RVA Beer Explorer Weekly Picks

GO DO THIS

St. Benedict Oktoberfest – St. Benedict, Friday through Sunday

I could probably just end the GO DO THIS list right here since this is what everyone will be doing. If your new to area you should definitely go check out this bit of Bavaria in the Museum District. Be ready for long beer lines during peak times but get ready to have a blast with over 50 beers on tap. Oh and the chicken dance, lots and lots of chicken dancing.

Final Gravity’s 2nd Anniversary Party – Final Gravity, Saturday

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to good beer and Final Gravity over in Lakeside has proven that time and time again. They’ve been around officially for two years and are hosting a party. Food trucks, music, and guest taps are what you can expect.

Thanks to you, we’ve been in orbit for two rotations around the sun and we’re going big this year. We’re expanding our space for the day and spilling into the back parking lot to be able to bring you:

– GUEST TAPS provided by our friends at The Veil Brewing Co., Oxbow Brewing Company, Ardent Craft Ales, Triple Crossing Brewing, Ocelot Brewing Company, Shelton Brothers Importers, and The Answer Brewpub
JUST ADDED: Prairie Artisan Ales

– SPECIAL LIMITED RELEASE Anniversary tappings of Final Gravity Brewing Co. beers including Foggy Notion DIPA, Gold Foil, DIPA, Dark Matter BBA Stout, and Berliner (Rotating flavors)

– LIMITED FIRST TIME BOTTLE RELEASE Transparent Radiation Brett Wheat Ale Barrel Aged in Red Wine Barrels for 8 Months. Only 200 bottles available. 2 bottle limit.

– **100 LIMITED RELEASE** Boombox Spaceman 16oz glasses for sale (gonna need to come early to snag one)

The Richmond Bluegrass Festival – Hardywood Craft Brewery, Saturday

If you get tired of oompah music over at Oktoberfest just head on over to Hardywood for a complete change of pace with bluegrass. This is the 5th year of this little festival and there will be six bands taking the stage starting at 2 PM.

Community Block Party – Isley, Saturday

American Family Fitness Mechanicsville invites you to the 5th Annual Community Block Party! Isley Brewing Company will be here with a selection of fall beer favorites, Marco’s Pizza will be tossing out the pies, Smohk RVA will be bringing to the best smoked meats in town and Manchu Food Truck will be satisfying souls with their New Orleans dishes. Membership giveaways, face painting, vendors, kids’ activities, outdoor fitness fun and more! Dog friendly, family friendly, open to the public for workouts…FREE community event!

Trails & Ales – Suntrust Mortgage, Saturday

Running works up a thirst and Capital Ale House and Sports Backers has the rhyming solution with Trails & Ales. Folks are meeting up at Suntrust in Manchester and hitting the trails.

Changing leaves, crisp breezes, views of the river…nothing says fall like trail running in RVA! Add some local craft beer in the mix and you’ve got Trails & Ales presented by Capital Ale House! Come celebrate our third year for this event on Saturday, September 16th at 10th and Semmes. In addition to foliage filled running scenery (and beer drinking), we’ll have food trucks, and music for runners and friends. With two distance options (8-miler and a 5k), we think this is one event every trail runner can get excited about! So ditch your pumpkin spice lattes and pie scented candles and put some grit in your fall festival!

Runners will be awarded frothy brews at the finish line. Each participant will receive one complimentary beverage of their choice.

BEER NEWS

Triple Crossing 2017 East Coast Covenant

Triple Crossing has announced a new beer festival that looks pretty darn impressive. Here are some details to whet your appetite. We’ll of course keep an eye on this and keep you updated.

This festival will showcase 24 of some of the best breweries on the East Coast. We will be utilizing the entire Fulton brewery for this event and splitting the event into two 400 ticket sessions. Tickets are $75/each and will guarantee you one 4oz pour from each of the 24 breweries attending. Along with the ticket you will receive a limited edition ECC glass and a custom can tote bag.

DRINK THIS

Sweet Potato & Sage Release – Ardent, Thursday

This beer is a farmhouse-style saison in which the warmth of the sage and the earthiness of the sweet potato blend with the continental malt backbone and subtle hop presence.

Division Order DIPA Can Release – Triple Crossing Fulton, Friday

This is an explosively pungent Double IPA with aromatic notes of peach, pineapple, mango and white wine. Featured hops are Galaxy, Amarillo, El Dorado and Simcoe.

BEERSTGRAM