Big Fun at Rappahannock Co. Beer Festival and Pig Roast
/5th Anniversary Party Celebrates Farmers, Makers & Community
Pen druid, The center of the action in sperryville.
By David Amini, special to Edible DC
Rappahannock’s 5th Annual Beer Festival and Pig Roast took place this past Saturday, October 28th on the grounds of Pen Druid Brewery in Sperryville, VA. Folks of all ages came out to celebrate. The weather was in the upper sixties with sunny skies and a breeze that brought with it the smell of fall. It was a gorgeous day to be outside.
This festival is a true celebration of the land and community. It was wonderful to see local farmers, brewers, distillers and entrepreneurs working together and collaborating in such a capacity, while emphasizing environmental impact, humane practice, and nourishing traditions---a refreshing and communal way to celebrate the arrival of fall.
Casey from the Farm at Sunnyside prepares a wood roasted pig.
Starting around noon, The Farm at Sunnyside prepared platters of smoked pork roasted over a local wood fire through the night. Heritage Hollow Farms of Sperryville provided the pastured pork, raised in the orchards and forest just around the corner from Pen Druid. The roasted pork came with potato salad and coleslaw made with vegetables grown by The Farm at Sunnyside, located in Washington, Virginia, just north of Sperryville. Kimchi and fermented vegetables from Number 1 Sons were served alongside platters, also using many vegetables grown by The Farm at Sunnyside.
Farm at Sunnyside preparing pork for platter.
Guests had the option of drinking beer from Pen Druid and Hopkins Ordinary, both breweries local to Sperryville. Pen Druid offered three special release beers for on site consumption as well as take away, notably the Spontaneous, a spontaneously fermented beer made with turbid mashed, aged hops from Rappahannock County, organic raw wheat from The Farm at Sunnyside and Virginia malt from Copper Fox Distillery which is right next door.
Spontaneous, a special release from Pen Druid.
David is a native Washingtonian who enjoys cooking and baking with fresh and healthy ingredients. If he’s not cooking, you might find him hiking the Billy Goat, catching a good folk show, or browsing the farmers' market. (IG @dmamb)
