In collaboration with the James River Association, Hardywood is proud to bring you the first-ever James River Jubilee, a family-friendly event that’s all about celebrating our favorite Richmond River- the James!
The day will be packed full of interactive vendors, jubilant music, cold beer, and tasty food truck offerings- all to benefit the James River Association.
Old-timers in the Virginia beer community can remember pitching tents in the woods and meadows of Nelson County as part of the annual ritual to taste and toast the best of craft beers in the Old Dominion.
The 2019 Virginia Craft Beer Cup Gala on Monday, June 17, was a bit different. Yes, we were under a tent, but the setting was decidedly more elegant, among the venerable stone buildings of the Tredegar Iron Works in Richmond.
And yes, it was billed as a gala. “When they originally mentioned it was going to be a ‘gala’ event,” said a friend of mine, “I was thinking red carpet, round tables and creative gala attire. But everyone came as they were.” Yes, you have to love a gala where a guy wearing a T-shirt, cutoffs, and sandals takes the stage amid hoots and hollers to accept a medal for a well-made beer.
Virginia’s contest, sponsored by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, is the largest among state competitions in the country. This year, there were 342 entries in 35 categories. Judges — 39 in all, led by former James River Homebrewers president Anna Shore — followed the guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program.
“We have purposefully focused on the quality of our judging,” said Brett Vassey, president and CEO of the Virginia Manufacturers Association, which is the umbrella organization for the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild. Beers were judged in the categories they entered, a stricter standard than in past years. “That’s a big deal,” Vassey said.
More focused judging and a record number of entries made it a big deal to receive a medal, and you could tell from the energy crackling from the 300 or so brewers, brewery owners, and beer lovers under the tent that having your name called was special.
“We’re totally blown away,” said Bob Powers after New Realm Brewing Company won the first-place Best in Show for Euphonia Pilsner. Powers is director of sales and marketing for the brewery, which he cofounded with Mitch Steele (former head brewer at Stone Brewing Co.) and Carey Falconer. Based in Atlanta, New Realm moved into the Virginia Beach facility vacated by Green Flash in 2018.
Steele is known as a master of IPAs (he wrote a book on the style’s history and evolution), so taking Best in Show for a German-style pilsner is an eye-opener. “It’s really the beer he’s most proud of, and he’s won a few other awards since we’ve had it out,” Powers said.
Last year’s best in show winner also was a lager, the Lil’ Hellion Helles by Brothers Craft Brewing in Harrisonburg (a silver medal winner this year). Though IPAs dominate the marketplace, it’s the nuanced, delicate balance in lagers — pilsners in particular — that reflects the height of brewing arts and gets high scores from judges.
Just as the stylistic pendulum has swung, the spotlight also has broadened as the state’s brewing scene has matured. Gone are the days when Devil’s Backbone dominated contests.
“The [medal] distribution is amazingly statewide,” Vassey said. “The distribution among startups, new breweries and senior breweries — those that have been around a while — is amazingly distributed.”
Numbers bear him out. Breweries in the Tidewater area took home 21 medals, if you count New Realm winning two for Euphonia Pilsner (one for winning its category, one for Best in Show). In the Richmond area, the count is 14 medals; in Central Virginia (Charlottesville and beyond), 13 medals; in the Roanoke area and Southside, nine; in the Shenandoah Valley, 10; in Loudoun County, eight; in outer Northern Virginia (including Fredericksburg), 10; in inner Northern Virginia (Alexandria, Arlington, etc.), also 10.
That last group includes the Great American Restaurants group’s Sweetwater Taverns, which has multiple locations in Northern Virginia and Loudoun County. Sweetwater was one of an elite bunch that carried home three medals — firsts for Rusty Roadrunner Lager and Yippee Ei-O Springbock and second for its pale ale. Three other breweries — Center of the Universe in Ashland, 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company in Danville, and Blue Mountain Barrelhouse in Nelson County — won three medals as well.
Winning one medal is a stamp of excellence for one beer. Winning multiple awards is a stamp of excellence in brewing, and 14 Virginia breweries had their name called twice: Seven Arrows in Waynesboro; Lake Anne Brew House in Reston; The Board Room in Arlington; Adventure in Fredericksburg; Old Bust Head in Vint Hill; Old Ox, Beltway and TrAle in Loudoun County; Fine Creek in Powhatan (including second place Best in Show), Three Notch’d, Starr Hill and Bald Top in Central Virginia; and New Realm and Big Ugly in Tidewater.
Given the record number of entries and the continued growth among Virginia’s craft breweries and brewpubs — more than 280 at last count — it won’t be long before future galas will need a bigger tent.
Here’s the full list of winners:
BEST IN SHOW
First Place: New Realm Brewing, Euphonia Pilsner
Second Place: Fine Creek Brewing Company, Dry Hopped Brett Saison
ALTERNATIVE FERMENTABLES BEER
First Place: St. George Brewing Company, Honey Meade Lager
Second Place: Gloucester Brewing Company, DeadRYEz
Third Place: Chaos Mountain Brewing, Glutenless Maximus – Pale Ale
AMBER AND BROWN AMERICAN BEER
First Place: Parkway Brewing Company, Triple “A” American Amber Ale
Second Place: Spencer Devon Brewing, Pulchritudinous Brown
Third Place: That Damn Mary Brewing Company, Easy Money
AMBER BITTER EUROPEAN BEER
First Place: MoMac Brewing Company, Pata De Palo
Second Place: Mustang Sally Brewing Company, Article One Amber Lager
Third Place: Front Royal Brewing Company, Linden Lager
AMBER MALTY EUROPEAN LAGER
First Place: Makers Craft Brewery, Rauche
AMERICAN PORTER AND STOUT
First Place: Stone Brewing, Stone Espresso Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout
Second Place: Old Ox Brewery, Black Ox
Third Place: Adventure Brewing Company, Wicked Nymph Imperial Stout
AMERICAN WILD ALE
First Place: Fine Creek Brewing Company, Dry Hopped Brett Saison
Second Place: Coelacanth Brewing, The Captain
Third Place: Center of the Universe, Red Ale
BELGIAN ALE
First Place: Port City Brewing Company, Optimal Wit
Second Place: Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery, Belgian Wit
BRITISH BITTER
First Place: Old Bust Head Brewing Company, Bust Head English Pale Ale
Second Place: Great American Restaurants—Sweetwater Taverns, Pale Ale
Third Place: Lake Anne Brew House, Lord Fairfax
BROWN BRITISH BEER
First Place: Three Notch’d Brewing Company, No Veto Brown
Second Place: The Board Room VA, Bishop Brown
Third Place: Ballad Brewing, Fast Mail
CZECH LAGER
First Place: Pro Re Nata Brewing Company, Nature Boy Pilsner
Second Place: Seven Arrows Brewing Company, Aurora Pils
DARK BRITISH BEER
First Place: Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery, One Lion
Second Place: Backroom Brewery, Oatmeal Stout
Third Place: The Virginia Beer Company, Elbow Patches Oatmeal Stout
DARK EUROPEAN LAGER
First Place: Great American Restaurants—Sweetwater Tavern, Rusty Roadrunner Lager
Second Place: Bingo Beer, Black Lager
Third Place: Center of the Universe Origin, Dark Side
EUROPEAN SOUR ALE
First Place: Strangeways Brewing, Uberlin
Second Place: Precarious Beer Project, Everywhere You Look There’s Something
FRUIT BEER
First Place: Great Valley Farm Brewery, Peach Farmhouse Ale
Second Place: Seven Arrows Brewing Company, Sour Grapes
Third Place: The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Dewitt’s Wit
GERMAN WHEAT BEER
First Place: Starr Hill Brewery, The Love
Second Place: 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company, Witch Haze Ale
Third Place: Bike TrAle Brewing Company, Tailwind
HISTORICAL BEER
First Place: Blue Mountain Barrel House, Classic Lager
Second Place: Castleburg Brewery and Taproom, Castillian’s Champagne Grodziskie
Third Place: Beale’s Beer, Gratzer
INTERNATIONAL LAGER
First Place: The Bold Mariner Brewing Company, Frogman Lager
Second Place: Beltway Brewing Company, Batting 1000
Third Place: The Board Room VA, No Limit Lager
IPA—American
First Place: Barrel Oak Farm Taphouse, BOFT IPA
Second Place: 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company, Mosey Along the Dan
Third Place: Big Ugly Brewing Company, Rockers
IPA—Specialty
First Place: Final Gravity Brewing Company, Morning Glory
Second Place: Vӓsen Brewing Company, Cashmere Secrets
Third Place: Twin Creeks Brewing Company, Red Leaf IPA
IRISH BEER
First Place: Pleasure House Brewing, O’Brien Clan Irish Red
Second Place: Old Bust Head Brewing Company, Vixen Irish Style Red Ale
Third Place: Tradition Brewing Company, Red Willie Irish Red
PALE AMERICAN ALE
First Place: Random Row Brewing Company, Mosaic Pale Ale
Second Place: Broken Window Brewing Company, Lucky 13
Third Place: Three Notch’d Brewing Company, Ghost of the 43rd
PALE BITTER EUROPEAN BEER
First Place: New Realm Brewing, Euphonia Pilsner
Second Place: Bald Top Brewing Company, Liberty Light Lager
Third Place: Fair Winds Brewing Company, Quayside Kolsch
PALE MALTY EUROPEAN LAGER
First Place: Great American Restaurants—Sweetwater Tavern, Yippee Ei-O Springbock
Second Place: Brother’s Craft Brewing, Lil’ Hellion
Third Place: Black Hoof Brewing, Reh of Sunshine Helles
SCOTTISH ALE
First Place: 7 Dogs Brewpub, 80 Shilling Scottish Ale
SMOKED BEER
First Place: Bald Top Brewing, Secretly Smoked Lager
Second Place: Alewerks Brewing Company, Pancake House Stout
Third Place: House 6 Brewing, Smoke Eater
SPECIALTY BEER
First Place: South Street, Soft-Serv Ice Cream Porter
Second Place: Smartmouth Brewing Company, Mount Up
Third Place: Blue Mountain Barrel House, Raspberries on Acid
SPICED BEER
First Place: Starr Hill Brewery, Little Red Rooster Coffee Cream Stout
Second Place: 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company, “Just-In” Time for Breakfast
Third Place: Caiseal Beer & Spirits Company (The Vanguard Brewpub), Coffee Blonde Ale
STANDARD AMERICAN BEER
First Place: Reaver Beach Brewing Company, House Lager
Second Place: New Realm Brewing, United Craft Lager
Third Place: Trapezium Brewing Company, Mexican Lager
STRONG AMERICAN ALE
First Place: Beltway Brewing Company, Changing Lanes
Second Place: Alesatian Brewing Company, Hopsneeze Gen2 IPA
Third Place: Rip Rap Brewing, Wind’s Eye
STRONG BELGIAN ALE
First Place: Maltese Brewing Company, Barnfire Saison
Second Place: Bike TrAle Brewing Company, Strongman
Third Place: Lake Anne Brew House, New Year’s Ale
STRONG BRITISH ALE
First Place: Adventure Brewing Company, Black Sail Scotch Ale
STRONG EUROPEAN BEER
First Place: Restless Moons Brewing, Inked
Second Place: Big Ugly Brewing, Accelerator
Third Place: 1781 Brewing Company, Kӧnig Fruhling
TRAPPIST ALE
First Place: Center of the Universe, Monkeys Uncle
Second Place: Apocalypse Ale Works, Brohead Fred
Third Place: Skipping Rock Beer Company, Belgian Dubbel
WOOD BEER
First Place: 2 Silos Brewing, Old Dominion Barrel Reserve Series
Second Place: Blue Mountain Barrel House, Chocolate and Coffee Dark Hollow
Third Place: Old Ox Brewery, Cooper’s Cloak Bourbon Barrel-Aged Quadrupel
This article originally appeared at leegraves.com, reprinted by permission. Top Photo by Lee Graves. For more information from Lee on the local beer world, check out his book, “Virginia Beer: A Guide from Colonial Days to Craft’s Golden Age.” Published by the University of Virginia Press.
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 kicking off the beginning of Richmond’s hot-hot summer days with tons of beer releases to cool on down. With Southern dessert flavors like Peach and Blueberry cobbler beers to pair with Pina Colada and Banana Split classics, River City brewers are telling us to treat ourselves. And lawd, we will.
Oh boy, the Southern girl in me is drooling. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is dropping Mamaw’s Mean Cobbler in a can release this Friday, and if it tastes anything like the cobblers of the Mamaws I’ve known in my life, we’ve got a reason to celebrate, my friends. This Belgian-style Tripel is a new variation off Hardywood’s Peach Tripel, and this one’s packed with vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, and sugary milk additions to marry beer with the classic tastes of a peach cobbler fresh from your grandma’s kitchen. YUM! This one’s going on my to-do list, y’all. Sign me up.
The summer seasonals are on their way back to Legend Brewing Company, and their own favorite brew is coming back soon. They just started up their sneak peeks of Z DAM over the weekend, brewed with fresh lime and ginger to add a light body and clean-malt flavor to the pale, golden ale. It’s best-served on the patio in the sunshine or to toast a successful descent through the rapids of the Mighty James, according to Legend (nice)… which is suited extra well, because I spent one of my first Legendary nights with a group of kayakers who had just conquered the river and came out to the deck to celebrate. With a balance of late kettly hops and ginger, orange, and lime flavors in the boil, Z DAM brings in a zestiness and refreshing taste to summertime in Richmond.
The Sleaze is coming to Strangeways. This Saturday, grab a taste of Sleazestack, the brewery’s first-ever can release. This New England IPA with Lactose hits in at 7.3% ABV and all the can releases are part of their “Parody Project,” with every new release coming out with special labels. Be sure to collect them all — the next one up will be Vegan Vampyre following this week’s fresh can.
In another release the same day, Strangeways is dropping Albino Monkey Wheat Ale in three new additive flavors: Pina Colada, Blueberry Cobbler, and Banana Split. I’m a sucker for a banana split, so this one’s definitely on my list!
Are you a mom? Are you celebrating a mom? Are you not a mom or celebrating a mom but just want an excuse to go get some brunch and day drink? Awesome! If you’re none of those things, I can’t help you. If you are, Center of the Universe can.
On Sunday, take yourself or your mama or whoever suits your fancy out to COTU’s Mother’s Day Brunch, set up to give all the moms a day off and treat them to a full day in the sun with Beer Bloody Marys and MOMosas, plus a delicious brunch by Freekin’ Rican, Richmond’s fav Puerto Rican food truck.
If you’re celebrating this holiday, be thankful to have the occasion. Don’t forget that many of your friends and loved ones might not have their mamas, or might not have the best mamas, so give them some extra love as well. Either way, happy May to you all, and happy start to sunny days finally sticking around!
YEET HAW, this is one I can get behind! Put your stash flasks away and day drink freely. Kindred Spirit Brewing Company is throwing a Day Drinkin’ Festival this Saturday with Fine Creek Brewing Company and Midnight Brewery, and I know damn near everyone in this drunken city can hold their own in one of these. Come friends, come family, come neighbors, they say, and join five breweries, a winery, and a cidery at the festival in a day of games like cornhole, ping pong, big jenga, giant beer pong(!!), and more. Does it get any better than that? Giant Jenga is definitely coming down on someone, and I hope I get to see it.
Happy birthday, Midnight Brewery! Our beloved Rockville folks are turning 7 this Saturday with a huge bash at their spot. All day long, you can hang at the brewery with Road Kill Roy and South of James playing sweet tunes — plus you can beat the heat, because the weather’s set to be cool & a little cloudy in the forecast. That’ll probably change 100 times between now and Saturday, but so far, it looks like the perfect chill day to hang in Rockville and celebrate our favorite outside-the-city brewers in good ol’ Virginian fashion. Drink up!
This Friday at their Fulton spot, be the first to taste Triple Crossing Beer’s Pathway Pils, a house pilsner perfectly-crafted with 100 percent German Pils malt. Known for their carefully-balanced ingredients, Triple Crossing filled this one with a sweet-honey-straw flavor of florals, lemons, and hay to create the soft-bodied lager. In their “constant state of refinement and evolution,” the brewers have named this recipe their house Pilsner (so you know it’s a special one).
Over the weekend on Star Wars Day, Steam Bell Beer Works dropped two new variants to add into their Extra Plenty Gose series, Red Wine Sangria and Margarita. I can’t tell you how many friends I’ve seen drinking Strawberitas and Limearitas down by the river in the summertime, so if you’re looking to get a little classier (and tastier, by far), Steam Bell’s got your gals right here. These two beauties bring the mixed-drink faves of the season into their beer, so you can ditch the gas station tallboys that overheat too fast and get in on somethin’ good.
Back on deck at Champion Brewing Company this week is a brewery favorite: Melee. Their Session IPA is cooked up with Citra and Amarillo hops, a classic combination to its style of brews that brings out the crisp, refreshing taste we’re all going for in an IPA. On the hottest of days — which, whether we like it or not, we’re gonna be in for a *lot* starting pretty soon — an IPA down the hatch tends to do the job.
After their perfect pet events starting off the month, Ardent Craft Ales is keeping the pup theme going with their Garden Pawty Adoption Event partnered with the Richmond SCPA on Saturday. If you’re looking for a furry addition to your household, join Ardent with Bingo Beer Co. and Courthouse Creek for local beer and giveaways, with vegan-friendly BBQ plates (rare and delicious) and an exclusive cider. The event’s going down in the beer garden of Lunch & Supper in Scott’s Addition, so grab your pup and head on over.
In more Mother’s Day celebrations, Intermission Beer Company has all the mom-miest things for your special lady’s holiday. With Beermosas, Bingo, and Books all day, you’ll get to win prizes in the game contests with cards free with your beer (or raise your odds with extras for 2 bucks), and all the proceeds are being donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. They’re also starting up their very own Little Free Library for the day, so bring out your old favorites to donate and spread the love.
Fresh to the taps over at Stone Brewing Richmond is 2015 Double Bastard, an Imperial variety of one of their oldest, most well-known beers — and for me, a testament to what a bastard of a year 2015 was. This brew sounds a hell of a lot better than the year, and with its smooth, caramel-malty goodness, it’s a great addition to Stone’s draft list. If you haven’t made it out to give it a taste yet, it’s one that’s worth the trip.
Inspired by today’s cover image, I’ve decided to start publishing a #DogOfTheWeek in each beer column. You can submit photos of your own dogs kickin’ it with a cold one, or just enjoy the amusing pics I discover in the dark corners of the internet. I’d prefer to see your pretty pups, so let’s get that rolling, y’all.
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!
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!
Get ready to get out of the house, because there are so many good events this week you’re not gonna want to go home.
HAPPY 25TH, LEGEND! We’ve been waiting for this day for *months* and it’s finally here. Legend Brewing Company, Richmond’s OG craft brewery, is celebrating their quarter-century in trips around the sun with a huge banger this Saturday. Starting at noon and running all day, with free admission (so more money for beer!) you can head over to the Manchester brewery for live music, food, and brews. Bring your kids, bring your pups, and enjoy the day in the beer garden and looking over the James with one of our all-time faves here in town. For music, catch performances by The Remnants, Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums, Wade Reynolds, and Suggesting Rhythm. All food and beer is in-house from Legend, and it’s so good you won’t want to miss it. We’ll see you there!
If you like beer and cars, boy do I have the event for you (and me, especially me). This Saturday before the big Toyota Owners 400 night race under the lights, Richmond Raceway’s hosting their Craft Beer Fest to bring fans a taste of the city. There’s a lot going on at the track that day — like the beer fest, which is open to the public regardless of race tickets, as well as live mural painting, and tons more you’ll want to swing by early to catch.
Over at the fest, Richmond Raceway has partnered up with the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild to let fans try the flagship beers of breweries all across the state. The best part: unlimited tastes! RVA Magazine will be out doing live coverage from the race that day, so be sure to keep up with us on social media during the fun (@rvamag on Instagram and Facebook). I’ll make sure to tell you all our favorite brews from the fest when we come back for next week’s column, but I can tell you one thing now — knowing myself at a beer fest, it’s pretty hard to pick just one.
Happy birthday, Triple Crossing! Our Fulton Hill favorites are celebrating half a decade in business all weekend, and if we know anything about Triple Crossing, it’s that they’re one of the best. These guys are known for their perfectly-balanced brews packed with just the right amount of every flavor, and they’ve got five releases to commend their first five years.
Pabst is Prologue is first on the list. This mixed-culture Golden Ale measures at 5% ABV, full of white peaches and fruit to ring in the springtime for good (finally). Their special 5th anniversary lager, Jubilee Jubilaums Bier, is making its debut at the party. They’ve also got Just to Get a Rep DIPA, Space Falcon IPA, DDH Anniversary Falcon Smash IPA, and a few more TBA.
The releases start on Friday, and the party continues on into Saturday with ZZQ and one of my home bars, Cobra Cabana. BTW — if you haven’t tried Cobra’s food yet, you’re missing out. They’ve also got yerba mate (yeah, the real kind) that can pair with your favorite mixers, and y’all, Yerbajäger might just kill me this summer. TBA on that, too.
I meant it when I told you it’d be hard to pick your plans this weekend. Fine Creek Brewing Company’s Wild & Weird Festival is heading back to your favorite farm spot for their 2nd anniversary. Wild & Weird brings out the sour, the funky, and the best mixed-fermentation beers from around Virginia, from both breweries and cideries. A few names participating that you’ll recognize: Väsen Brewing Company, Steam Bell Beer Works, Ardent Craft Ales, Triple Crossing, Champion Brewing Company, Strangeways, and my loves at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery.
Head out to the festival from 1-5pm this Saturday to get tastes of gems like Hardywood’s Berlinner with Pine Needles & Rose Hips, Ardent’s Understanding of Bonds American White DSSOLVR Collab, and plenty more to get your tastebuds going.
Would you believe it if I told you The Answer Brewpub won ANOTHER award this year? Of course you would, because The Answer’s the best! Like Legend, The Answer has had a lot to do with building the craft beer scene in Richmond that is now recognized across the nation — and this brewery is no stranger to awards of its own. From being named one of the best breweries in the country to making one of Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine’s favorite beers of 2018, if you want to know where to get a good brew, everyone knows the answer is The Answer.
This time around, The Answer was named USA Today’s best brewery in America… and they won by a lot. In its bracket for the gold, our River City hometown brewers were chosen by 71 percent of voters over their rival.
We would never expect anything less. Congrats again, guys, and I know we’ll be saying congrats for all the awards coming in 2019. Keep being awesome!
Hardywood’s releasing their Capital Trail Pale Ale for #FreshCanFriday this week, brewed with Falconer’s Flight, Willamette, and Mandarina Bavaria hops. This palate-invigorating recipe starts off with refreshing citrus flavors and finishes “pleasantly dry,” and it’s good for the environment, too. Every purchase of a Capital Trail Pale Ale supports the link between Richmond and Jamestown, preserving and enhancing our state’s 52-mile long walking and biking path. Raise your can in honor of the foundation, Hardywood says, and in honor of your next adventure.
Hey! Remember when I made my mountain-famous ham biscuits for the Southern Food Fest at Center of the Universe? Well, I won! And not only did I get a super sweet shirt that you’ll see me rocking all summer, I also got to eat some of the best damn food I have ever tasted. And I really, really mean that.
Y’all, I got a half pound of pulled pork from Grandpa Eddie’s Alabama Ribbs & BBQ and that stuff was so good I inhaled it in about a minute. I have never tasted better BBQ in all my days in Virginia. Go get some. Or else. I also finally got to try Capitol Waffle Shop, and you know what it’s like when you go to grandma’s house for Thanksgiving and those fall-spiced, warm baked apples are making you drool over the smell from the living room? Capitol Waffle shop basically did that with fucking peaches, dude. It was incredible. Capitol Waffle Shop literally put sliced-up, warm, cinnamon-ey glazey peaches on a waffle with whipped cream and syrup, and it’s been three weeks and I can’t stop thinking about it. It should be a crime for anybody who hasn’t had it to go another week without trying this place.
*Anyway,* there’s more good stuff happening at Center of the Universe this week. They’re dropping their Crazy Bet Imperial Red Ale this Saturday, and this variation was brewed over at Origin Beer Lab. It’s got a balanced bitterness and intense aroma from its Nugget and caramel malts. Crazy Bet is named after the Crazy Bet herself, Richmond’s Elizabeth Van Lew, the 1800s abolitionist and philanthropist, who both “built and operated an extensive spy ring for the Union Army during the Civil War.” Do yourself a favor and read more about this gal, and do us all a favor and give her beer a try this weekend.
Friends and fans of Greek Mythology, Final Gravity Brewing Co. has the brew for you. Cassiopeia is fresh to the taps this Friday, and she is absolutely *made* for this weather. With delicate-but-strong aromas of melon, coconut, pine, peach, and whispers of pineapple, according to the brewers, this gal goes down the hatch with a smooth bitterness. You’ll also catch flavors of lemongrass and tangerine to accompany this “heavenly congregation” of radiant flavors to captivate your senses — and let’s be real, who doesn’t love a goddess?
The Veil Brewing Co. dropped Grape Berry Tastee last night, a smoothie-style sour ale. This delicious dessert in a can was brewed with milk sugar (yum!), concord grapes, and blackberries to bring you the creamy-goodness of a berry shake to top off a perfect summer day. I can taste this just thinking about it. Be sure to swing by soon, because we all know The Veil is a local treasure, and everyone will be looking for a taste!
The 2nd Annual Jack Ryan Music Festival is also coming up this Saturday, with several local favorites from Richmond heading out to serve up brews. Look forward to seeing Intermission Beer Company, Kindred Spirit Brewing, Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery, and Steam Bell Beer Works — and lots of great bands like Old Dogs, New Tricks Bluegrass Band, Timber Revival, Josh Lief, The Steel Tips, and Jack Ryan & His Band.
If you’ve had your hopes up for Safety Team Brewing Company to open up in Northside, we’re sorry to report that they won’t be going through with the new spot. Opening something as large-scale as a brewery is no easy feat, and after getting into the ins and outs of construction planning, it looks like the location is a no-go for now. Brookland Park will stay a little bit dryer for a little bit longer, and the old Quick Splash Car Wash will be vacant until further notice.
Even more releases are on their way this Friday, with Castleburg’s Kingslayer TIPA. This triple-banger is sure to make you hazy, and at 10% ABV, I think it’s fair to say it’ll slay most people that drink it. Kingslayer started off with a “massive amount of Irish pale malt” and flaked wheat, then treated to an “absurd amount of El Dorado hops.” This guy was conditioned over 20lbs per barrel with pineapple puree to bring out the natural fruity flavors in these hops, and it is a seriously-powerful brew.
“The king is dead, long live the Kingslayer!”
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!
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!
Breweries all around town are gearing up for Independence Day, and Strangeways Brewing is no exception. This Saturday is their “Cheers to Independence” Beer Release. They’ll be releasing a whopping four beers for the event, starting with the Everlasting Light Lime Kolsch, a light, crisp ale made with Mandarina Bavaria hops and boiled with lime and kaffir lime leaf. They’ll also feature a new IPA, the Work Jorts IPA, a new sour ale, the Comfortably Plum American Sour, and the Cantilever Dark Ale, a hybrid of several beer styles with a malty backbone, some character of hops, and the crispness of a blonde ale.
The event starts 11 a.m. Saturday and lasts all day, and teachers receive 20 percent off all in-house beer.
Tonight, Castleburg Brewery and Taproom will release their latest IPA: You Killed My Father, Prepare to DIePA. An homage to our favorite vengeful Spaniard from the popular film ‘The Princess Bride,’ it’s a beer even Inigo Montoya could enjoy after a long day of sword training. It will slice through your tastebuds with citra, comet, mandaria bavaria, and flavors of nuget–and for the bloodthirsty avenger in you, don’t be surprised to find notes of blood orange.
Back by popular demand, Väsen Brewing will be re-releasing their Smoked Blood Peach Sour brew tonight. The beer’s summery vibes of citrus and peach combine with a light smokiness and hints of toffee make it a fan favorite. Be sure to stop by their Paint Party starting at 6 p.m., as local artist Shay Wilson will guide you through painting on reclaimed wood canvas as you sip away.
Triple Crossing has teamed up with Foam Brewers to create a few new juicy brews, one of which will release this Friday. The Distance DDH IPA perfectly combines the new brewers’ techniques and makes an interesting combination of yeast and hops. Bold notes of ripe mango, key lime pie, orange rind, and pineapple make it a great summer treat, and will be released alongside the Falcon Smash IPA.
Recreating a historical beer that originated in Berlin, Hardywood is releasing Cucumber Berliner Weisse–a light, refreshing, and tart beer that the Germans of old sipped to beat the heat. Hardywood uses traditional German ingredients along with a kettle souring method and will be releasing their newest canned beer this Friday.
Looking for a place to watch the fireworks on the 4th, but don’t want the crowd? Blue Bee Cider has the perfect solution. Join them next Wednesday for the release of their Firecracker New Vintage small batch cider, a ginger-infused eau de vie fortified apple brandy with plenty of pineapple aroma, a rich, smooth sweetness, and ginger zing on the finish. Kids and dogs are welcome, and the event kicks off at 1 p.m.
Submissions or ideas for Tapped can be emailed to Amy at [email protected] Cheers!
Featured Image: Strangeways Brewing
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!
Sunday is Fine Creek Brewing Company’s One Year Anniversary Party and the Powhatan brewery is celebrating big! They will have a limited amount of their Whiskey Barrel Aged Imperial Stout on draught, as well as bottles for sale. Biere de Miel, a farmhouse-style ale brewed with some local Hot Honey will also be flowing in the taproom. Eli Cook and Cook County Bluegrass will be playing all day Sunday. Fill up on burgers and corn out on the grill. Fine Creek’s Game Winner IPA is also back on draught. Head out to the brewery located at 2425 Robert E. Lee Road to help them celebrate!
Isley Brewing returns this Friday with their weekly infusion, this go around its “Isley Goes Nuts,” a peanut butter gose. Sounds a little crazy, but I’m willing to try anything with peanut butter! Hits the taps Friday at 4 pm.
To Celebrate American Craft Beer Week, Lickinghole Creek in Goochland is giving complimentary tours and tastings. Sample their Belgian-Style Ale, Three Chopt Tripel, and all its selected Barrel Aged variants, along with their Premium Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout, The Enlightened Despot and all its flavored Variants this Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets here.
On Saturday, Castleburg Brewery will release As You Wish, an English Mild Ale in honor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding. Queen Elizabeth approved!
Hardywood will release its CRASSEUX, a 6% a Grisette with notes of cantaloupe and honeydew that come alive once you get a taste along with a little spice. Crisp lemon peel and tropical fruits take over in the finish. Available in Richmond, West Creek & Charlottesville. Draft + 4×16 oz. to go ($15). The brewery will also release PINT OF NO RETURN, an American Lager by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Happy Hour Guys, and The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. This clean and crisp lager pours as black as night and you’ll get hints of toasted pecan, a mild hint of black currant and smoothly roasted undertones. A portion of the sales from Pint of No Return will benefit Musicians On Call, supporting their vision of a world filled with the healing power of music. Proudly brewed in Richmond, Virginia for The Broadway Brews Project. Available in Richmond, West Creek & Charlottesville. Draft + 4×16 oz. to go ($16).
On Monday, Garden Grove Brewery & Urban Winery will host a taproom dinner featuring Chef Jason Alley of Pasture. Five courses of mouth-watering cuisine will be matched with five of GG’s brews. $39 Plus Tax & Tip. Happy Hour Starting at 6:30 PM.
Triple Crossing’s downtown location will have Coconut Night Lands, a 10% Imperial Stout with heaping amounts of toasted coconut with notes of chocolate and caramel. Crowlers starting at noon.
Strangeways Brewing is celebrating with tons of fun activities for American Craft Beer Week. Check out the schedule below.
Final Gravity Brewing Co. is back with its weekly IPA release this Friday. This time, its “Looks Like Another Love TKO Citra IPA. Savor strong citrus and tropical flavors as you lose all thoughts and sense of time.
Twisted Ales Brewing how has Twisted Musketeers, a chocolate milk stout for you to try out. Might seem heavy for this weather, but its chocolate so you can’t go wrong there.
On Saturday, Midnight Brewery has a refreshing beer release to cool you off with its Watermelon Lime Kolsh. Made with fresh watermelons and lime, the subtle juicy flavor is the brewery’s personal twist on their regular New Beginning brew.
Three Notch’d RVA Collab House is going all out for American Craft Beer Week. Today, they’re tapping “Peeled Oak,” a golden sour. From the brain of Sour House Head Brewer Brian Martin comes this deeply complex, tart, barrel-aged golden sour that lives up to its name.
On Thursday, the brewery is releasing Michelle’s White Wedding Belgian Ale. The 5th rendition of this Belgian White Ale is brewed in honor of the anniversary of Three Notch’d RVA Brewmaster Dave Warwick and his wife, Michelle. Pint specials run until 7 PM. Stick around for trivia which starts at 7 pm.
On Friday, Three Notch’d is keeping the American Craft Beer Week celebration going with its Bee Student release, a honey bourbon barrel imperial milk stout brewed in partnership with the University of Richmond. The official release will be happening in mid-June, but head to the brewery this Friday for a sneak preview!
Saturday will culminate ACBW at Three Notch’d will their big celebration. Some of the Three Notch’d favorites are making their brief return on tap (tappings to be announced at the end of the week), Live Music by Planet Hunting Methods at 7 pm and wood-fired pizza in the city from our friends at Pizza Nostra RVA from 3-8pm.
On Friday, Petersburg’s Trapezium Brewing Company will release its Strawberry Blonde Ale. This beer took home a Gold medal at last year’s Virginia Craft Brewers’ Guild Awards. It was the favorite beer of our the brewery’s friend, Cecil Martin, who passed away. For this release, the brewery is teaming up with his family this year to celebrate Cecil and raise funds for Comfort Zone Camp, which serves children who have lost parents or primary caregivers. $1 from each Strawberry Blonde pint sold will go towards the organization.
Make sure you head out to Intermission Beer Company this weekend as well because the Glen Allen brewery has a quite a diverse lineup in its taproom including a pale ale, smoky wheat, milk stout, Vienna cream, an IPA, and an Irish Red Ale.
Tomorrow is Third Thursday at The Veil Brewing Co. which means between 5 and 8 PM, 15 percent of proceeds will be donated to a local charity. This time, its Celebrate RVA, a local non-profit organization which works to give disadvantaged children a memorable birthday celebration in a safe and fun environment. Bunsik Dumplings will be serving the most delicious dumplings so go out for beer and delicious food for a good cause!
Submissions or ideas for Tapped can be emailed to Amy at [email protected] Cheers!
Top Photo By: Fine Creek Brewing Company
