzard, come on in and grab some sustenance for those cold winter nights.

Cheers!

Hey, thanks for stopping by!

Hopefully, you’re here because you stopped by our booth at Top of the Hops on Saturday and grabbed a pretzel cup necklace (or just a pretzel cup, if you showed up late… sorry we ran out of string!) and a chance to win a gift certificate.

While you’re here, check out our draft beer menu, bottle beer menu, and specials menu. We’re proud of all of them, and hope you’ll stop in for something, whether you’re watching a football game over a great beer and dinner special, or just swinging through to grab a six-pack on your way elsewhere. Either way, we want to be your favorite Charlottesville beer and food destination.

And for those of you paying attention (or sober enough to remember…) here’s a link to our Top of the Hops page, where you can look up this year’s winning numbers. If you kept the card that came in your pretzel cup, this is where you want to be. Good luck!

Cheers!

The wait is over!

“Do you have Fat Tire?”

And for years the answer has been, “No, New Belgium doesn’t distribute to Virginia. Yet.” And the wait continued.

Until now.

On Monday, August 22nd, New Belgium Brewery will arrive in Virginia. That’s right, the wait is over. You’ll be able to pour yourself an ice cold Fat Tire right at the Timberwood Grill bar. And even better, now that we’re selling bottles to go, you’ll be able to buy as many bottles as you’d like to take home with you!

If you haven’t heard of New Belgium, well, first of all, you probably don’t like beer. But mainly, it’s because they’re a great brewery that simply hasn’t delivered to Virginia yet. Not only do they make great beer, but they do it in an extremely environmentally conscious way. We’re happy to feature them for both reasons. If you want more information, here’s their website: http://www.newbelgium.com.

As for what we’ll be getting, and when, here’s how it’s going to work. First, New Belgium is sending 22oz bottles our way. So we’ll only have those for the first couple of months. After that, they’ll add kegs, and as long as they can supply it, and the Timberwood family loves it, we’ll have at least one beer from them on tap. Finally, around the first of the year, they should be sending six-packs our way, which we’ll also carry for your Timberwood or at-home consumption.

Sound like a plan? We’re really excited to finally be able to carry this world-class brewery’s beer right here in Charlottesville, and we hope you’ll stop in and try some soon.

Cheers!

Have we mentioned how much we love our local breweries? There are very few places in the country with as many world-class beers being made within a half-hour drive as Charlottesville. One of our favorites is, and always will be, Blue Mountain Brewery.

Now, if you’re not familiar with Blue Mountain, listen carefully, because this is important. We’re a restaurant, so it’s generally not the best idea ever to tell people to go to other restaurants. But that’s exactly what we’re telling you. The next sunny Central Virginia day we get, clear at least 3 hours out of your schedule. Call in sick if you need to, it’ll be worth it. Grab a friend (at least one, but the more the merrier), hop in the car, and head out towards Wintergreen. On your way out, roll the windows down and let that crisp mountain air invade your senses: taste it, smell it, feel it.

When you get to the brewery, if it’s your first time, you may not realize the amazing changes that have taken place over the past few years. The huge patio, the hop farm, the brand new building, all new as Blue Mountain expands to keep up with the demand for their amazing brews. The gorgeous mountain views, well, those were always there, but you still get to enjoy them. Even before you try a beer you’ll know why this brewery was recently featured as one of Imbibe magazine’s 100 best places to drink in the South.

Once you’ve settled into a table, that’s when the real fun begins. If you’re a beer lover, you should get a sampler. No matter what they have on tap (they’ll always have on at least one seasonal brew, along with their normal lineup), it’s all worth trying. The problem is deciding on just one, when it’s time to order a second round. But we trust that you can manage! Pay attention to the fresh hop flavors, because some of them come from just 50 feet away. The water comes from a well just out back, fed by an untouched forest watershed. These factors and more, combined with brewmaster Taylor Smack’s creativity and knack for a perfectly concocted beer, lead to some of the best beers, not just in the state, but the nation.

Before you leave, be sure to tell your server Timberwood Grill sent you, and it can’t hurt to mention that you’d love to see Dark Hollow on tap out here at the Grill!

After your Afton adventure, you’ll head home relaxed, happy, and (don’t say we didn’t warn you) craving more delicious Blue Mountain beer. Fear not! We always have at least one on tap. Stop by for a Blue Mountain brew, and tell us about your visit to one of our favorite breweries.

Cheers!

We just changed up our sampler, inspired by this break in all the rain. We’ve got some fun flavors on here, so stop in for a table on the patio and try these refreshing brews.

Oskar Blues Little Yella Pils – we start you out with one of our favorite pilsners.
Allagash White – this belgian witbier is one of our staff’s favorites.
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice – this amazingly refreshing cream ale really does taste like cream soda.
Left Hand Good Juju – this beer brewed with ginger is light and crisp.
Bell’s Oberon – another staff favorite, this pale wheat ale is a hit year after year.

Seriously, where else in Charlottesville can you enjoy this perfect early summer weather, sample 5 amazing beers, and order weekly specials like soft-shell crab, filet mignon, and locally raised pork tenderloin, all in the same place? That’s what we thought. The patio is calling your name! Heed!

Cheers!

We just tapped Moylan’s Hopsickle Imperial IPA and we honestly think it is the best beer on tap in Charlottesville right now. Honestly, we’re not quite sure how they managed to squeeze so much hop flavor into this beer. A few reasons you may not want to try this beer:

…

That’s right, we can’t think of a single reason. OK, maybe if you don’t like hoppy beers, you shouldn’t order it; but by all means you need to at least try your friend/husband/wife’s pint so you can appreciate a perfectly crafted beer.

Our quick description:

If hop flavor were a thing – a butterfly, perhaps – this beer would be a three ton centennial Mothra that shoots bitter lasers from its eyes, eats entire pine forests for breakfast, breathes endless cascades of fire, and leaves a swath of caramel-coated destruction in the wake of its tomahawk wings. This beer wants to consume you. But if you’re up to the challenge, much like Godzilla, you’ll emerge victorious, if a little wobbly, from the encounter.

Some other descriptions/rating sites:

Beer Advocate

Rate Beer

Beer Obsession (A well written beer blog that we enjoy, and hope you do too!)

That’s about all. Hopheads, don’t miss this one. Hophead friend/significant other, don’t let your dear hophead miss this one. You’ll hate it, but they’ll love you for it. And as usual, don’t forget your growler.

Cheers!

This gorgeous early spring weather has inspired a light and tasty beer sampler… Here’s the run-down:

Oskar Blues Little Yella Pils – we start you out with one of our favorite pilsners.
Allagash White – this belgian witbier is one of our staff’s favorites.
Anderson Valley Wee Geech – basically a “light IPA”, this Bahl Hornin’ series brew still has plenty of flavor but doesn’t knock you over with a ridiculous ABV.
Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale – Getting a little further into the fuller flavors, this combo style is still crisp and clean.
North Coast Ruedrich’ s Red Seal – this pale has great balance, but it’s traditional so it’s without the Belgian flavors of the Ommegang.

Stop in for one, and then let us know which is your favorite!

Cheers!

Last week, we hooked up one of our favorite beers, and were immediately reminded that it is definitely one of your favorites as well. Allagash White is Allagash’s interpretation of a classic Belgian wheat beer. The color alone is enough to make you want one — cloudy with an almost fluorescent yellow glow that seems to come from within. You almost feel like you could carry a mug of this beer through darkness like a torch.

The only problem, of course, is that your torch wouldn’t last long because it’s so unbelievably delicious. Light carbonation keeps that wheat suspension so silky smooth you’ll want each sip to last forever. Coriander is the dominant flavor, but there’s also plenty of orange peel, pepper, and clove.

All in all, this is an easy drinker that you will find yourself coming back for more and more of. And with the beautiful weather coming up this weekend, we can’t imagine a better beer to enjoy on the patio with friends or by yourself with a good book.

Here’s what everyone else has to say about it:

Allagash Brewing Company
Beer Advocate
RateBeer

Stop by for a pint, and as always, don’t forget your growler!

Enjoy!