I'll be in Richmond the night of 9/4. Unsure where exactly I'll stay at the moment - nearish the airport, it looks like there are a few options. I'll be driving back in from Farmville, VA. I'm looking for recommendations for bottle shops and breweries to hit either along the way into Richmond from Farmville, and/or in Richmond . A spot with good food would be a bonus. But more interested in trying good beer! My preference is IPAs, strong beers (stout, barleywine, etc), and lagers. But really - good beer is good beer, at the end of the day! Thanks in advance! Ryan
I've visited Richmond twice over the past year and hit a different spot each time. First I tried Veil Brewing which would certainly scratch your IPA itch, especially if you're into the New England/Hazy style. Next I went to Hardywood which offered a good variety of beer styles as well as some pizza/food options.
Richmond is the best beer town for its size not called "Asheville" on the east coast. Veil, Hardywood, Vasen, Ardent, amongst others. The legacy brewery in town is Legend though they're a bit of a shadow of the past but Legend Brown is a solid example of style. Stone has their east coast ops in town. edit: I liked Richbrau and they had a couple of the heavy percent options last time I was there.
As far as bottle shops... Corks + Kegs. Drops mic. As far as breweries.... There's a wealth of breweries in the Scotts Addition area of town: Veil, Vasen, Ardent, Brainstorm, Bingo... even VA mainstays like Starr Hill and 3 Notchd. Triple Crossing and Stone not too far away. Final Gravity is also great.
I don't understand how we've gotten this far into the thread without multiple recommendations for The Answer. Arguably the best brewery in the state--it handily gets my vote--and great Vietnamese food to boot.
Corks & Kegs is the best bottle shop in RVA and it's not even close. They get fire drops and are active on socials so you can get an idea what sought after beer(s) they get in closer to when you get into town. They are also a Verified Venue on Untappd and update regularly if you use it so you can see what package beers they have. Just be sure to look under the 'New Package' list and not the 'Growler Tap List' As an out of towner, you may get the typical recommendations of The Veil, The Answer / Mekong, and Triple Crossing but there are sleepers that fly under the radar. When I go to Richmond I always hit up Final Gravity and Richbrau. Vasen is great too but we get distro where I am so they are not always a must visit. Final Gravity does IPAs really well. For Lagers, Benchtop Beer (they have a satellite location in RVA), Bingo Beer in Scott's Addition and Starr Hill RVA in Scott's Addition are the best IMO. You may think of Starr Hill from what's available retail but their RVA brewer is a lagerhead and does some really fantastic small batch taproom only stuff. I've not visited them yet but there's also Brainstorm Brewhouse in Scott's Addition which is pretty new. I've been able to try a few of their beers though and they have been really good. IPAs and the higher gravity stuff so you should enjoy them. They did just release a new variation of their BA English Barleywine called 'LIFE'. Where to stay.... The past couple times I've been to RVA for brewery trips we have stayed at the Courtyard Marriott - Scott's Addition. It's only 15 mins from the airport. If you are looking to not have to worry about driving and hit several breweries within walking distance this is ideal. 1/2 mile / <10 minute walk and you are in Scott's Addition with access to 9 breweries (Veil, Starr Hill, Vasen, Ardent, Strangeways, Brainstorm Brewhouse / Black Heath Meadery, Three Notch'd and Bingo Beer). If you do happen to stay or visit the Scott's Addition area and looking for food, Wood & Iron Gameday Grill (the wings are amazing), Lunch.Supper and ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque are all great choices.
What's been up with Triple Crossing lately. They seem to have a dwindling availability and draft list every time I go. They used to make so many great IPAs/Dipas. Now that's like a once a month or even more infrequently released option
The Norfolk area got a drop from them... I wanna say 4-5 months ago, and then they were gone. Unsure if they're expanding distro elsewhere and that may be contributing.
For me I just threw out SA because of the tight grouping of breweries in that area... but yes, Answer is world class.
They send the 1 Falcon IPa up here a lot but where they really shined was those special IPAs and they basically just don't make them anymore. Looking at their To Go options today and there are 4 different beers and that's about it. Pretty sad
Yeah they are basically a Falcon Smash factory now. Its a shame as they were making some top tier DIPAs for awhile, but they don't seem interested in that anymore.
I would recommend staying in the Scott's Addition area. The majority of the breweries are located there, plus ZZQ is there also, (great bbq). This is a nice hotel within walking distance to the breweries. https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/riccn-courtyard-richmond-scotts-addition If you have time & are into it, the Edgar Allen Poe museum is in Richmond, makes for a nice stop. Enjoy your time in Richmond, it is a nice town!
Appreciate all these awesome responses! I thiiiiiiiiiiiiiink I'm going to stay in Scott's Addition. Tentatively, will hit Corks & Kegs, The Answer for dinner, check into hotel, and start walking to breweries. TBD on exactly which and what order. I'll be sure to report in.
The Veil announced their new food partner for the Scott's Addition location will be Remedy Burger and that will begin soft opening on Sept. 3rd. I've not had Remedy Burger before but heard really good things. If you like burgers check them out. Here's the menu for their restaurant in Staunton which I assume will be very similar to what they will be offering at Veil.... https://www.remedyburger.com/menu
Following up as promised! stayed in Scott’s Addition. I hit up Corks and Kegs first - good call, awesome selection! From there I went to The Answer for lunch. Bacon cheese burger was very good. A flight of IPAs that were good and their barrel aged coffee stout which was good but sweeter than my preference in stout. Also and incredible draft list here! I walked from my hotel to Brainstorm, Ardent, Väsen, and finished at Veil. really enjoyed all the breweries and loved the walkability. I really appreciate all of the great suggestions!
Sad to hear that Triple Crossing has turned into a Falcon Smash factory. Thought their single hop IPAs were especially awesome. Loved Clever Girl too. Their lagers were great. Anyone have any intel? I guess we've never had a huge Richmond presence here?
