Tapped: Hardywood West Creek Opens, Ardent’s Swine & Brine, & Final Gravity’s Star Castle DIPA

by | Apr 4, 2018 | BREWS, SPIRITS & WINE

What’s happening craft beer lovers of RVA?! Welcome to this week’s “Tapped,” RVA Magazine’s go to weekly craft beer column where you can find all your craft beer-related events, releases, festivals and all the booze news your little hearts’ desire.

If you missed last week’s beer news, you can check those out here. Our cup is overflowing with news this week from releases to events, and other cool happenings around town, so hold on to your mugs because we’re getting ready to tap this thing!

This biggest news this week, is the grand opening of Hardywood’s highly anticipated Goochland location, Hardywood West Creek. Nestled on 24 acres overlooking Tuckahoe Creek just off of 288, Hardywood broke ground on the property back in November 2015. The 55,000 square-foot brewery features a 4,000 square-foot taproom, mezzanine area, outdoor patio and beer garden with a 60-barrel brew system which will allow Hardywood to produce 35,000 barrels annually at capacity. For the special grand opening weekend, the brewery will have all sorts of delicious brew releases and food trucks including  Monique’s CrepesThe Hungry Turtle Food TruckSmokie JOE’S BBQSlideways Mobile BistroGelati Celesti Ice Cream and more. (See link). Foolery, Bourbon Cru, and much more will be available in the taproom! You can read up on the new spot in our interview with founders Eric McKay and Patrick Murtaugh here820 Sanctuary Trail Dr.Image may contain: sky and outdoor

Infusion Fridays are officially back at Isley Brewing Company and this week, they’re releasing a Peach & Ginger-Infused Golden Ale.

Isley will also celebrate National Beer Day on Saturday, April 7. which celebrates the legalization of beer sales in the US 13 years after the beginning of Prohibition. Terry McAuliffe made it a Virginia holiday in 2016. The brewery is celebrating with a special beer release and two 3-hour music performances.

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Powhatan’s Fine Creek Brewing will host a March of Dimes benefit this Thursday, with a portion of our proceeds going to the organization which fights for the health of all moms and babies; advocating for policies to protect them; working to radically improve the healthcare they receive. This weekend the brewery will have Helles Lager back on draught and they’re tapping Imperial Stout, American Saison, and Patersbier a light Belgian style table beer.

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Three Notch’d RVA Collab Houses returns on Friday with their weekly collaboration. This time, its Dark Days, an imperial coffee stout, made in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth Roasters to be released on “New Beer’s Eve” (April 6th) just in time before National Beer Day.

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This Saturday, Ardent Craft Ales will host its 4th Annual Swine & Brine festival. There will be oysters, pork dishes, and homemade sides, along with beer, cider, and prosecco. Here’s this year’s lineup: • ZZQ, • Rappahannock River Oysters, LLC, The RooseveltPostbellum, Lucy’s, SaisonNightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches and here are a few of Ardent’s brews that will be available:  Hazy IPA, Spring American Sour Blend, Company Man Pilsner, Defenestrator Doppelbock, Pomegranate Gose, Pink Boots IPA. Food and drink tickets will be available for purchase by cash or card for $6 each.

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Vasen Brewing will release its new brew, Everthing Floats on Soursop on Saturday. The brewery took one of our favorite beers and gave it even more of a fruity punch.

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Midnight Brewery recently released Blood Orange Bliss, an IPA bursting with flavor so make sure you make your way up the Rockville brewery to check that one out.

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Triple Crossing has released Nightmare Canyon, a 6% IPA at its downtown location. Bright oranges make up the flavors in this brew which you can get on draft Friday and in Crowler format for $11.

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Triple Crossing’s original hop nectar will also make a return this Friday with a fresh look at noon in Fulton. Notes of tropical fruit, pineapple, passion fruit and mango, balanced with hints of resin and pine, Nectar and Knife is a DIPA that can transport up into warmer weather even when the forecast is calling for rain and sleet this weekend. $16.50 per 4 pack

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On Friday, Final Gravity Brewing Co. will release its Star Castle DIPA, a beer brewed with Nelson Sauvin and Citra hops, making for a juicy burst of tropical mango and citrus with a bit of spiciness to keep things interesting.

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Submissions or ideas for Tapped can be emailed to Amy at amy@rvamag.com. Cheers! 

Top Photo By: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Amy David

Amy David

Amy David was the Web Editor for RVAMag.com from May 2015 until September 2018. She covered craft beer, food, music, art and more. She's been a journalist since 2010 and attended Radford University. She enjoys dogs, beer, tacos, and Bob's Burgers references.




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