Richmond Brews & Booze News
Two new breweries and one very refreshing bevvy
DOGTOWN BREWING
Brews & views
To compete in Richmond’s craft beer scene, a new brewery should set itself apart. Dogtown Brewing’s distinctions include a robust food menu tailored to pair with beer, modern-chic indoors dining and a stellar rooftop patio. The new Manchester brewpub opened in July with a wide selection of true-to-style beers. Names toast local history (including Manchester’s once-nickname, Dogtown, and beer-history names such as Peter Stumpf XXX brown, Rosenegk Tidal Wave session ale and Climax non-alcoholic root beer) and dogs (Bulldog Barleywine, Fetch Kölsch and Best in Show ESB). Come for food and brews, but stay for views of downtown, rooftops and the James.
1209 Hull St., Richmond
RICHBRAU BREWING
Old stories, new beers, “rich” cheers
From the late 1890s to 1969 (except during Prohibition, of course), Richmond’s Home Brewing Co. brewed Richbrau lager. From 1993 to 2010, Richbrau brewpub in Shockoe Bottom brewed ales and served food (and undoubtedly entertained many BOOMER readers). In 2016, Matthew Mullett purchased the “Richbrau” name for a new brewery, and on July 4, 2019, Mullett, Hank Schmidt and Brian McCauley resurrected the historic brand: the new Richbrau Brewing in a historic Shockoe Bottom building serves contemporary beers that tell stories from Richmond’s rich past.
A vaulted ceiling umbrellas the tasting room on one side and the brewery on the other, accented by brick walls and industrial-chic fixtures. Opening beers included sours, stouts and a low-bitterness New England-style IPA, and recalled the uncapturable Black Dog, the 1860s Fourth Street Horribles, Edgar Allan Poe and the southside Psychic Horse.
5 S. 20th St., Richmond
BUSKEY MOJITO LIGHT
New low-calorie, low-alcohol cider
Richmond’s Buskey Cider has released a “light” craft cider – only 4.1 percent alcohol, zero carbs and 100 calories, and made with 100 percent Virginia apples. As with most ciders, it’s also gluten-free. With a hint of lime, the Mojito Light is light and dry, with a pleasant apple backbone. Available in retail stores and at the Buskey tasting room.
2910 W. Leigh St., Richmond
