The Veil Brewing - Richmond

Right, sorry I got no growlers (which I'm perfectly happy and fine with if there are fresh cans of everything on tap). That's good to know they will likely be doing some distribution. I'm in SE VA and love the idea of this but hate I'm not close enough to justify popping by on any given day to by cans. Even if I could try some of their stuff on tap around town, that works for me. Anyway, thanks!

 

Tree House has a 30bbl brewhouse and 650bbl cellar capacity (per 3/8/2016 blog).

The Veil has a 15bbl brewhouse per a couple of articles - not sure of capacity though. Some of the pictures of equipment from the FB page make it look in the 225bbl-300bbl range.

 

Reverie will be doing the distro, not Veil (illegal in VA for a brewery to self-distro). from what I understand some distro will go to SEVA and NOVA as Reverie will also distro a brewery in each of those areas as well.

 

Reverie is a new company associated with The Veil though, right?

 

friends, but completely separate.

 

I'm aware of his past and background, hoping for the best, but am also realistic in my own personal expectations. I only want the best for them.

Ocelot is disty to Richmond? They've won't have any more tap takeovers in N VA going forward, they have also scaled back on accounts that get beer, they can't keep up with demand in the local market and are going to RVA? I know a few folks over there, this doesn't jibe with what I've heard from first hand sources such as employees. Not saying it's not possible, but doesn't make much sense to truck beer 2 hours south when your local accounts 15 minutes away aren't getting it anymore. Crazier things have happened.

 

no idea if it's Ocelot. I just know Reverie said they'll be distributing Veil and a brewery from NoVA and SeVA when once the distributor gets fully up and running in early summer

 

Probably not the capacity information you are looking for but in the recent articles from Style Weekly as well as Richmond.com they did mention their open air coolship is 450 gallons. Also "by year fiive..." they are looking at their barrel aging facility a short distance away from the tasting room housing 450 barrels. Who knows how large that is but their tasting room is huge at 3,100sqft so I would say capacity is not an issue. It's just trying to keep up with the high demand and hopefully producing a superior product that keeps demand very high. I'm sure you saw the pics of their stacks of cans. They are definitely coming out of the gates aggressive and I don't think they will have a problem burning through product. Veil seems to have thought every detail, even the small ones, through thoroughly.

 

I also may nott put a lot of the not being able to meet demand to accounts locally directly on Ocelot. Yes. I'm aware they can only create so much product but also it could be an issue with their distributor. Focusing on on a very small number of accounts in RVA could work so long as they keep that list small. Also going the route of a much smaller distributor who only has a few brewery's product to focus on could also be an advantage. Just look at those who "self-distribute." Adroit and Three Notch'd could can/bottle product this morning and it would be hitting shelves first thing tomorrow, if not sooner. With a larger distributor it could be several days before that product is even picked up and moved to their warehouse to be scheduled to go out to accounts. Could create a lot of back up if what they send out does not turnover quickly.

 

That is what Adrian told me, he's the top dog over there as far as I know. Also look for a collaboration with The Answer.

 

Ah, I know Adrian, haven't been back over there in a month or so, have a local buddy that bartends and we talked last week about what's going on, he's not as in the know apparently...

Thanks for the response.

 

Is there anyone from Philly/South Jersey who wants to check out the grand opening? I really want to see what Matt is doing down in Scott's Addition. Then, make it back to Philly to see one of my favorite musicians (who happens to be from Richmond - Avail's Tim Barry).

Let me know.

- Joe

 

This is starting to look like an eagerly anticipated IPO!

 

Just check out that Richmond trade page now. I'm sure their beers are going to be very good but people are throwing up crazy stuff for it and as with many big releases a lot of those who frequent that page are "out of town", "gotta work", "wedding" or some other (I'm sure legitimate) excuse but I'm curious how many just don't want to wait around for hours and/or trying to hoard up stock. Not to mention the crazy trades being thrown out for glassware!

 

FTFY

 

Line yet?

 

I'm not there but I read elsewhere that there were almost 50 in line at 9ish, lol.

 

Yeah, quite a long line. Maybe 300?

 

They have one cashier working everything for can sales. The line is super slow. Really poor planning on that. As with most breweries, operations could be severely improved

 

How's the beer?