Yes, Richmond, it is that wonderful time of year. Get your Virginia Blackberry starting at 2pm today Saturday June 27th with live music from The Hot Seats, Grass Panther, Spooky Cool, and Photosynthesizers.
Head over to the Facebook event for more details and updates.
If the latest beer coming to the taps at Strangeways sounds like heavy metal band’s upcoming album, there is a very good reason for that. “The Snake & The Snowman” is a collaborative project from the minds of Head Brewer Mike Hiller and metal/punk music industry veteran Dave Witte. You’ve probably seen Dave behind the bars at Commercial Taphouse and The Answer Brewpub.
This Belgian Strong Golden Ale is a nod to a beer formulated by some fellow Mad Brewers that changed Witte’s life and cemented his life-long devotion to craft beer. This bottle conditioned ale, which underwent oak barrel aging, utilizes white candy sugar to add a pleasant sweetness, and Nugget, Magnum, and Horizon hops for balance. Enjoy fresh as well as procure more to store in a cool area away from direct light to age into divine bliss.
8.2% ABV~46 IBU
Woodsman Series
Here is what Mike and Dave had to say when asked if “The Snake & The Snowman” had a particular musical reference:
Mike: Not really. Stille Nacht by de Dolle was one of the beers that changed how Dave Witte thought about beer, and this beer is an homage to Stille Nacht. The Stille Nacht label sports a snowman wearing a scarf. Through discussions with Jim Callahan (Barf comics and designer of our cases) we decided the scarf should be a snake. Hence The Snake (Dave Witte) and the Snowman (Mike Hiller).
Dave: Haha. Yes it does, well partially anyway. The Snake part is a Whitesnake reference cause the name I wanted use initially was In the Stille of The Night (Whitesnake song). The beer is also homage to Still Nacht, the beer that changed my life.
The Snake & The Snowman will start flowing from Strangeways taps today Saturday June 27th at noon. Head over to the Facebook event for more details.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide) have CF.
In people with CF, a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that:
As part of their fundraising efforts to aid in the search for a cure, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Virginia Chapter will host the second annual Brewer’s Ball tomorrow Thursday June 18th at 6:30pm, to celebrate Richmond’s finest young professionals who have spent months raising money for the foundation. This year Triple Crossing’s Scott Jones is among the honorees for the event. Once again, the Virginia War Memorial will serve as a the backdrop for an fun evening enjoying the best of Richmond while raising money for a great cause.
Tickets for the event are $75/person ($45 tax deductible) and includes all food and drink and can be purchased here.
Pick up your collector’s glass and enjoy beers from ten Richmond (or at least soon to be) breweries plus Bold Rock Cider for the night:
While you sample away, try some goodies from the fine folks from:
Head over to the event’s Facebook page for more information and updates.
In just a few hours, I’ll be hopping on a plane to head out to sunny San Diego, California for ten days of fun that will end at the National Homebrewers Conference. Part of me hates that the timing of this trip because there are so many cool events I will miss.
Thursday June 4th
Ardent’s Honey Ginger Retruns at Mellow Mushroom — 6PM
Honey Ginger returns starting with a tap release at Mellow Mushroom tonight!
RVA Playlist 5th Birthday Party at The Broadberry — 7PM
This is the event it kills me the most to miss. Andrew Cothern, RVA Playlist, is one of my best friends, and I have no idea how he covers as much local music as he does day in day out. All the bands he has selected to play his 5th year shindig at The Broadberry are personal favorites of mine that I might not have heard of if not for him. Check out his spotlights on Goldrush, Jonathan Vassar & the Badlands, and No BS! Brass then get your tickets here.
Saturday June 6th
Cover to Cover Presents: BACK TO BLACK at Hardywood — 6:30PM
This is the second music entry in this post. RVA Playlist, does this officially make me a music blogger?
If you haven’t experienced Spin, Spit, & Swear’s Cover to Cover band, then you really need to. I fell in love with them when they performed Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours.” I have no doubt (Hmmm…maybe an idea for their next project) their performance of Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” will be anything less than stellar.
OFF Broad Appetit at Pasture — 6:30PM
I’ve had the pleasure of attending this the past two years. It’s a shame I will miss this year as the money goes to a great cause. Get your tickets here.
Join Richmond magazine and the National Pork Board on Saturday, June 6th for a Broad Appetit kick-off feast at Pasture on Grace! Here you will discover five amazing chefs (and one kick-ass winemaker) all representing true farm to table cuisine. These famed chefs will present amazing dishes featuring local food producers from across Virginia, all done with the flair that has made them famous. Virginia wines, brews and ingredients will be featured throughout the evening. Our chef line-up includes:
Rob Newton
Chef & Owner of Seersucker in Brooklyn, NY will be servingBrad Farmerie
Executive Chef at Public in New York CityChad Colby
Chef at chi SPACCA in Los AngelesStephen Gerike
Director of Food Service Marketing, National Pork BoardJason Alley
Chef at Comfort & Pasture Restaurants in RVAJose Enrique
Chef and owner of Capital and Miel in San Juan, Puerto RicoDavid Varley
Chef at RN74/the Mina Group in Seattle, WABryan Voltagio
Executive Chef at VOLT in Frederick, MDAndré Hueston Mack
Owner and Winemaker at Mouton Noir, NYFull Menu Coming Soon!
Bar snacks: pimento cheese, tons of pickles, pork rinds with home-made hot sauce, and crab spiced boiled peanut dip
Esteemed local beverages being served include:
Foggy Ridge CiderOnly 125 tickets are available.
Tickets to this incredible event are $125 per person. Net proceeds benefit FeedMore.Support provided by National Pork Board, Richmond magazine, Brown Distributing/Taste the Local, Pasture, Hilton Garden Inn, & Duke’s Mayonnaise/CF Sauer and Echelon Event Management.
Sunday June 7th
Broad Appetit on W Broad St Between Henry & Adams — 11AM – 6PM
Find a new favorite restaurant through $3 plates from some of the best Richmond has to offer.
Saturday June 13th
Ardent Craft Ales Year One Anniversary Block Party — 1PM
This one really stings. I love these guys and really wanted to be here to celebrate with them. Please raise several glasses for me.
One year down. Wow. To celebrate, come out Saturday, June 13 to officially mark exactly 365 days (no joke) since we opened and joined the incredible Richmond beer community! We are hosting a massive block party at the brewery from 1 to 8 p.m. that will feature our biggest line-up of beer, local food, live music, and outdoor fun. On this day only, we will offer more than a dozen of our own brews including:
1 / Honey Ginger
2 / Session India Pale Ale
3 / Diamond Pale Ale
4 / Virginia Common
5 / IPA Batch #12
6 / IPA Batch #13
7 / IPA Batch #14
8 / Saison
9 / “Defenestrator” Dopplebock
10 / Touchstone Wheat Ale
11 / Berliner Braunbier
12 / Szechaun Peppercorn Saison
13 / Earl Grey Brown Ale
14 / Dark Rye
15+ / Casks: No fewer than two casks, to be announced next week!Beyond our own beers, we will have local cider and several guest brews from nearby brewery friends on tap for the day. In addition, we will release a special anniversary beer just available for the day in 750 mL bottles and to be announced a few days before the party.
There will a long line of food trucks running along West Leigh Street including some of Richmond’s finest: KavaKava gourmet , The Return of the Mac, Goatocado, Bonbontruck, Happy Empanada, River City Wood Fire Pizza, Hungry Turtle Food Truck, Station 2, and King Of Pops – Richmond. No one is going hungry.
Finally, we’ve invited some incredible regional bands to perform throughout the day, as follows:
2 – 3pm / Peace Beast
3 – 4pm / Clair Morgan
4 – 5pm / The Milkstains
5 – 6pm / Christi
6 – 7pm / NO BS! Brass BandEvent is free to enter with beverage and food tickets for sale at the door and inside the event with cash or credit. One ticket = $1. Attendees must be 21 and over and present valid ID to consume alcohol. Event is rain or shine.
Want to volunteer at this event? If you are interested, please visit: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/06417988010
Hardywood Vinalia Urbana Release w. Lady God, The Ar-Kaics & Dave Watkins — 2PM
This sounds like it will be delicious. Please save me some.
Named after the Roman festival held to bless and sample the wine of the previous season, Vinalia Urbana, a Belgian-style strong golden ale, is aged for months in freshly emptied Sauvignon Blanc barrels. This maturation process lends some light vinous notes and a hint of oak that blend beautifully with the subtle fruit and light spicy character imparted by the Belgian yeast. Vinalia Urbana is delightfully dry and delicate on the palate with lingering white grape and stone fruit undertones. 9.0 % ABV
Hardywood Vinalia Urbana will be available at 2:00pm on draft and in 750mL bottles. King Of Pops – Richmond, BoDillaz, Slideways Mobile Bistro, Cheezilla’s Grilled Cheese on site through the day.
Live music with:
Dave Watkins
minimalist appalachian math rock live looping sound explosion
www.davewatkinsmusic.comThe Ar-Kaics
…play troglodyte teenbeat 60s-style punk.
www.thearkaics.bandcamp.comLady God
Bristling surf guitar, webby bass lines, and sneering dual vocals compose an oddly satisfying vintage rock n’ roll salad we call “Slink.”
www.meetladygod.bandcamp.com
Sunday June 14th
3rd Annual Richmond Bacon Festival at 17th St Farmers Market — 11AM
Bacon dishes and Devils Backbone beer! What more could you need? Ok. How about a couple food photos?
Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar will be bringing back their Bacon & Shrimp Ramen.
Rare Olde Times Public House will be serving up mouth watering Bacon Covered Scotch Eggs.
Head over to The Answer Brewpub tonight Tuesday, June 2nd as they host a tap invasion of beers from Duvel USA, which includes Boulevard Brewing, Ommegang, and Duvel among their brands. As a bonus, Master Cicerone, Neil Witte (one of 9 in the world!) of Boulevard Brewing will be hanging out from about 6pm on.
UPDATE: Check out the great Q & A Robey Martin did with Neil Witte over at Richmond Magazine.
Here are the beers that will be tapped starting at 4pm:
Boulevard Brewing
Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale
The Calling
Ginger Lemon Radler
Hibiscus Gose (RVA/VA debut)
Saison Brett 2014
Saison Brett 2015
Harvest Dance Wheat Wine 2014
Imperial Stout 2014
Chocolate Ale
Brewery Ommegang
Hennepin
Three Philosophers
Calypso Hennepin
Duvel Belgium
Duvel Single
Houblon Chouffe
Maredsous Blonde
Liefmans Goudenband
Check out the Facebook event for more details and updates.
The Answer Brewpub
6008 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230
Richmond Beermeister 