Capital Ale House try these new Hydroflask growler designs on for size. These are the same stainless steel growlers used by Hardywood. On the left, you’ll see I used your 10th Anniversary logo; this limited edition growler would be a great take home item for your fans to celebrate the occasion. People will still want growlers after the limited version is gone; image on the right shows growler with your current logo.
Tag Archives: capital ale house
Capital Ale House Double Taps Anniversary Beers
Capital Ale House may have missed last month’s Anniversary beer tapping but they are making up for it with the tapping of two anniversary beers Friday May 11th at 6pm.
First up is a Black IPA from Lancaster Brewing out of Pennnsylvania. Lancaster’s Black Boar IPA is the first of Cap Ale’s anniversary beers to come from out of state. I have an affinity for Black IPAs so I am looking forward to getting the chance to try it.
The second anniversary beer to be tapped will be from Blue & Gray Brewing of Fredericksburg, VA. Their Kollaboration Kolsch, brewed by Richmond native David Achkio, is described as “a refreshing golden ale, hopped with Saaz and Splatz. It’s bright, with a light delicate body. A great session beer for the warmer weather, it is a straightforward fresh Kolsch, true to its German origins accentuated by the noble hop character.”
Both beers will available at all Cap Ale locations starting at 6pm Friday. Go out and try these beers while you can.
Richmond Beer Lovers Celebrates Two Years
Richmond Beer Lovers, a local Meetup group, celebrates their two year anniversary today. Over the past two years, they have grown to over 600 members and have held close to 100 events. They will be having their anniversary party Saturday May 12th at Capital Ale House Innsbrook at 7pm. Want to learn more about them? Join the Meetup group here or check them out on Facebook. Congrats on two years guys. Keep up the good work.
Many Glasses of Maisel’s Weisse
Once again it’s time for another Steal the Glass Night at Capital Ale House. Tonight, May 1st, Maisel’s Weisse is the featured brewery of the evening. I always get curious about what type of glass Cap Ale will be handing out so I took a look through Maisel’s varied selection to see if they had anything interesting. Boy, did they ever!
Only way to find out which glass could be yours would be to go steal your own.
Thoughts for Next Year’s VA Cask Festival
I attended the first Virginia Cask Festival this past Saturday, April 21st. Arriving a bit late, the crowd was noticeably thin but buzzing excitement. Everyone in the room was there for beer. I started out light with Devils Backbone’s Wit Bier then dived head first into Hardywood’s Bourbon Cru. By all accounts, Hardywood’s Cru was a crowd favorite. In addition to the Cru, Mad Fox’s Wee Heavy and Williamsburg Alewerk’s Choca-Latte were a malt lovers dream in a room of IPAs. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Madden of Mad Fox for the first time and thanked him for bringing one of my personal favorites from the Falls Church brewery. I will say the only beer I was disappointed with was O’Connor’s Great Dismal Black IPA. Normally, a favorite of mine, something about the addition of coffee did not work for me. On the other hand, I found Starr Hill’s Double Platinum quite enjoyable and balanced as it is normally too hoppy for me.
Turning thoughts to next year’s festival, there are a couple items that I think would make next year’s festival even better.
More Breweries
With only eleven breweries in attendance, it may have been difficult for people to justify the price of admission. The festival was a fundraiser for the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild; breweries who were not guild members were rightfully not allowed to participate. So in order to grow the festival, more Virginia breweries need to join the guild. VCBG has done a great job promoting craft beer in Virginia, most notably the passing of SB 604 which will allow breweries(member or not) to sell pints without having to server food.
Location
If we are able to increase the number of breweries at the festival, it would most likely necessitate a larger venue. Capital Ale House’s Music Hall was the perfect size for this years festival but add another five or ten breweries in the mix and the room could feel cramped. I think Kanawha Plaza would be a nice step up from the Music Hall plus Richmond loves an outdoor festival.
How can you help? Next time you visit a Virginia brewery ask if they are VCBG members. If they say no, ask them why not. If they say yes, thank them for making great beer here at home.
Welcome to My Birthday Week
Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since I started this little blog. I’ve had a lot of fun meeting the multifaceted people who are responsible for bringing craft beer to the River City. These people range from distribution reps, brewery owners and staff, and restaurants. I especially love when I meet readers of the site. Here are just a few things that caught my eye this week.
Tuesday April 24th
Goose Island Steal the Glass Night at Capital Ale House
I’ve enjoyed every Goose Island beer I’ve had since it first hit town at Weezie’s Kitchen. I’m not going to miss my chance to get a glass. I suggest you don’t either.
Friday April 27th
This being my actual birth day will make deciding what to do especially difficult because it’s not as if there isn’t just one choice. Restaurant Week has had me going back and forth on where to dine this night. Right now, I’m thinking Bistro 27. I know you’re thinking that’s perfect. I was reading over Bobby Kruger’s Libation Nation today and thought it’d be awesome to have him make me a signature beer cocktail for the night.
After dinner, I will be seeing the Blue Man group for the first time. I really hope they’re worth the hype.
An after show drink location is still to be determined. I’m open to suggestions.
Saturday April 28th
Hardywood’s timing could not be more perfect. They are throwing a Spring Frolics party to celebrate the release of their first Barrel Series beer, Bourbon Grand Cru. This will also mark their sixth month anniversary. I will definitely be there to get my allotment. Get more info at the Facebook event here.
Oh before I forget, there will be cake. I’m still working out all the details but I will be bringing my birthday cake to the party. Right now it is going to be a Beeramisu cake using Hardywood Mocha Belgique.
Virginia Cask Ale Festival Picks
Heading out to the inaugural Tap into Virginia Cask Festival today, Saturday, April 21st, at the Downtown Capital Ale House Music Hall. Here are my personal first six picks:
- Hardywood Park Craft Brewery — Bourbon Barrel Quad Yes you could wait to get it next weekend but why wait?!
- Mad Fox Brewing — Wee Heavy Scotch AleNot available in Richmond; you’d have to drive up to NoVA to have anymore of their great beers.
- Devils Backbone Brewing — 1)Wit Bier – 4.5% ABV, 15 IBU Belgian-style witbier that is hazy straw in color, light in body, with a refreshing fruity spicy finish. Spiced with coriander, orange peel, szechuan peppercorn, and brewed with an aromatic Belgian yeast strain to create a complex yet delicate wheat ale. 2) White Stag IPA – 7.0% ABV, 50 IBU’s. A wheat IPA that blends aspects of American IPA’s, British IPA’s, and wheat ales . Brewed with 4 types of malted & un-malted wheat, kettle hopped with both American and English hops, and dry hopped with East Kent Goldings to create a beer that’s uniquely its own. Choose between two Devils Backbone beers? Not going to happen.
- O’Connor Brewing — Great Dismal Black IPA – infused with “Old Havana Cuban Coffee Blend” from Virginia Espresso in Norfolk, chocolate and vanilla bean. ABV- 8%. A personal favorite so of course it’s here.
- Wild Wolf Brewing — Tom Tom Founders Festival Ale — White IPA with extreme citrus and tropical hop notes added to the flavor of a traditional belgian wit, dry hopped with a pound of cascade. The brew used more than 60 pounds of local VA wildflower honey. 70IBU 5.5% ABV White IPAs are a very new style so I’m looking forward to trying this one from another Nelson county brewery.
Have fun out there!
Celebrate Earth Day with Sierra Nevada & Capital Ale House
Head to Capital Ale House Downtown to for the second annual Unplug it Earth Day Festival featuring 24 Sierra Nevada beers. Organizers have taken complaints from last year into consideration and have made all 24 beers available at the upstairs bar. The tappings will still be staggered to ensure everyone gets a chance to try some of the limited stuff but all beers will be tapped by 7:30!
Starting Taps (5 p.m.)
Brown Ale
Blonde Ale
First Flight (5:30 p.m.)
Bigfoot (2010, 2011, & 2012)
Second Flight (6:30 p.m.)
2011 Life and Limb
Bourbon Barrel-Aged Quad
Third Flight (7:30 p.m.)
Beer Camp #68 Burley Wine
Head over to the Facebook event for more information.
Capital Ale House
623 East Main St.
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 643-2537
Thirteen Real Ales to be Tapped for Inaugural Virginia Cask Festival
Tomorrow, Friday April 20th, is the last day you can buy advance tickets to the inaugural Tap into Virginia Cask Festival. The festival will be held at the Downtown Capital Ale House Music Hall for two sessions on Saturday, April 21st.
If you’re still on the fence about attending this Saturday, maybe this complete list of thirteen casks of real ale from eleven Virginia breweries will change your mind:
- Legend Brewing — Golden IPA (dry hopped with Citra hops and aged with French oak chips)
- Hardywood Park Craft Brewery — Bourbon Barrel Quad & Hoplar
- Starr Hill Brewing — Double Platinum – dry hopped with Centennial hops
- Mad Fox Brewing — Wee Heavy Scotch Ale
- Port City Brewing — Monumental IPA
- Lost Rhino Brewing — Face Plant IPA
- Devils Backbone Brewing — 1) Wit Bier – 4.5% ABV, 15 IBU Belgian-style witbier that is hazy straw in color, light in body, with a refreshing fruity spicy finish. Spiced with coriander, orange peel, szechuan peppercorn, and brewed with an aromatic Belgian yeast strain to create a complex yet delicate wheat ale. 2) White Stag IPA – 7.0% ABV, 50 IBU’s. A wheat IPA that blends aspects of American IPA’s, British IPA’s, and wheat ales . Brewed with 4 types of malted & un-malted wheat, kettle hopped with both American and English hops, and dry hopped with East Kent Goldings to create a beer that’s uniquely its own.
- Williamsburg Alewerks — Choco-Latte (Double Coffee Stout infused with Dutch chocolate and vanilla bean)
- O’Connor Brewing — Great Dismal Black IPA – infused with “Old Havana Cuban Coffee Blend” from Virginia Espresso in Norfolk, chocolate and vanilla bean. ABV- 8%.
- Wild Wolf Brewing — Tom Tom Founders Festival Ale — White IPA with extreme citrus and tropical hop notes added to the flavor of a traditional belgian wit, dry hopped with a pound of cascade. The brew used more than 60 pounds of local VA wildflower honey. 70IBU 5.5% ABV
- St. George Brewing — Imperial Pale Ale – 10% ABV English style pale ale with 100% UK Fuggles and dry hopped with UK Fuggles.
Remember, real ale is truly beer in its most natural delicious state. All proceeds from the festival go to support the work of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild. What are you waiting for? Get your tickets to the afternoon (noon – 4pm) or evening (6 – 10pm) session. Head over to the festival website or Facebook event for further updates.
Capital Ale House
623 E Main St.
Richmond, VA 23219
804-780-2537
Richmond, Get Ready for Real Ale!
How fresh do you like your beer? If the answer is REAL fresh, then get ready for real ale Richmond! The Tap into Virginia Cask Festival will be the first cask festival to happen in Richmond and most likely Virginia as well. The festival will be held at the downtown Capital Ale House Music Hall for two sessions on Saturday, April 21st.
Not familiar with cask or real ale? There are three main points when talking about real ale:
- Top-fermented beer that completes its secondary fermentation in the container from which it is served
- Served at cellar temperatures and often dry-hopped
- Not filtered or pasteurized
The festival will feature casks of real ale from eleven Virginia breweries:
Legend Brewing
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Starr Hill Brewing
Mad Fox Brewing
Port City Brewing
Lost Rhino Brewing
Devils Backbone Brewing
Williamsburg Alewerks
O’Connor Brewing
Wild Wolf Brewing
St. George Brewing
I am very interested in seeing what Mad Fox Brewing will have to offer. Here are three casks that have been confirmed:
- Starr Hill — Double Platinum IPA dry-hopped with Centennial hops
- O’Connor — Great Dismal Black IPA — Infused with “Old Havana Cuban Coffee Blend” from Virginia Espresso in Norfolk, as well as chocolate and vanilla bean.
- Devils Backbone — White Stag IPA. A wheat IPA that blends aspects of American IPA’s, British IPA’s, and wheat ales. Brewed with 4 types of malted & un-malted wheat, kettle hopped with both American and English hops, and dry hopped with East Kent Goldings to create a beer that’s uniquely its own.
Remember, real ale is truly beer in its most natural delicious state. All proceeds from the festival go to support the work of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild. So go ahead and get your tickets to the afternoon (noon – 4pm) or evening (6 – 10pm) session. Head over to the festival website or Facebook event for further updates.
Capital Ale House
623 E Main St.
Richmond, VA 23219
804-780-2537
Richmond Beermeister 