RVA Beer Explorer Weekly Picks

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Hardywood West Creek: Grand Opening Weekend – Hardywood West Creek, Friday – Sunday

Finally, all those West Enders won’t have to brave the city of Richmond for a truly fresh Hardywood beer. Alternatively, city folks can get out into the county and see lots of trees. Hardywood West Creek is opening this weekend and I’m sure it’ll be packed all three days. If the 200 car parking lot at the brewery is full you’ll be able to park across the street.

Hello friends! Join us this weekend at Hardywood West Creek! We’ll be tapping all kinds of brand new beers (and delicious favorites) throughout the weekend.

Stay up to date on our draft list via Untappd!
LIKE our Hardywood West Creek Facebook page here: Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (West Creek)

FRIDAY! 4-9PM
Food trucks: Monique’s Crepes, The Hungry Turtle Food Truck, Smokie JOE’S BBQ, Slideways Mobile Bistro, Gelati Celesti Ice Cream
6PM Music (free!): Lobo Marino + Father Sunflower

SATURDAY! 1-9PM
Food trucks: BoDillaz, Slideways, Dank Eats, Gelati Celesti Ice Cream
6 PM Music (free!): Willie De + Saw Black Hardywood West Creek

SUNDAY! 12-6PM
Food trucks: River City Wood Fire Pizza, Bikini Panini, The Dog Wagon,Happy Empanada, Gelati Celesti Ice Cream

I HEART Carytown Beer Festival – City Stadium, Saturday

I went to a soccer game and a beer festival broke out. Tickets to the I Heart Carytown Craft Beer Festival are $15 per person and includes festival admission, a ticket to the Kickers game and a drink ticket that can be redeemed for any of the craft beers on tap, or an ice-cold lemonade.  The first 200 fans through the gate will also receive an exclusive sampling of small plates from some of Carytown’s eclectic restaurants.

But let’s take a gander at the beer list, shall we?

Swing & Brine – Ardent, Saturday

Pork and bivalves come together in Scott’s Addition for all sorts of tasty goodness.

The fourth annual Swine & Brine is right around the corner! Join us on Saturday, April 7 for a celebration of craft beer and local food, with a focus on oysters, pork dishes, and homemade sides, along with beer, cider, and prosecco.

Food and drink tickets will be available for purchase by cash or card for $6 each. One ticket can be exchanged for one beverage or food item. Head to Facebook for all the delicious details.

Benefit for (and Celebration of) Michael “Balsac” Derks! – Champion Brewing RVA, Saturday

Four bands, Champion Brewing, and Cigar City Brewing will be coming together to raise money for Balsac the Jaws of Death from GWAR, who is battling a rare bone marrow disease. Not only is there great music and beer but there is a massive raffle with all sorts of awesome prizes.

The good folks from Cigar City Brewing are sending up some of their kick-ass brews to Champion Brewing Company in Richmond, VA to raise funds for RVA legend Mike Derks (aka Balsac the Jaws of Death from GWAR), who is battling a rare bone marrow disease. Derks has been a leader of the creative community as a musician, writer, and performer for 30 + years, both in his home city of Richmond Virginia, and around the world as the guitarist for shock rock’s legendary GWAR. Now, Mike could use some assistance from his friends and the broader community of artists, musicians, fans and patrons of the arts. ALL tap room proceeds (that’s right, ALL beer profits) will go to the cause, all auxiliary staff and entertainers are donating their time and loads of awesome raffle prizes have been donated from the killer partners listed below. In addition to all of this, GWAR will have some classic merch setup with all of the proceeds being donated, and LoveHopeStrength, the world’s leading music-centric cancer organization will be on-hand to take swabs for potential donors to help save lives! Thanks to Gwookie from Loose Screw Tattoo and Derek at The Golden Squeegee for the original art and commemorative prints forthcoming!

Learn How to Brew! with Tony Ammendolia – Final Gravity, April 18th

This event isn’t for a couple weeks but I’m putting it on this week’s list because this event will sell out. If you want to learn how to brew from one of the best in Richmond this is your chance. Sign-up now.

Love beer? Make your own! Learn How to Homebrew with Owner and Head Brewer, Tony Ammendolia. He’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get you started in extract brewing and answer all your questions along the way. Only $25 for the class BUT if you buy a Homebrew and Ingredient kit and John Palmer’s book, “How To Brew”, the night of the class – we’ll put your $25 towards your purchase. Want to give someone the incredible gift of brewing? You can also get the class for FREE if you purchase the kits and the book before the class.Tickets are available at Final Gravity and online.

BEER NEWS

UR takes deeper dive into beer education – Richmond BizSense.com

The school is expanding the offerings of its brewing certificate program, which it launched in late 2016 as part of its School of Professional and Continuing Studies, with a new round of courses.

While the original course is designed to teach students about the brewing business – including history of craft beer, manufacturing, regulation and marketing – the new program is a rotating selection of courses, many of which are focused on the brewing process.

USA Today reader’s pick Richmond as #3 Best Beer Scene for 2018

DRINK THIS

Never More Release – Veil Brewing, Tuesday

Never More is the next iteration in our fruited Gose series. Clocking in at 4.9%, Never More was conditioned on more than a ton(literally) of blackberry purée. Thick, juicy, berry goodness! 😍 **PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FRUIT IN THIS BEER AND THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THESE CANS REMAIN COLD AT ALL TIMES.** Shooting for approx 190-210 cases. $17+tax/4-pack. 2x cases/12x 4-packs per person.

Star Castle Double IPA – Final Gravity, Friday

Another week another IPA. If you can keep up with all these new beer you’re a better beer geek than I’ll ever be. It certainly is fun trying though.

The defenses have been obliterated so there’s nothing standing in the way of you and this next level 8% Double IPA. Brewed with Nelson Sauvin and Citra hops, you’ll experience a juicy bouquet of tropical mango and citrus with a bit of spiciness to keep things interesting. Crowlers will be limited and the game is sure to move quickly.

Infusion Friday: Peach & Ginger Infused Golden Ale – Isley, Friday

Infusion Fridays are officially back at Isley Brewing Company!

And we’re going to keep it rollin’ with a PEACH & GINGER INFUSED GOLDEN ALE on Friday 4/6

Dark Days Release – Three Notchd’ Collab House, Friday

Dark Days no more or rather more days of Dark Days. I’m confused, either way, it’s a new beer for us all to enjoy.

Dark Days is a collaboration w/ Three Notch’d Brewing Co. & Virginia Commonwealth Roasters to be released on “New Beer’s Eve” (April 6th). It will be released in both the Richmond and the Charlottesville Three Notch’d locations.

After the ratification of the 18th amendment, beer was illegal in America for over 13 years. For those of us that enjoy a good beer, these were dark days indeed. Thankfully, these dark days came to an end when the Cullen-Harrison Act was signed on March 23, 1933 (and subsequently went into effect on April 7th), redefining an “intoxicating beverage” under the Volstead Act. It’s said that Americans waited in line over-night on April 6, 1933, (New Beer’s Eve) to have their first beer in 13 years on April 7th (National Beer Day).

“Dark Days”
Imperial Coffee Stout
ABV: 8.6%

Dark Days represents the dark days of prohibition with a bold, sweet malt profile with notes of chocolate, roast and oats, creating a soft, creamy mouthfeel and a subtle nutty flavor complemented by cold steeped coffee from Virginia Commonwealth Roasters.

Come by the Richmond location and have a beer with the founder of National Beer Day!

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