Ardent Craft Ales is throwing down big this weekend for its one year anniversary.
Ardent Craft Ales is throwing down big this weekend for its one year anniversary.
The West Leigh Street brewery will celebrate all day Saturday with an outdoor block party featuring 16 of its own beers, three casks, a special anniversary brew, beer from other local breweries, food trucks and live music.
The brewery opened this time last year in Scott’s Addition in a revamped space with only a few brews on tap, and a year later it’s still going strong in the ever-growing brewery scene. Ardent will open up the beer garden, taproom, the parking lot, and block off part of West Leigh Street for the anniversary party.
Ardent’s Honey Ginger, Diamond Pale Ale, Earl Grey Brown Ale and Session India Pale are just some of the brews that will be available at the event. Beers from Legend, Triple Crossing, Center of the Universe, The Answer Brewpub, Midnight Brewery, Stone Brewing Co., Lickinghole Creek, Hardywood, Isley, Strangeways and Garden Grove will also have some beers at the event.
And for the cider fans, Potters Cider and Blue Bee Cider will also be on tap.
Co-owner and Operations Director Tom Sullivan said the brewery wanted to celebrate not only their success as a startup brewery and making a mark in the Richmond brewery scene, but also the other local breweries that helped them get their start in their early homebrewing days in Church Hill.
“It kind of goes back to our roots of being beer lovers first and acknowledge our part in the greater Richmond beer scene and what collectively all the local breweries have accomplished,” Sullivan said. “We feel like without their help and advice that we wouldn’t have gotten as far as we have or been as successful as we have.”
“It felt like the right thing to do to show our appreciation and support of the overall scene,” he added.
To commemorate the anniversary, Ardent brewed up a Szechuan Peppercorn Saison Ale that will be sold in 750 mL bottles.
“It’s kind of got this numbing heat or spice to it that really complements the Saison style,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to have a few kegs of that and very limited bottles that will be available that day.”
Three casks will be available at the anniversary block party as well, which Ardent plans to reveal some time this week.
Goatocado, Station 2, Happy Empanada, Return of the Mac will be on site for you to stuff your face and the brewery has booked Peace Beast, Clair Morgan, The Milkstains, Christi and NO BS! Brass Band to perform at the festival..
The free event runs from 1 to 8 pm. Drink tickets will be sold at the door. Check out more info here.
.
