Tag Archives: RVA

Blue Bee Cider Summit Stables Grand Opening: The Most Scotts Addition-est Opening Ever Thru Collaborations

blue-bee-summit-stables-openingBlue Bee Cider reopens in their new Summit Stables location in Scotts Addition with a grand opening weekend celebration starting on Saturday October 15th.  You can get a preview Friday night with tickets to their soft opening event benefitting the EnRichmond Foundation’s beautification and maintenance of our city parks.

In addition to their normal lineup, Saturday will see the release of three new ciders:

Think that would be enough for an opening? You’d be wrong. This opening must be grand! To accomplish a grandness not often seen, Blue Bee went out to play with their other libation producing neighbors in Scotts Addition and came back with six collaborations that will be tapped at various times during the day:

  1. Ardent Craft Ales made “Smokin’ Mower”, a session blonde ale fermented with smoked Winesap and Stayman juice. Cellar team brought a bin of apples to Ardent and smoked them whole in ZZQ’s smoker with help from ZZQ and the Ardent team. We also fermented the smoked juice with a champagne yeast to dry and created the 2nd batch in two years of our smoked cider.
  2.  Black Heath Meadery made “Scott’s Edition”, a cyser fermented with Gold Rush juice and Virginia wildflower honey, with a generous addition of Bosc pear juice and Black Mission figs.
  3. The Veil Brewing Co, made “Boi Friendz”, a barrel-fermented Brett IPA with Mosaic and Citra hops fermented with 30% unpasteurized Gold Rush juice. One of the barrels previously held the Veil’s Jeune (single barrel spontaneously fermented ale) and the other was a first use Virginia red wine barrel.
  4. Isley Brewing Co, made “Apple Brown Betty”, the return of our 2014 collaboration – an English brown ale fermented with Grimes Golden juice.
  5. Reservoir Distillery provided one of their recently emptied barrels and helped us decide on what unique offering to age and which one of their barrels to use (rye, wheat, or bourbon). We chose our Harvest Ration (dessert cider fortified with brandy) in their rye whiskey barrel for over four months.
  6. Three Notch’d Brewing Co.‘s RVA Collab House made “Farm to Stable”, a gose fermented with Gold Rush juice. The collaboration combines the tropical notes and high acidity from Gold Rush apples with a tart and salty gose base.

The collaborations will be tapped at the following times:

1PM — Reservoir Distillery

2PM — Ardent Craft Ales

3PM — Black Heath Meadery
4PM — The Veil Brewing Co.

5PM — Three Notch’d Brewing Company RVA Collab House

6PM — Isley Brewing Company

Head over to the Facebook event for more details and updates on Blue Bee’s Grand Opening Weekend.

Blue Bee Cider
1320 Summit Avenue
Richmond, VA

Celebrate National IPA Day At The Answer Brewpub As They Take On The World

National IPA Day 2015 The AnswerHead over to the Answer Brewpub  today Thursday August 6th as they celebrate National IPA Day starting at 4pm.

For National IPA Day we’re bringing some of the best and brightest brewery talent around for an IPA Challenge!
Enjoy them all, and then vote for your favorite.
We’ll post the results on Friday.

We’ll have the following flight options available for the challenge:

The Answer vs. RVA
Hardywood Great Return
Ardent IPA
Strangeways Legalize It Kulture
Triple Crossing Falcon Smash
The Answer Larceny
Extra Billy’s Citra Ass Down

The Answer vs. VA
Brothers Craft Brewing Admiral
Center of the Universe Pocahoptus
Lickinghole Creek ‘Til Sunset
Starr Hill Northern Lights
The Answer Hard in the Paint
Devil’s Backbone Eight Point

The Answer vs. The World
Victory DirtWolf
Heavy Seas Loose Cannon
Ballast Point Sculpin
Bullfrog Edgar IPA
The Answer Larceny
AleSmith IPA

(This will be a blind taste test-order above is irrelevant 🙂 )

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

The Answer Brewpub
6008 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230

Triple Crossing Debuts Gluten-Reduced Element 79 Today

Triple Crossing GR Element 79

UPDATE: Triple Crossing has given more details on this change to Element 79 over on their blog:

Element 79 – Leaner, meaner.. well maybe just gluten leaner

Our incredibly sessionable amalgamation of an American Blonde/British Golden Ale has undergone a significant change for those that have a gluten intolerance – and basically zero change for those that don’t.  We decided to try a relatively new product to reduce gluten levels in our  summer ale after an integral member of our team found that his gluten intolerance reached a level that forced him to stop drinking beer altogether – unacceptable in our eyes.

So, after hearing some positive reports about White Labs Clarity Ferm, we decided to give it a try.  The short of it is that Clarity Ferm is an enzyme that, while added prior to fermentation, significantly reduces the gluten content in beers made with barley and wheat.  The majority of beers tested fall below the current international standard of 20ppm gluten. For more information check out the White Labs spec sheet here.

Given that Element 79 is nothing more (or less) than 100% Pale Ale malted barley, we’d hoped this stuff would work its magic.  Sure enough, after a completely normal fermentation and normal everything else for that matter, we were left wondering what if anything actually happened.  The beer seemed like its old self, no changes… until we had our aforementioned guinea pig give it a shot – via two 16 oz pints.  Zero.  Issues.  But please be aware of the following: 1) the beer was made from a grain that contains gluten; 2) there is currently no valid test to verify the gluten content of fermented products; and 3) the finished product may contain gluten.  Needless to say, we’re thrilled he can enjoy his favorite beer again, and we couldn’t be happier to offer this beer to those with any sort of gluten intolerance, in the hope that they can once again enjoy barley based beer.

Cheers!
Team TCB

Head over to Triple Crossing today Friday July 10th at 4pm as they debut their reworked Element 79 as gluten reduced:

Times they are a’changing and we’ve decided to make Element 79 a ‘gluten-removed’ beer going forward!

That’s right, one of our flagship brands has been crafted to remove gluten. But please be aware of the following: 1) the beer was made from a grain that contains gluten; 2) there is currently no valid test to verify the gluten content of fermented products; and 3) the finished product may contain gluten.

This batch of Element 79 was treated with Clarity Ferm, a White Labs product designed to remove gluten from the beer.

To celebrate, we’ll have Relay Foods on site with gluten free products available to hand out to visitors. We’ve also got VCU jazz musician Willie D playing some jams throughout the evening.

Whether people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease will be able to enjoy this beer is a complicated question. For one while crafted to greatly reduce the gluten content of the beer, it is still brewed in an environment with barley, wheat, and rye grains. Secondly, the range of sensitivities for people suffering from gluten intolerance or celiac disease are different from person to person.

With those warnings out of the way, this beer should hopefully provide a new option for people who would not have been able to enjoy it all in the past.

Check out the Facebook event for more details and updates.

Triple Crossing Brewing Company
113 S Foushee St
Richmond, VA 23220

Independence Day 2015, Richmond Beer Style

Independence Day is on a Saturday this year so most likely many of you have today Friday July 3rd off. What ever your situation, Richmond breweries have you covered. Take a look at a few things going on this weekend.

Friday July 3rd

July 4th on July 3rd at Triple Crossing — Noon

Triple Crossing July 3rdJoin us a day early as we celebrate July 4th on July 3rd! We’ll be opening at noon on Friday and have events throughout the day, including Southern Charm BBQ Company and The Go Nowheres RVA playing tunes from 8-11p.

ZZQ Barbecue at Ardent Craft Ales — 5PM

First Friday of the month means ZZQ will be back slinging their Texas ‘cue at Ardent. If you’re in the mood for brisket, get there early because when it’s gone it’s gone for the night.

Saturday July 4th

Bay Day Blonde Release & BBQ Dinner  at The Answer Brewpub — Noon

Belle & James Pig Roast at Lickinghole Creek — Noon – 6PM

LCCB July 4th pig roastThere will be no shortage of barbecue this weekend. Head over to Goochland for a pig roast featuring some of the best heritage pigs around, Berkshire pigs.

Join LCCB and Belle and James for our FIRST ANNUAL PIG ROAST. Belle & James is bringing all their gear to roast two Mojo spiced whole Virginia hogs braised in Three Chopt Tripel on site! We are also tapping a keg of Enlightened Despot for this glorious event!

Tickets are only $15 plus taxes and fees. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite. Entry to the brewery is free, but you’ll need a ticket if you want to eat this unbelievable meal. Check it out:

Ticket covers food, all beverages are sold separately.

Main Course:

Mojo spiced whole Virginia hogs braised in Three Chopt Tripel on site

Fantastic Side Dishes:

Jalapeño Smoked Gouda mac n cheese

Bacon and Purple Corn Cornbread
Kale and Brussels Leaf Salad with Maple-Tahini Dressing
Braised Collard Greens
Apple-Fennel Slaw
Sweet Corn and Black Bean Relish
Ticket covers admission and food, all beverages are sold separately.

Fireworks Minutes From LCCB!

Goochland County will be hosting their annual Fireworks Display at the Goochland Sports Complex, which is less than 10 minutes from the brewery, and on your way home from LCCB if you’re traveling back to Richmond. Fireworks start at 9:00 p.m.

Cornhole:

We’ve got 8 of the nicest Cornhole Boards around. Lots of opportunity for good old fashioned fun.

Music:

Velvet Devils (1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Special Pin:

Rosemary & Cedar Saison (Tapping it at 1:00 p.m.)

Independence Day Celebration at Hardrywood — 3PM

Join us in celebrating our nation’s birthday, beginning at 3pm! Soul-rock and psych-pop all day from 5 RVA bands, great eats from a dozen of your favorite gourmet mobile food vendors, culminating in 4th of July fireworks over the Diamond.

Hardywood’s Independence Day Celebration will be open to the public, all ages with no entry fee. Bracelets will be available for people 21-years of age and over to purchase draft and cans.

**** **** **** ALL BEER TICKETS ARE $6 **** **** ****

Cash is encouraged at the event as we would love to serve everyone as quickly as possible! Tickets will be on sale during tasting room hours beginning Friday, June 26th. Get yours in advance!

Hardywood July42015

 

May The Fourth Be With The Answer Brewpub

Happy Star Wars Day Richmond! If you’re looking to celebrate Star Wars and craft beer, The Answer Brewpub is the perfect place to do so. Why The Answer?

Brandon Tolbert has affectionately named every vessel in the brew house after Stars Wars characters or locations. Take a look inside.

Smuggler that he is, I think Han Solo would be pleased to drink beers with names like Petty and Grand Larceny. So get yourself over to The Answer where it is also RVA Appreciation Night where you will find beers for $5 each.

Birthday Beer Dinner Dilemmas: Lickinghole Creek At The Betty On Davis Or Strangeways At Fat Dragon

Embed from Getty Images

My birthday is coming up this Monday and I know what I’m doing that day: Brown Distributing’s trade show! I’m mean how could I not. But what about a special dinner? That’s where my dilemma comes in. Of course, I could go anywhere that night but why not wait until Tuesday April 28th when I could choose between two beer dinners?

Lickinghole Creek at The Betty On Davis — 6PM

LCCB and Betty on Davis have teamed up for a dinner to raise money for the Richmond SPCA. Take a look at Chef Trevor Knotts’ menu.

MENU

Poached Pear Crostini with Goat cheese, candied almond cardamom, sesame, cracked pepper, lemon zest
Sunset IPA

House Made Sausage with Roasted peppers, onions and fennel, Polenta crouton, Nugget Nectar gastrique
Nuclear Nugget Imperial IPA

Bitter Lettuces, watermelon, orange, pomegranate, pumpkin seed
Short Pump Saison

Goochland Belgian Quad Braised Pork Butt, risotto, ramps and figs
Goochland Belgian Quad

Buratta, heirloom tomatoes, balsamic, basil granita and micro basil
Magic Beaver Belgian Pale

Chocolate Stout Pudding, shortbread, and cocoa nibs
Virginia Black Bear Imperial Stout

Tickets for the dinner are $75.15/person and include a 10% donation to the SPCA. You can purchase your tickets online here.

The Betty on Davis
805 N Davis Ave
Richmond, VA 23220

Strangeways at Fat Dragon — 6PM

Chef Zhao will be cooking up five courses of Strangeways. Check out this menu.

MENU

Crispy Hawaii Roll
Martian Spring Biere de mars

Chicken & Corn Westlake soup
Cruel Summer Banana Runts Sour

Braised Short Ribs
Vatos Muertos Tequila Barrel Aged Stout with Ghost Peppers

Sesame Glazed Shrimp & Scallops
GWAR Blood Red Ale

Szechuan Pepper Rubbed Crispy Fish
Legalize It Tosh.OG IPA

The cost for the dinner is $50/person plus tax and gratuity. Reserve your spot by calling the restaurant at 804-354-9888 or emailing Pedro@eatrestaurantpartners.com.

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen & Bar
1200 N Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23230

What do you guys think of these choices? What would you do?

Get Ready For Sunny Days With Hardywood Berliner Weisse And Strangeways Zitrone Totally Tubular Radler

Hardywood Berliner Weisse & Strangewasy Zitrone Radler 041115Even though it may be thunder and rain outside, sunny days are on the way. Hardywood and Strangeways each have their own ways to help you beat the heat. Check out their releases tomorrow Saturday April 11th.

Hardywood Berliner Weisse + Sweet Cherry Berliner Weisse Release — 11AM

We’re bringing back our third anniversary Berliner Weisse for the sunny days ahead! Hardywood Berliner Weisse will enliven your palate with tart complexities found in this German-style sour beer. Bright, dry, and refreshing, our Berliner Weisse has a strikingly tart start and prickly finish. Straw-like color and natural haze due to an abundance of wheat intensifies the rustic feel of this beer. Tart citrus notes explode on your palate, while the dry finish leaves you wanting more.
4% ABV, 2 IBU

Starting at 11AM with the Richmond Craft Mafia‘s Spring Bada-Bing 2015!show! This annual indie craft show presents over 50 of the best local, regional, and national indie artists and runs until 5pm.

Hardywood Berliner Weisse pours all day on draft! We’re starting the season featuring a special Sweet Cherry Berliner Weisse variant (no grower fills on Cherry) and 3 bespoke syrups from An Bui’s team:

>> Mekong Restaurant: pineapple, mango + habanero
>> Commercial Taphouse & Grill: watermelon, lime + cilantro
>> The Answer Brewpub: pomegranate + lime zest

Live music from Nervous Ticks, Nelly Kate, Dave Watkins and Gull at Hardywood at 5pm.

Hardywood
2408-2410 Ownby Ln
Richmond, VA 23220

Strangeways Totally Tubular Zitrone (Lemon) Radler Rolls Out — Noon

Invented in the roaring twenties by Franz Xaver Kugler who had to think quick when 13,000 cyclist descended on his small town, Strangeways is introducing the first in a series of three thirst quenching beers to honor the 2015 UCI Road World Championship. Cruise in on your bicycle this Saturday to enjoy Radler specials and live the dream.

Zitrone (Lemon) Totally Tubular Radler
3.2% ABV~20 IBU
Migration Series

This is the first in a series of three thirst quenching concoctions brewed in honor of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships taking place in our own Richmond, Virginia. The Radler style was invented in the Roaring 20’s by Bavarian Franz Xaver Kugler. The story goes that Kugler had arranged for the construction of a twelve mile bike trail through the forest from Munich straight to his establishment, in an attempt to improve business by catering to a post WWI emerging movement of recreational cycling amongst the working class. A good problem/bad problem arose when 13,000 cyclists descended upon his beer garden on a fine Saturday in June of 1922. While Kugler counted heads, he quickly surmised that he did not have enough beer to quench the thirst of all his patrons. Being a sharp businessman, the quick-thinking entrepreneur remembered he had several thousand cases of lemon soda in his cellar, a beverage that had proven a tough sell to the beer-loving Bavarian public. To save the day, while at the same time liquidate some virtually useless inventory, Kugler mixed his lager beer with the lemon soda. To further entice the cyclists to try his new creation, he dubbed the drink the Radler, which is Bavarian dialect for the German word Radfahrer, or cyclist in English. He whimsically told his customers he had developed the mixture to keep them upright on their bikes during their journey back to the city. Needless to say, it became a lasting tradition that carries on to this day in Germany. Prost and ride on!

Strangeways Brewing
2277A Dabney Rd
Richmond, VA 23230