Boasting an on-site brewery and a full-time brewmaster on staff, it comes as no surprise that Vintage 50 is a premier Leesburg destination for specialty craft beers and pub grub. V50’s dine-in menu is a collaborative effort between the chef and brew master, designed to complement the range of beers being served. For a more casual atmosphere, diners may choose to sit at the bar or in the brew lounge and munch on snacks like pretzel twists with sausage pate and beer cheese or V50’s signature beer-poached wings. The elegantly appointed dining room is available for a more formal dining experience, where you may enjoy entrees such as a beer-brined pork porterhouse or a classic New York strip steak.

Original V50 brews are crafted seasonally and drafts change weekly, keeping the interests of local beer connoisseurs piqued. A sampler flight of four of V50’s beers is available or, if volume trumps variety for you, refillable growlers may be purchased and taken to go.

Vintage 50
50 Catoctin Circle NE, Suite 100
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 777-2169
http://www.vintage50.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vintage-50-leesburg

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/mfajardo

Want to get in on the industrial-chic trend? You can inject the cool, hip home decor style into your space at BLVD l Loudoun Station with help from these popular retailers. A bit of distressed metal here, a dash of reclaimed wood there, and your cozy rental will take on the big-city loft vibe that you’ve always wanted!

Dot & Bo
Although this popular online home goods retailer is best known for its affordable selection of mid-century modern furnishings, it’s also a great resource for finding industrial furniture pieces that look like they came straight from a converted warehouse. Browse metal pendant lights, concrete planters, and even Parsons desks with perfectly weathered wood tops.

World Market
This affordable, eclectic housewares store offers an impressive selection of industrial-inspired furniture items that includes wooden beds, coffee tables on rolling casters, and metal bar carts perfect for entertaining.

Industrial Home
The name says it all at this popular online retailer. Industrial Home carries what it describes as “a vintage twist on modern industrial living,” which includes a great selection of antique-inspired light fixtures, warm leather sofas and rugged, wooden dining tables that offer that signature loft feel.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Blogging Dagger

Many people are jumping in on the French press trend because it makes barista-quality coffee quickly and easily right at home. If you own a French press, however, you might be surprised to find that you can use it for much more than just brewing your morning cup of joe. Here are a few unique uses for your French press.

• Making tea. This one may be fairly obvious, but many people don’t realize that they can also use a French press for tea. Simply fill the bottom with tea bags or loose leaf tea, then brew as usual.
• Frothing milk. If you consider frothed milk a luxury of the coffee shop, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that you can froth your own milk by simply adding it to the French press and pumping it up and down a few times.
• As a strainer. Use your French press to strain just about anything, even pesky quinoa that usually slips through the cracks. Just add things like spinach, fresh fruit, or even shrimp and dispense the water. Just make sure to thoroughly clean the press afterward!
• Infusing oils. Mix herbs and spices with olive oil and heat the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to cool, then transfer it to the French press and strain out the herbs.

5 More Uses For Your French Press! [The Kitchn]
14 {Other} Ways to Use a French Coffee Press [Preparedness Mama]
Use Your French Press to Make Whipped Cream [LifeHacker]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr yearofthegreensheep