Virginia has long celebrated craft beer and the many breweries that keep popping up all over the state. With over 100 breweries and more on the way, VA is rapidly becoming a popular craft beer destination which is why August has been designated Virginia Craft Beer Month.
Virginia has long celebrated craft beer and the many breweries that keep popping up all over the state. With over 100 breweries and more on the way, VA is rapidly becoming a popular craft beer destination which is why August has been designated Virginia Craft Beer Month.
Now in its fifth year, Virginia Craft Beer Month has grown to tons of festivals, parties, beer releases, and other events all around Virginia just to celebrate the exploding craft beer scene and everyone over at RVA Mag is already into the spirit! (Well, we’re always in the spirit when it comes to a good brew, but especially this month!)
We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 favorite Richmond beers you should try while out celebrating and enjoying craft beer. Check the list out below and be sure to be on the lookout for our top 10 VA beers and more events related to VA Craft Beer Month!
Legend Brewing Company: “ Oktoberfest”
This classic is out now as we draw closer to the end of summer. The great thing is – this beer works for warm weather or cooler temperatures. An easy to drink classic German malts marzen, amber in color and with nice notes of toffee carmel toast. This is a staple of mine as we draw closer to the end of summer. I’m always a sucker for great German malts, and this is a classic Richmond beer for me.
Hardywood: “Watermelon Gose”
Coming back for the end of summer is the popular watermelon Gose. I haven’t tried this year’s yet, but last year’s brew was awesome with a hint of salt and great tart watermelon flavor to complement it. We love a good Gose in the heat of summer – this one is worth your time. If you’re not familiar with Gose variety of beer – well you should give it a shot, it could be your new favorite thing.
The Answer Brewpub: “Larceny & Grand Larceny”
You really can’t go wrong with any of the beers that Brandon Tolbert is making at The Answer. I’m really loving trying the single hop versions of IPA’s that they are coming up with over there. Larceny is a delicious single Citra IPA that gives you the taste of the citra hop in prime time. It’s tropical, juicy and fruity just the way I love my IPAs. The Grand Larceny is a bigger version clocking in at around 8% with the addition of Mosaic hops – again a big juicy IPA with kick.
The Veil Brewing Co.: “Crucial Taunt IPA”
The Veil has been popular for sure with its amazing IPAs coming out of Scott’s Addition. This Double IPA is one of their flagship beers. Its hoppy without being to bitter, it’s dank, it’s delicious. You can get it at the brewery, and if you’re lucky you can get it on Tuesdays around 4pm for a can release.
Triple Crossing: “Falcon Smash IPA”
I make no bones about this being one of my favorite IPAs in Richmond. If it’s on the menu – chances are I’m going to get one. It’s dank and juicy, has a tropical taste which I really like in my IPAs. It has that classic Simcoe & Columbus taste – this is a perfect example of a fruity variety of those hops. A great summer beer.
Strangeways Brewing: “Wake Me up Before you Gose”
I have really been enjoying this one, actually I have been on a bit of a Gose kick as of late. This is a great one with a nice sale and lemony tart feel with some spice behind it. It’s really refreshing to me, I had one on a hot day and it really hit the spot. Plus Strangeways has a few variants usually that you can try – Hibiscus Red wine & Run Barrel Aged Ghost Pepper.
Garden Grove Brewing Company: “Watermelon Sparkler”
Garden Grove comes up with some really interesting beers that pull from a wine making background. I’m trying to get over there soon to get some of the Death Napa Cabernet Barrel Quad – that sounds amazing. But I’m going to recommend to try the “Sparkler” that they make, and this particular one is special for the watermelon festival in Carytown. This is made with VA Watermelons along with wine yeast and Wildflower honey it has a ton of flavor. Great for your summer – and easy on the palate!
Isley Brewing Company: “Root of all Evil” Ginger Golden ALe
Isley is well-known for their “Choosey Mother” Peanut Butter Oatmeal Porter of course, but they sure have a number of other really drinkable good beers. “Root of All Evil” is a ginger golden ale that’s very drinkable at 5.9% ABV and has a sweet ginger spice kick to it.
Ardent Craft Ales: “Virginia Common”
You really can’t go wrong with any of Ardent’s beer creations, they do a great job making solid beers that anyone can enjoy. The Virginia Common is a ale-lager hybrid that has a good malty background with a light hop – almost pale ale in quality. This is a lighter beer style that is easily drinkable – something that can be enjoyed by anyone. Virginia Common is something you can drink all night and enjoy. Also look out for the NE IPA and Honey Ginger that’s out now.
Final Gravity: “Venus in Furs IPA”
I knew when Original Gravity, our local store for brewing equipment and supplies, opened its small macro brewery, Final Gravity, we were going to be blessed with some top quality beers. Venus in Furs is a black Rye IPA with Amarillo and Sincoe hops which just shows off how well they know how to craft beers in true small batch creative form.
