Why Richmond?

As we've started sharing the exciting news about our forthcoming brewing venture, a few people have asked us why we decided on Richmond as the future home of our brewery. Well, there are quite a few reasons, which I figured I'd share in my first blog post as a professional brewer-to-be.

The demand for craft beer is growing rapidly across the country, but faster in the southeast than anywhere else. Virginia has a dynamic demographic set with millions of well educated people with an appreciation for the finer things in life. The weather is beautiful, and the standard of living is among the highest on earth.

The City of Richmond is also a big draw. Richmond embraces it's rich history, it has a blossoming arts scene, and it's full of creative energy. Richmond is simultaneously a bustling economic center and a playground for those who love an adventurous outdoor lifestyle. Further, Richmonders have a growing appetite for local foods made with the best natural ingredients. Richmond boasts several thriving farmers markets, some great farm co-ops, and a growing interest among some fantastic restaurants in locally sourced foods.

In terms of our location within the City, we're smack in the middle of Richmond's historic German brewing district. Back when co-founder Patrick Murtaugh's great great grandfather won international acclaim for his Gold Medal Tivoli beer (1896) as brewmaster of the Springfield Breweries Company, Richmond's beer legends were brewing local favorites like Home Brewing Co's Richbrau beer and Pub Ale and Rosenegk Brewing's Edelweiss beer and Tidal Wave Ale just a few hundred yards from our new brewery.

Ultimately, we're confident that Richmond has a very bright beer future ahead of it, and we feel extremely fortunate to be a part of the growing beer culture in this great city.