Legend Brewing Co. paved the way for Richmond craft brewers a whopping twenty years ago, and they’re celebrating their vicennial anniversary with some awesome events, and, of course, delicious craft beer.
Legend Brewing Co. paved the way for Richmond craft brewers a whopping twenty years ago, and they’re celebrating their vicennial anniversary with some awesome events, and, of course, delicious craft beer.
Legend Brown Ale accounts for roughly 60 percent of the Legend’s sales, estimates Dave Gott, the company’s Vice President. “This year’s anniversary beer is an imperial brown ale,” said Gott. “It’s a nice, big, heavy, yummy brown ale. It’s going to be released in a 22-oz bottle. It’s going to be a painted bottle, so it’ll be a collector’s item.”
The Brewery will also release beers for the Urban Legend series, which debuted last year. “We’re having guest brewers come in and collaborate for our brewing staff,” said Gott. “[last]Monday will be the release date of the Teach’s Oyster Stout… It’s the first in the series [with] guest brewer, Andy Rathmann, from St. George’s Brewing Co.”
Teach’s Oyster Stout came out on Monday, and it’s the first of four beers in the series. It was created by the folks over at Legend in conjunction with Andy Rathmann of Hampton’s St. George’s Brewing Co.
Teach’s Oyster Stout is named after the scoundrel Black Beard, who met his gruesome death at the hands of the Virginia Naval Fleet near Ocracoke Island. You can read all about it on the Urban Legend bottle.
I was wary of Teach’s Oyster Stout* simply because it sounds gnarly, but the beer is actually very drinkable. It’s malty with a slight briny tinge. It doesn’t feel heavy, either. It’s got a nice head and nice carbonation. The hops are balanced with the stout itself, so it feels pretty mild. We here at RVA Mag like it a lot.
This year’s Urban Legend series serves as a nod to some of the state’s seasoned craft brewers. “We want to pay homage to those guys who have been out there paying their dues like we have,” said Gott. On the list are Jeff Logan from Williamsburg’s Aleworks, Fabio Garcia of Lost Rhino, and Mark Thompson from Starhill.
All Urban Legends will be released in 22-oz bottles.
Legend will be celebrating their 20th anniversary a big ol’ party on April 19th, and from the sound of it, it’s a freakin’ beer lover’s dream come true. There’ll be music and food and lots of drinking.
“The milk truck will be out, and we’re going to have an all you can eat food ticket,” said Gott. “A lot of our regulars have volunteered to bring their cookers over, and work with our kitchen staff. So we’re just going to have a line of cookers.”
All you can eat food ticket. Beer. Music. All you can eat food ticket. Beer. Music. New mantra, anyone?
*Vegans beware: the Oyster Stout uses real oysters to filter the beer.
