Greetings, Going to be in the Baltimore MD (Go O's) and Richmond VA areas for a few days next month. Won't have a lot of time to hit many breweries or tap rooms, so was hoping to get some recommendations on bottles to look for (assuming I can track down a few good bottle shops) to either pack up in a secondary bag or box up for shipping home to Chicago. Appreciate any valid input.
In Richmond, definitely pick up any of the barrel-aged Lickinghole Creek bottles that you can find. You might see Supreme Leader (bourbon barrel mexican spiced stout) or Illuminatos (rum barrel stout with vanilla beans). They also have a BBA brown ale coming out this weekend. Hardywood makes great beers, they just put out Hoplar, an IPA aged on poplar wood. You might also find Bourbon Sidamo or regular Sidamo, their coffee stout. Look for Bitter Valentine, a great DIPA from Alewerks. Ardent Dark Rye is an incredible rye imperial stout, definitely pick that up if you see it.
You will not be lacking to find solid good bottle shops when you are in RVA. Here's a link to a nice directory listing in the area. http://www.vabeertrail.net/directory/categories/richmond-metro-retailers-stores-shops-outlets I don't know about other parts of RVA but when I'm visiting it's usually in the Short Pump Area. Whole Foods, De Fles Winkel and Aw Shucks have great selection. Total Wine down West Broad St a little farther also has great picks.
I think I have pretty similar taste to Beernuts, in terms of VA beers at least. I second just about everything he said, especially in regards to Hardywood. I also love Blue Mountain Barrel House and they're really easy to find. Specifically Dark Hollow is great (BB imperial stout) and I think Local Species is a really interesting brew. I would add though that on Bitter Valentine, check the bottle date. This one (imo) fell off really fast this year - 3-4 weeks from the bottle date and it was just nowhere near as good. It's not bad at that point, not trying to be a snob, but this was one that was truly best fresh. I read they just did another bottling somewhere so you might be in luck! They also have a nice saison (Springhouse Ale) that's in line with the season.
Excellent suggestions by all. I'd offer up Trinkin if you want a quick summary of area brews in RVA, as well as deals and things to see ("tap that"-->"drink local"). Triple Cross is also worth a trip in RVA, and there are plenty of great bars and restaurants offering up quality libations on tap.
Wow, I really appreciate the terrific insight. Looking all the more forward to a chance to get out to the area.
