It’s a beautiful Friday evening, the weather is finally turning and it seems that Spring has sprung. I can think of no better way to spend this day but to taste all the new beers we’ve put on tap this week at the Downtown Leafe. Luckily I do not have to take this challenge alone. I have recruited one of my favorite regulars, William & Mary professor Chandos Brown, to join me in a miniature beer tasting. Here are our findings…
We have introduced some new beers to our already impressive line-up this week. From the New Holland Brewery out of Holland, Michigan, we’ve added two new brews. First is the Mad Hatter, an insanely dry-hopped India Pale Ale that is copper in color with a flowery aroma and a bold hop taste. Also from New Holland we’ve brought in Dragon’s Milk. Dragon’s Milk is a 17th century term used to describe the strong beer usually reserved for royalty. This strong ale was aged in oak for over 120 days. The aging process extracts flavors from the wood, which contribute to its complex character. Hints of bourbon flavor perfectly compliment its roasted malts to produce a beer fit for a King, or at least our Green Leafe customers.
It’s Friday at the Leafe and that means we have put a couple of new beers on tap. Today at the Downtown location we added 3 tasty brews to our draft line up. The first was a request from one of our favorite locals, Lance. Just for him we brought in Pilsner Urquell. This Bohemian Pilsner from Pilsen, Czech Republic is considered to be the “original” pilsner from which all others are judged upon. It has a sharp, distinct bitterness which overlaps with a carmalized sweetness.
Our second brew added today is the Brooklyn Pennant Ale. Pennant Ale is a traditional English-style Pale Ale. It has a terrific malty flavor with a slight bitterness. A definite session beer!
To round out this weeks addition to our draft line-up we added Starr Hill’s The Gift. A German-style Hellerbock with a few twists, this Charlottesville, Virginia brew is made with two-row and Munich malts and balanced with German noble hops.
If you find yourself out and about this weekend looking for something tasty to drink. Find your way to the Downtown Leafe to try one (or all 3) of these beers. Don’t forget about the other 31 beers we have on tap!!
Here at the Downtown Green Leafe we sashayed our way into the New Year in elegance and fashion deemed only appropriate at the Downtown Leafe! Spirits were high as well flowing while everyone got their groove on with Big Larry. It was great to see so many people participating in our Annual Lingerie party. There were some very sexy and revealing outfits for sure! We want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and hope that this decade brings everyone much success and happiness!
Make sure you check out our facebook site to see pictures from our New Year’s Eve bash!!
Troegs Mad Elf has made an encore appearance at the Downtown Green Leafe! The Mad Elf has become a Green Leafe cult beer. This tasty brew is a combination of cherries, honey, and chocolate malts and delivers gentle fruits and subtle spices. Fermented and aged with a unique yeast, this ruby red beer has significant warming strength that underlies the character of this Ale. Warming strength is an understatement…this beer packs a whopping punch with an 11% ABV! While you’re out and about during these freezing cold days, stop by the Downtown Green Leafe for a pint of the Mad Elf and experience that warming sensation. 
It took us a little time to put together a menu for this years Christmas Beer Tasting, but I have to say, it was well worth the wait! We started the evening off with Blue Mountain Lights Out Holiday Ale paired with roasted chicken lollipops drizzled with a curried pomegranate molasses. The beer was a perfect way to start the evening. It has that Christmas/spicy/piney scent and taste that put everyone in the Christmas spirit. I think the soup was the grand prize winner of the night…Butternut squash and Granny Smith apple soup. Oh my God!! This was absolutely delicious! It was so good in fact that I had to ask the chef for the recipe to type and hand out to all the guests! I was pleasantly surprised to see how many people were willing to take a step out of their comfort zones and try the buffalo rib-eye for their main course. By the time everyone arrived at the dessert course, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake paired with Southern Tier’s Creme Brulee Stout, there were many grumblings about full stomachs, and confessions that they could not continue. But, one sniff of the Creme Brulee stout and the glasses were quickly drained into those full stomachs. Deliciously smooth, wonderfully scented. Yum!
I personally want to thank Adonis, AJ, Jaeton, & Annie for a fantastic job in the kitchen. Also thank you to my front of house staff that kept all the guests happy and jolly!!
Also, thank you to all those who attended, we hope to see you back for our Summer Beer Tasting!
For all of you who have been holding your breath waiting to see what we will be featuring at this year’s Christmas Beer Tasting, you can finally exhale! This year we will be serving something a little different…buffalo! The following is the entire menu including the beer pairings:
Appetizer:
Roasted Chicken Lollipops drizzled with a curried pomegranate molasses with a touch of roasted coffee and red bell pepper. Paired with Blue Mountain Light Out Holiday Ale
Soup:
Ginger Butternut Squash & Granny Smith Apple topped with crusted gingered pecans and chives. Paired with Anchor Christmas Ale
Salad:
Winter Salad - Mesclun greens, sweet toasted pine nuts, Chilean pears, crumbled saga bleu cheese, chili-dusted croutons. Served with a fresh Ruby Red grapefruit, honey, red shallots, and saffron vinaigrette. Paired with Avery Dugana
Entree:
Peppery Buffalo Filet Mignon served in a reduced red wine sauce, potaotes au gratin, and pan roasted asparagus.
OR
sub filet mignon for the Buffalo
Paired with Bells Expedition Stout
Dessert:
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, served with a vanilla custard sauce. Paired with Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout
Saturday, Decemeber 12th at 6:00. Call 757-220-3405 to make your reservations today
Our 3rd Annual Halloween Party brought out some true characters! The ladies were happy to be greeted at the door by our Chipendales bouncers. The super “gun show” they put on that night received cat calls from everyone driving by. We want to congratualte our grand prize winner for the costume contest, Mr. Youtube. A very large costume to say the least!! He won a trip for 2 to Atlantic City! We also saw a fantastic KISS outfit as well as a cast of characters from Alice in Wonderland, and who could forget about the Mario Brothers! Thanks to all who came out to celebrate Halloween at the Leafe. Check out our facebook site for pictures!
What a weekend!!! Another Homecoming has come and gone and I take a moment to sit back, rest my tired old bones, and reflect on another fun-filled, action packed William & Mary Homecoming. The alums made an early return back to the Leafe, many of them coming in on Thursday night to witness the craziness of the Leafe dance party. All reports indicated that they loved the extension of the new bar and are looking forward to the additional taps being installed, although they seemed a little skeptical about the fog machine…
By the time early Friday afternoon rolled around, the Leafe was packed wall to wall with W&M grads from all years. It was great to catch up with all those who were regulars while in school, hearing about their ventures in the “real world”. After seeing some of the alums trying to hang like they did in the “good ol’ days”, I was surprised to see everyone up and ready to go for the noon kickoff on Saturday! A few of Sterling’s famous bloody marys I’m sure helped tide over the nasty hangovers! We were all treated to a trouncing over JMU, William & Mary winning 24 to 3, but even with such a significant win, the Tribe remains 5th in the national polls. The crowds seemed a little more subdued on Saturday night, but fun seemed to be had by all.
We at the Green Leafe want to thank you all for making this another memorable Homecoming. We had a great time catching up with old friends and look forward to 2010!
Every Thursday night, when you drive up Scotland Street, you may see some fog creeping its way out of the Green Leafe’s doors, as well as some strobe lights flashing in the windows. That’s because the Green Leafe is the host to the best dance party in Williamsburg every Thursday night!! Make your way downtown to try some killer cocktails and get your groove on with DJ House.
Wow,
I just moved into the area from Fort Lauderdale, and I'm thirsty and hungry just reading your menu. Sadly enough magic hat has been out of my life for three years because they do not distribute to FL. I'm looking forward to checking the New Town spot out when I'm settled into the area.
Cheers
