Need Virginia area recommendations

I'm a Richmond guy.

1- Triple Crossing (2 locations)
2- The Answer
3- The Veil

Those are your best bets for IPA's. They do not disappoint...

 

I'd add Final Gravity to this list as well.

 

The Answer or The Veil I agree with. Can't go wrong getting something tasty from either one

 

The above 4 are the only spots he needs need to go if you want him to have a tasty IPA. if you are looking for citrusy then have your buddy read the beer descriptions (or ask the beer tender) and look for something using Citra, Galaxy or Amarillo. More fruity but not as citrusy also have him steer towards Mosaic. My absolute favorite hop.

Can't provide any direction for strong ales as it's not a style I really go for. I know Kindred Spirit bottled their Switch Creek Strong Ale so that's probably easy to find in shops or draft. Never tried it so can't speak on how it is. Maybe have him check out the new Lickinghole location (Goodwater). They usually almost always have high gravity beers flowing (Quads, Barleywines, etc). Seems like every time I go to their location in Goochland just about all they have are over 10% stuff like that.

 

I'm not a big Strong Ale guy either, but Center of the Universe's Shut Up! is usually pretty well received IIRC. Not going to be on the same level as Veil or Triple Crossing with the IPAs, but its the best local strong I can think of and will probably be distributed around.

Worth noting that the Veil, Answer, and TC stuff is going to be brewery only. Your boy could get caught in a massive line or with nothing on the shelves if the timing is wrong. So, another alternative is to send him to send him over to a bottle shop called De Fles Winkel with instructions to find stuff that isn't distributed in SC. They're super helpful over there.

The short version, assuming we're not trying to drag this guy all over RVA.... tell him to hit the Veil sometime between 7pm Tuesday and 9pm Thursday for whatever cans are left, and then right up the road to the Answer for their IPA crowlers. This is going to be the best quality/quantity mix.

If you think he's up for more, head him down to Triple Crossing, but check ( http://www.triplecrossingbeer.com/cans ) first. They're actually my favorite spot, but the selection is limited and there's little else close.

If you're looking for less effort, send him to The Wink.

 

Depending on the level of hype i.e. how long he may have to spend in line, wait on an awesome Veil release. Tuesday they’re putting out a quadruple IPA that could be awesome or could be boozy trash. However they and the Answer are most likely to have really interesting stuff available for the holidays. The only problem is how committed your relative is.