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Blue & Gray Brewing Co. opens Lee's Retreat brew pub Date published: 7/4/2010
BY BILL FREEHLING
A common customer question at the Blue & Gray Brewing Co. over the past eight years has been how to get a beer by the glass. The short answer: They couldn't, at least not at the Bowman Center brewery. Since opening in March 2002, Spotsylvania County-based Blue & Gray has offered a variety of beer sizes and flavors. But state law prevents serving beer by the glass unless food is also sold. So the most a customer could have at the brewery was a 2-ounce sample. The opening of the Lee's Retreat brew pub this past week means this is no longer an issue at Blue & Gray. The brew pub, whose slogan is "Your retreat from life's everyday battles," opened Tuesday inside the brewery's facility at 3300 Dill Smith Drive--which the company moved into a year ago from right next door. Lee's Retreat is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Customers at the 100-seat pub can watch the brewing operation in process as they sip the results. Lee's Retreat also offers Virginia wines and a menu featuring local produce and meats. The focal point is a custom-built oak bar stained in a rich mahogany. There are nine beer taps for Blue & Gray's year-round and seasonal offerings. As is true at Capital Ale House in downtown Fredericksburg, there are no televisions in order to encourage conversation. The slate-covered walls and copper-topped bar surface notwithstanding, proprietors Jeff and Lori Fitzpatrick kept an industrial feel to stay true to the origins of the 80-year-old building and Blue & Gray Brewing. Much is left exposed on the 18-foot ceilings, and one of the walls is built of concrete block. Frederick "Fritz" Heller, who designed many downtown restaurants, came up with much of the interior layout and built it himself. Hedrick Electric, L.D. Ingram & Sons Plumbing and F.C. Ouellette Heating & Air were key contributors. Heller, who used to run Frederick's, also oversaw the menu development and will be the head chef. Fifteen people were hired, many of them part-time. All staff have been trained on the brewing process so they can answer customer questions. Lori Fitzpatrick, a former math and special-education teacher at James Monroe High School, is running Lee's Retreat. Her husband, Jeff, will continue to oversee the brewing operation, which is adjacent to the brew pub and in the same building. Blue & Gray will keep the same hours for retail brewery sales and continue to offer tours of the facility on Saturdays. Dine-in customers at Lee's Retreat can bring in their beer bombs and growlers and get them filled while they eat. Bottled beer is also available for take-out purchase. The company's e-mail newsletter subscribers, who got first crack at making reservations, kept the business full for dinner this past week, the Fitzpatricks said. And many had that oft-requested beer by the glass. Bill Freehling: 540/374-5405
Look forward to many a pint at Lee's Retreat, Good Luck B & G!
Would love to have had you provide your hours but you declined. Did you by chance think that people viewing this article would be in a position to send you business? Guess not.
You can find any information you need, or call, we are always happy to answer any questions. Thank you Bill! Very pleased and appreciative of the article. Nice pictures too!
Blue & Gray will keep the same hours for retail brewery sales and continue to offer tours of the facility on Saturdays.
But what are the hours? I don't get the reporters and editors at this newspaper.
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