Small brewers will join beer enthusiasts around the country May 13-19 to celebrate the 8th annual American Craft Beer Week, hosted by the American Brewers Association. Richmond, like years past, is participating with a slew of local events. “American Craft Beer Week is not exactly something you go to. It’s more about the experience,” said Sterling Stokes, Jr., aka the Richmond Beermeister. Stokes said people can participate by attending events at local venues, or simply picking up a local brew to enjoy at home. But he did point out some of the benefits of getting out of the house. “Many events around town will allow the public to meet and chat up the people responsible for making and/or distributing craft beer available in the city.”
Stokes maintains a blog on local beer events, and has attended Richmond’s ACBW for the past three years. He recommends newcomers to try some of the new flavors offered at this year’s ACBW, such as Ellen Bucher’s firkin of Peg Leg with Cherry, Vanilla, Coconut and Coffee Bean.
American Craft Beer Week began in 2006 with a series of events that feature small and independent craft brewers. According to craftbeer.com the week “became the largest national effort focusing on American craft brewers” including over 1,000 different events in all 50 states. Richmond started this year’s ACBW May 11, with the Virginia Hops & Barley Festival. The festival included over 30 Virginia craft beers and local brewers Hardywood, Legend and Extra Billy’s. “Attend any of the tap takeovers this week,” said Stokes, who expects a local favorite, Hardywood Brewery, to draw a large crowd.
Here’s the schedule from RVA Beermeister:
Tuesday May 14th — 5-7PM
Flying Fish Richmond Kickoff with rep Andy Newell (all the way from Jersey, folks!)
Breckenridge tasting with rep Drew
Wednesday May 15th: Big day with three brewery heads in one place!
4-7PM — Starr Hill tasting & Meet the Brewer with founder Mark Thompson 5-6PM
5-7PM — Legend tasting with founder and owner Tom Martin 5-7pm
6:30-7:30PM — Hardywood Park Cream Ale cans debut with co-founder and co-owner Eric McCay
Thursday May 16th – 4-7PM: Another big day with two brewery heads in the house!
Salem, VA’s Parkway Brewing Kickoff with founder and owner Keno
O’Connor Brewing tasting with founder and owner Kevin O’Connor
Bell’s tasting with rep Greg
Friday May 17th — 4-7PM
DC Brau tasting
Flying Dog new canned beer tasting
Saturday May 18th
12 – 3PM — New Belgium – Let’s play the Belgian game Rolle Bolle and taste the new Rolle Bolle beer plus others with rep Julie
12 – 2PM — Finch’s Beer Co. tasting
3 – 5PM — Blue Mountain tasting
The full schedule for Richmond’s ACBW can be found at www.craftbeer.com and details for each event are on rvabeermeister.com.