WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA
A few blocks from the Ohio River in the midst of gambling-industrial hotspot, Wheeling, lies red-bricked window-faced RIVER CITY ALE WORKS. Formerly Nail City Brewery, West Virginia’s first brewpub, until a 2003 flood ruined its brew tanks and equipment, this spacious corner restaurant-sportsbar featured large dining space, middle stage area, left side bar (with billiards, bull ride, and several TV’s), and private glass-enclosed room with decent beer can collection (previously built as the brewing station).
On tap August ‘06, served West Virginia University’s favorite hometown beers from nearby Martinville’s Mountaineer Brewing Company. Though Mountaineer Stout was too light and oily despite silken bittersweet coffee-vanilla-black chocolate notes, affable Mountaineer Nut Brown secured pleasant charred hop roast to dry walnut, ice coffee, and brown chocolate illusions.