Active Woman Traveler

Beer Lover Books & Wares

Dec. 10, 2015 - Richmonders have two distinct opportunities to find resources for gifts for the beer aficionado in their life.

Ardent Craft Ales Annual Beer Craft Market

On December 12, 1-6 p.m., Ardent Craft ales presents an on-site market, featuring local beer-centric vendors selling their wares in the covered brewery space.

Food trucks will also be on site for this family-friendly afternoon. The day also highlights release of Ardent’s Rum Barrel-Aged Dark Rye.

Ardent Craft Ales

3200 W. Leigh St. Richmond, VA 23230

804-359-1605

ardentcraftales.com 

Best Beer Books

The First Drafts beer column for Thursday, Dec. 17, features beer book recommendations from some local Richmond beer celebs. For yourself or as gifts, see which books should be next on the reading or buying list! Pick up the First Drafts column in Thursday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch or visit Richmond.com on the Food & Drink tab, click on Beer, Wine & Spirits.

I’ll admit it. This event targets two of my weaknesses. 

First, I have a weakness for the Richmond location of Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint. I love to check in, so Jack Brown’s feeds my need. (Go to my Untappd or Runkeeper feeds should you want to verify my claim.) No, I’m nowhere near Notched Club status, but if I lived closer, I’d be up there with the best of them!

And Breckenridge Brewery? That represents one of my gateways into craft beer, with fond memories from my early days of appreciating tasty brewed beverages and affirmations from all that’s come from their tanks in the meantime.

The November 23, 2015 event will target both. From 5 to 9 p.m., Jack Brown’s presents a Breckenridge Brewery tap takeover, featuring Oatmeal Stout, Agave Wheat, Christmas Ale, 471, Breck IPA, 72 Imperial Chocolate Stout, Breck Lager, Fresh Hop and Twenty-Five (and Vanilla Porter and Avalanche always in package at Jack Brown’s). 

If you need more reason to feel good, the event will also feature $5 raffle tickets, with proceeds going to FeedMore and Central Virginia Food Bank. As I hear it, the potential exists for scoring stickers, glasses, stickers, a snowboard and maybe even a one-piece pajama suit.

NeedMore? Breckenridge Brewery Director Todd Usry will be there for part of the evening. I hear from a reputable source that he and his wife have Richmond roots, so let’s welcome them with open arms to Richmond’s craft beer revival!

NeedDetails? 

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint

5810 Grove Ave, Richmond

Interested in Starting a Distillery?

Virginia ABC Supporting a How-To Class 

The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (Virginia ABC), the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and Piedmont Virginia Community College are partnering on a distillery start-up class to be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Students will learn about the application process at the state and federal levels, including obtaining federal label approval, recordkeeping requirements, securing approval for products sold in Virginia ABC Stores and the requirements for operating an on-site distillery store. 

Although enrollment was initially capped at 25, the positive response encouraged the organizers to expand enrollment to 75.

To extend my enjoyment of life's palatable pleasures, I've expanded my interests into spirits and cocktails. So now let's combine the two of them with the Hodge Gingerbread & Stout Cocktail from The Craft Beer Channel. 

To learn how to make this sumptious cocktail, watch the Craft Beer Channel YouTube video.