In style: These craft brews ain’t your grandma’s IPAs

What’s longer, the list of IPAs made by American craft breweries, or the span of every beard from every American brewmaster laid end to end? It’s a trick question, because both are still growing. What’s with the beards is anyone’s guess, but Three Notch’d Brewing Company owner Dave Warwick says there’s good reason for the […]

Mind your BBQs: Is Virginia the next barbecue destination?

When it comes to barbecue, could Virginia ever be on the level of Texas or Kansas? The Barbeque Exchange’s Craig Hartman thinks so. “Virginia was once the epicenter, and when people moved away they did barbecue,” Hartman says. “The first written advertisements in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, they all said come to Virginia for […]

Stocked and loaded: Three robust picnic sandwiches

Whether you’re slicing up a fresh tomato to anoint your BLT or asking for extra arugula at the lunch counter, it’s definitely sammy season. We recommend taking yours to go and enjoying it in the sunshine. Here are three of our picks that achieve picnic perfection. IvP Banh Mi (pictured) For meat lovers: roasted pork, pâté and […]

Cold comforts: Four real ice cream spots

What’s a dessert lover gotta do to get some straight up, full-fat ice cream* when fro-yo is as ubiquitous as Starbucks? Head to one of these local spots for homemade creamy goodness, that’s what. Chap’s 223 E. Main St., Downtown Mall, 977-4139 Take your pick from more than 20 flavors (recommended: classic butter pecan), then […]