The 18 Best Breweries in Richmond, VA (Ranked by a Local)

If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, exploring the best breweries in Richmond is a treasure hunt of epic proportions. As locals with an insatiable love for exceptional brews, exploring Richmond’s breweries has been one of our favorite things.

We’ve ranked the top 18 breweries in Richmond, VA and have personally tasted all the unique flavors. While there are over 30 breweries in the greater Richmond area, we’ve limited this list to those inside the I-295 Loop. 

Short on time? Here are the key takeaways:

• All of the breweries are in the central Richmond area
• Most offer a food option and allow dogs
• According to our “scientific” ranking system, don’t miss The Answer, The Veil and Triple Crossing

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Map of Ranked Richmond Breweries

How Many Breweries in Richmond?

In 1994, there were only 2 craft breweries in RVA. Today, there are more than 30 breweries in the Greater Richmond area.

We think that qualifies as explosive growth! 

Since we wanted to focus on Richmond Breweries, we excluded those outside of the immediate city area. While all fine breweries in their own right, some of those outside of our scope include:

• Fine Creek Brewing Company
• Steam Bell Beer Works
• Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery
• Kindred Spirit Brewing
• Origin Beer Lab
• Center of the Universe
• Midnight Brewery
• Intermission Beer Company

The Best Breweries in Richmond (Ranked)

Rather than trying to explain our pretty strong views on what makes a brewery the best, we’ve designed our own formula to objectively tell you what’s literally the best.

We’ve devised our own ranking system based on 4 factors:

• Public ratings (sites such as Google and Yelp)
• The brewery’s rating on Untappd
• Popularity
• Our personal rankings averaged

The middle two rankings showcase how loved they are while our personal opinion also plays into the overall ranking.

In the end, each brewery receives a score out of 5, but a brewery can score higher than five based on the bonuses for Untappd ratings at 4 and above and how popular it is. 

We have personally drank at each of the breweries and our personal ranking is added into this system. According to our Untappd profiles, Chris and I have tried over 6,000 unique beers combined. We aren’t going to say we are experts, but we do have some experience. 

We will break ties using the total number of reviews. In general, the higher the score, the better!

Here is our ranked list of the best Richmond breweries:

Due to the newness or lack of public reviews, we excluded both WayGone Brewery and Tabol Brewing from this list. We will re-evaluate them at a later date once we can obtain more data. 

If you want to learn more, read our ranking formula.

Ready to learn about each of these breweries and choose your own favorite brewery in Richmond?

1. The Answer Brewpub

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

“Beer is the Answer”…Isn’t it always?  Beer enthusiast and restaurant owner An Bui opened The Answer in 2014 next door to his famed Mekong restaurant, a Vietnamese eatery which was twice named the #1 Great American Beer Bar by CraftBeer.com. 

One of the most popular breweries in Richmond, the Answer focuses on fresh beers – and you can really taste that freshness coming straight from their 5bbl system.

More than 50 guest taps with something for everyone, this is a great spot to catch some live music on their big stage or just enjoy the great beer.  

Everything from lighter beers like pilsners and lagers, to IPAs, stouts, and heavily fruited sours await your decision.  But no matter what you decide on for beer, one thing is for certain…The Answer beer is going to be BIG on flavor.

Don’t believe it’s the real deal?  Well, The Answer beat out some craft beer heavyweights to claim “Best Brewery in America” in USA Today’s 2019 Ultimate Craft Beer Bracket!  

2. The Veil Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

The Veil Brewing Co, established in 2016 in Scott’s Addition with a renowned head brewer, garnered significant attention for its high-quality, high-gravity beers. By April 2023, they relocated to a larger site nearby and introduced a new food concept.

Specializing in IPAs of various types, including sours and barrel-aged varieties, The Veil isn’t limited to just one style of beer. Known for their sought-after brews, they don’t offer growlers, flights, or TVs, focusing solely on exceptional beer.

While Samantha prefers their sour beers or cold brew coffee, Chris enjoys their ever-changing selection of IPAs. They’ve even ventured into crafting non-alcoholic beers. Notable offerings include their house DIPA, Crucial Taunt, and the popular Hornswoggler chocolate milk stout variants.

Expanding beyond their Scott’s Addition base, The Veil has opened locations in Norfolk and Forest Hill, each offering unique experiences. Nokoribi, their Scott’s Addition food concept, presents a Japanese pub-style menu, while the Forest Hill location boasts a full restaurant serving tacos.

While we haven’t tried Nokoribi, all of our friends who have gave some mixed reviews on it which boils down to price and value. If you do end up trying it, let us know in the comments below what you think. 

3. Triple Crossing Beer (Multiple locations)

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Named for a downtown RVA spot where three railroads intersect, Triple Crossing has two locations, one near downtown and the other in Fulton (and because they are into 3’s, there is actually a third location in nearby Midlothian, but not technically within Richmond, so not covered here).

The downtown location is the original and much smaller of the two Richmond spots, with just a small taproom and patio.  As Triple Crossing continued to gain notoriety in the beer market, they needed to ramp up their operations and capacity and opened a brewpub in Fulton about 10 minutes away from downtown.  While the original downtown location is nostalgic, we both prefer the larger Fulton location.

This Fulton location is where you’ll find the most variety of beers since they are produced here now and where you’ll find the numerous events that Triple Crossing puts on.

Their flagship beer is the Falcon Smash IPA, but be adventurous and try one of their many other creations which tend to be very hop-centric.  They also have a great pizza kitchen!

4. Final Gravity

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

What started out as a beer/wine-making supply store in 2011 has since grown into a full-scale brewery in RVA’s Northside.

Final Gravity is the only brewery in this neighborhood and one of the only brick-and-mortar homebrewing supply stores in RVA.

Grab a couple of 5-oz pours to try several of their beers, but make sure you don’t miss The Doppler Effect, a 2018 Virginia Craft Brewers Cup gold medal winner for IPAs.

Strike up a conversation with other homebrewers, challenge your friends to a game of darts, or go for the high score on the pinball machines.

5. Richbrau Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

While Richmond’s modern-day craft brewing scene with Legend Brewing (see below), RVA, like many cities, had a “rich” history with beer dating back to the early 1800s.

Without going into too much of a history lesson, Home Brewing Company — real original, we know — started brewing Richbrau beer in 1892.

They were able to survive throughout Prohibition by making soda.  Once legal again, Home Brewing Company switched back to the good stuff and was the only brewery in Richmond producing local beer. 

In 1969, Home Brewing Company closed its doors due to competition from national brewers to which the Richmond newspaper wrote, “Saddest Day in Richmond Since April 1865.” For those of you who don’t know, and why would you, April 1865 is when Benedict Arnold burned Richmond to the ground – with journalism like that, this place was meant to be a beer city!

In the early 1990s, Richbrau Brewing Co. opened as a tip of the hat to RVA’s beer history. However, tough economic times got the best of Richbrau, and they closed their doors in 2010.

But, in the summer of 2019, a new ownership group revived the Richbrau brand and opened up in Shockoe Bottom.  Cue the nostalgia!

Richbrau’s large tasting room and brewery are a perfect addition to this part of town, which has been devoid of a craft brewery for some time. 

It’s just a couple of blocks away from the Virginia Capital Trail, making this a perfect stop post-bike ride or run! 

They have several different types of beer on tap, including IPAs, sours, and stouts, among other rotating styles.

We seek out some of their small-batch stouts and have tried a few varieties such as Chips Ahoy cookies, brownies, and s’mores…Nom Nom Nom!  The flavor infusions change frequently, so keep an eye out for your favorite. 

6. Hardywood Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Established in 2011, Hardywood Brewery emerged in an industrial area of Richmond, positioned just north of the Fan and to the west of Scott’s Addition. While Legend holds the title of the oldest (at least in modern times as you read above), Hardywood played a pivotal role in igniting the craft brewery movement in Richmond, setting the precedent for patrons to purchase and consume beer directly from breweries within the state of Virginia.

Since its inception, Hardywood has experienced substantial growth, now operating three distinct locations: the original site in RVA, a significant expansion located west of town in Goochland, and a satellite outpost further west in Charlottesville.

Among their offerings, the Singel stands out as their flagship beer, characterized by its smooth Belgian Abbey-style blonde ale profile. However, during the winter season, their limited-release brews, such as the Gingerbread Stout and Christmas Morning variants (including the bourbon barrel-aged versions), garner significant acclaim.

Continuously expanding its original location, Hardywood now features indoor event space, an outdoor stage, and a delectable pizza kitchen. For the latest updates on events, be sure to consult their Facebook page.

7. Vasen Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Väsen Brewing’s beer blends the adventurous ethos typical of American craft brewing with the unique and tangy profiles found in Belgian farmhouse and sour ales.

Alongside their sour and funky brews, Väsen offers a diverse selection including saisons, wheat beers, and pale ales.

Driven by a commitment to sustainability, Väsen aims to become one of the nation’s most eco-friendly breweries by minimizing energy usage and recycling or reusing all resources.

Enjoy their environmentally conscious beer in their outdoorsy-themed bar for an added feel-good factor!

Don’t miss the chance to sample their Everything Floats series, featuring juicy and sour beers infused with various fruits, or the bold Imperial Walrus, a robust dark ale enriched with notes of dark chocolate and coffee.

While hesitant to pick favorites, Väsen stands out as one of ours, and we highly recommend paying them a visit.

8. Ardent Craft Ales

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

The second brewery to establish itself in Scott’s Addition, Ardent Craft Ales offers a wide-ranging selection of beers on rotation, including saisons, IPAs, stouts, and goses.

Relish a beer on their spacious outdoor patio shaded by large red umbrellas, where you can also witness local dogs basking in the sunshine.

Don’t miss out on trying their Honey Ginger ale – but beware, it’s a deceptively smooth 7.8% brew that has been known to catch people off guard, including Samantha.

And recently, a new burger restaurant opened adjacent to Ardent, called Eazzy Burger, and is spearheaded by the team at Ardent and the renowned Richmond BBQ eatery ZZQ.

9. Benchtop Brewing

• Hours:
  • Tuesday – Thursday: 4 PM – 9 PM
  • Friday: 4 PM – 10 PM
  • Saturday: 12 PM – 10 PM
  • Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM
  • Monday: Closed
• Happy Hour: Tuesday – Friday: 4 PM – 7 PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: No

Benchtop Brewing was founded in Norfolk, Virginia, but recently made its way to the Richmond market (more specifically Manchester). The owner has a background in food science so the name of the brewery reflects those initial stages of innovation, but they never stray far from traditional Czech brewing methods.

Their original location in Norfolk overlooks the picturesque Elizabeth River Trail, but their Richmond tasting room is located in a mixed-used development that is complete with a classic Czech Lukr side pull tower.

In addition to their numerous taps, they also have an in-house kitchen serving gourmet hot dogs and snacks, inviting visitors to savor a unique beer and culinary pairing experience.

10. Stone Brewing Company

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Yes, that Stone Brewing.  In 2014, the California-based brewery announced that they were opening a location in RVA to serve as their East Coast distribution headquarters.  

Heavily hop-focused brewery located in Richmond’s Fulton neighborhood, just southeast of historic Church Hill.

As you might expect, large operations to support large scale distribution.  Large patio and outdoor area.

The “Enjoy By” IPA series is always hoppy and as Stone says, this beer is “brewed specifically NOT to last.”

Make sure you take a tour of the facility, which includes a glass and a tasting, to get a glimpse behind the scenes of the impressive operations.

11. Three Notch’d Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Originating from Charlottesville, Three Notch’d Brewery offers a selection of staple beers akin to those found at its original location, alongside Richmond-centric brews and collaborations.

The 40-Mile IPA stands out as a favorite for Chris, though their collaboration beers often impress with their relevance to Richmond events. Their bustling outdoor patio complements the indoor tasting room nicely.

In a recent expansion, Three Notch’d took over two adjacent vacant businesses to expand their production capacity. As part of this endeavor, they also acquired a pizza oven to serve up tasty pizzas alongside their brews.

12. Basic City Beer Company

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Coming to Richmond from Waynesboro, Virginia (a.k.a Basic City), Basic City Beer Co. moved in to take the spot of a departing brewery and has picked up quickly.  

Just a 2-minute walk down the road from Legend, Basic City boasts many types of beer, many hailing from the Waynesboro location, and many unique to Richmond.

In January 2024, the brewery was actually sold to a long-time employee and will transition this Richmond location away from being a “brewery” because, while they will still have the Basic City name and offer their beer, they will no longer brew beer on site.

The Grinville Vanilla Stout is infused with 2 types of Vanilla Beans: Madagascar & Indonesian, and was perfect to warm us up on a chilly evening while looking across the river at the skyline.  

Not quite the view of Legend, but a view of the skyline nonetheless, and a super cool atmosphere with lots of room for games and hanging out with friends.

They also have a large game room for those wanting a spot to kick back and relax while sipping some suds. 

13. Strangeways Brewing (Multiple locations)

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Just about 2 miles west of Scott’s Addition, Strangeways Brewing sits in a strip mall of sorts and brews some very peculiar concoctions, as they call it, to satisfy all different cravings and palates.  

They always have over 30 unique beers on tap, but make sure you taste the tried-and-true Woodbooger Belgian-style brown ale and/or the Albino Monkey Belgian white ale.

With so many different experimental beers on tap regularly, it’s hard to pin down a go-to style for Strangeways.

They recently opened a second taproom in Fredericksburg, Virginia, beginning the process of expanding their distribution and reach across the state. 

And they even have a location in the already booze-centric Scott’s Addition.  Who said the craft beer market is slowing down?!  Not in Richmond!

14. Bingo Beer

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Bingo Beer stands out among the breweries listed for its abundant entertainment options besides the obvious focus on beer. From pinball machines to skeeball and basketball, this establishment creates a vibrant atmosphere paired with excellent local Richmond beer.

Notably, Bingo Beer distinguishes itself from other breweries in Scott’s Addition by offering an in-house restaurant with exceptionally good food. Among their menu items, the tot-chos (tater tot nachos) stand out as a personal favorite, perfect for combating the effects of a hangover with their deliciousness.

Their signature Free Space IPA, brewed with Mosaic and Idaho 7 hops, presents a refreshing and easily drinkable option. Alternatively, for those seeking a classic beer taste with a modern twist, the Bingo Lager, described as a “German-style lager with a modern twist,” offers a satisfying choice.

15. Legend Brewing Company

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

This is where the craft beer scene in RVA all began back in January 1994, (sorta/kind of**. See Richbrau above).  

Legend Brewing is Richmond’s original craft brewery located in the heart of the Manchester neighborhood.  With a sprawling view overlooking the iconic James River, Legend offers a rare downtown skyline spectacle coupled with a full menu – though that full menu is being scaled back a bit in 2024.

The Legend Brown Ale is their most popular beer and one of the original brews. This is an easy-to-drink brown ale, rich with caramel, toasted nuts and coffee undertones that has a delicious balance for a crisp and refreshing taste.

The Z Dam, named for an iconic dam along the James River, is a light-bodied, pale-gold summer ale with hints of ginger, orange and lime flavors balanced in the hops.

This is the best view from any of the breweries in downtown Richmond. While they have broadened their beers in the last 10 years, Legend has mastered the traditional styles of beers.

No frills at this classic Richmond brewery with great pub food too!

16. Garden Grove Brewing & Urban Winery

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Carytown’s first, and only, brewery, Garden Grove brews its beers on a small 3-barrel system, which allows them to continually experiment and explore different ways of creating great beers.  They do a lot of barrel fermentation and aging and use all French and American oak wine barrels.

You also probably noticed that Urban Winery is in their name. Well, that’s because they actually do have their own vineyard in Delaplane, Virginia, which is about 2 hours north of Richmond and just west of Washington, D.C., and they serve their wine on tap in Carytown.  

Garden Grove also produces various ciders and meads, so no matter your palate, you can likely find something here to keep you “hydrated”. 

17. Starr Hill Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Originating from Charlottesville, Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop was added to the Scott’s Addition’s brewery scene in late 2019 and offers beer enthusiasts a lively spot.

Featuring both a ground-level taproom and a year-round rooftop patio boasting scenic views of Richmond, Starr Hill provides a vibrant setting for enjoying beer with friends, live music, trivia, and tasty offerings from local food trucks.

While familiar favorites like Chris’s beloved Northern Lights IPA are available, Starr Hill also operates a 10-barrel brewing system, offering the chance to discover new and exclusive brews.

Notably, this location marks Starr Hill’s debut in crafting wild ales, utilizing five American white oak foeders for limited-release batches throughout the year.

18. Main Line Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday – Thursday: 12PM – 10PM
  • Friday & Saturday: 12PM – 11PM
  • Sunday: 12PM – 9PM
• Food Available: Yes
• Dog Friendly: Yes, on the patio

Joining the ranks of Scott’s Addition breweries, Main Line Brewery is a recent addition to the scene, founded by former owners of Cirrus Vodka, located nearby.

Occupying a sizable portion of this tucked-away corner of Richmond, Main Line boasts an expansive outdoor space featuring a gazebo-style event area and an inventive life-sized beer pong setup, complete with full-sized trash cans and kickballs.

True to its name, Main Line Brewery sits close to railroad tracks and offers a diverse selection of beers without a specific focus on any one style. Notable offerings include Olaf’s Revenge, a robust hazy double IPA at 8.8%, and Drink by Night, a delectable salted caramel stout.

With ample outdoor space, Main Line provides opportunities for live music and various games to entertain patrons while they enjoy their brews. Plus, for those who aren’t fans of beer, Cirrus Vodka next door serves up delightful cocktails that can also be savored outdoors.

Looking for more places to explore in Richmond? Check out all our Richmond guides here to or look for a local event!

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