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.
As the River City slowly transitions into a new normal during the pandemic, we’re highlighting the best local brewers. From in-person outdoor events to take-home and delivery beers, let’s support our local businesses together — and stay safe in the process.
We’ll be bringing you fresh news in the beer world with guidelines on safety. If you’re planning to venture out during the pandemic, your RVA Magazine team wants to stress the importance of wearing your mask. As we all support our favorite brewers, let’s also support the community by taking precautions to ensure everyone stays healthy.
We’ve got pickup and delivery services from locals like The Answer Brewpub, Ardent Craft Ales, Black Heath Meadery, Bryant’s Cider, Center of the Universe Brewing, Dragon Run Brewing, Final Gravity, Fine Creek Brewing Company, Garden Grove, Hardywood, Intermission Beer Company, Isley Brewing Company, Lickinghole Creek, Starr Hill, Stone Brewing, Strangeways, Three Notch’d RVA, Triple Crossing, Väsen Brewing Company, The Veil Brewing Co. and more.
Drink up, Virginia!
At The Answer Brewpub, fresh brews are here to cool down these hot summer days.
Takeout is available, and you’ll want to keep up with The Answer on Facebook to see updates on pre-sales for their latest recipes. This week, we’ve got a brand-new beer available, along with a few special releases from the summer.
Pickup: To-go locations and info updated regularly on Instagram.
THE LATEST BEERS
- CAFE CON LECHE COCONUT BANANA — Now available on the Frozan machine at The Answer.
- HEH HEH HEH HRR RRR HEH HEH HEH HEH HUH RAKAU! HA HRR DIPA — Double IPA. A mouthful just to speak aloud. This is Batch 3 of The Answer’s New Zealand Rakau DIPA, with an excessive triple dry-hop treatment for stone fruit, peach, and apricot flavors.
- YOU PUT YOUR WHEAT IN THERE — Huge body from its wheat heavy grain bill, and “jumps out of the can” with intense candied citrus aroma.
- HARD TO GET A TICKET — 100% Mosaic DIPA ready in a fresh batch. Described as a “tropical fruit bowl,” the Double IPA is available in 4-packs.
- SUMMER SHOWERS — 6.5% ABV Citrus IPA. Ready to carry you through clear skies or summer rains, this pillowy-soft IPA is available in 4-packs.
- BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL — 10% ABV Imperial Stout. This glittering brew came as a collaboration for the Black Is Beautiful equality and inclusion campaign, and all proceeds go to the Sister Fund RVA and Campaign Zero. With maple syrup, New Guinea vanilla beans, a touch of cinnamon, Roanoke Coffee, and shimmering edible gold glitter, this recipe was inspired to end injustices against POC and promote equality in our community.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Curbside pickup and delivery are available at Ardent Craft Ales, along with beer shipping across Virginia and D.C. Ardent partially reopened their beer garden last month, and they’ll be serving food every day as well. Don’t forget to check out their full menu for food, as well! Be sure to check out their new policies during Covid-19.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- MOORE ST. DIPA — 9% ABV Double IPA. Moore St. is the biggest, boldest addition to Ardent’s series featuring streets from Scott’s Addition. Double dry-hopped with Galaxy and Amarillo, this brew is full of flavors like orange and pineapple in a soft, smooth, minimally-bitter DIPA.
- ATLANTICO — 4.4% ABV Mexican-Style Lager. This summertime crusher is brand-new, and was brewed with flaked corn and rice for a dry, refreshing finish. Light-bodied with minimal bitterness, Ardent says this one is the perfect beer on a hot summer afternoon.
- MIXED BERRY GOSE — 4.4% ABV Gose. Brewed with raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, and black currant, Mixed Berry Gose pours a distinctive purple color with a sweet, jammy flavor to balance the tart acidity of the style.
- SPILLMATIC — Collab with Short Throw Brewing and Equilibrium Brewery. 10.1% ABV Triple IPA. Adorned with copious amounts of Strata, Galaxy, and Citra. Dry-hopped with the same varietals. Tangerine, pineapple, mango, and citrus notes dominate the palate and aroma, paired with a smooth, unobtrusive malt bill.
- RESTING MY GREATNESS — Short Throw Brewing Co. available at Ardent. 11.8% ABV Imperial Stout with coffee, Vermont maple syrup, and whole vanilla beans.
- IMPERIAL STOUT WITH VANILLA & CACAO NIBS — 11% ABV Imperial Stout. Bold, full-bodied beer that pours deep black with a tan head. Rich, chocolatey sweetness complements the roasted malt character for a balanced stout with a smooth finish.
- BOHEMIAN PILSNER — 4.8% ABV Czech-Style Pilsner. Brewed with a simple recipe of Czech floor malt, Saaz hops, and a Czech lager yeast. Clear golden color with soft mouthfeel, spicy hop notes, and clean finish.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Black Heath Meadery has the patio open for plenty of great outdoor events now, so keep up with them on Facebook for the latest updates — and be sure to wear your mask!
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST MEADS
- MEAD SLUSHEES — Check out Black Heath’s Facebook page for daily flavor updates! The most recent editions are Blueberry Lemon and Cherry Lime.
- JERRY VANILLA — Sour Cherry mead aged in Reservoir bourbon barrels with vanilla beans and cacao nibs.
- BLUE ANGEL — Gold Medal Mazer Cup International award winner. Batch 6 utilizes Jonagold apples and VA wildflower honey.
- GINGER — Traditional mead fermented with VA wildflower honey and Casselmonte Farms baby yellow ginger.
- MEADSAIC — Traditional mead dry hopped with Mosaic.
- SOUR CHERRY — Traditional strength mead fermented with VA wildflower honey, Montmorency and Balaton cherries.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
The new Bryant’s Cider location in Richmond opened this summer, and we’re stoked to keep up with their latest releases. They’re offering shipping and pickup, so if you want to drink from home, they’ve got you covered! Stay tuned for more info on their latest project, River City Seltzer, which is opening up in September.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST CIDERS
- LEO — The latest in Bryants Cider’s zodiac series, Leo is coming soon… and this special edition is flavored with habanero and pineapple. Stay tuned for release date!
- BLUEBERRY LAVENDER AND LIME — A brand-new cider recipe featuring blueberry, lavender, and lime flavors with Crescent Simples.
- RED EYE — Coffee collaboration with Recluse Roasting Project. This brut cider is made with a single origin bean from a farm named Cual Bicicleta in Honduras. Bryant’s says, “The coffee is amazing, just like the cider it’s cold brewed in.”
- GEMINI — Zodiac series Cider. A blood orange and hibiscus cider made with the air signs in mind.
- CANCER — Zodiac series Cider. A blueberry cider with the perfect combination between tart and dry.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Center of the Universe is offering pickup and delivery services, and their Beer Garden is open for business! Be sure to check here before you head out to Ashland, and ensure you’re up-to-date on their new policies to keep everyone safe.
Pickup: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- OKTOBERFEST — Traditional German Märzen with a clean, light-malty sweetness. Balanced with a light breadiness and cracker aroma.
- THERE GOSE SUMMER TANGERINE GOSE — German-Style Sour. Brewed with heaps of tangerine and a dash of salt, this slightly tart brew will make the “agony of a diminishing summer” a little less dreadful, and much more flavorful. Available in 4-packs and at the brewery.
- PINEAPPLE WHIP — 6.5% ABV Oat-based beer. Brewed in collaboration with Origin Beer Lab, this beer was made with whole Madagascar vanilla beans and pineapple juice. The result is a creamy, full bodied-brew that “takes your taste buds on a tropical escape.”
- MONKEY’S UNCLE LEMONGRASS TRIPEL — 9% ABV Belgian Tripel. Brewed with local lemongrass, with a light, crisp body and straw color. Fresh lemongrass grown by Village Garden added to the boil for a refreshing treat.
- CREATIVE JUICES IIIPA — 10% ABV Double IPA. Big, bold, juicy, and gives back! This DIPA is a collaboration with Connor’s Heroes to help celebrate their 10th Annual Heroes Art Ball, which is virtual this year. $5 from every 4-pack will go straight to Connor’s Heroes.
- BLACKBERRY CRYSTAL COTU — Low calorie, gluten-reduced, fruity and fizzy hard seltzer. Available in 4-packs and at the brewery.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Dragon Run Brewing is a charming space located to our east. If you’re looking for a new day trip out of the city, this is your spot — and they’ve got plenty of unique recipes to make it worth your while. With a blend of history behind each brew, Dragon Run brings something fresh to the table with every glass.
THE LATEST BEERS
- KEY LIME PIE — The latest in Dragon Run’s “Grandma’s Sour Pie” series. This one brings out the down-home dessert flavors with real key lime, plus graham cracker notes and a creamy finish.
- MATTAPO-NELPA — Hazy New England Style IPA, back on tap this week.
- BORN HERE RASPBERRY LEMONADE SHANDY — 4.4% ABV Raspberry Lemonade Shandy. This one takes the Born Here Pilsner and mixes it with fresh raspberry lemonade for a summertime treat.
- BRAXTON’S BITTER — 5.2% ABV English IPA. Named after the local founding father, Carter Braxton, who signed the Declaration of Independence among other things, this English Bitter has a slightly sweet malty taste and then an English Hop bite that is reminiscent of that old English Pub taste.
- MARY OF ORANGE — 4.5% ABV Cream Ale. You know William of Orange, but do you know his wife, Mary Of Orange? This beer is brewed for Mary of William and Mary (Or the Queen in King and Queen County). This is a light cream ale that has a subtle taste of both orange and vanilla to remind you of that favorite ice cream treat, perfect for a warm summer day.
- TOM’S “COFFEY” STOUT — 6.6% ABV Coffee Stout. This coffee stout is a coffee lover’s dream. Big, bold coffee taste, combined with the malty fullness, and finished with a creamy top provided by the nitro tap. Just like drinking a cold-brew coffee. Named after the brewers’ maternal grandfather, Tom Coffey, who was a legend in his own time, made this beer to be worthy of his namesake.
- BLACK CHERRY HARD SELTZER — 4% ABV Hard Seltzer. A hard seltzer for those that want a gluten free option. Touched off with with fresh fruit juices for a refreshing taste.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Final Gravity Brewing Co. is open for pickup and delivery. To-go pours are available for every brew you could dream of: all you need to do is grab a Crowler! The brewery will be hosting food trucks and some new events as well, so be sure to stay safe and wear your mask.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- DOPPLER EFFECT IPA — 7% ABV Flagship IPA. Back on tap, brewed with all Mosaic hops! Juicy New England-style IPA, crisp and clear like West Coast style.
- ITALIAN STYLE DRY-HOPPED PILSNER — Also back on tap this week (so get it while you can)! Dry-hopped with Mandarina Bavaria and Hallertau Blanc hops.
- JUICE BOX HAZY DOUBLE IPA — 8% ABV Double IPA. This hazy beauty was brewed with Strata, Belma, and Citra hops.
- TANGERINE GOSE — Ancient Mariner and Habanero Mango.
- VAPOUR TRAIL HAZY DOUBLE IPA — 8% ABV Hazy Double IPA brewed with Citra and Falconer’s Flight hops.
- STEPPING STONE BLONDE ALE — 5% ABV Blonde Ale.
- CASSIOPEIA HAZY DOUBLE IPA — This fan favorite is back in the online store, and it’s no wonder it’s been so well-received in its time. Dry-hopped with Cashmere and Mosaic hops, Cassiopeia is full of tropical fruit notes, pineapple forward with a touch of dankness and a smooth finish.
- STARDUST HAZY IPA — 6% ABV. Hopped with BRU-1 and Mosaic, Stardust IPA has bright, floral characteristics and a pineapple punch.
- RITES OF SPRING GINGER HONEY LAGER — 5.5% ABV.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Beer delivery and pickup is available at Fine Creek Brewing Company! Check out their website for a full list of beers available, and below for new brews on tap. With brand-new recipes and old favorites back in stock, there’s something for everyone at the Powhatan farmhouse.
The Wild & Weird Festival is back!! This festival is one of my favorites each year, because it brings together all the best styles of beer that aren’t your regular IPA. All of September will be showcasing some of Fine Creek’s favorite beers brewed at the farm, and some brewed with their friends as well. All seating will be outdoor, and orders and pickups will take place at the bar if you’re heading out to spend the day with these awesome brewers.
Some more exciting news from Fine Creek: they’re now Craft Malt Certified. That means they’ve committed to purchasing more than 10 percent of all the malt they use from craft malthouses inside the Craft Maltsters Guild. A note from Fine Creek: “We buy a lot more than 10 percent, and often brew beers that are made with 100 percent locally-sourced malt. This is important not only to the end product of what we produce, but to the very essence of everything we do.”
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- RKATSITELI SOUR — 6.6% ABV Golden Sour collab with Blenheim Vineyards. Rkatsiteli is a grape often used to produce white wine, and is one of the oldest cultivated grape varieties. The beer has a funky, floral aroma with notes of gooseberry, peach skin, and subdued oak. The flavor leads with a predominant combination of white grape and tart lemon, which gives way to layers of spice and mixed berry. Despite an initial juicy and round mouthfeel the beer finishes with a refreshing, drying tartness.
- GOLDEN SOUR — Bottled Sour Ale. The barrels layered this beer with notes of mixed berries, red wine, oaky tannins, and vanilla. Golden sour culture brought a bright acidity, along with flavors of lemon and fresh pineapple. This beer combines deeper wine barrel tones with a refreshing tart palate and a dry and tannic finish.
- GERMAN PILSNER — 4.8% ABV Pilsner. Light Bodied, malt-forward. Floral, grassy, & herbal hop notes.
- PROTOSCIENCE IPA — 7.3% ABV IPA. Orange, papaya, and mild grapefruit flavors with a rich, fruity character.
- RAYGUN GOTHIC IPA — 7.5% ABV IPA. Pineapple and tropical fruit flavors with a full mouthfeel.
- CITRUS HONEY SAISON — Back on tap! The last keg of this beloved brew is coming back this Friday, and it’s only available for a limited time. It goes fast, according to Fine Creek, and it’ll also be available on the next canning run.
- VITALISM IPA — Hazy IPA. This new release was dry-hopped with Kohatu and Mosaic hops, combining for a sweet aroma of bright tropical fruit, with notes of freshly cut papaya and pineapple. Earlier additions of Idaho 7 and German Amarillo hops contribute more to the flavor, which features fruity tones alongside black tea, citrus zest, and a mild floral note. Vitalism has a medium body and a round mouthfeel that is paired with enough bitterness to avoid feeling too rich.
- AMERICAN STOUT — 7% ABV. The latest batch comes from English Pale malts from Murphy & Rude Malting Co. in Charlottesville, and with a nutty and sweet backbone, this one was layered in Toasted Oats and Crystal Wheat to build up a sweeter tone of whole grain cereal and baked goods. Toasty notes of black coffee and baker’s chocolate, medium body balanced by a subtle hop flavor.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery
Garden Grove is offering curbside pickup, carry-out orders, and same-day delivery! Masks are required to visit their taproom, and they’ve been offering some great new brews to get us through the insanity that is the summer of 2020. We don’t know where we’d be without local beer through all of this! Check below for fresh releases and more updates.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- MUNICH KOLSCH — 4.8% ABV Kolsch. The latest recipe is a traditional, crisp golden brew with slight floral aromas (and it’s a sneak peek at their upcoming Oktoberfest lineup)!
- TYPHOON PASSION FRUIT AND MANGO HONEY WINE — 7% ABV Honey Wine. Sweet tropical aromas of passion fruit and mango swing together. “Bursting with big, bold flavors wave after wave.”
- MADELINE SAISON — 6.5% ABV Saison. Notes of classic banana and spice. Soft bodied, with flavors of tropical fruit, white pepper and rye.
- ARASSAS KOLSCH — 4.8% ABV German-Style Kolsch.
- DEATH — 10% ABV Belgian. Brings out as much ripe and dark fruit flavors reminiscent of rich red wines as possible, by fermenting with red wine grapes from each year’s harvest. Death is made once a year in tandem with the Virginia wine grape harvest schedule.
- CARTOON VILLAIN IPA — 7% ABV IPA. Tropical and juicy.
- MOZU — 8% Peach Yuzu Honey Wine. Flavors and color from White and Blood Peaches, balanced by bright and shiny Yuzu. “Confuse your palate” with this brew that’s both sweet and dry.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Hardywood Richmond and West Creek locations are open! And just look at that awesome setup above at West Creek. The outdoor spaces have been rearranged to allow for proper social distancing, and all us Hardywood fans can now visit them again safely. If you’d rather drink from home, online ordering is still available with all of Hardywood’s best.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- GRAPEFRUIT SINGEL — Hardywood’s classic flagship, Singel, gets a zesty makeover to help beat the summertime heat with the addition of refreshing grapefruit.
- TRIUMVIRATE — This New England-Style IPA has notes of fresh mandarin, orange, lemon peel, and a hint of pineapple.
- TRIADIC — New England-Style IPA with “a hop combination like no other.” Motueka, Nelson Sauvin and Bramling Cross hops blend together a triad of flavors – citrus, tropical fruit and black currant. Chewy and juicy with a balanced bitterness.
- RICHMOND LAGER LIME — Richmond Lager Lime still has the same local ingredients we love, including Virginia-grown malt and hops. Real lime juice takes this beer to the next level.
- DREAMLIKE — Malted Wheat and Flaked Oats round out this dreamy New England Style IPA using Galaxy, Azzaca, Falconers Flight and Cascade hops in both Whirlpool and Dry Hopping on this iteration.
- CUVEE PEACH — Peach Tripel matured in freshly-dumped white wine barrels to allow for a true depth of flavor to develop. The result is a beautifully complex beer with stone fruit esters and juicy peach undertones, complemented by a pleasantly dry finish.
- STRAIGHT TALK VOL. I & VOL. II — The Straight Talk Series are a “single barrel & single beer experience.” Vol. I is an Imperial Milk Stout, perfectly balanced with notes of silky chocolate and toffee, plus vanilla and smooth dark caramel from its bourbon barrel. Vol. II is a Saison aged in Red Wine Barrels for 11 months.
- RICHMOND DARK LAGER — The same refreshing and crisp experience of its original recipe, with an ever-so-slight sweet dark malt characteristic. Although visually darker then its golden bubbly brother, Richmond Dark Lager does not have the roasty characteristics you might usually find in a beer this color.
- PEACH TRIPEL — A bright, effervescent tripel with a balance of white pepper and honeysuckle. Refermented on apricots and heaps of yellow peaches for a stone fruit taste and dry finish.
- NONE OF THIS MAKES SENSE — Double IPA. New England Style, brewed with Mosaic and El Dorado hops.
- SUNCRUSH — Summer’s favorite hard seltzer. Check Hardywood’s ordering site for available flavors!
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Intermission is open! These brewers have taken it to the next level this summer with beer slushies (and yes, it’s as good as it sounds). A recent favorite is their Honey Hibiscus Saison Slushie, plus the Abbey Colada — which adds Piña Colada mix to the Abbey Ale for a tropical banana, coconut, and pineapple delight. Masks are required to enter. Taproom and patio seating are available, and no pets during this time. 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!
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- BEER SLUSHIES! — Check Facebook every Friday to see the weekend’s flavor.
- HONEY HIBISCUS SAISON — 5.9% ABV Saison Farmhouse Ale. Light bodied with a slightly tart, dry finish. Notes of fresh honey along with a pink hue.
- TROPICAL THUNDER IPA — 7% ABV American IPA. Malt base with tropical fruit hop notes, doubled down with passion fruit, mango, and pineapple.
- HATHOR GOSE — 4.6% ABV. Bright pink Sour Ale in collaboration with the local RVA chapter of the Pink Boots Society and Stone Brewing Co. Raspberry puree and pink Himalayan sea salt add bold berry flavor and a neon pink color, together with subtle citrus and light hoppy character.
- GHOST LIGHT LAGER — 5% ABV. Light and crisp American Lager. Gluten Reduced.
- STRAWBERRY BLONDE — 5.7% ABV. American Pale Wheat beer. Light body, low bitterness and of course: Strawberries!
- HONEY HIBISCUS SAISON — 5.9% ABV. Farmhouse Saison Ale. Light bodied slightly tart with a dry finish. Uniquely refreshing with notes of fresh honey and a lovely pink hue.
- OVATION HARD SELTZERS — Raspberry and Orange flavors available.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
To-go brews are available at Isley Brewing Company! Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome if they’re leashed. Be sure to ask about the latest Ice-sley slushie flavors, because these brewers have something fresh every week. No reservations required, and be sure to wear your mask!
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- ICE-SLEY SLUSHIES — Check in every week for fresh new slushie flavors! Bahama Mama IPA and Peach Sour are recent favorites.
- I’LL BEE BOCK — 8% ABV. Single / Traditional Bock. Hopped exclusively with Czech Saaz hops, and finished with a clean German lager yeast, the beer pours a light copper, with a thick, creamy head.
- SUNBURNT COUNTRY IPA — 8.5% IPA. A Hazy DIPA, brewed exclusively with varietals grown only in the Southern Hemisphere. The beer pours a cloudy yellow, with a soft, pillowy foam.
- TEA-RIFFIC — 6% ABV Amber Ale. Growing up, summer in the South meant… Sweet Tea! They’ve brewed a malty Amber Ale, infused it with heaps of Black Tea, and sweetened it right up with approximately 100 percent of pure cane sugar.
- SET SAIL — 6% ABV Hopped Lemon Pale Ale. Brewed with late additions of Mandarina Bavaria and Citra hop varietals, and lemon and orange zest, the wheat and barley blended base is a perfect vessel to let the fresh, citrus flavors really shine.
- OFF THE BOULEVARD — 5% Irish Red Ale. Balanced, easy-drinking traditional Irish Red Ale.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery
Multi-state shipping and drive through pickup available! The taproom is also open, and with plenty of awesome outdoor seating, the farm at Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery is one you don’t want to miss.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL — 10% ABV Imperial Dessert Stout. This one is for the true stout lovers out there. Lickinghole Creek took the Black Is Beautiful recipe from Weathered Souls Brewing, and tried to keep it as true to the original as possible. “We wanted this beer to showcase the masterfully roasted and caramel malt graciously donated from Murphy and Rude Malting out of Charlottesville, VA. We get huge notes of deeply roasted coffee, rich cacao, creamy vanilla, and caramel toffee.” All proceeds will go to organizations in pursuit of ending racial and social injustice everywhere.
- JUICY #22 — 7.5% ABV. Juicy 22 is layered with orange zest, orange juice, and with a soft kiss of vanilla. Juicy 22 showcases the wonderful hop LOTUS. (This is a personal favorite of mine, so I definitely encourage you to try it!)
- BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST IMPERIAL BROWN ALE — 8% ABV Brown Ale. This American Brown Ale was conditioned on fresh vanilla, cinnamon, and blueberries with a noticeable maple syrup flavor.
- NUCLEAR NUGGET IMPERIAL HONEY IPA — 10.5% ABV. While it’s not brand-new, it’s worth noting as a fan favorite. This hop bomb is a lot of things. One thing it is not, is subtle. Nuclear Nugget explodes the nose with notes of citrus, flowers, and Centennial hops, then the nuclear fallout is accompanied by local clover honey, to bring everybody back to safety.
- GOOCHLAND QUADRUPEL ALE — 11.2% ABV. Tasting notes of raisin, plum, prune, and currants. Easily drinkable, complex, and refreshing.
- BEAR BAIT BERLINER WEISSE WITH BLACKBERRIES — 4% ABV. Blended with Blackberries to create a tart, crisp, fruity, and beautifully hued-libation.
- WATERMELON GOSE — 5% ABV. Traditional German-style wheat ale. Expect a light and crisp beer with notes of sour, salt, and juicy watermelon on your taste buds.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Starr Hill Richmond Beer Hall & Rooftop
Starr Hill RVA 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.
Pickup: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- AIR DRUMMER HAZY IPA — The latest brew from Starr Hill, available now after its debut in April! This Hazy IPA is out on tap and in 4-pack cans for pickup.
- HEY BUDDY — The latest pilot batch from right here in Richmond. This beer is dedicated to Starr Hill’s buddy, Dio, who’s been a member of the crew for over 10 years. This golden brew lagered in our tanks for over five months, for a crisp and refreshing finish.
- FESTIE — Oktoberfest Lager. This recipe is rich, malty, and perfectly refreshing for the season.
- BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL — Starr Hill’s recipe of the Weathered Souls Brewing initiative. This hopped-up stout was brewed with Chinook, Citra, Centennial and Falconer’s Flight. 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Equal Justice Initiative!
- DOUBLE PLATINUM IMPERIAL IPA — 8.6% ABV Imperial IPA. Brand-new Imperial IPA from Starr Hill, limited edition!
- KING KUNU PINEAPPLE IPA — Pineapple IPA. 4-packs available from the brewery.
- SAY IT AIN’T SOUR — 12-pack that brings together all the best Starr Hill Gose brews. Pixie Pineapple Gose, Carly Cucumber Gose, Carole Cran-Raspberry Gose and Lola Guava Gose.
- RECEIVER RED IPA — Another brand-new recipe from Starr Hill in a Double Dry-Hopped Red IPA.
- SUBLIME CITRUS WIT — Witbier. New recipe with a fresh lime zest. Citrus, wheat, and spice meld together to create the perfect summer beverage.
- CARLY CUCUMBER GOSE — 6-pack of the new Gose recipe.
- CAROLE CRAN-RASPBERRY GOSE — A cranberry-raspberry infusion in 6-packs available at Starr Hill.
- PIXIE PINEAPPLE GOSE — Another fresh recipe available in 6-packs.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Stone Brewing Richmond is open for pick-up! This awesome East End brewery has had some delicious releases lately, and they’ve got brews ready at the door if you plan to take them home. The patio is open as well, so mask up and head out for some great new releases. Stone also has a great new “Odd Beers for Odd Years” series going on, so stay tuned for updates as special releases come out!
Pickup: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- OLD GUARDIAN — Triple IPA. This one-time-only release, part of Stone’s “Odd Beers for Odd Years” series, takes a downright excessive brew into uncharted, extra-hoppy territory. They did this by dry-hopping it with Azacca hops, essentially turning an American barley wine into a triple IPA. Like its Classic counterpart, this delicious oddity has evolved into an even more glorious beer with age, and now the Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (Extra Hoppy) is on tap in Richmond.
- FEATURES & BENEFITS — 4% ABV IPA. This new recipe is Stone’s low-calorie IPA, a trend we’ve been seeing more of this summer (and loving it!) Gluten-reduced, hop forward flavor with 95 calories.
- STONE BUENAVEZA SALT & LIME LAGER — 4.7% ABV Lager. This one has been a favorite this summer, so grab one while you can!
- ENTER NIGHT PILSNER — 5.7% ABV Pilsner. German-style pilsner with low bitterness and bright tastes.
- STONE RIPPER ALE — 5.7% ABV West-Coast style Pale Ale.
- 24 CARROT GOLDEN ALE — Belgian-Style Ale. Carrot cake-inspired recipe between Stone, Juli Goldenberg, and Monkeypaw.
- RUINED AGAIN TRIPLE IPA — 10.8% ABV Triple IPA. Available in Crowlers to-go and at the brewery. This one’s coming out officially on August 10!
- NOTORIOUS P.O.G — 4.7% ABV Berliner Weisse. Tart, tropical, and “damn tasty.”
- STONE TIKI ESCAPE — 7.7% ABV IPA. Tropical, fruit-forward IPA brewed with Sabro and Mosaic hops.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
All three Strangeways Brewing tasting rooms are open for delivery, curbside pick-up, and to-go orders! They’re also open for draft brews, and wear your mask when visiting in-person. Be sure to check their website for updates.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- SINEWY — 8% ABV Strong Saison. A fan favorite for years, Sinewy is basically an imperial farmhouse ale, made with Vienna, White Wheat, and Belgian Aromatic Malts then generously hopped Sorachi Ace. Fermented very dry producing a crushable farmhouse ale with notes of honey, green peppercorn, earth, and freshly cut hay.
- I KNOW WIT YOU DID LAST SUMMER — 5.4% ABV Sour Witbier. Combines the spice of a traditional Belgian wit, with the mellow tart of German sour wheat ale. A subtle citrus characteristic sticks around from nose to aftertaste, briefly replacing mid-taste with a light peppery sweet tart.
- BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL — Imperial Stout. Highlights intense roast character with moderate sweetness and subtle booze on the nose. 100 percent of proceeds benefit Girls for a Change.
- SHIMMER & SHAKE — Spiked Sparkling Seltzer. Lemon-lime flavors, with a light, crisp, and effervescent taste for summertime.
- AFM WILD ALE — Farmhouse Saison. 2-row, Vienna, and Wheat Malts. Heavily hopped with Columbus in the brewhouse, then aged 22 months in French Oak barrels. Strong, but drinkable, with a balance between hops and funk.
- FULL STACK LUMBERJACK — Stout. Dark, rich and luscious. Conditioned with pure Wisconsin Little Man maple syrup and thick-cut Smithfield maple flavored bacon.
- GNAR SHREDDER — Double IPA. Soft and pillowy with light sweetness. Intensely fruity from big additions of Vic Secret and Cashmere hops giving notes of passionfruit, peach, pear, and rock candy. Double dry-hopped.
- LEGALIZE IT — Small Axe West Coast-Style IPA in honor of the recent decriminalization of marijuana in Virginia.
- LUCKY CHARMS BERLINER WEISSE — Cloudy, sour wheat beer. Dry, fruity funk with a sharp tartness.
- SEA SPRITZ — Cranberry Berliner Weisse.
- WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GOSE — Lighthearted Germanic Sour. Lemony tartness alongside Sicilian sea salt, coriander, and ginger to “put the boom-boom into your heart.”
- WHAT THE ASTRONAUTS DRINK — Sour Berliner Weisse. Infused with orange flavored drink mix for a familiar tangy flavor.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Three Notch’d RVA Collab House
Three Notch’d RVA Collab House is open for business, and they just welcomed a new Head Brewer in August: Bobby Faithful. With a wealth of professional brewing experience (including being the director of the brewing program at University of Richmond), Bobby’s got plenty of new recipes to cook up for the River City. Between pickup and delivery services, in addition to a great patio, Three Notch’d RVA is bringing lots of fresh tastes into this summer.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- HANSEL & KETTLE IMPERIAL OKTOBERFEST — 8% ABV Oktoberfest. This imperial version of the classic Marzen style has Munich and Vienna malts, which give the beer a toast-like malt sweetness, balanced by the classic spice profile of German Noble Hops.
- BROADCAST BREW COFFEE BROWN ALE — Inspired by the flavors of a morning cup o’ joe, this craft creation uses a special blend of beans from Rostov’s Coffee & Tea. Notes of caramel and chocolate make this a delicious breakfast beer.
- NEPHOLOGY LOTUS — 7.8% ABV. the newest development of the HopSteiner’s Hop Breeding Program. A descendant of Cascade Eastern Gold and Apollo, look for flavors and aroma of orange, vanilla, and tropical fruit.
- BARREL-AGED BERRY SOUR — 6.4% ABV Sour. A wine barrel-aged sour ale brewed with blackberries and raspberries, straight from the Three Notch’d Sour House collection.
- SULTANA OF SWING — 7.5% ABV New England IPA. Bursting with bright, citrusy orange, resinous pine, and ripe pineapple flavors. Heavy handled dry-hopping with Sultana and Amarillo hops give this brew a big fruity and citrusy aroma, and a flavor to match.
- BLACK CHERRY HARD SELTZER — Hard Seltzer. Low sugar, low carb, and only 100 calories for the days you’re craving something lighter.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Triple Crossing Beer has to-go and delivery options available, and can shipping is another option as well. Visit their patio for some outdoor time in the East End, and wear your mask!
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- CLEVER GIRL IPA — It’s back! 6% ABV IPA. This light-bodied, soft, and dry American IPA has impressions of tropical citrus and dark berry floral aromas.
- BOBBY FALCON — 4.5% ABV. The beloved Falcon brew is reimagined here, with tropical papaya, pineapple, white grape melon, and a classic Falcon orange oil citrus marmalade.
- LITTLE HILLTOP — 3.8% ABV Kellerbier. This Franconian-inspired recipe has an “effortlessly session-able ABV,” comprised of a simple grain bill with a hop kettle treatment.
- BUTTERCUP GRISETTE — 4.5% ABV. Open-fermented Grisette comprised of pilsner malt, spelt, red wheat and flaked barley.
- FALCON SMASH IPA — Flagship IPA. Dank hop character from Falconer’s Flight dry-hop process.
- PARANOID — 5% ABV Pale Ale. Mango, sweet apricot, and floral grapefruit orange. Built for summer!
- FOEDER I — 5% ABV Golden Ale. Candied pineapple, fresh pomelo, light notes of dill and sweet honey with a restrained acidity and dry finish.
- SIMCOE TRIANGLES — Bright pink grapefruit, pulpy-melon, and citrus flavors.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
Väsen is open for pickup and delivery! Outdoor seating is available, so please wear your mask and keep folks safe. They’ve recently released a great array of fresh new brews, and we can’t wait to grab a glass of every one! Kegs are also available to take home.
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- TRIPLE PEACH SAISON — 6.2% ABV Saison. This crisp, fruity brew was made with white, yellow, and blood peach to get a deep, natural character which perfectly complements the classic saison flavors of spice and clove.
- NORSE DIPA — Returning alongside Triple Peach Saison in cans, this hazy double dry-hopped IPA was made with Citra, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops.
- COHESION — This collab with Capsoul and Chilalay brought us a brand-new Hazy Double IPA, and it’s focused on community health, cultural awareness, and social change. African Queen, Azacca, and Southern Passion hops lend aromas of pear and white grape, along with flavors of tangerine and vanilla. Support your community simply by having a beer!
- EVERYTHING FLOATS ON GUAVA AND PASSION FRUIT — Bold, dry-hopped sour… and all of it floats on a fruity foundation of real guava and passion fruit. Along with the tropical flavors dominating this tart brew, you’ll also find subtle citrus aromas and pleasant floral character from a light addition of citra hops.
- Gård — Wild sour ale with a bright, tropical character.
- FEASTA — 8% ABV Hazy DIPA. Brewed with Nelson Sauvin, Citra, and Vic Secret Hops.
- NEOMEXICANUS — 8% ABV Hazy DIPA. Brewed with Sabro, El Dorado, and Azacca hops.
- APRICOT SOUR — 7% ABV Sour Ale. Brewed with apricot for a summery, fruity flavor.
- MIERKA — 6% ABV Farmhouse Brett Saison. Dry-hopped with Citra and Amarillo hops.
- FREYJA — 6% ABV Hazy IPA. Brewed with Mosaic, Rakau, and the 2019 Pink Boots Hop Blend.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
The Veil Brewing Co. is hosting outdoor to-go sales from both locations. They’ve also got shipping available to select states, and they’re currently open for curbside pickup only. Patio lovers, stay tuned for openings in the future!
Pickup and Delivery: Order Here
THE LATEST BEERS
- DIRT NAP — 8.8% ABV. DIPA featuring Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic, and Nelson Sauvin! This batch is popping with juicy papaya and a Southern Hemisphere tropical muskiness that is perfectly balanced by the American Citra and Mosaic.
- STRANGE STRANGE & ETERNAL ETERNAL — 6% ABV. Strange Strange & Eternal Eternal is a double dry-hopped IPA with Citra, Mosaic, Motueka, and Simcoe. Tastes like gushers fruit snacks. A unique, cool, soft crusher.
- CARRY ME — 8% ABV. Carry Me is a brand new Double India Pale Ale that’s heavy on the fluffy oats and hopped with a blend of Citra, Nelson, Idaho 7, BRU-1, Enigma, and Mosaic. Layered notes of strawberry and skittles candy.
- NEVER NEVER CALM CALM — 5.1% ABV Gose with the awesome fruit combo of double passion fruit and double pineapple. Tasty vibes of canned fruit cups, peach skin, and obviously tons of passion fruit and pineapple.
- HOLLOW PLACE 500ML BOTTLE — 10.5% ABV. Hollow Place: Vanilla Walnut is a new Imperial Stout conditioned on piles of crushed walnuts and freshly split Madagascar vanilla beans. Awesome oily flavors of rich vanilla cake, walnut fudge, and candy bars.
- VEIN — 4.5% ABV. Pilsner step-mashed with floor-malted barley and hopped with Saaz and Tettnang. Crispy, hoppy, and thirst-quenching.
- LOVELY — 5.2% ABV. Lovely is a blend of a Farmhouse-inspired Pale Ale and a 100% wheat Farmhouse-inspired ale. Both beers were barrel fermented, inoculated with our house culture, and aged in French oak red wine barrels for 12 months.
- ERODE — 6.1% ABV. Farmhouse-inspired Ale brewed with pilsner malt, spelt, and some flaked rye, then hopped throughout the entire process with whole leaf Hallertau, Tettnang, and Cascade alongside pellets of Citra, Hallertau Blanc, and a bit of Lemondrop. Impressions of spritzy orange citrus soda, clean minerality, round hoppiness.
Updates: Facebook | Instagram | Website
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 caley@rvamag.com, and if you’re a beer enthusiast, drop me a line anytime to talk booze. Catch y’all next week!
