Grab The Lion’s Share Of Your Friends’ Envy With A Visit From Firestone Walker’s David Walker At Saison

There are beer dinners then there are once in probably a lifetime beer dinners. This 6 course Firestone Walker beer dinner with extra special guest David Walker aka The Lion at Saison qualifies as one of the latter dinners. Imagine enjoying Pivo Pils, Bretta Weisse, Sucaba, or Parabola with one of the founders of one of the country’s most beloved craft breweries.

There are only 40 seats available for this dinner and they will go fast when Saison starts accepting reservations after 5pm today Friday, May 18th. Tickets for the dinner are $100/person inclusive of tax and gratuity.

Reserve your spot today and prepare for a special treat of a dinner on Monday June 11th at 6:30pm.

UPDATE: Here are the beers to be featured at the dinner:

Walker’s Reserve Cuvée
Sour Opal
Bretta Rose
Under Currant
Parabola
I’m hearing there may be a few surprises as well .
Firestone Walker Beer Dinner Saison 061118

Credit: Specialty Beverage

The Veil Brewing’s Second Anniversary Week Starts Today

Credit: The Veil Brewing Co.

Richmond, did you enjoy the anniversary celebrations over the weekend? Were you expecting a break this week? Were you really?! Well, whatever your state of readiness is, get ready to dive back in because the Veil Brewing has a week of special releases planned to commemorate their second anniversary. And it all starts today Tuesday April 17th!

There is something for everyone this week.

Maybe can releases are where it’s at you. This week has those.

Are you a big stout fan? Snag yourself some Sleeping Forever or one its many variants.

Are you looking for funky and wild? Step into the Funkhaust.

Or maybe you just want a T shirt.

With all of this beer, you’re definitely going to need some food. The Veil has you covered with some of their favorite food vendors.

Credit: The Veil Brewing Co.

Head over to the Facebook event for more details and updates as they are released.

Twenty Four and Four. Celebrate Legend Brewing’s and Triple Crossing’s Anniversaries This Weekend

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Credit: Triple Crossing Brewing

Legend Brewing and Triple Crossing will both celebrate anniversaries this weekend. Legend commemorates the start of craft brewing in Richmond with its twenty four years. Triple Crossing follows in their footsteps with four years of the successful resurgence of the brewing industry in the city.

Here are the details on each of their anniversary celebrations.

Legend Brewing Co 24th Anniversary — Saturday April 14th — Noon – 7PM

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Credit: Legend Brewing Co

Legend has broken with tradition this year for their anniversary. It is no longer a ticketed event and a few food trucks have been invited to serve food.

24 years ago, Legend began as a small tasting room and pub off of an old gravel road called West 6th Street in Richmond’s Historic Old Manchester District. Today, Legend hosts a 380 seat deck overlooking the city with 18 taps of Legend Beer flowing. It’s that time of year again to shut it all down and bring out the big stage.

Join us as we celebrate 24 years of good beer and fun! We’re hosting live bands on the city stage, food trucks, face painting and cornhole.

ADMISSION IS FREE! Beer tickets will be available for $5 each.

FOOD:
Go Go Vegan Go
Mommas Barbecue
Boka Tako Truck
King Of Pops – Richmond

MUSIC:
12-2 The Phantom Playboys
2:30-4:30 Wes Freed & Mag Bats
5-7 Chamomile and Whiskey

Triple Crossing 4th Anniversary Weekend

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Credit: Triple Crossing Brewing

Triple Crossing will have anniversary celebrations all weekend at both its locations starting Friday April 13th with a noon can release at Fulton. Though if you want to get a jump start on your TC party, head downtown tonight at 7pm as they host Vinyl Me, Please’s The Spins: Arctic Monkeys ‘Whatever People Say I Am.‘

What would an anniversary be without some new beer to go with it? Here’s a look at Fulton’s Friday draft list.

The action moves Downtown Saturday April 14th with a wild ale release and more draft.

Happy National Beer Day, Richmond! Happy Spring?!?!

Embed from Getty Images

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

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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

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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/).

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GET READY for Go Go Juice, our zippy new sour IPA releasing this Saturday!⠀ ⠀ It’s guaranteed to get you off your feet. Brewed with pilsner and wheat malts, this kettle-soured IPA is dry-hopped with Galena, Calypso and Centennial hops for notes of black currant, sour warheads and tropical fruit.⠀ ⠀ It’s one of two new beers releasing Saturday, April 7 — along with the spring-tradition return of Wake Me Up Before You Gose, one of our most popular sours. See you in the taproom for National Beer Day at Strangeways!⠀ ⠀ ABV: 7.2% | IBU: 15⠀ ⠀ #nationalbeerday #craftbeer #souripa #saturdayvibes #thinkstrange #drinkstrange #virginiaisforbeerlovers #beerrelease⠀

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One of our most popular sours returns Saturday in time to celebrate National Beer Day.⠀ ⠀ Wake Me Up Before You Gose is a lighthearted look at Germanic sour that jitterbugs into your brain, with the exertion of both Lactobacillus and Brettanomyces.⠀ ⠀ This unusual beer style, First brewed in the early-16th century in Goslar, Germany, has survived periods of extinction. But it was fittingly revived in the mid-1980s. The lemony tartness alongside coriander, ginger and hand-harvested fleur de sel —French sea salt — will put the boom-boom into your heart. ⠀ ⠀ Join us in the taproom this weekend for a taste, along with the releases of our new Go Go Juice and Belgian Bomber. Plus, as always, 36+ varieties of beer on tap!⠀ ⠀ ABV 4.6% | IBU 10⠀ ⠀ #beerrelease #craftbeer #boomboom #1980s #80svibe #totallyawesome #gose #wakemeupbeforeyougogo #Lactobacillus #Brettanomyces #beerrelease #virginiabeertrail #virginiaisforbeerlovers #thinkstrange #drinkstrange

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Make Screens ‘N Suds Ninth Event At Studio Two Three A Worthy Part of Your Saturday

For over nine years, Screens N Suds has raised money towards the fight against multiple sclerosis and local charities through the sale of screen printed beer-centric art. If you are looking to make this  Saturday March 3rd count towards something positive, here is a much worthy cause.

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Credit: Screens ‘N’ Suds

There is still time to grab a VIP ($50/person; 12-6pm) or GA ($33/person; 2-6pm) ticket that includes unlimited samples here.

Check out this draft list!

Peruse all of the items in the silent auction here then head over to the Facebook event for more details and updates.

Two Roads Diverged In The Woods And The Beer Traveled To Richmond

Two Roads Brewing, out of Stratford, CT, is making their Richmond debut this week through Specialty Beverage.

I had the opportunity to try a few of the beers last night at a launch event at Commercial Taphouse. My personal favorites were the Worker’s Comp Saison and Persian Lime Gose.

Head over to these events this week to try out these beers yourself.

Tuesday February 20th

Two Roads Brewing Comes To Sergio’s — 4PM

Sergio’s will tap nine of Two Roads’ beers with members of the Two Roads team and Specialty Beverage hanging out.

Here are the beers they will have on:

Honeyspot Road IPA
Ol’ Factory Pils
Road 2 Ruin DIPA
Tanker Truck Series: Plum Gose
Tanker Truck Series: Persian Lime Gose
Worker’s Stomp Saison — saison aged in chardonnay barrels
Igor’s Dream — Russian imperial stout aged in rye whiskey barrels
Zero to Sixty  — tart IPA
Lil Heaven Session IPA

Thursday February 22nd

Two Roads Brewing Launch Party — 4 – 7PM

Bottleworks  will welcome Two Roads to Richmond with Road 2 Ruin DIPA and Igor’s Dream on draft for growler fills as well as other packaged beers.

Growlers To Go in Short Pump will also have a tasting from 5 – 8 pm.

Friday February 23rd

Two Roads Tap Takeover — 4PM

The Caboose  Market & Cafe in Ashland will have five of Two Roads beers on tap and will be cooking up pizzas to go with them.

Two Roads RVA Launch Tasting — 5:30 – 7:30PM

Corks & Kegs will feature Two Roads for this week’s edition of their weekly free tastings.   Chat up the Two Roads crew as they sample out Honeyspot IPA, Road 2 Ruin DIPA, and Espressway Stout. C & K will also have a limited amount of 2015 Igor’s Dream available on draft for growler fills.

I’m pretty sure with their road less traveled flavors, Two Roads will fit in quite nicely on the palates of Richmonders.

Yes, You CAN Have Sunday Funday At CAN JAM SE At Triple Crossing Fulton Today

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Credit: Triple Crossing

The rules of Can Jam Southeast at Triple Crossing’s Fulton location are pretty simple today Sunday February 11th. Pick a can and drink it. Follow that first can with as many as you can handle.

But which can should you start with? Here’s a handy list of the visiting breweries attending and the cans they will be bringing.

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Credit: Triple Crossing

The All Star line up for tomorrow! Tickets will be sold for $6 and can be redeemed for any can. There will be some rules to how Can Jam will be operated, so please read these in advance of coming to the brewery Sunday:

1) Triple Crossing packaged products will only be available at our Downtown location on 2/11. There will be no packaged products (or to-go products) of any kind available at our Fulton location for the duration of the event on 2/11.
2) Tickets, which will be exchanged for cans, can be purchased upon arrival. Only 3 tickets can be purchased at a time. You can get in line again to purchase 3 more, if so desired.
3) Each ticket may be exchanged for one brand from one brewery at a time. For example, you may exchange all 3 tickets at once, but it must be for 3 different beers from 3 different breweries. We’ve done this to ensure that as many guests as possible have the opportunity to try out a wide variety of breweries and their beer.
4) Any cans you receive will be opened by our server upon ticket exchange. There are no exceptions to this rule.
5) Absolutely no outside beer will be allowed on Triple Crossing premises.

If you need a memento of your time today, consider the $3 Can Jam SE koozie.

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Credit: Triple Crossing

Check out the Facebook event for more details and updates.

Triple Crossing Beer – Fulton
5203 Hatcher St
Richmond, VA 23231

The Phantom Of The Opera Is Beer Inside Your Mouth At Hardywood Saturday

Hardywood Phantoms of Opera

Credit: Hardywood

*Organ music plays*

A chorus sings “the Phantom of the Opera is beer inside….your mouth.”

Oh wait, that’s not right, is it? No matter, I’ve been waiting for the day when Hardywood would release the beers they brewed with the cast of Phantom of the Opera since December.

Join Hardywood on Saturday February 10th to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Broadway musical and try Drink of Me Fondly and Pint of No Return starting at 1pm.

ABOUT THE BEERS

DRINK OF ME FONDLY:
Brewed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, Drink of Me Fondly is a festive and effervescent sparkling ale, with bright notes of tangerine zest bursting through subtle apricot and white grape undertones. Rose hips deliver a light floral aroma. 4.1% ABV.

PINT OF NO RETURN:
Pursue your deepest urge in this black Lager by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Happy Hour Guys and The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. A paradox for the senses, Pint of No Return is a clean and crisp lager that pours as black as night with notes of toasted pecan, a mild hint of black currant and smooth roasted undertones. 5.5% ABV.

Pint of No Return is our official Broadway Brews beer, and will be available at The Majestic Theatre in NYC in mid-2018 (stay tuned for NYC launch updates!). A portion of the sales of Pint of No Return will benefit Musicians On Call.

Check out the Facebook event for more details and updates.

In the meantime, here are a few clips to put the phantom inside your mind….

 

New This GBS Season: Reservoir GBS Distilled

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Credit: Reservoir Distillery

Richmond, I have a confession to make. I’ve never had Gingerbread Stout. I know it is shocking but I have a good reason to avoid GBS and other milk stouts like it. Unfortunate as it is, that pesky lactose that makes a milk stout, well, a milk stout just doesn’t agree with my digestive system. I wish the solution was a simple as just taking a few pills but I’m afraid that will just not work for me like it might for others.

Fast forward to me discovering that Reservoir Distillery would introduce the second of Mash-Up Series with a spirit distilled from GBS during Hardywood’s GBS release party Saturday November 4th. My first reaction was excitement followed immediately by the question of whether I’d even be able to drink it.

Lucky for me, and for you, it was pretty easy to put my chemist hat on to dispel any fears I had. The main question I had was whether it was possible for lactose to be distilled over with the alcohol.  The simple way to answer that question was to look at the boiling point of lactose which a Google search shows to be 1,236 °F (668.9°C). This means it would be impossible for lactose to be present in the final spirit; even if the distillation was performed under extremely low vacuum condition, the temperature required would still be too high. Yes, I went and used a nomograph to figure out the conditions that would be required but it was kind of crazy.

Ok that’s enough for the chemistry lesson, let’s drink some Christmas bourbon!

Head over to the Facebook event for more details and updates:

Specially available at Hardywood Brewery for the Hardywood Gingerbread Stout – Official Release Party!
Reservoir Distillery brings you a special collaboration with Hardywood Park Brewery and their famed Gingerbread Stout. Hardywood made the GBS and Reservoir distilled the stout beer and aged the whiskey in charred new American oak barrels just like the Reservoir Bourbon. The combination of the two styles created a beautiful whiskey carrying the notes of ginger and spices as Christmas in a dram!

 

Gingerbread Stout Season Is Upon Us. New Way To Get Your Fix From Hardywood

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Credit: Hardywood

Richmond, that time is upon us. Yes, the start of Gingerbread Stout season will begin this weekend but today is your chance to secure a bottle from every GBS release this year with Hardywood’s 2017 Gingerbread Stout: The Complete Set.

**UPDATED!**
ANNOUNCEMENT #2:

We are excited to introduce you to a new and exciting way to get your GBS fix!

2017 Gingerbread Stout: The Complete Set is your one-stop opportunity to collect each of our upcoming GBS variants with one simple online payment and one pick-up date. Please review this information carefully before making your purchase.

The set will be available for sale on Wed, Nov. 1 at 12PM EST. Purchase Link:
http://hardywood.bigcartel.com/

2017 Gingerbread Stout: The Complete Set will include ONE bottle of each of our eight 2017 Gingerbread Stout releases and one limited-edition gold metallic-printed GBS goblet. Cost (including tax): $127.92

The bottles include:
1 Original Gingerbread Stout
1 Bourbon Barrel GBS
1 Rum Barrel GBS
1 Apple Brandy GBS
1 Christmas Morning
1 Rye Barrel GBS
1 Kentucky Christmas Morning
1 Double Barrel GBS

IMPORTANT:
– THIS ITEM WILL NOT BE SHIPPED, IT IS AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP ONLY.
– The listed price includes VA state tax. Retail value: $120.91
– There are only 225 Complete Sets available.
– The limit is ONE Complete Set per person, while supplies last. You will not be permitted to check out with more than one set in your cart. If you place more than one order, secondary orders will be voided.
– Complete Sets will be available for pick-up at Hardywood’s Richmond brewery on Friday, Dec. 15, during taproom hours. We will NOT be able to accommodate pick-ups prior to Dec. 15 and we will not be able to accommodate pick ups in Charlottesville.
– After Dec. 15th, Complete Sets must be picked up by appointment and must be collected by Sunday, Jan. 7. You will be given instructions on setting appointments after purchase.
– Proxies are permitted.
– Your purchase is non-refundable.
– Must be 21+ to purchase, valid ID will be checked upon pick up

Thank you!

Hardywood will also be releasing a draft only version of GBS, Christmas Pancakes this Friday November 3rd.

Christmas Pancakes is Hardywood Gingerbread Stout refermented on maple syrup. Who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner? Join us for the draft only release to kick off the Gingerbread Stout season! Available for growler fills to go!

If you have to have every single variant, the GBS complete set sounds like your best option to scoop them all in one fell swoop. In case you missed it, here is the complete GBS bottle release calendar.

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Credit: Hardywood

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