RVA Beer Explorer: Deschutes, Labwork, 1776 Beer, Strange Talk

AH SHOOT IT’S DESCHUTES

Deschutes Brewery (Bend, Oregon) is building a brewing facility in Roanoke but this week the beer has broken into the Richmond market. There’s a beer dinner tomorrow at the Savory Grain, a Trolley Pub Crawl on Thursday and on Friday there’s a special tasting and bands at the Broadberry. I’ve visited their brewpub in Portland and it’s gorgeous. Their beers are mighty tasty as well. This is another welcome addition to the RVA beer scene.

VOTE BEER

I haven’t seen any other beer related “I Voted” specials and trust me, I looked but my faithful companion in beer, Page spotted this one from Three Notch’d. I assume it’ll apply to Scott’s Addition outpost the Collab House.

At Three Notch’d, we hope you do your civic duty and vote. Just vote. It’s the right thing to do. Come in to any of our Taprooms with your “I Voted” sticker and a friend this Tuesday to get your first pint at 1776 prices. Celebrate democracy and great beer with us!

Your guess is as good as mine on what that price will be and will you have to pay in British currency? Let us know if you can answer these important questions.

THE LAB

This past week we got to hit the road to Ashland and check out Center of the Universe‘s soon to be opened Origin Beer Lab. We first covered this news back in September. Since that time the crew has been hard at work turning the early 1900’s drugstore and pharmacy into a beer creation station.

Co-owners Chris and Phil Ray in front of the soon to ready Origin Beer Lab.

The lab is located at 106 South Railroad Avenue and you’ll be a car lane and side walk away from trains as they rumble through Ashland. In the picture above imagine roll down windows and bar were were you see plywood. There will also be a few tables out front to help accommodate a capacity of around 65.

It’a small facility but you can expect up to eight beers on tap. Due to Virginia ABC distribution laws you’re only chance to taste these beers will be at the Lab. Also due to those same laws don’t go to the lab expecting to see Pocohoptus and the like. The lab vibe will be seen in the look, stainless steel & unique glassware,  and in the beers. Beer experimentation will be what’s on tap from the 3 bbl system. That mad beer science will also occur in barrel aging and will produce a sour or two.

Soon to be filled beer tanks.

Grand opening is slated for November 18th which conveniently coincides with COTU’s 4th Anniversary. There will be a Trolley shuttle from the brewery mothership for those that want to experiment at the lab on Saturday from 2-8 PM. On opening day you won’t be able to taste beers from the lab but fear not, COTU is pulling some special never before seen beers from the vault for folks to try.

Origin Beer Lab will be open Monday-Friday 4 – 9 PM, Saturday 12 – 9 PM, and Sunday 12 – 8 PM.

STRANGEWAYS TO TALK

Richmond BizSense.com has an interview up with Neil Burton the founder of source of strangeness at Strangeways Brewing.

RBS: What challenges lie ahead in the local brewing scene? 

NB: Municipalities and local government for sure. They’re doing everything that they can to help facilitate growth of our industry, but it’s a challenge and a hurdle for any new business trying to open.

I think a big challenge for us is that some municipalities don’t quite understand what we’re trying to do. They may think we’re emitting these terrible odors, or we’re putting down into sewers all these awful chemicals, and it couldn’t be further from the truth.  It’s gotten better, but that’s a big challenge we face.

BEERSTAGRAM