As the end of 2018 rapidly approaches, I took stock of remaining vacation time and found myself with a few weeks yet to be used. I designated the first week in November for one of them, and though we did not plan any major travel, a day trip to Murphy, North Carolina was on the agenda. A night at Harrah’s Valley River Casino and of course, a stop at Valley River Brewery for a few beers.

I stop here every time we’re in Murphy; it’s a scant few miles from the Casino and the beers are very tasty. I got a sampler of four beers and a cup of delicious Cabbage and Sausage soup to enjoy whilst I decided which beer on tap would fill my growler to take home to Canton.

The leading candidate was Knotty Girl Pumpkin Ale. However, this was one of the few beers I've tried here that failed to impress. Next up was The Plumbus Berliner Weisse, a Berliner-style weissbier brewed with plumbs. That sure sounds nice! The Plumbus has an alcohol content of 4% by volume and will run you $2.25 the half pint, $4.50 a pint or $14.95 for a growler fill.

As I enjoyed my beers, I chatted a bit with the bartender, who I found out is a transplanted Rhode Islander (like me!). The air was filled with the heady aroma of wort as it was a brewing day. Life is good!

My sampler of Valley River Plumbus Berliner Weisse arrived a ruddy reddish brown color with a light cap of head and tart plum fruit in the nose. Taking a sip, I got more of the plum in the palate, leading into a refreshingly tart sour finish.

This was tasty indeed and a serious candidate for my growler fill. It retained much of the character of a Berliner Weisse (puckering sourness, really) and was complemented by the plum. The latter did not overwhelm. Plums can be tart and sweet, but there was no sweetness here. The low ABV adds to drinkability.

Another winner from Valley River Brewery!

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler

 

 

 



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