After waivers were signed and beers were drunk, it was
time to load up the bus.
With 14 people the bus was
full. The company offers snacks (chips, pretzels, etc.) on the bus and
encourages you to purchase beer at the breweries. The first drive was to Legend
where we unloaded overlooking Richmond and the James River. We entered through
the back entrance, which I never knew existed, and were seated in the restaurant
along a table still overlooking the city. We ended up trying 5 beers: Lager,
Pilsner, Brown, Golden IPA, and Hopfest. Oddly enough, I had never tasted their
Lager or Pilsner. We did not hear much about each of the beers but a placard
placed on the table explained each brew. It was here that I was quickly
reminded that some people really don’t like hoppy beers which is great for me
since I get to enjoy what’s left in the pitcher.
Like a good parent our tour guide gave us a five-minute
warning and suggested we all use the restroom since our next stop was Midnight
which was at least 20 minutes away.
The trip to Midnight was comfortable thanks to the bus, purchased
from the New York Transit Authority, and the safe driving of the tour guide. We
arrived at Midnight’s new facility (which opened publicly in September 2014) and
were greet by the founder/owner Trae Cairns. Our
timing couldn't have been better as there was live music, food trucks, and their
brand new Dark Winter’s Night which was released that very day. We were ushered into their brewing area and Trae lifted
the partition that allowed us to enjoy our tastings next to the bright tanks.
Trae briefly explained how Midnight began (with him homebrewing during the
night while working full time in IT), the process of brewing (with equipment
they acquired from Virginia’s O’Connor Brewing), and stayed while we enjoyed 4
beers: New Beginning Kolsch-style, Rockville Red, Not My Job Southern English
Brown, and the just released Dark Winter’s Night Vanilla Double Stout. During
our visit Trae also mentioned getting into bottling their beer (I even spied
some empty bottles!). It was our first time to the brewery and we are already
planning our next visit.
The trip from Midnight to Hardywood seemed much shorter
than the ride out to Midnight, possibly (probably) because of all the beer we enjoyed
so far.
We began our visit to Hardywood in their new building
with the Tasting Room Manager pouring samples of their flagship Singel at
the bar. He quickly explained the history of Hardywood, moving down the mural
beginning with a kangaroo and ending with a recap of their business expansion in
just over 3 and a half years while enjoying their newer Pils. We then moved to
a second bar to enjoy the delicious Sidamo Stout while hearing more about their
company as well as seeing one of the first beer cans ever to be sold, a cream ale Kruger’s
here in Richmond. Before heading to their original facility, we walked through
their warehouse where some exciting things were observed – barrels of 2015
Trickery, an insanely intriguing barrel with “port” and “rasp” written on it,
and pallets full of fresh Great Return, Cream Ale, Capital Pale Ale. We ended
in their original building at the bar overlooking their brewing operations
while enjoying their Raspberry Stout. As it was our last stop we had more time
to talk to other passengers of the tour allowing us to reminisce (and snob
over) the early days of Hardywood: their tasty Virginia Strawberry, GBS before
the perfect 100 from Beer Advocate, and maxing out their events. These early
memories of Hardywood don’t make us better than others who weren’t around, just
more fortunate.
NOTE: We were at Hardywood the longest which is why I have pictures of their facility.
It ended, of course, back at Cap Ale House. Each person
was offered either a free pint glass or a koozie with nice looking t-shirts for
sale as well. The tour was a great snapshot of the brewing scene in (and
around) Richmond starting with earlier days of craft beer with Legend to the swift
growth of Hardywood and the passion of locals who can’t help but end up in beer
with Midnight. We tried 15 brews that covered a wide spectrum of beer styles
and flavor profiles. The tour guide/driver was great, the bus comfortable, and
the souvenir much appreciated.
It was truly pleasant being able to enjoy all the beer
without having to worry about driving, at least not until the tour ends. If you
decide to take a tour, please be responsible - with at least 15 beer tastings
it may not seem like a lot but it is so you may want to plan on either taking a
cab home or staying downtown and eating before driving home.
Things I didn’t
know until afterwards…
PRICE: For one person the cost is $65.00, but we also
tipped since the tour guide was great.
DURATION: It lasts
approximately 3 and a half hours, which the guide kept us on track time-wise
without being annoying or cutting our visits short.
WHEN: The tours are Thursdays and Fridays starting at
5:30pm and Saturdays at either 11:30am or 4:15pm with a personal tour at one of
the three stops.
ROSTER OF BREWERIES:
Ardent
Craft Ales
Center of the Universe Brewing
Extra Bill’y Smokehouse and
Brewery
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Isley Breweing
Legend Brewing
Midnight
Brewery
Strangeways Brewing
Triple Crossing Brewing
Blue Bee Cider
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