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RVA ON TAP: Dry-Hopping & International Craft Beer Weekend in Richmond

Caley Sturgill | July 31, 2019

Topics: Ardent craft ales, beer, beer column, booze clues, Center of the Universe, cotu brewing, Devil's Backbone, fine creek, fine creek brewing, garden grove, geeks under the influence, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, intermission, Intermission Beer Company, international craft beer weekend, Kindred Spirit Brewing, Midnight Brewing, O'Connor Brewing, red paint rva, RVA On Tap, Starr Hill Brewery, the answer brewpub, The Darkroom, The Veil Brewing Co., three notchd, Väsen, virginia museum of history and culture

What’s happening, craft beer lovers of RVA?! Welcome to this week’s RVA On Tap, RVA Magazine’s weekly column for all your craft beer-related events, releases, festivals, and all the booze news your hearts desire. 

If you missed the last column, you can check that out here. Our kegs are overflowing this week with beer releases and festivals, events, and other cool happenings around town — so hold on to your mugs! 

This week, we’ve got tons more great events to keep you occupied in the spirit of summer, plus new releases from our favorites like The Answer Brewpub and more. Don’t miss the annual BrewHaHa Festival, the Red Paint International Craft Beer Weekend celebrations in RVA, and an awesome Gose Fest with Center of the Universe. Drink up! 

PHOTO: The Answer Brewpub

Before we dive into the many events of the week, let’s start with an especially-good new release and some info on its breed. The Answer Brewpub just dropped The War on Glycol last night out at the brewery, and it looks awesome. 

Brewed with Amarillo, El Dorado, Citra, and Eureka hops, The War on Glycol is a Double-Dry-Hopped (DDH) Double IPA. 

We’ve talked about a lot of DDH releases over the last year or so, but for the non-brewers out there, here’s a bit of info on that: the Double-Dry-Hop process is different everywhere you go. It can either mean brewers went through the hop process, then re-did it a second time to make it a double, or it can mean they added double the amount of hops that they normally would to the first single-processed beer. Either way, you’re in for something hoppy — it just might mean you’ll get a larger amount at some breweries than at others. But you’re also in for more flavor, because the late addition of hops is already where you’ll find a good chunk of your flavor, and the late-late-addition of hops is where your brewer is packing it in for that “explosive” flavor we’ve seen more and more of lately (and trust me, it’s a good thing). 

Depending on the specific beer and the brewing process of that beer, the pour in your glass could have began in a barrel with four pounds of hops, six pounds of hops, or even nine pounds of hops. So next time you head to Kroger at 10pm on a Tuesday for a build-your-own six pack because you’re craving some new tastes for your nighttime porch hangs, you’ll know what that DDH on the side of the can means (and why so many people are gravitating to try them). 

While you may not find The War on Glycol DIPA DDH at Kroger, you should definitely swing by The Answer for a case of cans to try it: in its true fruity fashion, this brew has big aromas of apricot and pomelo to complement its creamy, refreshing feel. Show The Answer some love and head over to grab one while you can — as we all know, these beloved (and award-winning how many times now?) brewers are known for cooking up recipes that can go quick once they’re out, because everyone wants a taste. 

PHOTO: International Craft Beer Weekend in RVA

International Craft Beer Weekend is alive in Richmond! This weekend, Red Paint RVA is throwing their first annual event, with a series of contests and beer features around Richmond to celebrate. Some of our favorites like Intermission Beer Company, Vasen Brewing, Fine Creek Brewing Company, Three Notch’d RVA Collab House, Garden Grove Brewing & more will all be out for the occasion, with special beers lined up for enthusiasts like ourselves to vote on our favorites. 

Richmond’s brewers are no strangers to the national scene, and the culture around it here is getting its own event to commemorate it. Red Paint themselves are collaborating on a beer with Three Notch’d for the occasion, and we’ll make sure to give that one a try. 

Across town, you’ll be able to try the stellar brews that everyone is voting on all week long — and when you’re ready to vote for your favorite, just head over to redpaintva.com, search for the brewery of your choice, and click “like” on their profile to cast your vote. It’s going to be a hard call between all of these for me, but I’m thinking Fine Creek will probably take my vote. We’ll just have to wait and see! 

PHOTO: Booze Clues Podcast with Geeks Under The Influence

Our favorite local beer podcast is back, and they’re recording their next episode live at The Dark Room this coming Sunday. Booze Clues, the live comedy podcast by Geeks Under The Influence that looks into hilarious recent headlines in the news, has their most recent episode available here, in case you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet. 

Dissecting the most spirited headlines of drunken debauchery around the world, our host, Mike “Hobbit” Bickett, along with a group of comedians, podcasters, and performers, will dive into the most ridiculous things people have been caught doing after a good night of boozing. It’s free, so if you’re looking for something to spice up your Sunday night, they’ve got you covered. 

PHOTO: The Veil Brewing Co.

The Answer isn’t the only local spot that had a killer release last night: The Veil Brewing Co. just dropped their new Soft Block DIPA brew. 

The Veil has recently taken part in a lot of great collaborations. This is likely due to their reputation growing ever bigger and ever better across the beer scene, and drawing in other eager brewers to team up and create something awesome together. Soft Block DIPA is the creation of the hands of The Veil and Other Half Brewing Company, and it has the awesome creamy, orange color I’m always looking for. Can you tell I have a type? Yeah, that’s 1000000% it. 

This delicious beer is a Double IPA, brewed with raw wheat, malted oats, milk sugar (!!), vanilla freeze-dried ice cream (!!!!!), oranges, vanilla, and Mosaic hops. Wow. I absolutely need it. If anyone’s in the market to treat ya girl this week, you know what to do. 

Soft Block DIPA also hits in at 8% ABV, so a few will go a long way when you sit down to hang at the brewery — but get those Ubers ready, y’all, because you’re going to want more than one. 

PHOTO: Center of the Universe

It’s Gose season in the beer world, and Center of the Universe is here to celebrate it. With another great event coming up this week, our buds at COTU are hosting Gose Fest this Saturday, and they’ve got plenty of entertainment to keep you going. 

They’ll be releasing There Gose Summer, a traditional German-style Sour Ale brewed with “heaps of tangerine” and a dash of salt to make the perfect Gose. This one is slightly tart, according to the brewers, and a refreshing brew that will make “the agony of a diminishing summer” a little less dreadful, and a little more flavorful. 

There Gose Summer is also being released with seven different variants to cater to all flavor profiles, so we’re sure there’s one for you. Check out COTU’s homage to summer at the brewery over the weekend, and if you make it out on Saturday, you’ll get to pair it with awesome eats from Freekin’ Rican and live music from Flashlight Tag. 

PHOTO: Intermission Beer Company

Over at Intermission Beer Company, a real beast of a beer is brewing, and it’s our favorite mythical creature. 

Centaur Bard is a West-Coast style IPA that was created with some really dank hops, like Simcoe, Cascade, Chinook, and Amarillo, before its dry-hopping process to really boost out the flavor. It was hopped over a 90-minute boil, and you’ll catch some great citrus flavors in this one. 

“If you crave hops, the Bard obliges,” they say. “Ney, the Bard delivers!” 

PHOTO: BrewHaHa Festival

In more events this week, BrewHaHa is back at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Saturday. This year is their 3rd annual festival celebrating Virginia Craft Beer Month, and it’s going to be full of our favorite local brewers. 

Catch places like Starr Hill Brewery (one of my personal favorites — have you tried their maple beer?! Be on the lookout for it this fall), O’Connor Brewing Co., Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Blue Bee Cider, Ardent, Devil’s Backbone (my first love of craft beer), Midnight Brewery, Isley Brewing Company, and Kindred Spirit Brewing. 

Head over here for tickets, and get ready for a day of live music, food, and a popular VIP portion called Battle of the Brews: showcasing local Virginia brewers’ renditions of a historic beer recipe from the museum’s collections. And as the museum says, you won’t want to miss this chance to “sip history.” 

PHOTO: Ardent Craft Ales

Highpoint DIPA has returned to Ardent Craft Ales, and the cans look as good as it tastes. This is one of Ardent’s newest DIPAs, and through its triple-dry-hop process, you can expect big hoppiness and big flavor out of this one. 

Galaxy, Citra, and El Dorado hops made this brew come to life, and its house yeast blend finishes clean to allow the hops to shine, according to the brewers. You’ll catch flavors of tropical fruits, plus pear and citrus, in this new recipe made for the hazy DIPA lovers (like myself) out there. 

PHOTO: Fine Creek Brewing

Yuuuum, Fine Creek Brewing served up something special over the weekend. This Belgian Wit with Elderflower & Chamomile hits in at a soft 5.7% for easy drinking, and it’s the product of teamwork on the farm. 

As the coalescence of the Fine Creek team’s hard work, this beer had hands from elderflower gatherers to the garden team growing, hanging, and drying its chamomile, and off to the brewers who cooked it all up in the end. You’ll catch flavors from Virginia Pils and Soft Winter Wheat malts from the Murphy & Rude Malting Co., plus water-cracker notes and a creamy body. 

The elderflower is dominant on the nose, Fine Creek says, and the chamomile comes out in its taste. This beer’s soft, floral character melts into its citrusy tastes to complement both halves of its flavor profile. 

That’s it for this week’s RVA On Tap! As your weekly columnist, I’m here to take all your beer releases, event info, ideas and questions. If you’re a brewer, send me your release info at [email protected], and if you’re a beer enthusiast, drop me a line anytime to talk booze. Catch y’all next week! 

RVA ON TAP: Richmond Hits The Road

Caley Sturgill | April 3, 2019

Topics: Ardent craft ales, Blue Bee Cider, castleburg brewery and taproom, Devil's Backbone, fine creek brewing, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Intermission Beer Company, Isley Brewing Company, RVA On Tap, Stone Brewing-Richmond, Strangeways Brewing, vasen brewing

What’s happening, craft beer lovers of RVA?! Welcome to this week’s RVA On Tap, RVA Magazine’s weekly column for all your craft beer-related events, releases, festivals, and all the booze news your hearts desire.

If you missed the last column, you can check that out here. Our kegs are overflowing this week with beer releases and festivals, events, and other cool happenings around town — so hold on to your mugs!

This week, we’re jumping into tons of events, benefits, anniversary celebrations, and more, plus tons of releases to get your juices flowing.

PHOTO: Imbibe Craft Beer & Arts Festival

It’s finally here! We’ve been waiting for the Imbibe Craft Beer & Arts Festival to come back for months now, and it’s hitting Fredericksburg this weekend. With tons of our favorite breweries from around the state, the festival packs in more than 100 craft libations, and say they’ve got some special love for the local spots. They’ll have an Artisan Market with handmade wares from regional makers in the area, and awesome bands like the North Mississippi Allstars and the People’s Blues of Richmond.

For a full list of the attendees, hit up their website, but you can expect most of these guys from the Richmond area: Ardent, Blue Bee Cider, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Intermission Beer Company, Legend Brewing Co., Strangeways Brewing, and Väsen Brewing Company. Starr Hill, our Charlottesville sisters who have set a spot in Richmond to open this year, will also be in attendance — along with some of my personal favorites from the rest of the state like Devil’s Backbone.

PHOTO: Strangeways Brewing

Happy birthday, Strangeways! Our friends over at the brewery have a huge weekend planned, and this is one you aren’t gonna want to miss. They’re re-releasing not one, but seven old favorites from the vault to celebrate their time with us. Look forward to the nostalgia, and grab a taste of That’s My Jam!, a Berry Sour, Wake Me Up Before You Gose, Apple Sour A Bomb, Wake Me up Before You Gose Hibiscus, and Cloak of Feathers — a Baltic Porter — all on Saturday.

Also starting Saturday, The Atkinsons will be playing live all day with food trucks and Truckle Cheeemonger full of picnic-esque treats. Continuing on into Sunday (for National Drink Beer Day!), LowCo Eatery Brunch is coming out to serve up the goods with the releases of Only Brewed 4 Cuban Linx Wild Ale, Wake Me Up Before You Gose Ghost Pepper, and Oscillate Wildly Blueberry-Wild Sour.

PHOTO: Stone Brewing Richmond

Bring out the fashion, Richmond, because Stone Brewing ain’t just wearing pink on Wednesdays. Tomorrow night, bust out your favorite pink clothes and come celebrate International Women’s Day all over again with Pithy In Pink, a Pink Boots Society White IPA, perfectly-flavored with grapefruit and coriander. On the real IWD, Stone brought out some of Virginia’s best with amazing women from across the state to brew the beer together, and it’s finally here to drink. The Pink Boots Society is a badass organization (with a local chapter here in town) of women in the brewing industry, and it’s got its own brew now to accompany it. Head out tomorrow night and grab a bite from Curry in a Hurry over in the garden, too, and celebrate the ladies in your life.

PHOTO: Isley Brewing Company

Isley Brewing Company’s Kiwi Infused Pilsner is fresh to the taps this Friday. If you’re looking for a brew to bring out the best of summertime and forget about how *absolutely freezing* the weather has been this week — after such a long week of warm, too — this might bring your taste buds to a happier place. Full of one of the best summertime fruits of all, this Pilsner ought to bring your brain back to warmer days and out of this long winter.

PHOTO: Fine Creek Brewing

Fine Creek Brewing is hosting their Make-A-Wish Benefit tomorrow night, so grab a beer and help grant some wishes to local kids. Come out and support their Walk-For-Wishes, the largest community event for the organization in Greater Virginia.

While we all know how awesome the Make-A-Wish foundation is, here’s something you might not have known: The excitement of these Wishes have actually proven to possess some physical and emotional benefits — which actually can give these kids a higher chance of survival. The impact of real Wishes on the families, and communities, of the sweet kids who pick them is far-reaching and positive across their loved ones. So all around, if you’re in the mood for a drink tomorrow, please keep Fine Creek high up on your list. With a beautiful farm to host it on, you’ll be very glad you did!

PHOTO: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Does it make sense? I mean, when does anything? Hardywood’s in the spirit of confusion this week and I’d be lying if I said the artwork doesn’t appropriately suit the cause. Who is she? She’s beautiful, is who she is. This New England-Style IPA is heading to the cans this week, But Does It Make Sense?, and it’s citrus-forward with Mosaic, Galaxy, and Hallertau Blanc hops. Swing by Hardywood and grab a bite from Hog Haven too, which looks just as mouthwatering as it sounds.

PHOTO: Intermission Beer Company

Intermission Beer Company is dropping a new brew this Friday. Tight Pantaloons is another New England IPA, and it’s also one whose name I can’t seem to read without a British accent in my head. I think it’s unfair not to, honestly. It just sounds so good. Anywho, ol’ pantalones hits in at 7.5% ABV and it’s a hazy, non-bitter tasting IPA that was dry-hopped with Galaxy, Mosaic, and Citra hops.

As far as the IBU goes, they say:

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So I’m glad we’re all on the same page with how we’re feeling this week. Me too, guys, me too. But either way, they’ve done a really solid job on this one!

PHOTO: Castleburg Brewery & Taproom

Lust for Glory: Even the name sounds romantic. This Guava Sour is making its way over to Castleburg Brewery and Taproom this Friday, and Castleburg says they were having a strong desire to “feed your sensual appetite.” Nice. With the pink, juicy flesh and strong, sweet aromas of guava in this one, the sour is just the thing to make you pucker up, according to the brewers.

Glory be!

PHOTO: Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery

Lickinghole Creek is throwing their Despot Day this Saturday, with live music and tons of variants from their favorite recipes coming out every hour during the day. Look forward to a nice big list of brews, plus live music from Mighty Joshua, Calvin Presents, and more and a ton of awesome food trucks — like Papa V’s Backyard Grill, Silence of the Hamms BBQ (nice), SandTopia and more.

For beers, you’ll get to try ENLIGHTENED Despot (14yr), HIDE the Despot (23yr), HUG the Despot (Vanilla), AWAKEN the Despot (Coffee), and VIBE the Despot (a new variant, Coconut)!

That’s it for this week’s RVA On Tap! As your weekly columnist, I’m here to take all your beer releases, event info, ideas and questions. If you’re a brewer, send me your release info at [email protected], and if you’re a beer enthusiast, drop me a line anytime to talk booze. Catch y’all next week!

Hoopla Returns to Devils Backbone with Outdoor Adventures, Music, Beer & Camping this Weekend

Amy David | September 28, 2017

Topics: Charlottesville, craft beer, Devil's Backbone, Hoopla, music festival, Nelson County, outdoors, RVA On Tap, virginia craft beer

If you’re just looking to go walk around and drink a beer, you go to a brewery or craft beer festival, if you want to just listen to some good tunes, you go to a music festival or head to a show, but if you want that, but also crave a little more action and excitement, Devils Backbone Brewing Company’s Hoopla is the place for you this weekend.

Now in its second year, Hoopla offers a weekend of camping, outdoor activities, workshops, kid-friendly events, yoga, music, beer and more for those adventure-seekers out there. The multi-day festival aims to give attendees a different experience than a run-of-the-mill festival according to DB Chief Operating Officer Hayes Humphreys.


“The world doesn’t really need another beer or music festival,” he said. “We set out to ensure that Hoopla offers something unique, and we made that happen by leveraging the amazing venues we have at Basecamp, tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Steve and Heidi Crandall founded Devils Backbone here because it’s at the crossroads of a slew of amazing adventures: hiking, biking, kayaking, wine touring, skiing…”

Devils Backbone, in Nelson County in Charlottesville, up until this year, held the Virginia Craft Beer Festival on their grounds and they also host the three-day music festival, The Festy Experience. While the former two cater to the craft beer enthusiasts and music lovers, Hoopla is meant to draw people together to craft their own adventure.

“Hoopla was created out of our desire to make an event that lets Devils Backbone drinkers immerse themselves in and celebrate our culture,” he said. “We’ve held a number of great festivals at Basecamp over the years but they were all created and directed by outsiders, and we wanted something that was a comprehensive reflection of everything Devils Backbone is about.”

Humphreys said the organizers planned Hoopla around seven values that represent the brewery: “Adventure”, which consists of field trips from the brewery; “Beer Positivity”, where the craft beer comes in obviously, “Family”, featuring a slew of activities for all ages, “Passion”, the musical programming aspect; “Humility” the educational programming component; “Integrity”, which consists of sports and games; and finally “Stewardship”, where the festival offer opportunities to make a positive impact on the environment.

Returning activities to this year’s festival include a Pop-Up Beer festival and a Beer Dinner, hiking, biking, touring Nelson County, and panel discussions, which Humphreys said were a big highlight of last year’s Hoopla.

“Last year, I sat in on an amazing panel discussion with several Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers that was totally eye-opening…,” he said.

In addition to that, there will be a campfire cook-off challenge, brewery tours, a guided mountain bike ride, a tie-dye workshop, instrument making, cornhole, a 5k, Backpacker Magazine AT Through Hikers Panel, two stages of live music featuring 20 bands and more. Check out DB’s “How to Hoopla” Guide here for the complete rundown of events for the weekend.

“The Daypack Games, which was a whole separate festival last year, has been condensed and will be a fun mini-Olympics within Hoopla this year.”

The musicians and bands are mostly from around the state, with The Dharma Bombs representing Richmond along with fellow Virginia bands Lorn Nelson, Chamomile & Whiskey, Disco Risque, Travis Tucker and Elliot Rogers, Bryan Elijah Smith & The Wild Hearts, Gold Top County Ramblers, along with the Cville All-Stars. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, The Hip Abduction, Blitzen Trapper, and Langhorne Slim will headline the festival. Check out the full lineup here.

“I think the music is another differentiator for us,’ he said of the acts. “We have some awesome string music and some rock, indie, alt-country, and lots more. All the acts are tied together by their high energy and how much fun they are on stage.”

And if you’re wondering about the beer, don’t worry, Devils Backbone made sure to create some festive brews just for the occasion.

“For this year, we’ve brewed two special Hoopla beers with two of the bands set to play,” Humphreys said. “Lady Lie PA is a bright, fresh, exciting IPA featuring a slew of fruity, juicy hops. The Keeler is a light and refreshing Golden Ale brewed with and for Larry Keel. Larry told us he wanted something he could pound!”

Last year, Hoopla saw 1,500 festivalgoers and Humphreys said with ticket sales, they are expecting about 2,000 for this year’s event. Camping, parking and all of the activities and adventures taking place are included in the ticket price except for the beer dinner on Saturday night which benefits the Nelson County Pantry.

The three-day festival kicks off this Fri., Sept. 30 and runs through Oct. 1. Weekend passes including camping as well as single day passes are available.  Tickets range from $15 for one day up to $120 for a four-day camping pass with a number of options in between. You can grab yours here.

 

RVA Mag President John Reinhold’s Thanksgiving food & craft beer pairings-with some metal thrown in

John Reinhold | November 23, 2016

Topics: craft beer, Devil's Backbone, Garden Grove Brewing Company, Hardywood, Isley, Legend Brewing, Lickinghole Creek, RVA craft beer, strangeways, Thanksgiving, the answer brewpub, The Veil, Three Notch'd Brewing, triple crossing

Thanksgiving is upon us, and we can all hope that sharing some time and fun with friends is a part of this day we will enjoy. No matter what is going on, chances are that you will be enjoying a meal, and maybe you’re in charge of cooking or providing a part of this meal.
[Read more…] about RVA Mag President John Reinhold’s Thanksgiving food & craft beer pairings-with some metal thrown in

VA breweries take home 13 awards at last weekend’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver

Amy David | October 11, 2016

Topics: Ardent craft ales, Devil's Backbone, Great American Beer Festival, Hardywood, RVA craft beer, RVA On Tap

Each year, the Great American Beer Festival brings together brewers from around the U.S. and in a public tasting event, the Denver-based festival awards those who have created the best beer. This past weekend’s festival, 286 medals were awarded, with Virginia breweries snagging 13 of them.
[Read more…] about VA breweries take home 13 awards at last weekend’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver

Three Richmond breweries top The Culture Trip’s ‘Best Craft Breweries in Virginia’ list

Amy David | April 20, 2016

Topics: #vabeer, craft beer, Devil's Backbone, Hardywood Park, Legend Brewing, Lickinghole Creek, RVA breweries, Starr Hill, The Culture Trip, virginia breweries, virginia craft beer

From Richmond, to Williamsburg, to Charlottesville to Roanoke, Virginia is nearly bursting at the seams with craft breweries each of them offering something different and unique.
[Read more…] about Three Richmond breweries top The Culture Trip’s ‘Best Craft Breweries in Virginia’ list

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