Yes, Richmond today Saturday, April 7th is National Beer Day, otherwise known as the end of prohibition in the United States. Yes, despite the outside temperatures, it is also spring. I know, I know, I’m having a hard time believing it myself. While I may want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa, maybe if we huddle together at a few beer events we can will spring into staying around.

Here are a few that have caught my eye:

Swine & Brine 2018 — Ardent Craft Ales — Noon to 6PM

Credit: Ardent Craft Ales

Ardent’s Swine & Brine has always had a tenuous relationship with Mother Nature but somehow it always turns into a great event. I’m betting this year will be snow problem. (Please, remember to tip your bartenders. I’ll be here all week.)

The fourth annual Swine & Brine is right around the corner! Join us on Saturday, April 7 for a celebration of craft beer and local food, with a focus on oysters, pork dishes, and homemade sides, along with beer, cider, and prosecco.

Local restaurant lineup:

• ZZQ – Pulled pork slider topped with Terlingua cole slaw and fried jalapeno mac n’ cheese balls
• Rappahannock River Oysters, LLC – Crab cakes, raw oysters, and fried oyster tacos
• The Roosevelt – Spicy smoked sausage sandwich w/ slaw & dill pickle pork rinds
• Postbellum – Pork Bao Bun
• Lucy’s – Loaded Nachos (vegetarian available)
• Saison – Queso Fundito Sausage on Bun
• Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches – ZZQ smoked peach ice cream sandwich dipped in cinnamon white chocolate

We’ll have a variety of Ardent beers on draft, as well as Blue Bee Cider andZardetto Prosecco. What better way to celebrate National Beer Day?!

• Hazy IPA
• Spring American Sour Blend
• Company Man Pilsner
• Defenestrator Doppelbock
• Pomegranate Gose
• Pink Boots IPA
• Saison
• Black Saison
• Standard Bitter
• Dark Rye
• IPA #14
• IPA #34
• Honey Ginger
• Barrel Aged Honey Ginger

• Blue Bee – Aragon 1904
• Blue Bee – Charred Ordinary
• Blue Bee – Mill Race Bramble

• Zardetto Prosecco

Soda and water will also be available.

Swine & Brine is open to the public, free to enter, family friendly, rain or shine!

Food and drink tickets will be available for purchase by cash or card for $6 each. One ticket can be exchanged for one beverage or food item. (Some larger dishes may cost two tickets.)

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here: http://signup.com/go/znQtCzq

All oyster shells are being recycled through the VCU Rice Rivers Center Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program in support of Chesapeake Bay restoration, building oyster sanctuaries.

Parking may be limited throughout Scott’s Addition, so consider planning alternate transportation, and please don’t drink and drive!

Hardywood West Creek Grand Opening Weekend

Credit: Chad Williams, Creative Visual Design

Hardywood West Creek has been holding their public soft opening for a couple of weeks but this weekend is the main event. They will also be showcasing Hopkeeper, the latest in their Virginia Roots series, a double IPA with Virginia honey. Hopkeeper will be available on draft in all of their taprooms and in 500ml bottles ($5.99/bottle+tax).

Hello friends! Join us this weekend at Hardywood West Creek! We’ll be tapping all kinds of brand new beers (and delicious favorites) throughout the weekend.

–> Stay up to date on our draft list via Untappd!
–> LIKE our Hardywood West Creek Facebook page here: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (West Creek)

FRIDAY! 4-9PM
Food trucks: Monique’s Crepes, The Hungry Turtle Food Truck, Smokie JOE’S BBQ, Slideways Mobile Bistro, Gelati Celesti Ice Cream
6PM Music (free!): Lobo Marino + Father Sunflower

SATURDAY! 1-9PM
Food trucks: BoDillaz, Slideways, Dank Eats, Gelati Celesti Ice Cream
6 PM Music (free!): Willie De + Saw Black Hardywood West Creek

SUNDAY! 12-6PM
Food trucks: River City Wood Fire Pizza, Bikini Panini, The Dog Wagon,Happy Empanada, Gelati Celesti Ice Cream
3 PM Music (free!): Josh Small plays soothing, soulful acoustic tunes

Have questions? We have answers! Check out the details below:

PARKING:
There are currently 200 parking spaces on-site for our West Creek customers. This is much more available parking than average! More parking will come online as construction continues. Please park in marked spaces only.

In the event of a busy day at the brewery, there is a third-party lot for overflow parking just across West Creek Parkway. The overflow parking lot does not belong to us. Hardywood has subsidized the cost of the parking lot rental so parking is only $3/vehicle. We have rented lighting equipment and hired parking attendants to ensure everyone’s safety. Cash/card will be accepted. Please note that this is a *temporary* solution as we welcome visitors in large volumes; additional parking is in the plans as we develop the property. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

Alternatively, there is a passenger drop-off spot at our front doors for your convenience. Lyft, Uber, or your DD can drop you here prior to parking!

WEATHER:
Welcome to Virginia! Will it be spring or will it be winter? In the event of rain, snow, sleet or volcano we are renting some super large tents to provide coverage over our outdoor patio. There will also be tents spread throughout the food truck court. Our brewery grounds are pretty expansive…you may want to pack an umbrella!

BEER SERVICE:
Our West Creek taproom has THREE bars, each with 20 taps. The main bar is very visible as you enter the taproom. There is an additional bar upstairs on the mezzanine level AND an outdoor service bar on the patio. Please feel free to explore the space rather than jumping in line at the main bar. See photos for visual reference.

DOGS:
YES. The pups are permitted in our outdoor areas only and they must be kept on their leashes. Given that this weekend may be rainy and/or snowy, it may be wise to leave canine friends in the comfort of home. Please clean up after the pups.

*Our taprooms are family-friendly.*

MORE TO COME:
Hardywood West Creek is BRAND NEW, and there will be a ton of additional amenities, decor, games, sound-proofing materials, plants, etc. being installed over the next few months. We can’t wait to share all of these additions with you, and we hope you’ll continue coming back to see what we’re up to!

National Beer Day at Strangeways — 11AM

Strangeways will celebrate National Beer Day unlike anyone else — yoga early in the morning, two new beers and a returning favorite during the day, and burlesque at night.

The Fourth of July comes early this year. Join us for a celebration of National Beer Day on Saturday, April 7, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

We’re releasing two new beers — Go Go Juice Sour IPA and Belgian Bomber Belgian Tripel — in addition to bringing back one of our most popular sours, Wake Me Up Before You Gose.

Want to limber up first? Check out our Namaste for a Beer Yoga Series byMobile OM Yoga & Wellness starting at 11 a.m. Enjoy food from our friends at Indo-Tibetan Kitchen food truck. And end the day with the talented performers from Burlesque Right Meow at our Beers, Burlesque and Variety Show from 8:30-11 p.m. (show tickets available for $10 at https://brmrvaapril.brownpapertickets.com/).