Starr Hill Brewery and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Virginia Craft Brewing Industry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Starr Hill Brewery and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery Announce Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Virginia Craft Brewing Industry
Crozet, VA & Richmond, VA – June 26, 2025
Starr Hill Brewery and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, two of Virginia’s most respected craft brewers, are proud to announce a strategic partnership that will enhance their ability to navigate the evolving craft beer landscape. Under this partnership, Hardywood and Starr Hill will consolidate the production of their respective wholesale brands at Hardywood’s state-of-the-art West Creek brewery, cementing both companies’ commitment to quality for consumers, while achieving the efficiency necessary to succeed in an increasingly competitive market. This partnership is not a merger or acquisition but rather a strategic approach to strengthening quality, efficiency, and sustainability in a dynamic landscape.
With a combined 40 years of brewing leadership in Virginia, and as prior collaborators in the passing of legislation that enabled the Commonwealth’s indie brewing industry to blossom, Starr Hill and Hardywood have both played significant roles in shaping the craft beverage scene in Virginia. By leveraging each other’s strengths, the partnership will allow Starr Hill to maintain focused production at its existing locations to support its hospitality operations and amplify its brand development and innovation. Utilizing Hardywood’s scale, customers can expect the freshest batches of Starr Hill’s award-winning beers to continue to reach all corners of the wholesale marketplace throughout Virginia. The collaboration reflects a broader trend in the industry as craft breweries find creative ways to thrive amidst shifting market conditions.
“The craft beer industry continues to evolve, and as two strong, legacy breweries in Virginia, we see this partnership as a natural step in our collective commitment to sustainability and growth,” said Josh Cromwell, Vice President of Starr Hill Brewery. “Hardywood has built an excellent reputation for quality and consistency, and by working together, we aim to strengthen both of our businesses while maintaining the independent spirit that defines craft brewing. This partnership is a first-to-market collaborative approach within Virginia’s craft beverage community, providing new approach opportunities to navigate a changing industry.”
“This partnership with Starr Hill is a testament to our shared dedication to craft brewing excellence in Virginia,” said Eric McKay, CEO of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. “We’ve long admired Starr Hill, and share their love of bringing people together with exceptional beer. By working together, we can forge a new apex for Virginia brewing quality, better utilize our capacity, and deliver greater value to our customers, while staying true to our ‘Brew with Purpose’ mantra.”
Consumers will continue enjoying their favorite Starr Hill and Hardywood beers without interruption, with both breweries remaining independent and focused on providing top-tier craft beer experiences while giving back to the communities they serve. Both companies will also continue to serve their loyal customers at all hospitality locations uninterrupted.
For more information, please contact:
Josh Cromwell
Vice President, Starr Hill Brewery
josh@starrhill.com
Eric McKay
CEO, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
eric@hardywood.com
About Starr Hill Brewery
Born in a Charlottesville music hall in 1999, Starr Hill Brewery is an independent, regional craft brewery founded out of a passion for great beer, community engagement and live music. Among the most award-winning craft breweries on the East Coast, Starr Hill has won 26 Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, and Great British Beer Festival medals. Headquartered in Crozet, VA, fans can also visit four Pilot Breweries located in Richmond, Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville, as well as Starr Hill Brewpub & Biergarten at the Capital One Center in Tysons, VA. For more information, visit StarrHill.com.
About Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Founded in Richmond in 2011 over a shared love of adventure, Hardywood has become Virginia’s leading craft brewer, while remaining grounded in its mission to “Brew with Purpose.” This charge comes alive in thoughtfully innovative recipes, many featuring locally grown ingredients, a commitment to sourcing renewable energy, and an obsession over quality which has earned Hardywood dozens of GABF, World Beer Cup, AIBA, and Virginia Craft Beer Cup awards. Beers range in style from traditional to experimental, but there’s a story behind each one. Its top-selling beers include Richmond Lager, Pils, Great Return IPA, and seasonal favorite, Gingerbread Stout. Hardywood operates a pilot brewery and taproom with a pizza kitchen in greater Scott’s Addition in the City of Richmond, while its primary production facility with a taproom and beer garden is located on a 24-acre destination brewery campus in West Creek, just west of Richmond. Visit hardywood.com for information.
