Hey Guys, I'm visiting Richmond this weekend for an engagement party, and was hoping to get some suggestions on some good VA beer I might be able to find in the area. I'll be staying in Midlothian, so stores and any beer suggestions in that general would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to get my hands on some Bitter Valentine or OTWOA, but don't know if that specific one is distributed to Richmond. Going to check out Hardywood on Saturday, which I'm really looking forward to. Thanks in advance for all the help.
Once Upon a Vine is a great beer store. There are 2 locations, on not to far from Hardywood. You are in for a treat. Hardywood is releasing a new bottle this Saturday called Trickery. It's a milk stout aged in brandy barrels so it should be yummy. They open at 2pm and I'm sure they will all be gone by 2:20. I'm honestly looking for someone to score me a 2 bottles becasue I can not make it. Go to Mekong, and The Answer. Do yourself a favor. And I'm not sure if there is a bottle of Bitter Valentine around town but I do know where I can get a few bottles of you want me to send you a gift. OTWOA is a brewery only beer from DC so you will be out of luck there.
Awesome, thanks so much for the recommendations! I have heard a lot about Mekong, and really want to. I've heard their beer selection is outrageously good, as well as the food. I'll have to see if we can't stop by Once Upon a Vine though if it's close to Hardywood. You think there'll be a really long line to get into Hardywood for Trickery? I was just excited to go to try more of their beers. I've had their Bourbon Cru and Virginia Blackberry. And I'd never ask for you to just gift me some BV. That's really kind of you. If I get to Hardywood in time though, and can manage to pick up a couple of bottles maybe we can trade or something? Any other beers I should try and find in stores while in town? Many thanks for the suggestions though @MikeDu3z! Cheers!
That would be great! I'd love to do a trade. I will say at around 2pm their will be a huge line for those bottles (it's limit 4 and I believe only 1000 bottles but I could be wrong). After that rush, there will be a bunch of people chilling but it will only enhance your visit. Try their pumpkin farmhouse ale and their Great Return. Mekong has amazing Asian food. It's so good and you will be shocked to see what they have on tap. If you head downtown, Triple Crossings Brewing has a fantastic IPA. Saison Market has a good bottle selection as well as a tap and that bar is really chill, and the have a good tap selection (its in Jackson Ward) StrangWays is a bit far (closer to midlow then these others though) and they are doing some funky Belgium stuff that you may want to check out- sours, gose, blondes. Seriously though, if you manage to grab a bottle or two I'd love to try it. I will give handsomely! But have a good time. Richmond is a great beer city
best bottle shop in Midlothian area is Total on Robious. Once Upon a Vine South is off of Forest Hill which is close to Midlothian but honestly, the Vine by Hardywood is much better. Strangeways is between Hardywood and Mekong (maybe 2 miles from Mekong). regarding Trickery - their last brewery only release, Snapdragon (also 1000 bottles), sold out in 45 minutes. if you weren't in line before 2pm, you got shut out.
I will go check out that Total on Robious, and potentially the Vine near Hardywood if I can. Going to try to bring back some good VA beers back to Charlotte. So you're saying if I get to Hardywood pretty much anytime before 2:00 I should be good to get some bottles? I was thinking like 1:00-1:30. Thanks for the help @ncaudle.
Alright, great. Thanks for your input man. Really appreciate it. I'll probably be the dude wearing an Auburn t-shirt in honor of the big game this week haha. That's my other question… Does Hardywood have TVs in the taproom?
they don't in the warehouse taprooms but I honestly can't say for sure regarding the new taproom; never looked/noticed.
They have a TV in the main taproom, but no cable. If the game is on CBS or something, the tasting room manager Alex or someone else would surely be able to put it on. I only know this because we were watching the MLB playoffs there Thursday evening.
Line started at 1245. Opened at 2. Bottles were gone at 245, 996 were taken home bc some guy dropped the last 4 pack sold all over the brewery floor. but felt real bad for him. It's a great beer
Got there at like 1:30, and there was hardly any line. Tried the beer on tap while there, and man is it delicious. Not a bad way to spend your first visit to Hardywood.
Anyone else go to Hardywood and pick up some Trickery? I got 4 bottles for my man @MikeDu3z and he was nice enough to give me a bottle for getting it for him, and then tried it on tap after purchasing. Mother of god, that is one tasty beer. My only regret is that I didn't pick up 4 for myself. Also got a 6 pack of their Forbidden they made a few weeks ago, and thought it was pretty good as well. Thanks for all the suggestions for the trip guys. Couldn't make it to either Mekong or Answer as it was a real short visit, but pillaged Total Wine for some more Hardywood, and was able to find a bottle of Lover's Greed, which I was stoked about. If interested in getting some of that it's inconspicuously placed at the front of that Total Wine on Robius (sp?) and was $20, and limit 1 per customer.
Thanks for the awesome IP trade! This dude is legit and when then next new thing comes out, he's getting something tasty! Glad you had a fun time. Next time you come up let me know and I'll meet you for a beer!
