For some strange reason I like breweries that invoke trains. I think it might be because my very first brewery experience was at the Iron Horse Brew Pub in Missoula, Montana. That was nearly 40 years ago. Sadly, the Iron Horse is no longer even a shadow of its former self. Rail Werks is a combination of brewing and pitmaster. The founders started off with a passion for learning how to make beer and barbeque and turned it into a nice family run brewery/restaurant.
Since a lot of us are products of our early influences, I among them, one beer on their list stood out. The Black Wall. It's an English pub ale named for a neighborhood in London with a lot of pubs. Back in 1990, I visited the UK on perhaps the smallest shoestring budget anyone has ever left America with. Nothing. I opened my first credit card and tapped it out within minutes on the airfare and a Eurail Pass. I had barely paid down the first month's interest when the trip happened, so I hit Europe with very little cash and less credit. I actually had traveler's checks, which probably don't exist anymore and a millennial wouldn't know what I'm talking about. Despite my poverty level existence, we had a blast and many memories that could not possibly happen today. We did manage to drink a fair amount, but a pint was like a pound and I distinctly remember buying a bottle of wine in Italy for 15 cents. My first pint was an English ale. I will never forget the smell and taste. I have returned several times with my brothers and my son to the same pub over the last 36 years to have a pint. The closest thing to that flavor I have had in the US was when my older brother made a home brew that hit the mark almost perfectly. I was hoping for the same with the Black Wall. It was not to be. The beer isn't bad at all, just fell short of my hopes. It did have a malty, toasty taste and had a nice finish to it. Whereas most American ales go for hoppiness, the English ale is far more complex and strive for a balance between sweet malts, hops and a stronger influx of yeast. They are the benchmark of English beers and have endured for centuries. I would drink the Black Wall again. It was just missing that distinct smell. One thing that made English ales standout for a long time was the water in Burton-on-Trent. Water can make a big difference.
We had a very short wait for our food and the barbeque was good. I tried the brisket and smoked chicken. They had a good number of choices with meat plates, tacos, sandwiches, etc. The area they have is fairly big and they must host live music as there was a stage. You could also sit at couches in several places, so their space works for drinking conversationalists as well as diners.
Another thing that stood out to me was there were only two IPA's on their beer list. That made me smile. If you know, you know. I tried their Jovarai, which is a Lithuanian ale. Now, I cannot remember the last time I had a Lithuanian beer. I may have never had a Lithuanian beer. They do sneak up on you with being one of the largest beer consumer nations in Europe, but their beers have not gotten much play here. Someone may want to correct me on that. The Jovaru is probably their most recognized style, which this beer is modeled after. Jovaru is a classic farmhouse ale which is unpasteurized and unfiltered. A lot of Europe does follow standard brewing techniques, sometimes strict standards, while Lithuania bucks this trend by using long standing local traditions sourced with local ingredients. The country is an agricultural country and that is why farmhouse ales are so big there. I will have to search out some Lith beer and see what I think. I'm actually intrigued now. The Jovarai was a decent beer, lighter on hops with a bit of sweet malt in there. It had a drier finish. I usually have a regret after I leave any brew pub and this time was that I did not try the Have You Cake and Drink it too! It is a carrot cake ale. Since it was my after lunch beer, I should've had this for dessert, but failed. I have a feeling it would've been a warm, sweet and heavier beer to cap the visit. I suck.
I did buy a tshirt and Rail Werks is worth a visit, if not for the beer, for the BBQ.
Add comment
Comments