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RVA On Tap: Ditch The Corona. Here’s How To (Safely) Support Local Brewers!

Caley Sturgill | July 29, 2020

Topics: Ardent craft ales, bars in richmond va, beer, beer column, coronavirus, covid 19, covid19, craft beer, craft beer richmond va, events in richmond va, events near me this weekend, events richmond va, Final Gravity, Fine Creek Brewing Company, happy hour richmond va, Hardywood, Intermission Beer Company, Isley Brewing Company, Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery, richmond events, richmond va, RVA, RVA On Tap, Starr Hill, the answer brewpub, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, triple crossing, 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 the booze news your hearts desire.

Our kegs are overflowing this week with craft beer, and we’re not riding out this virus without our favorite local brewers… but this time, we’re bringing them home with us.

This week in Booze News, we’ve got fresh can releases, new brews for growler fills, and even local ciders and spirits. You’ll get all the best for delivery & pickup, in alphabetical order, to find your local favorites easily. Don’t miss out, Richmond, and continue supporting local business!

We’ve got pickup and delivery services from locals like The Answer Brewpub, Ardent Craft Ales, Belle Isle Moonshine, Bryant’s Cider, Center of the Universe Brewing, Intermission Beer Company, Isley Brewing Company, Final Gravity, Fine Creek Brewing Company, Garden Grove, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Lickinghole Creek, Starr Hill, Stone Brewing, Strangeways, Triple Crossing, Väsen Brewing Company, The Veil Brewing Co. and more. Stay healthy, and drink up!

BREWERS: If your outdoor spaces are opening at a safely-limited capacity, please email [email protected] with updates.

The Answer Brewpub

In to-go brews, The Answer Brewpub is first on our alphabetical list of local spots for carry-out purchases. The Answer also released brand new “Black Is Beautiful” brew, plus a series of Quy Pham-inspired beers to honor their beloved friend — so go show them support and spread the love where you can.

Check out their available brews and Order Here!

THE ANSWER BEERS:

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL IMPERIAL STOUT
KISSING THE LIPLESS HAZY NEIPA (sold out)
SUMMER SHOWERS (sold out)
PETTY MOSAIC SESSION IPA
BLUE MAJIK TROPICAL COCKTAIL GOSE
IMPERIAL MILK STOUT “QUY IS THE ANSWER”
QUY LIME PIE GOSE
NEW GUINEA VANILLA BEER
TASTED LIKE SUNSHINE DUST
FEVER DREAMS
THE VIBES
MURDER BEARS
NO WAY DOWN
MALARKEY TIPA
MILK CHOCOLATE CHUGYO
TACTICAL LAGER
QUAD MOTHER OF MORENO: MANGO, MARSHMALLOW, VANILLA
CONDRON DOUBLE RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE
PASSIONFRUIT MANGO HONEY LEMONADE
KING ROBINSON COBBLER: STRAWBERRY RHUBARB
IMPERIAL 3 SCOOPS: PASSIONFRUIT MANGO PEACH
RUM PASSIONFRUIT PAINKILLER

Don’t forget to add your tips to support their team when you place your order!

If you’re planning to stop by for a to-go order, the brewery is encouraging you to please follow CDC safety guidelines.

Ardent Craft Ales

Ardent Craft Ales is offering curbside pick-up options and delivery. Beer shipping across Virginia and D.C. is available here. Locally in Richmond, you can Order Here!

Ardent partially reopened their beer garden last month, and hours are expanded to 12-8pm Tuesday-Sunday. They’ll also be serving food every day, so head out for a bite and a beer! Keep up with them on social media for updates.

AVAILABLE BEERS:

IMPERIAL STOUT WITH VANILLA & CACAO NIBS
SHORT THROW BREWING – RESTING MY GREATNESS
MIXED BERRY GOSE
SAISON
HIGHPOINT DIPA
HONEY GINGER
IPA X
BOHEMIAN PILSNER
IPA 12oz FLAGSHIP IPA
ARDENT PILSNER
ELDIG BALTIC PORTER
EARL GREY BROWN ALE
DEFENESTRATOR
DARK RYE
HONEST ADMIRATION
IMPERIAL MILK STOUT

For pickups, park in Ardent’s parking lot off Highpoint Avenue, and give the taproom a call to let them know you’re there. They’ll bring your orders out and check your ID at your car, so folks won’t have to get out and come inside at all. These are expected to be available within 30 minutes of the order being placed, so shoot for that time frame, and you’ll receive updates from Ardent if there are any delays due to higher volumes of orders.

For deliveries, drivers will come to the address provided, and IDs will be checked upon arrival. Be sure to plan for it — if you’re unavailable when they arrive, they’ll bring your order back to the taproom and keep it available for pick-up.

Belle Isle Moonshine

In more local craft drink news, Belle Isle Moonshine is offering local delivery (even same-day for orders before 2pm!) of their premium moonshine, canned cocktails, and more. Head over to their website to order here if you’re looking to mix things up and add a few cocktails into your evening brews!

Last month, they introduced Honey Habanero & Pineapple, the latest in their series of canned cocktails. This is the first small-batch, limited run cocktail to come out of Belle Isle, and this special recipe is available only to Virginia residents via their Online Distillery Store.

Check out the list below for a full rundown of moonshine and craft cocktails available from the local distillery.

AVAILABLE MOONSHINE & CANNED COCKTAILS:

HONEY HABANERO
HONEY HABANERO & PINEAPPLE
INFUSION 12-PACK
BELLE ISLE BLOOD ORANGE MOONSHINE
BELLE ISLE RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT MOONSHINE
BELLE ISLE BLACK LABEL MOONSHINE
HONEY HABANERO & PINEAPPLE CANNED COCKTAIL
BLOOD ORANGE & SODA CANNED COCKTAIL
RUBY RED & SODA CANNED COCKTAIL
SHINE & SODA CANNED COCKTAIL

Belle Isle also has merch available on their online store, so head over to see all the options when you order drinks.

Bryant’s Cider

Bryant’s Cider is now open! We’ve been waiting forever to see the brand-new beautiful tasting room (thanks, coronavirus) and we couldn’t be more excited to see they’re able to open safely. Congrats on the opening, Bryant’s, and downtown welcomes you!

Order Online here if you’re still not comfortable venturing out, and check below for a list of everything available for pickup.

AVAILABLE CIDERS:

BRITE GOOD
SUMTHIN JUICY
UNICORN FUEL (this one made them famous, so you’ll definitely want to check it out!)
500ML CANCER
500ML GEMINI
500ML MINT JULEP
500ML SATAN’S HAVEN
500ML STRAWBERRY SNORT
500ML BRITE GOOD
500ML HELL HOP

Stay tuned for more info as we get to test out the new cider location, and support local biz!

Center of the Universe Brewing

Head to cotubrew.square.site to order delivery for their best recipes. You can place orders at (804) 368-0299, or via the website by checking “Fulfillment Method” and “Delivery” with your address before finishing check-out.

AVAILABLE BEERS & CROWLERS:

BELGIAN WHEAT ALE
BLACKBERRY CRYSTAL COTU HARD SELTZER
CHAMELEON IPA
CREATIVE JUICES IPA
MONKEY’S UNCLE LEMONGRASS TRIPEL
OAKY POKEY
OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIE PORTER
PINEAPPLE WHIP
POCAHOPTAS IPA
RALLY CAP GRAPEFRUIT SHANDY
SUMMER MOON IMPERIAL RASPBERRY WHEAT ALE

Customers can park alongside the front curb and proceed to the front door. Patrons will stay outside, and COTU team will deliver orders to the front. All tips received will benefit the front staff during closures. Kegs are available, ordering via email at [email protected] for availability and pricing. Gift cards are available here.

Final Gravity Brewing Co.

Over at Final Gravity Brewing Co., to-go pours are available for every brew you could dream of: all you need to do is grab a Crowler. Check out their website and Order Here!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

LAKESIDE LAGER
JAMES BROWN ALE
VENUS RISING DOUBLE IPA
ABSOLUTE MAGNITUDE HAZY DIPA
ILL TECHNIQUE HAZY DIPA
THE DOPPLER EFFECT IPA
STEPPING STONE BLONDE ALE
THIRD SEASON SAISON
FIRE STATION 5 AMERICAN AMBER ALE
IRISH GOODBYE STOUT

Delivery runs up to 10 miles! For regular pickup, head inside to their bar. For curbside pickup, there’s a green tent set up behind their building. Call 264-48084, Option 1, to let them know when you’ve arrived.

Fine Creek Brewing Company

Out at Fine Creek Brewing Company, beer delivery is available! Check out Fine Creek’s website for a full list of beers available for pick-up and delivery, and find them on Facebook for updates and more information. Order Here!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

HELLES LAGER
TRICKNOLOGY IPA
GAMMA GARDEN DIPA
DAD STRENGTH DIPA CROWLER
MURPHY & RUDE MOSAIC PALE ALE
NEW ZEALAND PILSNER
PARTICLE FALLS SMOKED IPA
RAYGUN GOTHIC IPA
RYE LAGER CROWLER
HOPPY CROWLER
LAGER CROWLER
HERBARIUM WILD SAISON
BARREL AGED GOLDEN SOUR

Be sure to keep up with Fine Creek on social media and at their website for the latest news from these awesome Powhatan brewers!

Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery

At Garden Grove, along with carry-out orders, they’ve also started curbside pick-up for all their best brews. With your favorites like EarthTone, you’ll be able to order beers here and pick them up from your car to keep things safe.

AVAILABLE BEERS:

CARTOON VILLAIN IPA
MADELINE SAISON
TABLE FOR TWO BELGIAN PALE ALE
EARTHTONE
GIVE EM’ HELLES
KOUSHMA
ROUGAROU
ARASSAS KOLSCH
FERGUS WEE-HEAVY
EVANGELINE
SYNTHESIS

WINE:

HUAY CHIVO CIDER
KOBOLD DRY-HOPPED CIDER
SUPER SEYSHAN CIDER
GRANDEUR!
TYPHOON PASSION FRUIT AND MANGO HONEY WINE
PINK LEMONADE HONEY WINE
2018 CHARDONNAY
2017 PETIT VERDOT
2018 ADAPTATION
SYNTHESIS 300ML

They’re keeping things safe, and encouraging folks to use curbside pickup to limit the number of customers in the taproom at any given time on to-go orders. Keep up with them on Facebook for updates.

*PHOTO: Hardywood West Creek by Chad Williams of Creative Visual Design*

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Hardywood West Creek and Richmond locations are open, folks! The outdoor spaces have been re-arranged to allow for proper social distancing, and all us Hardywood fans can now visit them again safely. New hours are Tuesday-Friday 2-9pm, and Saturday-Sunday 12-9pm. First come, first serve! Find more information here on rules and what to expect.

If you’d rather still drink from home, head over here to Order Online. They’ll be offering awesome new beer releases regularly, so be sure to stay updated with them going forward.

Hardywood Richmond brews listed below. CLICK HERE for West Creek info & cases/growler fills!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

PEACH TRIPEL
NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE
BALTIC SUNRISE
HARDYWOOD HEFEWEIZEN
TURNING POINT
BOURBON CRU
RICHMOND LAGER
GREAT RETURN
HARDYWOOD PILS
HARDYWOOD SINGEL
VIPA
WYLDFLOWER
TANGERINE SUNCRUSH
WEST CREEK HARD CIDER
HOPKEEPER
BOURBON BALTIC SUNRISE
RASPBERRY STOUT

Keep up with Hardywood on Instagram and Facebook for more updates, and make your way out to support!

Intermission Beer Company

Intermission Beer Company is open! Masks are required to enter.

Intermission is now open for taproom and patio seating, for 21+ only and no pets during this time (hold tight, dog lovers!) It’s first-come, first-serve, and it’ll be closed for seating once they reach capacity. Always remember to wear your mask and keep folks safe!

Order Here for delivery! To grab a curbside pickup order, call or text Intermission at 804-585-0405 and they’ll deliver any of their available beers straight to your car when you arrive. Beer slushies are now available, too!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

BEER SLUSHIES! Check Facebook every Friday to see the weekend’s flavor.
HONEY HIBISCUS SAISON
HATHOR GOSE SOUR
GHOST LIGHT LAGER
OVATION HARD SELTZER LEMON
OVATION HARD SELTZER ORANGE
OVATION HARD SELTZER RASPBERRY
STRAWBERRY BLONDE
VIENNA CREAM ALE
CONJURED DARKNESS
TROPICAL THUNDER IPA

They’ll deliver within a 5 mile radius of Intermission, and reserve the right to cancel any orders further than 5 miles away. You can check here to see if your address is within their range.

Check with Intermission on Facebook for updates as things go on, and catch up with them to find out more about brews on tap.

Isley Brewing Company

To-go brews are available at Isley Brewing Company! The tasting room will be closed, but beers on tap will be available for pickup. Order Here!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

ISLEY SUNBURNT COUNTRY DIPA
TEA-RIFFIC SWEET TEA AMBER ALE
SET SAIL
SHIP FACED
6 FEET CLOSER TO YOU
OFF THE BOULEVARD
THE BRIBE
CHOOSY MOTHER
PLAIN JANE
PLAIN JANE STRAWBERRY
PLANE JANE BLUEBERRY
CASH AND CARRY CASHMERE HAZY IPA
RHIZOME SUN
APPLE OF MY EYE BLONDE ALE
ISLEY CZECH PILSNER
RASPBERRY RAZZLE
GOSE-BUSTERS

In orders, be sure to include your name, address, email, and what you’d like to order in four-packs, then let them know when you’re there. There’s a minimum purchase of two four-packs per order, and delivery charges will apply. A big plus: they deliver up to 5 miles away from the brewery — so if you’re located further out, it’s no problem!

Check their post here for more information on ordering, and keep up with Isley on Facebook for updates.

Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery

Multi-state shipping and drive-thru pickup now available! Get your brews online and Order Here from Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery’s website.

AVAILABLE BEERS:

GOOCHLAND QUADRUPEL ALE
BEAR BAIT BERLINER WEISSE WITH BLACKBERRIES
JUICY #21
WATERMELON GOSE
NINE MILE IPA
LCCB JUICY #20
ABSOLUTE COUP OF ENLIGHTENED DESPOT
NUCLEAR NUGGET IMPERIAL HONEY IPA
BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST IMPERIAL BROWN ALE
THREE CHOPT TRIPEL
HEIR APPARENT MEXICAN SPICED IMPERIAL STOUT
MAIDENS BLONDE ALE
FRENCH TOAST BROWN ALE
VIRGINIA STRAWBERRY HEFEWEIZEN
ONE RIDE NON-ALCOHOLIC
SUNFLOWER SAISON
CHALLENGE THE BEAR BALTIC PORTER
TWELFTH NIGHT SPICED BELGIAN QUAD
VANILLA VIRGINIA BLACK BEAR
COCONUT QUADRUPLE ALE
RUM BARREL AGED CARROT CAKE IMPERIAL AMBER ALE
BOURBON BARREL & GINGER THREE CHOPT TRIPEL
REDNECK SOAP OPERA
ILLUMINATOS
HIDE THE DESPOT
HUG THE DESPOT
AWAKEN THE DESPOT

Head over here to Lickinghole Creek’s website for more information on policies regarding COVID-19, and catch up with them on Facebook here.

Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop

Starr Hill is also keeping things safe, with to-go beer sales taking place during abbreviated business hours. All of their year-round beers will be available, in addition to some special favorites from the brewery. Order Here!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

SUMMER TOUR
SAY IT AIN’T SOUR
CRYSTAL RIVER GRAPEFRUIT IPA
KING KUNU PINEAPPLE IPA
NORTHERN LIGHTS IPA
RAMBLE ON HAZY IPA
REVIVER RED IPA
STAY FOREVER ESPRESSO STOUT
SUBLIME CITRUS WIT
WAREHOUSE PILS
CARLY CUCUMBER GOSE
CAROLE CRAN-RASPBERRY GOSE
FRONT ROW GOLDEN ALE
GRATEFUL PALE ALE
JOMO LAGER
NORTHERN LIGHTS IPA
PIXIE PINEAPPLE GOSE
ROXANNE RASPBERRY SOUR
THE LOVE HEFEWEIZEN
WILD HEART HOPPY BLONDE
2 TONE VANILLA PORTER
ALL THAT HAZY IPA
CURRANT AFFAIRS BLACKBERRY CURRANT SOUR
EXPAT BARREL STOUT
HATHOR RASPBERRY GOSE
LIZZY LIME GOSE
LOOKING GLASS IPA
REDUX RASPBERRY SPARKLING ALE

+ More in cases! Check out Starr Hill’s website for more details.

Keep up with them on Facebook for updates on hours and information, and check their website here for news on their COVID-19 precautions being implemented at the brewery.

Stone Brewing Richmond

Stone Brewing Richmond is open for pick-up! This awesome East End brewery has had some delicious releases lately, and you can keep up with them on Facebook for updates on the newest brews. Order Online!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

STONE FARKING WHEATON W00TSTOUT VINTAGE
STONE RUINED AGAIN TRIPLE IPA
STONE TIKI ESCAPE
STONE IPA
BUENAVEZA SALT & LIME LAGER
DELICIOUS
ENTER NIGHT PILSNER
TROPIC OF THUNDER
SCORPION BOWL IPA
///FEAR.MOVIE.LIONS DIPA
TANGERINE EXPRESS IPA
STONE RIPPER
ARROGANT BASTARD ALE

Be sure to keep up with their updated available beer list here, as supplies are subject to change. Drink happy, y’all!

Strangeways Brewing

Strangeways Brewing just celebrated their 7-year anniversary, and they’ve got fresh brews for us every week!

All 3 tasting rooms are open for delivery, curbside pick-up, and to-go orders! Be sure to check their website to Order Online.

AVAILABLE BEERS:

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL IMPERIAL STOUT
SHIMMER & SHAKE SPIKED SPARKLING SELTZER LEMON-LIME
AFM WILD ALE FARMHOUSE SAISON
ALBINO MONKEY BELGIAN WHITE
ARNIE’S ARMY BERLINER WEISSE
BAVARIAN RHAPSODY HEFEWEIZEN
DR. FOUDRE I WILD ALE
FULL STACK LUMBERJACK STOUT
GNAR SHREDDER DIPA
HELLES FROZEN OVER MUNICH HELLES LAGER
LEGALIZE IT WEST COAST IPA
LUCKY CHARMS BERLINER WEISSE
MARTIAN SPRING HOPPY ALE
PLAYDAY PILSNER
RAZZLES DAZZLE BERLINER WEISSE
RED SANGRIA BERLINER WEISSE
SEA SPRITZ CRANBERRY BERLINER WEISSE
SLEAZESTACK NEW ENGLAND IPA
SLIGHTLY STOOPID SOUR IRISH STOUT
SMUCKER’S JELLY BERLINER WEISSE
SOUR CHERRY COBBLER BERLINER WEISSE
TIRAMI’ZU RUM BARREL AGED PORTER
TURBOGENERATOR
UBERLIN BERLINER WEISSE
WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GOSE
WOODBOOGER BELGIAN STYLE BROWN ALE

Be sure to catch up with Strangeways on their website for a full list of beers, and for the most-updated brews available.

Triple Crossing Beer

Triple Crossing Beer has to-go and delivery options available, and can shipping is another brand-new option!

With Texting Can Alerts, you can text TCALERTS to (855) 918-2808 to be enrolled with all the new can releases and beer information available at Triple Crosisng. If you’re feeling hungry, they’ve also got food to-go, which is awesome to have around (and we love their pizza!) Order Here!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

Fulton

FOEDER I
LAST BROADCAST
NECTAT AND KNIFE DIPA
ZWICK’L

Downtown

FOEDER I
LAST BROADCAST

Be sure to check your locations and order here, as different locations will have different availability.

Triple Crossing is also offering delivery options, and thanks to high demand, they’re able to keep supporting their staff while the taproom is closed. Be sure to tip your delivery drivers well, and help service industry folks get through these shutdowns. Head here to order downtown pick-up orders, and here for Fulton pick-up orders. Keep up with Triple Crossing on Facebook here.

Väsen Brewing Company

At Väsen Brewing Company, Order Here for pickup and delivery!

Väsen recently partnered up with The Capsoul Collective for a brand-new brew called Cohesion: a Double IPA collaboration with Chilalay and local artist Marlon Diggs.

According to Capsoul, this collaboration was brought about after a conversation between Eric Jackson, Co-Founder of Capsoul, and Tony Giordano, Head Brewer of Väsen, on the racial injustices that America and the city of Richmond are experiencing. This beer was designed to show unity and a way to raise money to give back to the community.

The label of this special release was designed to “highlight the Richmond art community while showing how distorted, torn, and broken pieces can come together to create something beautiful,” according to Capsoul. Proceeds from Cohesion will be donated directly to the local BIPOC community.

To celebrate the release with its brewers, head to Chilalay on August 14 and Väsen on August 15 (plus a VIP tasting event at Väsen on August 16). As always, wear your mask and be safe if you’re going out in public.

Information on Väsen’s available beers for pickup and delivery this week can be found below.

AVAILABLE BEERS:

FEASTA
APRICOT SOUR
MIERKA
NEOMEXICANUS
HEFEWEIZEN
FREYJA
RADAPILS
ESCAPE CLOUD
THE SUNRISE OTTER
HATHOR GOSE
MEXICAN LAGER
LAGER
THE VELVET WALRUS ON VANILLA COFFEE & CINNAMON
WINDHOOK IPA
NORSE DOUBLE IPA
VANILLA MOONBEAR DUBBEL
GOLDENBEAR TRIPEL
CITRON SAISON

Check out the full order info here!

The Veil Brewing Co.

The Veil Brewing Co. will be doing outdoor to-go sales from both locations. Cans will be sold directly outside of the main entrance of our taproom under a tent in the parking lot side of both locations. Order Here!

AVAILABLE BEERS:

PURPLEBUGATTI
PREMIUM SAUCE
VEIN
SIGNAL DRAFT
NEVER NEVER FEAR FEAR
TYPHOON LAGOON TASTEE
LOVELY
ERODE
FOR LOVE
NEVER NEVER MIND MIND
HOLLOW PLACE: SINGLE ORIGIN

Check here for updated lists, as stock is subject to change as orders come in.

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!

Let’s All Freak Out!! Coronavirus Updates & Pandemic Movies For The End Of Days

John Reinhold | March 13, 2020

Topics: 12 monkeys, 28 days later, andromeda strain, carriers, contagion, coronavirus, covid, covid 19, events in richmond va, events near me this weekend, events richmond va, hackers, it comes at night, movies, outbreak, Pandemic, richmond, richmond events, richmond va, RVA, the last man on earth, the stand, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, zombie survival guide

Happy Friday the 13th! Everything is good, and this is fine. As the River City gets closer to the inevitable flames of coronavirus, we’re here to keep you entertained during your quarantine. We hope you bought toilet paper.

Welcome to Dr. StangeVirus, or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Corona. While we all practice social distancing and cleaning everything in our homes, RVA Mag says, “How’s about we fire up the Hulu, Netflix, and Vudu, and scare the hell out of ourselves?”

In all seriousness, we hope you’re safe and healthy. We’re sure you’ve been told enough times what to do, but in case you need more information, please check with the CDC for updated information on coronavirus, health tips, and safety precautions. Information on current cases by country can be found here, and local information from Virginia-related cases are listed here.

Now, let’s get to it. Below is a breakdown of some of our favorite pandemic movies. It’s certainly not a complete list, but it’s full of our favorites from the genre. We could spend days on just zombie-outbreak movies alone… but on that note, are you read up and prepared for the zombie apocalypse? The answer is no. Not in the least bit. Someone had to say it.

We highly suggest reading The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, and you can download it if you’re too scared to make the trip to a crowded bookstore. Get your bug-out bag ready, learn the best ways to fight, and take note of the great tips like “Blades Don’t Need Reloading,” “No Place is Safe, Only Safer,” and “Use Your Head: Cut Off Theirs!”

On to the movies. Most of these are available for online streaming, and we know you’re going to be inside freaking out — so you should probably work on making some art. Keep those hands busy. But if you’re not creative, or you want something on in the background, get ready for RVA Magazine’s master list of the best End-Of-Days flicks to keep you company during the coronavirus outbreak.

1. THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN

A 1971 film about a foreign pathogen outbreak is one of our first big virus films today. This one started as a book by Michael Crichton, who you probably know from Jurassic Park. The film actually follows the book very closely, as a special team deals with the impact and works to contain it. Backed in science and heavy drawn-out plot, it’s a bit of a slow burner — but it’s also a wonderful film, with beautiful, vast scenes and an amazing set design.

This one comes from the set designer of 2001 by Stanley Kubrick, who used special effects and computer-rendered effects never used in film before. Overall, it set the stage for many films to come about outbreaks, and the serious effects they can pose if not contained. This may be a bit slow for some (cough, cough, millennials — cover that cough!), so maybe this works best as a background movie while you play a game or make some art. Make some art!

2. CONTAGION

Oh my god, the trailer. It freaks me out. So here we are… this film from Steven Soderbergh grasps you, and it does not let go. There are some great actors in this one, and Soderbergh is always able to get the best out of actors. This movie feels real, and it moves at a fast pace that’s set in the straight-up cold medical reality of what happens in a pandemic. This is our paranoid freakout right here, and I’m gonna tell you now that it’s not something to watch lightly — this is not your fun movie pick of the day. This is now: 100 percent, this movie will kick your ass. If you’re so inclined to jump in the fire, then this is a great baptism straight into it.

3. IT COMES AT NIGHT

True story: I met Joel Edgerton in Ellwood Thompson’s at the juice bar when he was filming Loving here in Richmond. I had just seen him in Black Mass, and thought he was great, so I awkwardly said hello to him. I could tell he was surprised to be noticed, but he was really nice. Edgerton plays the father in this very dismal and dark film, which covers a virus that ends society as we know it.

We know a few things — one is that it comes at night. What is it? Good question. I know one thing: it’s fear. And this movie shows what that does to us. Like many other virus and end-of-days movies, we learn more about what fear does to humans, and how we respond, than about the virus itself. We want to say we’re heroes, but often we find that as humans, we fall prey to ourselves — and we let fear dictate our actions.

It Comes At Night deals with family, pandemics, fear, and panic — so it’s a delightful little film, and it’ll cheer you right up! I saw this film by myself in a theatre in West Virginia. I highly recommend doing that sometime, it makes you come to terms with quite a few things in the shadows. I really did love it, the actors and its pacing. While it’s not easy, I feel it’s a great film… even if it’s a hard watch.

4. THE STAND

One of Stephen King’s masterpieces, The Stand is pretty topical right now. It played on TV some years ago when I was just a kid, and I remember watching it then. This one’s about a strain of influenza that has been modified for bio-warfare, and it causes an apocalyptic pandemic that kills most of the world’s population. This all happens in the 80s during the Cold War fears, so it plays a bit off of that, along with religious overtones throughout. It shows the breakdown of society when these things happen, and the emotional toll that it brings to populations enduring it.

This is a multifaceted story, told from multiple characters’ points-of-view. It tells of the deaths not directly caused by the virus, but by looting and vigilantism due to the breakdown and collapse of society. There is so much to describe, but you have to see it for yourself… this is one epic tale, much in the vein of Lord of the Rings if Middle-Earth was rocked by a virus that wiped almost everyone out.

5. OUTBREAK

The feel-good movie of all virus movies here: Outbreak. You’ve got Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Kevin Spacey (I know!), Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Him too! Ahhh!), and a host of other people we might also have issues with, all in this film. It has cute monkeys and a few good scenes, like its movie theatre scene with particles of spit going into everyone’s mouths (yuck).

Look, in no way should this film be seen as giving you any good information. They do things you absolutely should not do. If this film were to take place in real life, Dustin Hoffman’s character would be walking around infecting people. And by the way, check out this ecologist from the CDC breaking down the pandemic scenes in this film on YouTube. Anyway, the good guys win in this one — because that’s what we used to want in movies.

6. 28 DAYS LATER

Danny Boyle’s post-apocalyptic nightmare fuel is a terrifying ride into the virus-made zombie apocalypse. The trailer doesn’t really show how good this film is, so trust us that it’s much better than you’ll expect from this clip. You’re probably familiar with it — I would hope — but get the re-watch in, because it’s worth it. I remember the first thing I thought watching this was, “Wait… zombies can run? Well, that changes things.” This one is more serious, and to me, more realistic regarding what would happen in a real-world zombie outbreak. It’s both a political allegory and a humanist drama, and I think the best zombie movie ever made. It’s also a work of art: from its editing to its great actors, it has moments of pure fear and pure beauty. I just hope it never comes to this.

7. CARRIERS

I watched this last night for the second time, on Netflix. It has Chris Pine, and it’s a great movie that shows what fear can do to people in an extreme situation. Even family. In a world where anyone you meet, and even the people close to you, can be carriers, what do you do? What if it’s you?

These questions play out in a tight-traveling group, with rules to keep them safe. But you know how that’s going to go… not good. Tough decisions sometimes have to be made, and who’s going to do it? At the center of this movie is a pair of brothers whose relationship is tested. The virus is a version of the bird flu that has mutated, and now it’s everywhere. Even the trailer is eerie in the context of our current coronavirus situation, though I would like to say this one has a hopeful ending. I guess it does, in a way.

8. 12 MONKEYS

Another one you probably already know, 12 Monkeys has some great actors here as well. It’s a vehicle for Brad Pitt, and was the first time many of us thought, “Woah, Brad Pitt is awesome.” It’s based off of a movie I watched in film school called La Jetee, which is hauntingly-beautiful, and also centers around the end of the world from a viral weapon. In 12 Monkeys, we get to time-travel back and try to save the future.

It’s always fun with time-travelling paradoxes, and the complete mental loops that they make us take. This one is more neo-noir science fiction than an actual virus outbreak film, but it’s worth a mention, as it’s very good. The ending is so beautiful; I’ve always loved this one. 12 Monkeys is a great movie if you don’t want to fully descend into the virus theme, but want something great along similar lines to entertain.

9. THE LAST MAN ON EARTH

This is based on I Am Legend by Richard Matheson, a great and quick read. This is the old Vincent Price (full movie is embedded above), and it’s a bit slow at parts, but I really like it. You may be familiar with the story from I Am Legend with the Fresh Prince, but that’s okay — it misses out on many of the deeper elements. The 1971 Charlton Heston movie Omega Man is also based on I Am Legend, and it’s decent, but it changes many of the pieces of the novel that I think are perfect. This is, if you ask me, the one to watch.

So the basic concept here for The Last Man On Earth is a pandemic: it causes many people to become vampires, more or less, and it seems to conform to stereotypes of fiction and lore. Our hero, Dr. Morgan (Neville in the book), studies the vampires and gathers them during the day, killing those he can. He’s looking for a cure to save the human race. I don’t want to give away too much, but in the end, he finds himself being as much of a “legend” as the vampires he hunts. Like I said, this is one of my favorite books. It’s a quick read, and it gets into politics and humanity in similar ways as The Walking Dead, many years earlier.

10. HACKERS

At the end of a list like this, we need some lighter fare. Yes, this movie is about a computer virus, but still… HACK THE PLANET! This is a fun ride, and it’s got a lot of future star power that we’ve come to know very well. A virus that causes a worldwide disaster — that fits right in. It’s a classic group-of-friends movie, like Goonies for the cyber age. It’s funny to watch now, looking back on the ways technology has evolved to its status quo today. If you need something a little lighter on the list, this is your go-to!

Well, that’s a good start. There’s a quick list below of others to check out if you’re still wanting for more. Keep safe out there, support your friends and family by staying home, and clean stuff, yo!

Remember this important message from Brak:

MORE TO WATCH:

Cabin Fever
Resident Evil Series
Blindness
Black Death
Walking Dead Series
Children of Men (honorable mention for film quality)
REC
The Crazies
…and all the other zombie films.

The Red Vein Army Wants To Help You Hunt For The Richmond Vampire

Jason Sallade | February 6, 2020

Topics: Ashland witch, events in richmond va, events richmond va, Hanover Vegetable Farm, Hunt For the Richmond Vampire, Phobia: An Experiment In Fear, Red Vein Army, Red Vein Escape, Red Vein Haunted House, richmond events, Richmond Vampire, RVA, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, Unexplained Virginia

The Ashland-based troupe of haunters have expanded beyond their annual Halloween-focused activities to open Red Vein Escape, an escape room with experiences based around some classic Richmond spook stories.

Every town has a legend. In West Passaic, New Jersey, it’s the 10-mile Clinton Road; in Stull, Kansas, legend has it that the local cemetery holds a gateway to Hell. Richmond’s ghost stories run rampant due to the city’s long history, but one story has reigned supreme for nearly 100 years: the legend of an old mausoleum, located in the famous Hollywood Cemetery, that houses the remains of a vampire.

Some hear about it for the first time around a campfire, others as they walk the campus of nearby Virginia Commonwealth University, the air growing colder as the night grows near. Ryan Sligh, member of the Red Vein Army, has known about it pretty much his whole life. And now he’s made it a big part of the Red Vein Army’s latest venture: Red Vein Escape Room.

The Story

The legend itself is fairly straightforward. On October 25, 1925, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad’s tunnel, under Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood collapsed, tragically burying several workers alive. In the midst of all the chaos, rescue workers spotted a ghoulish, blood-covered humanoid creature with jagged teeth and skin sloughing off of its body crouching amongst the bodies of the dead. Pursued by a group of men, the creature escaped from the cave-in and made its way towards the James River, where it allegedly disappeared into a mausoleum at Hollywood Cemetery bearing the name of W.W. Pool.

The mausoleum itself is where a majority of the vampire connections to Pool were made. This place of death may be the birthplace of the rumors that claim Pool was driven out of England in the late 1800s for being a vampire. Above the door of the mausoleum are Pool’s first and middle initials, along with his last name: “W.W. Pool.” Some, perhaps wanting to give people a spook, proposed that the double W’s resembled fangs. Combined with the various Masonic and Egyptian elements incorporated into the structure and the fact that the year of death is listed as 1913, nine years before Pool actually died (spoiler alert: 1913 is the year that his wife died), all combine to tell a pretty terrifying tale: there really IS a vampire buried deep within that mausoleum.

Unfortunately, anyone feeling an itch to go vampire hunting will ultimately be disappointed; while creepy, the truth behind the story of our undead friend is ultimately as paranormal as a toaster oven. According to Gregory Maitland, a paranormal researcher with the Virginia Ghosts and Haunting Research Society, the ghoulish looking person that somehow made it out of the cave-in was none other than railroad foreman Benjamin F. Mosby, who made the mistake of working in a steam train without a shirt on, and was fatally scalded when the boiler that he had been shoveling coal into exploded. A grotesque sight, with shattered teeth and skin hanging off of his body, Mosby ran for his life from the tunnel, later dying from his injuries at nearby Grace Hospital.

What is the Red Vein Army?

Founded in 2011,Red Vein Army (RVA) is described by Sligh as “a group of haunters who can’t quite sit still.” They began as a group traveling around to different haunted houses, usually staying at each one for around a week. In 2016, they opened Red Vein Haunted House, a yearly event at Hanover Vegetable Farm consisting of four different attractions that visitors go through consecutively: The Witch’s Plague, Redvyn Asylum, Rabbit’s Cry Field, and Providence’s Home for Wayward Children.

For the group, details are everything. The haunted house, which runs during the fall leading up to Halloween, bases their various haunts around the legend of the Ashland Witch, taking local folklore and weaving original ideas and details through it. The fictional diary of Thomas Redvyn, the missing husband of alleged Ashland witch Emily Redvyn, is available for download via Kindle. The backstories of each of these attractions intersect with each other, creating a terrifying tale that will leave you thankful that the Redvyn family isn’t real.

Along with the haunt, the group also hosts a horror movie club (the only horror movie club in Richmond) and a horror book club, along with the Ashland Haunted History Tour, run by Red Vein Outreach Coordinator Kitty Barnes.

We’re Going on a Vampire Hunt

In August of 2019, Sligh, along with three other members of the Red Vein Army (Barnes, Andrew Powers, and David Hayworth) opened their latest Ashland-based, horror-themed venture, Red Vein Escape, featuring its signature attraction: Hunt for the Richmond Vampire. Inspired by the legend, they put their own spin on it. Pursued by vampire hunters, our undead friend has set up camp in a railroad tunnel in Ashland, Virginia. Charged with the task of assisting the vampire hunters in killing the vampire, we have to do so before dusk — or else.

Somewhat appropriately, the room itself doesn’t resemble an actual crypt; after all, he’s packed up and moved 20 minutes north. Not only has the Red Vein crew done an incredible job of designing the various sets, but the vampire should consider getting into interior decorating during his stay in Ashland, because he’s done a great job of making a railroad tunnel look like home. Bookshelves line the walls, well stocked with an assortment of ancient-looking books, along with a skull. On the adjacent wall is a portrait of the man himself in all of his menacing glory. On the other side of the room are more books, another fairly decrepit-looking skull, and a rather eerie-looking stained glass window featuring some hooded figures with candles. I also got a nice little jump scare when I walk in, courtesy of a railroad worker.

Along with “Hunt for the Richmond Vampire” is a second escape room, “Phobia: An Experiment in Fear,” with a backstory that ties into the rest of their attractions. According to the website, a scientific organization known as Unexplained Virginia, which has investigated haunts such as the Ashland Witch, the Richmond Vampire, and the Order of Red Vein, is conducting an experiment on how the human body experiences fear. In order to conduct this experiment, UV has designed and built a special chamber where, submerged completely in pitch-black darkness, participants will be subjected to a 10-minute/two-person challenge testing just how much fear their nervous system can take. There is no help; if you find the series of tasks too challenging, or you become overwhelmed with fear, you’re promptly removed from the game.

Coming soon is a submarine-themed escape room based the Jules Verne adventure classic, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Judging by the job the Red Vein crew have done on the first two, I wouldn’t be surprised to have to fend off an octopus tentacle or two in order to solve a puzzle.

Ultimately, whether through Phobia, or the Hunt For the Richmond Vampire, Red Vein promises you’ll have a scary good time. The only question is — what happens when the time runs out?

Red Vein Escape Room can be contacted for booking at redveinescape.com.

Photos courtesy Red Vein Army

Crime Pays: Weekend Playlist by The Flavor Project

RVA Staff | December 13, 2019

Topics: events in richmond va, events near me this weekend, events richmond va, Fuzzy Cactus, Gabe Santamaria, gabriel santamaria, music, Playlist, richmond events, richmond va, richmond va bands, RVA, rva magazine weekend playlist, shows you must see, The Flavor Project, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, Weekend Playlist

Every Friday night, RVA Mag brings you an essential playlist curated by Virginia’s most influential artists, musicians, and institutions.

This time around, we’ve got some tunes selected for your enjoyment by The Flavor Project, a wide-ranging ensemble featuring some of the most talented musicians Richmond has produced in recent years. It’s led by bassist and ringleader Gabe Santamaria, and mixes hip hop, funk, soul, and Latin American flavors together into a tasty melange of delicious groove.

The Flavor Project stays busy, and their next live performance will happen only one week from tonight, when they will join The Shangri-Lords for a Christmas-themed musical spectacular at Fuzzy Cactus on Friday, December 20. Mark your calendars now, and fill the time until then jamming on this playlist filled with a ton of talented musicians, including quite a few local ones, delivering the sort of hip hop, soul, jazz, funk, and Latin sounds that keep the Flavor Project so sweet.

Go back for seconds, Virginia.

Open this playlist from mobile in your Spotify app HERE.

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Krampusnacht Makes Christmas As Creepy As Possible

Noelle Abrahams | December 12, 2019

Topics: Carytown, Christmas, events in richmond va, events near me this weekend, events richmond va, holiday events, Krampus, Krampusnacht, richmond events, richmond va, RVA, rva events, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, xmas

This year’s Krampusnacht walk through Carytown brought the evil folklore of Europe to the River City for the seventh year in a row.

Christmas, but make it creepy.

That’s the vibe channeled by RVA Krampusnacht when their parade of horned, demonic elves and Santas, and other sinister-looking Yuletide monsters takes over the streets of Carytown for one night every holiday season. After sundown on Saturday, December 7, the dark side of Christmas folklore was brought to life once again for the 7th Annual RVA Krampusnacht Carytown Walk.

Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic creature said to be half-goat, half-demon, and is best known for his role working alongside Saint Nicholas in the Yuletide folklore of Alpine Europe. While Saint Nicholas rewarded the good children with gifts, Krampus accompanied him to beat the bratty ones with his wooden switches, or bag them up in a burlap sack and take them to the woods, never to be seen again. It’s a bit more intense than our modern lore of Santa Claus and his lumps of coal for the naughty list.

The tradition of the Krampuslauf (English: Krampus Run) still takes place in most Alpine towns on December 5, the Eve of Saint Nicholas Day. RVA Krampusnacht co-founders Parker Galore and Nicole Pisaniello were captivated by the tradition and decided to bring it to Richmond in 2013, and Galore said the turnout grows each year.

Attendees Tara and Shaun traveled all the way from Charlottesville for the RVA Krampus Walk, and have done so for the past few years. “We get so caught up in the commercial part of Christmas — this is way more fun. And we need to give a nod to the bad kids too, right?” said Tara.

Major cities across the U.S. have also adopted Krampus traditions, such as Portland, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

“It’s spreading,” said Galore. “Krampus is an icon we’re going to start seeing reincorporated into our Yuletide celebrations.” With a Krampus movie that came to theaters in 2015, Krampus does seem to be making its way, slowly but surely, into mainstream American holiday culture.

But plenty are still unaware of the Krampus legend, especially judging by the countless stares, jaw drops, and confused laughter of people that happened to be in Carytown on the night of the Krampus Walk and had no knowledge of the event. But for the Krampus walkers, the bewilderment of unintentional spectators is one of the best parts.

“It’s fun to see all of the shock and confusion from people who don’t know what it is,” said Adrienne, a participant who walked in last year’s RVA Krampus Walk as well. “They’ll be driving by or sitting in windows of restaurants and just stare at us like, ‘What the hell is going on?’”

Galore noted that many people who currently follow the RVA Krampusnacht movement were once those confused, bewildered people dining in Carytown or passing through. Saint Nicholas leads the walk, and the angels that flank him on either side distribute handouts that inform on the legend and why Richmond has adopted it.

Those participating in the walk are reminded beforehand that they should not physically interact with anyone on the sidewalk, but they are encouraged to scare people gently. When the monsters needed to cross North Thompson Street from Ellwood Avenue, several took the opportunity to run through the traffic stopped at the red light and scare passengers through car windows.

In the seven years since the advent of the walk, RVA Krampusnacht has expanded to become a weekend-long event of Krampus festivities. On Friday, December 6, Gallery5 hosted RVA Krampusnacht’s “Yuletide Monsters”, with live music, DJs, a burlesque variety show, and a group art show featuring 25 artists. Before the walk on Saturday, they were back at Gallery5 for their RVA Krampusnacht Holidaze Market, featuring 14 local artists and vendors and a Krampus photobooth by Red Vein Army, the horror troupe behind the Red Vein Haunt in Ashland.

Sinisteria, another local horror troupe, brought their unique, demonic flavor to Carytown with their barbaric masks and costumes, heavy black makeup, icy white contact lenses, and the infamous woman on stilts, their co-founder Sabrina Elliotte. This was Sinisteria’s third year participating in the RVA Krampus Walk.

Red Vein Army has been involved with the walk since its inception, their participants always recognizably cloaked in red. Along with RVA Krampusnacht, they’re sponsoring a toy drive this year in partnership with Scares That Care, a charitable organization for horror fans to help sick children and women fighting breast cancer.

After its success last year, Red Vein is returning with another Red Vein Haunted Christmas on this Friday and Saturday only, December 13 and 14. It’s at their Halloween haunt location, Hanover Vegetable Farm, and the theme this year is “Attack of the Killer Snowmen.” Krampus is sure to make an appearance as well, in case you missed him last weekend.

If RVA Krampusnacht is news to you, and it’s good news, luckily you have a full year to acquire the most macabre ensemble of horns, wooden switches, and cowbells that you can bring together. Follow their Facebook page for a recap of this year, and news and information about next year’s Krampus Walk as it’s released.

Find more of Noelle Abrahams’ photos from the Carytown Krampusnacht Walk below.

Top Photo by Noelle Abrahams.

RVA ON TAP: Star Wars Brews & Apple Brandy Beer

Caley Sturgill | December 11, 2019

Topics: Ardent craft ales, bars in richmond va, beer, beer column, Black Heath Meadery, Canon And Draw, craft beer richmond va, events in richmond va, events near me this weekend, events richmond va, Final Gravity, Fine Creek Brewing Company, happy hour richmond va, Hardywood, Isley Brewing Company, richmond events, richmond va, RVA, Steam Bell Beer Works, Stone Brewing-Richmond, The Veil, things to do in richmond va, things to do richmond va, Three Notch’d RVA Collab House, Triple Crossing Beer

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, the brewers of RVA have an array of great new releases, and we can’t wait to try Final Gravity’s “Dwarf Star” and Isley’s Star Wars-themed “Mos Eisley.”

Don’t miss a triple release at Triple Crossing Beer, great new DIPAs with Canon & Draw and The Veil Brewing Co., Campers and Cans at Hardywood, and sours with Steam Bell Beer Works and Ardent Craft Ales — plus more with Stone Brewing Richmond, Black Heath Meadery, Fine Creek Brewing Company, and Three Notch’d RVA’s apple-brandy Hot Toddy “Leftover Dessert” ale.

Jumping into new beer releases, Triple Crossing Beer has a few kegs ready to be tapped this Friday in Fulton.

They’re kicking off their triple release with the return of Nectar and Knife, a honey-themed (and honey-colored) brew that also stands as their first-ever Double IPA that was crafted with only Simcoe and Mosaic hops. The hop process between “Simcoe and her daughter” was also dry-hopped extensively, according to the brewery, and brings out the fruity flavors and the expected softness from a classic DIPA. You’ll catch flavors of bright grapefruit with a pulpy, zesty softness in this 8% ABV recipe. Triple Crossing has two more brews on the way, so stay tuned with them online for more information leading up to Friday’s highlights.

Another great release is coming up on Friday with Canon & Draw Brewing Company, featuring their Sole Accomplice Double IPA. I’ve got to say I’m pleased to start a beer column with two great DIPAs, especially during this time of year filled with all the holiday spices of December, as a lighter, refreshing break here and there.

Canon & Draw is bringing back Sole Accomplice in all its Mosaic glory, with more reliable DIPA softness paired with the tropical fruits of summertime. This one is packed with flavors like papaya, melon, and citrus in addition to smaller notes of pineapple and heady, herbal undertones, according to its brewers. It also hits in at 8% ABV, so if you’re having trouble deciding which release party to make it out to, I’d go with your gut and pick the specific fruit flavors that stand out to you. Sole Accomplice pours with a golden yellow flavor and a juice-like quality to compliment hints of sweetness.

Coming up next Tuesday, the folks at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery are hosting their 2nd Annual Campers and Cans event to support FeedMore here in town. They’re teaming up with Wicked Weed Brewing, Heavy Seas Beer, and Trapezium Brewery… not only to help nonprofits, but also for a Gingerbread Camper Building Contest between breweries!

During the event, each participating brewery will get their team together to build “their masterpiece.” As an attendee, you’ll get your chance to participate in voting on which one is the best — so bring your creative brain and get ready to play judge. There’s an extra bonus if you join the canned food drive, as well. Bring canned goods (non-perishables, please!) for the opportunity to get an extra voting ticket per item, and let your vote carry more weight.

Hardywood is also hosting a large raffle for brewery prizes, and if you jump in for the canned food drive with your own donations, you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win a big prize. For the more creative folks, if you’re looking to do some crafting yourself, you can decorate stockings on site; make sure to get there early, because there’s a limited number available for attendees.

All night long, drink happy knowing part of your beer sales will also go directly to FeedMore and their mission. The event starts promptly at 5pm, with building and judging following until about 7:15pm. The raffle contest will come in just before Gingerbread Build winners are chosen, with the victors crowned at 7:45, according to Hardywood. It’s time to get in the holiday spirit!

It’s Star Wars time at Isley Brewing Company! If you’re a fan of the series, we’ve got the brew for you. And let’s be honest, who isn’t a fan nowadays?

Mos Eisley is the latest Brown Ale out of the Scott’s Addition brewery, and it comes out next Tuesday at Isley. It was inspired by the barren expanses of Tatooine, crafted specifically to “quench the thirsts of those who live in the shadows.” Its brewers certainly got creative with this one, and we’re here for it. Mos Eisley was made with English yeast and hops with darker malt flavors slipping forward, and as it caters to the Galaxy’s dark underbelly, its brewers had this to say:

“’A wretched hive of scum and villainy’ is how Obi-Wan Kenobi describes Mos Eisley. A spaceport on Tatooine, Mos Eisley is the gathering point for many of the galaxies’ dregs. The Mos Eisley Cantina serves frothy libations to all manner of crooks, bounty hunters, Sith, and Jedi alike. Money is the only thing that matters here…”

If you’re excited for the Star Wars-themed brew, you’re not alone. For all our space enthusiasts, come out for the release on Tuesday and bring your knowledge: they’ll have Star Wars trivia that evening at 7pm for a full themed evening.

This Friday brings another great release this week with the Steam Bell Beer Works introduction of Pale Nimbus. This New England IPA is not your average IPA, as it focuses on the sweetness of its hop flavors and brings in a sour element to work alongside it. With passionfruit, pineapple, and sour candies, Pale Nimbus is reminiscent of Sour Patch Kids with a more residual sweetness and sour punch along with its strong hops. Citra and Azacca came together to bring this one to life, and you can grab a glass of your own over the weekend at the Midlothian brewery.

If you’re in the holiday spirit this week, Steam Bell is also hosting a Christmas Movie Night tonight (and every Wednesday this month until Christmas Day) with Elf as the feature this week.

Fresh at Ardent Craft Ales, the Winter American Sour Ale made its way to the taps this week in another sour beer release. At 7% ABV, Ardent’s American Sour is an easy drinker in the nice center of the alcohol content range, and it was created inside a variety of red and white wine barrels for strong cultured tastes. It’s a new variation of last year’s brew, with restrained acidity after its nine-month aging process to bring this funky farmhouse Saison together. You can catch a taste of it while they last, so if it sounds like it’s up your alley, we’d suggest heading over to the Scott’s Addition spot this week.

Ardent also has their Amarillo Pale Ale dropping tomorrow night, and the American Pale Ale was made with the classic floral hops to bring out strong flavors of its Amarillo additions. It comes in at a lower 5% ABV, and its brewers added an English yeast strain, oats, and wheat to its process for a soft body and mild bitterness.

Another new beer is out this week with Fine Creek Brewing Company’s Graff, a Belgian-style Cider/Ale hybrid that’s perfect for the cider lovers in your life.

As much as I love the taste, my acid reflux does a great job at preventing me from ever fully enjoying a cider, but this one might just be perfect. Graff comes together with a base of Fine Creek’s Belgian ale from the Murphy & Rude Malting Co.’s Brasetto Rye, then combined with fresh apple cider from Rinker Orchard from Virginia’s Frederick County. At a medium 7% ABV, Graff is great either as a slow sipper or faster drinker, and it’s packed with ripe red apple, spicy yeast, and floral flavors with rye spice.

Over the weekend, the folks at Final Gravity Brewing Co. released their Dwarf Star into the wild. As their latest delicious space-themed brew, Dwarf Star has all the perks of a Double IPA without the sometimes-too-high alcohol content. This 4.5% ABV recipe is perfect for any day of the week, and with tons of fruit flavors and a nice full body, it’ll make you feel like you went big without having to worry about the hangover. Final Gravity used Mosaic, Citra, and Amarillo hops to make this perfect hazy session IPA a reality, and I am dying for a taste of it over here. If you’re looking for a reason to head to Lakeside for a glass, join Final Gravity tonight for their weekly Wednesday Dart Night (and let me know how much you love it). I can’t wait to try this one!

New at Three Notch’d RVA Collab House this week, Leftover Dessert is ready for pours. This beer truly does sound like a dessert, as a Salted Caramel Amber Ale created as the next in their series with the University of Richmond beer brewing program. Not only does the program teach students the ins and outs of the modern brewing process with hands-on experience, it brings out beers like this one: a mouth-watering combination of flavors from Laird’s Applejack Apple Brandy Barrels to caramel to make the apple brandy Hot Toddy-inspired brew. Personally, I cannot *wait* to get a taste of this one, and along with Final Gravity’s Dwarf Star, I think I’ve got my top two for this week.

Three Notch’d is hosting December First Tap Fridays all month long, so be sure to check them out and keep up with their new releases each week here in town.

We’re excited to hear of a new recipe over at Black Heath Meadery this week, and as an added bonus, it’s a collab brew. The team at Black Heath came together with Rowley’s Farmhouse Ales from Santa Fe, New Mexico and Virago Spirits from right here in the River City to make this one happen, and it’s full of some delicious Midwest flavors. John from Rowley’s and Barry from Virago did an awesome job with Black Heath’s brewers in making this 50 gallon mead batch with Arizona prickly pear. It was fermented in port rum barrels as well, and if you’re looking for a taste of Arizona in Richmond, swing by Black Heath in Scott’s Addition for a glass while they last.

The Veil Brewing Co. hosted another multi-release last night, bringing back an old favorite and introducing two brand-new brews.

Crucial Taunt made its way back to the taps as a perfectly Citra-forward Double IPA, and loved among its drinkers during its first go-around. The 8% ABV DIPA is here for a limited time again, so go grab a can if you didn’t get to try it when it first came out. Lost Connection followed in a debut brewed with Citra, Idaho 7, and Galaxy hops to combine three of the best hop tastes around. It comes in at 6% ABV, and it’s available both in cans and on draft. Hide Your Heart was the final new feature of the evening, and this brand-new Double IPA is a Valentine’s dream in December. Another 8% ABV beer, Hide Your Heart was created with raw wheat and malted oats before its hop process with Citra and Sabro to finish off its flavor. It’s also available in both cans and drafts, and all three of their latest releases from last night can be found in both their Richmond and Norfolk locations starting today.

If you’re searching for some events this week, Stone Brewing Richmond has you covered. Head out to the Fulton brewery this Sunday from 1-5pm for their Modern Market RVA to get some holiday shopping done without having to make it to the mall. Stone is bringing together all vendors considered “modern,” which doesn’t necessarily have to mean goods that reflect 2019 — even the choices behind the business, be it environmentalism or otherwise, can make them contenders to participate.

The Modern Market is the fourth in Stone’s annual series of holiday markets, and it’ll be full of makers, designers, and artists with purpose and intentional goods, according to Stone. If you’re a vendor interested in participating, head over to their application page here and come on out!