A few months after it’s original opening, The popular California-based brewery, Stone Brewing, has released their first Richmond-brewed beers.
A few months after it’s original opening, The popular California-based brewery, Stone Brewing, has released their first Richmond-brewed beers. Distribution has also begun up and down the east coast with the RVA-born brew reaching previously un-touched lips.
And along with the new beer, locals and tourists will get a behind the scenes look at the new brewery as tours of the facility begun today, August 1st, as well.
Stone Brewing, who recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, originally opened in San Diego, California in 1996. It now has locations in Escondido, Liberty Station, Berlin and most recently right here in Richmond. So far the only beer that is for sale which has been brewed right here in Richmond is their Stone IPA – Virginia Brewery Prototype, Virginia’s take on the classic Stone IPA .
Peter Wiens, Director of Brewing Operations on the East Coast, said is was a no brainer for the first Virginia Stone brew to be their IPA.
“Stone IPA’s are our flagship best selling beers,” said Wiens, “It made sense to do that one first.”
The Prototype hit the tap during it’s debut at Southern Railway Taphouse on July 8th. Juliellen Sarver, the company’s community relations manager, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch they decided to tap the first keg at a popular local bar and a gift to their fans.
“It’s a really big deal in craft beer to drink fresh beer,” Sarver told the Time-Dispatch, “You can’t get any fresher than being kegged in the morning and tapped in the evening.”
The brew can now be found in many stores and restaurants on the east coast. True to it’s name, Prototype, is the test batch for the popular Stone IPA. The two beers are fairly similar and share certain qualities of bold hops and crispness.
“The Virginia Brewery Prototype was one of our first batches before we made some adjusting to our mashing and our dry hopping schedule.” said Wiens
Currently, the Richmond location is brewing some of the Stone classics including Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Stone Delicious IPA and the Ruination Double IPA 2.0. The brews won’t hit the market until they finish with the process of flavor matching.
“Every day we taste the beer in process,” said Wiens, “We are shipping beers back and forth between Escondido and Richmond so we can taste them side by side.”
Stone’s Richmond location, on Williamsburg Ave, opened on March 2nd of this year. The brewery is now in full swing with a full tasting room where customers can fill their growlers and sit down for a pint of one the popular brews from their breweries on the West Coast.
For information on tours and specials visit their facebook page.
