Richmond Breweries
Richmond Breweries have made a name for themselves. When you think of the #1 beer destination in the world, you might think that title would be suited for well-known beer destinations like Portland, Oregon, Asheville, North Carolina, Belgium, or Germany. While all of those places are great beer destinations, it was little ol’ Richmond, Virginia, known as RVA, that took home VinePair’s ranking as the #1 beer destination in the world for 2018. Fortune even called Richmond “the new craft beer mecca of the American South.” This is the same Richmond that had only one craft brewery as recent as 10 years ago. Who’da thunk it!?
Although the craft beer in Richmond scene doesn’t have the long history of that other cities around the U.S. and the world have, we really should have seen this coming because of the iconic place Richmond has in the history of beer, and more specifically, the beer can.
You see, back in 1935, Richmond became the first place to sell beer in a can, offering up fresh (I assume?) cans of Krueger’s Finest Beer and Krueger’s Cream Ale. So really, it makes sense that Richmond’s relationship with beer would come full-circle eventually!
Today, by our count, over 30 breweries are located within the Greater Richmond region (we’ll cover the cideries, distilleries, and meaderies in separate posts since some people have a problem mixing alcohols!). Many of them are small, locally-owned microbreweries or craft operations, with a few large-scale operations who distribute nationally (and even internationally). With so many to choose from, and each Richmond brewery seemingly focusing on a certain style of beer, you can see why RVA is now a top craft beer destination.
Because of the sheer number of places available to visit, we have broken down our guides to visiting all of the breweries that Richmond has to offer into manageable chunks of real estate to cover while brewery hopping. If you want some more information on the breweries in Richmond, VA, check out the Richmond Beer Trail, which also provides a map which you can pick up at any participating location. Get a stamp at 5 separate microbreweries in Richmond you visit on the map and get some free #RVABeerTrail swag!
Without further delay, let’s get to brewery hopping!
Disclaimer: By the time you are done reading this, another two or ten more breweries will probably have opened their doors in the Greater Richmond area! We will do our best to update the post as the breweries open!
Scott’s Addition
When planning any hop through Richmond’s craft beer scene, your mind should first go to Scott’s Addition, dubbed Richmond’s booziest neighborhood. The Scott’s Addition Boulevard Association says this about the neighborhood,
“…best known for its impressive collection of over 13 breweries, cideries, meaderies, and distilleries, Scott’s Addition is also a booming entertainment district featuring delicious local restaurants, a growing number of shops, a rooftop bar, a boutique bowling alley, cinema, shuffleboard bar, and more…”
And that number is already outdated. So start your tour through this neighborhood now, it could take a while!
Scott’s Addition Breweries Guide
Richmond is becoming a mecca for craft beer and the Scott’s Addition neighborhood has over 10 breweries. Check out our guide to hopping here for RVA!
Downtown Richmond
After you’ve made it through all of Scott’s Addition, it’s time to head towards downtown RVA and the place that started it all for Richmond craft beer, as well as some other spots with national and international notoriety.
Downtown Breweries in Richmond VA Guide
This downtown Richmond route includes some very well-known breweries, including Richmond’s “first” brewery, as well as the Eastern production and distribution outpost for one of the nation’s largest craft breweries!
North and West of Richmond
Now, you might be thinking it’s time to throw in the towel, but if you’ve properly paced yourself through these first two guides, there are several more Richmond breweries to hit in the surrounding Greater RVA area. This collection of places doesn’t really fit into the neighborhoods we cover above, so you’ll definitely need to look at what part of town you want to go to and plan your sober transportation accordingly!
Guide to the Northern Breweries in Richmond VA
Even outside the city limits of Richmond, to the north, in particular, great beer can be found!
Guide to the Western Richmond Breweries
Just because you aren’t downtown, doesn’t mean there isn’t craft beer around. Check out the breweries west of Richmond with this guide.
As always, please be responsible when drinking. Never drink and drive.
These guides should help you plan out your craft beer in Richmond days and cut down on your Uber/Lyft costs too! You’re welcome.
Photo credits:
Legend Brewing Company: Visit Richmond, VA
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