American Craft Beer Week officially runs from May 13th to 19th but as in years past Richmond will start the party early.  Here are some details on festivals and parties happening during the week.  Bookmark this page and check back for updates.

Saturday May 11th

Virginia Hops and Barley Fest

The third annual Virginia Hops & Barley Festival will feature over 30 Virginia craft beers.  Tickets are $15/person in advance or $20/person at door if available and include unlimited sampling of all the beers. VIP tickets are $45/person and include:

Parking
Food
Specialty Collectable Glass
Tented Area
Complimentary Beverages
Private Restrooms

Designated driver tickets will be sold at the gate.

Order tickets here.  Want to win tickets? Local Suds is giving away a pair.  All you have to do is leave a comment on their Facebook page telling them what you like about their mobile app.

UPDATE:

Pins available at the festival:

• Hardywood Capital Trail Pale Ale
• Legend Pale with Cascade & Chinook hops

Take a look at the beer list:

Hardywood – RVA                                O’Connor – Norfolk
Twilight Weiss                                       Great Dismal Black IPA
Saison Rustica                                      Spyhop White IPA

Devils Backbone – Lexington                 Starr Hill – Crozet
Schwartz Bier                                        Grateful Pale
Reilly’s Red                                           Double Platinum

Bold Rock – Nellysford                           Legend – RVA
VA Draft Cider                                        Urban Legend Series Lost City Saison
VA Apple Cider                                      Legend Hefeweizen

James River – Scottsville                       Apocalypse Ale Works – Lynchburg
Rock Island Red Ale                               Hopocalypse Imperial Red
Packet Boat Porter                                Golden Censor Belgian Pale

3 Brothers – Harrisonburg                       Extra Billy’s – RVA
Brathair Scottish Ale                              Billy’s Brown Ale
Great Outdoors Pale                              Hoptrick IPA

Midnight – Goochland
New Beginning Kolsch
Not My Job Brown Ale
(Backed up with Head First Pale)

Truck Beers
Bull & Bones Lunch Pale
Wolf Hills Trooper IPA
Roanoke Railhouse Track 1
Big Daddy Sunshine Wheat
Big Daddy Hopdog IPA
Mad Fox Defender American Pale Ale

Plus a few surprises!!
http://www.vabeerfest.com/

.Check out the Facebook event here.

Saturday May 18th

Midnight Brewery First Anniversary — 1PM

James River Homebrewers 30th Anniversary — 6PM

JRHB will celebrate their 30th anniversary at Legend Saturday night.  While it is a private party, there is nothing stopping you from heading to Legend to raise a glass to one of the oldest homebrew clubs in the country.