I have to admit I have been waiting for my side of town to get a brewery for years now. Come Saturday, I will be able to bask in that glory, beer-in-hand, as Chesterfield County’s first production brewery, Steam Bell Beer Works opens for business.
I have to admit I have been waiting for my side of town to get a brewery for years now. Come Saturday, I will be able to bask in that glory, beer-in-hand, as Chesterfield County’s first production brewery, Steam Bell Beer Works opens for business.
RVA Mag talked with owner Brad Cooper about opening his brewery off Genito Road that sits behind Southside Speedway in Midlothian, back in November and the man who once worked in the mining industry, has now turned his passionate hobby into a reality.
“This has been my dream since I brewed my first batch of homebrewed beer when I was 21 on my parents’ stove,” Cooper told RVA Mag in the fall.
Operating on a 10-barrel system, the 6,000 square foot brewery was originally slated to open at the end of last year, but ran into some snags, but with determination and some blood, sweat and tears they soldiered onward and have been working steadily the last few months putting the finishing touches on the building.
I was lucky enough to get a little peek (and taste) last night of what the public is in for this weekend when Steam Bell opens, and let me tell you, get ready for your mouth to water because their beers are diverse, unique and tasty.
Cooper spoke with a small crowd Tuesday night at their location at 1713 Oak Lake Blvd. about his background, his passion for homebrewing and how Steam Bell came to fruition.
Steam Bell Beer Works itself is in a small office park off Genito Road and may be off the beaten path, but once you step inside you feel right at home. The atmosphere is simple, but warm and inviting.
Lined with wood paneling, old pictures of coopers (barrel makers) working with steam bells, machines used to heat up wooden staves of a beer barrel to bend them together into a curved cask shape, hang on the walls as you enter through the front.
The black logo of Steam Bell is displayed prominently up on the wall above all of the massive brewing tanks that line the right side of the room. Wooden tables with stools are placed around the tasting room, set very close with a family-like appeal.
A simple, wooden bar draws attention, with wooden taps behind it and a wooden piece of art hanging on the back with the Steam Bell name and logo engraved into it, which was done by local company Big Secret.
Twinkle lights hang above the tasting area and the outdoor area in back, which give it that laid back feel. The brewery is no frills and rustic, but it isn’t intimidating or pretentious and it feels like home. They’re not trying to be anyone but who they are. Good people, who love good craft beer.
Speaking of beer, we got a chance to taste Steam Bells’ eight beers that will be available this Saturday when they open which include: The Grisette, Patchronce, Southern Stubby, Smoked Braggot, Deep Roots: Wee Heavy, Liege, Tiramisu Stout, and Barrel Maker: Heritage.
Now I’m going to break it down beer by beer for all of you craft beer lovers and for you skeptical city dwellers who may not want to venture out, but hopefully will change your mind after reading about the beers this brewery has to offer.
Grisette:
A light-bodied saison with light notes of pepper and spice. It’s very easy-drinking and light in color, and it definitely has a peppery finish. 5.4%
Patchronce:
The brewery’s combination beer with Blue Bee Cider. A light-bodied Belgian brewed with blackberries and raspberries. The base beer for this refreshing brew was the Grisette and it was one of my favorites. It’s a little murkier than cider, but smells wonderful. It’s not too sweet, but the fruit notes are still well-defined. 5.7%
Southern Stubby:
A West Coast DIPA brewed with Mandarin Bavaria, Citra and Nelson Sauvigon hops. This one’s sort of tropical and carries a very strong aroma. It’s not too hoppy and is a good beer overall. 8%
Smoked Braggot:
A strong ale brewed with honey and Applewood cherry smoked malt. They named this one right. It’s definitely super smoky when it comes to the taste, and the aroma hits you as you go to take a sip. It lets you know you’re in for something that’s got a lot going on in it. There was only a slight hint of cherries I wish there were a little more, but I’m betting it would pair great with some spicy food! 8.4%
Deep Roots: Wee Heavy
Part of their collaborative series with the homebrew club M.A.S.H. A malt-forward strong ale, bourbon barrel aged for three months. Whew! I was not prepared for this one. I neglected to read the description before taking a swig and boy does that bourbon hit your throat right away. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, bourbon lovers will salivate over this, but this definitely packs a punch and tastes way stronger than it actually is. 8.3%
Leige:
A Belgian Tripel brewed with maple syrup and aged on whole vanilla beans. This was light and you could definitely taste the notes of the vanilla and some cinnamon. Not overpowering or sweet if that’s what you’re thinking. Have it with waffles!-Look it up. 8.6%
Tiramisu Stout:
A milk stout brewed with vanilla beans, coffee, and rum soaked oak chips. Okay, stop everything. I am not a huge fan of stouts, I don’t know why I just haven’t found one that I’ve been over the moon about-until now. This stout, which has seven different malts, is wonderful. Its rich, dark color draws you in, and the smell of vanilla and sweetness floats up from the glass. It’s not overly sweet, it’s just right. You can taste all of the elements mentioned above and I think it would also pair well with a good dessert. If you don’t have any other beer at the grand opening, which I hope you do, but give this a try. It’s perfect for stout lovers and a good beer for those looking to venture out and try something new. 9%
Barrel Maker: Heritage
This is the first in their series of barrel-aged beers. An American wild ale, aged in charred oak barrels for six months. I was hesitant with this at first because it’s a sour. And with sours it’s either a complete win or complete fail. “Heritage” was a winner in my book, it wasn’t overpowering and didn’t make my lips pucker. It does have an intense aroma, but don’t let that keep you from giving it a try. It doesn’t strong and could easily be a summer time afternoon drinking brew. No aftertaste either so definitely changed my mind a bit about sours and since that’s one of the styles Cooper loves, I can only expect to taste similar ones coming out of the brewery. 6.4%
In addition to these craft brews, Steam Bell Beer Works will also be selling Roaring Pines sodas and Manchester-based Confluence Coffee Co.’s coldbrew coffees.
We didn’t get to taste the brewery’s other flagship beer, “Time is Money,” an IPA, but that will be available opening day.
The brewery also has two collaboration brews in the pipeline. One with Three-Notch’d Brewing called Game Theory, a Russian Imperial Stout, and a saison with honey peppercorns called “Ignorant Bliss” with Adroit Theory Brewing Company in Purcellville, Virginia. Keep an eye out for those at the brewery soon.
Beer tickets for Steam Bell Beer Works grand opening this Saturday, June 11th, are $6/per ticket and the brewery will have full pours of every beer except the sours. Opening weekend hours will be Saturday, June 11th: 1 PM – 12 AM and Sunday, June 12th: 1 PM – 6 PM. Food trucks will be on site and BoxCar, The Killer B’s RVA, and Top Shelf will be performing.
Tasting room hours are Thursdays: 4-10 pm and Fridays and Saturdays 4 pm-12 am.
