It’s easy to ignore the multiple national food and drink days that seem to occur throughout the year. But when it’s a local promotion that lasts a month, we’re more likely to take notice. Virginia Craft Beer Month, held throughout August, helps our excellent brewers to promote their wares. And it gives us a great excuse to try some new brews.
One way to do that is by heading to Lena’s Beer Garden at Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap in Alexandria. There, beer lovers can try an all-day $30 prix fixe menu paired with beers from Port City Brewing Company.
Starters include a choice of calamari (either sauteed or flash-fried), served with cherry peppers and spicy marinara, paired with Port City’s Beach Drive, a golden ale, or spinach artichoke dip complemented by Optimal Wit, a witbier. For the salad course, there’s either a Caesar or one with oven-roasted red and golden beets. Diners end with one of five entrees: homemade butternut squash-ricotta gnocchi in brown-butter-sage cream sauce, housemade penne alla vodka with chicken, chicken or eggplant Parmigiana with extra-long, hand-cut spaghetti, or grilled salmon with couscous-like fregula pasta and Parmesan cream sauce. Pairings include the aforementioned beers, as well as Monumental IPA.
The menu is available Saturday and Sunday every weekend this month. But each day, guests at Lena’s can sample from among five beers from Port City. Those include the ones already mentioned, as well as Derecho Lager. Those will be resident beers. Port City Integral IPA was added to the list on Aug. 6 to celebrate National IPA Day. Port City’s Pilsner will be added to the draft list on Thursday, Aug. 20. Pints are usually $8, but don’t sleep on happy hour, when they’re $5. Now that’s reason for celebration. // 401 E. Braddock Road, Alexandria
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