Hardywood Pilot Brewery & Taproom

 

 

 

Stopped in to check out the new location. It has a modern yet relaxed feel. A couple of tvs on the wall and lots of spaces to relax be it tables or couches. An overall sense to hang out.

Service was excellent with the barkeeps letting you try anything on tap before purchase.

Taps rotate with a couple of HW's Mainstays but also the special releases appear and their pilots brews. Not too many to go bottles unfortunately - probably just due to the satellite location.

No food except the random pretzel which is good but I need like 4 of them if I am going to keep slugging BB GBS.

 

 

 

V: This is a big open space - very polished and well thought out. Centrally located in the middle of Charlottesville. Has a big long bar and much of their brewing equipment in full view. Very interesting.

Q: Everything here is from Hardywood, so it's going to have a high quality.

S: The staff was very friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. I didn't ask any questions about the beer, but I get the feeling they would have the answers.

S: A nice selection of Hardywood beers, from the popular (VIPA, Singel, Pils), to the Richmond beers (Mango VIPA, Great Return, Quadrahop), and the locally made brews (Generation Exile, Byki, KNUT). A good selection - I almost wanted them to have more - that doesn't disappoint.

 

Smaller place just off of the UVA campus and within walking distance of the hospital. Wood and black metal decor with the big feature being a wooden slab table. A dozen taps, of which two are a nitro cold brewed coffee and a kombucha so something there for the DD. They were playing 70's and 80's rock while we were there, not too loud just present. Service was okay, two tenders there at the time and they were pretty busy with flights. They were friendly and acknowledge people, but you couldn't help but feel a little awkward trying to get around all of the bar seating to try and get a tender away from all the folks sitting at the bar. You fill out a card for a flight of 4 beers, and of course they do full pours. A small cooler is off to the side which held 6 packs of the staple Singel and Pils, as well as Raspberry Stout and Ruse. Also a small cooler with cans of cold brewed coffee.
Overall, it seems like a nice place to while away an afternoon sipping beer and working on a laptop or chatting with a couple of friends. Preferable to order a flight as it might be difficult to get service otherwise.