Beer Run, we think its safe to say, has had a pretty good run since opening in December.

In addition to becoming a popular Belmont hang out, mostly by serving up nearly everything—hand-crafted beers, wine, coffee, dinner, breakfast, brunch, lunch, gourmet grocery items, live music, outdoor dining, wine & beer tastings, a delivery service, and a welcoming bar to sit at—the Carlton Road establishment was recently selected as one of the 100 best places to drink beer in America by Imbibe Magazine, the Portland-based glossy dedicated to covering the world of drink.

“In a college town where kegs of macrobrews may be the typical order of the day, Beer Run sells customers on an amazing lineup of bottled craft beers and serves some great draught ones on the shop’s bar side,” write the Imbibe editors in their September/October issue, not yet on newsstand. ” The staff is knowledgable and friendly, and regular tastings inspire experimentation and learning.”

“It was a complete surprise,” says Beer Run’s Josh Hunt of the honor. “I have no idea how they found out about us.

“It’s exciting to be included,” says Hunt, who opened Beer Run with his partner, John Woodriff. “It makes us feel like all the hard work has been worthwhile.”

So what’s the secret to their success?

“We’ve been listening to people alot,” says Hunt. “I think it’s important to know what people want.”

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Radio host Coy Barefoot recently helped St. Maarten’s Cafe owner Jim Roland celebrate his popular Corner restaurant’s 24th birthday, inviting him to tell the story of St. Maarten’s on his WINA radio show “Charlottesville-Right Now!” It’s a real window into the local restaurant world, and he even weighs on the recent drinking age debate. I mean, the man should know a thing or two about the drinking habits of college kids, don’t ya think? Listen to the segment at the Charlottesville Podcasting Network.

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Does local food taste better?  You be the judge at the Heritage Harvest Festival Taste-Off,  Saturday, September 6th at Monticello’s Tufton Gardens.  Admission is free. Website

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Discover some great virginia wines–not to mention some great local bands, food, and crafts–at the Discover Virginia Music & Wine Festival in Greene County this weekend, August 30 & 31, from 11am to 6pm each day.They’ve got a nifty website up. Check it out.

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NBC29 reports that the City is cracking down on restaurants not paying their meal tax, a four percent charge on every meal served which accounts for five percent of the general fund, or about $7 million, which goes to police and fire services among other things. Last week, Commissioner of Revenue Lee Richards issued summonses to six area restaurants, including the Outback Lodge on Preston Avenue, which hasn’t paid up in several months.

However, some recent good fortune for the area night club, bar, and restaurant may have saved the day. Not mentioned in the NBC29 story, Outback owner Terry Martin bought a $100,000 winning lottery ticket at the Shell station on Preston Avenue a few weeks ago. Martin could not be reached for comment, as the restaurant’s phone is still disconnected, but sources confirm that Martin did in fact receive the big fat check. Of course, that’s good news for music lovers, as the Outback has been filling the music venue void left by the closing of Starr Hill Music Hall and the Satellite Ballroom.

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