RVA Beer Explorer Weekly Picks

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Richmond Independent Music – Champion Brewing RVA, Thursday

What’s better than seeing a free band whilst drinking freshly brewed beer? Why seeing three bands obviously. The month of August Champion Brewing RVA will host local record labels and their bands. First up is Citrus City Records with Lance Bangs, Fat Spirit, and Keep.

Mark your calendars because Champion Brewing and Slimehole Production have teamed up with some of the best local record labels and stores to bring you local independent music every Thursday evening in August! Come help christen the new space, try some delicious beers and support local art! This first night is a showcase from RVA label Citrus City Records and features three of their best and brightest rock acts, all from right here in town!

First Friday Movie Nights – The Veil Brewing Co, Friday

The Dude abides and imbibes. This Friday the Veil’s summer movie nights continue with the cult classic The Big Lebowski. Grab your friends, a couple chairs and head to the Veil’s parking lot. The movie starts around 8:45 aka dark time. Popcorn will be served by River City Kettle Corn.

Gose Fest – Center of the Universe, Saturday

Time for a little sweet and sour on a hot summer day. Music by George Taylor and food by The Cultured Swine will help wash it all down.

Savor the memory of sunshine, BBQ’s, and above ground pools with COTU’s first full production sour, “There Gose Summer.” Refreshingly tart, There Gose Summer is brewed with sea salt and coriander- it’s a gentle reminder of just how precious summer time is.

And to celebrate The Gose Summer’s release, we made 7 variants! Come to the brewery on August 5th from 12-10 pm to try a flight of all 8 variations of this wonderfully tart homage to summer.

Don’t Look Back Fest, Multiple Locations, Thur-Sat.

Over the July 4th weekend a fire damaged the popular Carytown taco joint Don’t Look Back. It’s going to take about six months to reopen the restaurant. That translates to a bunch of Richmonders looking for work.  To help those suddenly unemployed out there will be three days of music with the Don’t Look Back Fest starting Thursday, August 3rd.

Thursday August 3rd  will be a Dance Party w/Julie, Caito and Brad at Flora music kicks of at 10 PM and donations will be collected. Friday, August 4th the event moves over to  The Camel for Keep, Good Neighbor, Smoke Break, Clair Morgan,  and Navi. Friday’s fun starts at 8 PM and tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door. Everything wraps up on Saturday, August 5th, with Tess Fisher, Gardener, Clair Morgan at Three Notch’d Brewing Co RVA Collab House at 6 PM and donations are welcome.

BrewHaHa Virginia Craft Beer Festival – Virginia Historical Society, Saturday

BrewHaHa, a celebration of Virginia craft beer, will also feature rare historic recipes from the VHS archives. It all takes place Saturday, August 5th.

In addition to beers brewed according to historical recipes, there will be other beer selections available from Ardent Craft Ales, Three Notch’d Brewing Company, Trapezium Brewing Co., Center of the Universe Brewing Company, Alewerks Brewing Company, The Virginia Beer Company, Stone Brewing Richmond, Blue Bee Cider, and Buskey Cider.

The festival will also include live music and food vendors.

General admission tickets will allow guests to sample eight three ounce beers and includes a commemorative tasting cup and same-day admission to the museum’s exhibits.

General admission tickets are $18 before July 31st and go up to $24 after. Designated drivers and other non-drinkers can attend for $10.

Dog Days of Summer – Blue Bee Cider, Saturday

The folks at Blue Bee Cider are going all in on the Dog Days of Summer with a full day focused on our furry friends.

Come join us for a day dedicated to the fluffy friends in our lives: We’ll have an array of activities, adoption booths, giveaways, t-shirts and merchandise, pet-focused organizations, live music, food trucks, and more!

There will be six dog rescue/adoption organizations in case you need to add another furball to your family.

BEER NEWS

Veil Brewing Co.’s new fried chicken beer was made with a tray of Chick-Fil-A tenders

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Kettle-Soured Pale Ale – Isley, Tuesday

“Forget Me Not”, Kettle-soured Pale Ale, 4.8% ABV

A pale blonde ale, brewed with wheat, soured in the kettle for 4 days with lactobacillus, and dry hopped twice with Mandarina Bavaria, and El Dorado hop varieties.

Dry-Hopped Hefeweizen Release – Ardent, Saturday

This German-style hefeweizen is golden colored and hazy. Fruity and phenolic flavor and aroma from the yeast are amplified by a generous whirlpool and dry hopping with Hallertau Blanc hops, pleasantly balancing yeast-derived notes with juicy pineapple and grapefruit flavors and aromas. 6.5% ABV, 15 IBU.

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