We mountaineers have come a long way in terms of craft beer that is brewed in state. Though we still have a long way to go to rank up there with neighboring states like Pennsylvania or Ohio, we can be proud of the small stable of West Virginia craft breweries that are turning out respectable beer.

One Charleston pub-owner has made it really easy to sample some of the best beers that the state offers. Kay Dillon at O’Kays on Leon Sullivan Way offers “West Virginia Beer Flights” on the menu. Patrons can choose a four-sample flight for $4 or a six sample flight for $5! The samples are three ounces, which is just the right amount for tasting. This makes it really easy to taste each beer and decide which one deserves your further attention when you order up a pint.

O’Kays hosts quite a few visitors from out of town due to its proximity to downtown hotels, so it’s great that she is promoting the state’s beers to locals and visitors alike. The pub also offers up a great selection of other craft and import beers, along with an ambitious menu of appetizers, pizza and entrées. Anyone desiring to find a beer to pair with their meal need only seek the advice of Kay, who can usually be found behind the bar. A great selection of wine is also available for those who prefer the fruit of the vine. “West Virginia Beer Flights… Now Boarding!”

1. Cold Trail Ale – From the boys at Mountain State Brewing in Thomas. This is a very light and refreshing ale that best pairs with lighter salads or the fried calamari appetizer. Start your macro-lager friends with this one.
2. Mountaineer Pale Ale – From Mountaineer brewing of Martinsburg, “Mounty Pale” is quickly becoming the local favorite of many beer geeks I know. The use of earthy hops from the Pacific Northwest gives this beer a distinct woody/earthy aroma and flavor with a refreshingly bitter finish. It pairs well with the jerked chicken recipes on the menu, or just about any of the spicier selections.
3. Mountaineer Red Ale- Another beer from Mountaineer in Martinsburg. The general consensus is that what this beer lacks as a solo performer, it makes up when paired with food. “Mounty Red” is excellent when paired with the barbeque quesadilla, potato skins or the most of the Okay’s pizza selections.
4. Appalachian Ale – This beer is from brewer Ned Strauser at West Virginia Brewing Company in Morgantown. This is a long-time favorite for many WV craft beer drinkers. Basically, it’s a hoppy American amber ale, which goes down well on its own or pairs equally well with similar menu items as the red.
5. Mountaineer Stout – Again from Martinsburg. Okay’s is one of the only places that serves this up from the nitrogented tap making it a bit more luscious and creamier than a CO2 draft stout. Chocolate and coffee overtones are evident. The beer finishes semi-dry on the palate. “Mounty stout” pairs exceptionally well with Okay’s crab ball appetizer and the crab-cake entrée, but could just as easily stay for dessert.
6. Blackwater Stout- A classic from Ned Stauser of West Virginia Brewing in Morgantown, this beer has been tasted and rated well by the taste panel of “All About Beer” magazine. I also think it’s very good. This is a more complex stout than the Mountaineer Stout, with much more going on in the way of roasted flavors, coffee and chocolate overtones. The finish is equally dry. This beer will also pair well with the crab dishes or it would be great with oysters on the half-shell (if you can find them both in the same place!).

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