If you’ve spent any time in Richmond, you already know: this city takes its beer seriously. From the James River waterfront to the neighborhoods of Scott’s Addition, RVA has built an award-winning craft beer identity that rivals those of cities twice its size. But what makes Richmond’s beer culture truly special isn’t just what’s being brewed today. It’s the deep, fascinating history underneath it all. Quite literally underneath, in some cases.
Whether you’re a track-every-pint-in-an-app hop head, a casual sipper, or just looking for a great afternoon out, this guide to Richmond’s best breweries, beer tours, and hidden history is your essential starting point. From National Beer Day on April 7 to any random beautiful Saturday, RVA’s breweries are ready for you. So pull up a stool, ask the bartender what’s new on tap, and drink in everything Richmond has to offer. There’s no better way to sip local.
Beer Runs Deep in Richmond
Richmond’s relationship with beer stretches back further than most people realize. Long before Scott’s Addition became the city’s craft brewery hub, the banks of the James River were home to serious brewing operations, and the legacy of those early ventures is still visible today.
The story begins in 1866, when David G. Yuengling Jr., eldest son of the founder of Yuengling (the nation’s oldest brewery), arrived in Richmond and opened the James River Steam Brewery near Rocketts Landing with a business partner.
Though the brewery itself was short-lived, its underground cellars were built to last. These remarkable brick-lined caves, used to keep beer cool before refrigeration, have since been granted a historical marker and remain visible from the Capital Trail today. For beer lovers, a morning bike ride or walk along the trail to visit the caves makes a perfect starting point for a full day of Richmond brewery exploration. It is a living link between RVA’s past and its present.
Richmond also played a pivotal role in one of the most consequential moments in beer history— transforming the way beer is enjoyed today. On January 24, 1935, the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company test-marketed the world’s first commercially canned beer right here in Richmond, Virginia. The Richmond test market was a success, and the rest is history. The beer can went on to change the way the entire world consumes beer, and it all started with Richmond drinkers saying yes.
A Brief History of RVA Beer: Explore the timeline of Richmond’s rising beer scene.
1866: David G. Yuengling Jr. opens James River Steam Brewery near Rocketts Landing. The underground cellars still stand today and are visible from the Capital Trail.
1935: Richmond becomes the test market for the world’s first commercially canned beer, introduced by Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company.
1994: Legend Brewing Company opens in Manchester, becoming one of Richmond’s first modern craft breweries and an enduring RVA institution.
2010s to Present: A craft brewery boom transforms Scott’s Addition and surrounding neighborhoods into one of the Southeast’s most celebrated beer destinations.
Sip Local: A Sampling of Richmond’s Breweries Today
With dozens of breweries across the city, Richmond’s craft beer scene spans every style, setting, and sensibility. Here are the essential stops, whether you’re making a day of it or just looking for your next neighborhood taproom.
An RVA anchor and a nationally recognized name. Hardywood’s flagship on Ownby Lane is largely credited with kicking off the explosive RVA beer boom in the 2010s. Today, the brewing company boasts two equally impressive locations, both expansive and welcoming, and home to some of Richmond’s most beloved beers, including its iconic Gingerbread Stout, which sells out every winter.
Beloved for precision brewing and a laser focus on hop-forward IPAs. Triple Crossing has earned a fierce following in RVA and beyond. Their Falcon Smash IPA is practically a local religion, found throughout Richmond’s restaurants, bars, and even at your local Trader Joe’s.
Established in 2014 by James Beard semi-finalist An Bui, The Answer Brewpub is the first Asian-owned brewery in Richmond and a cornerstone of RVA’s craft beer identity. Born out of the legendary Mekong next door, it has grown into a 12,000-square-foot community hub on West Broad Street with 70 rotating taps, award-winning Vietnamese street food, and a retro arcade. The motto says it all: Beer is the Answer.
A brewery where science meets craft, Benchtop Brewing Company pushes the boundaries of what beer can be. Founded on scientific innovation and a willingness to take risks, they embrace cutting-edge brewing techniques to deliver a bold, creative experience that keeps every pint surprising.
Named after the historic Three Notch’d Road, which once connected communities across Virginia (now Three Chopt Road), Three Notch’d Brewing brings that same spirit of connection to Scott’s Addition. With fresh award-winning beer brewed on site, chef-driven comfort food, and a welcoming space built for gathering, it’s a natural stop for anyone looking to settle in and stay a while.
Richmond’s original craft brewery, Legend Brewing has been pouring pints in the Historic Old Manchester District since 1994, when founder Tom Martin opened a small tasting room off a gravel road. What started as a short menu of sandwiches and pub fries has grown into a 180-seat restaurant with a 200-seat deck overlooking the James River skyline, one of the best spots to enjoy a pint in the entire state. A true RVA institution and a must-visit on any Richmond brewery tour.
Cult status, fully deserved. The Veil has built a national reputation for world-class hazy IPAs, stouts, and sours. Lines form for releases, and they’re worth it. If you love bold, innovative beer, don’t skip this one.
A casual, welcoming neighborhood brewery tucked into Richmond’s Northside Lakeside community. Final Gravity grew out of Original Gravity, a homebrew supply shop that opened in 2011 and still operates alongside the brewery today. That heritage shows up in the tap list, which runs 15 to 20 beers deep and covers the full spectrum from classic Amber Ales, Hefeweizens, Lagers, and Porters to hazy IPAs and even an occasional fruited Gose.
A Richmond institution with one of the largest draft selections in the region, Capital Ale House is the go-to spot for serious beer lovers who want serious options. Their iconic ice rail keeps your pint cold from first sip to last, and with specials running from happy hour all the way through late night, there’s never a bad time to pull up a stool.
A craft brewhouse along the Richmond Railway where the good times are always on tap. Main Line Brewery pairs a curated selection of classic and original beers and seltzers with live music, lawn games, and community events, making it one of the liveliest spots in RVA for a night out.
Need beer for a crowd? Small Batch Brewing is a licensed nano-brewery specializing in custom craft beer for events. Weddings, birthdays, corporate celebrations, and everything in between, all brewed with Virginia-sourced ingredients and a personal touch. If you want locally crafted kegs that are as memorable as the occasion itself, Small Batch Brewing delivers.
Brewery Tours
With so many great spots to hit, it can be hard to map out a Richmond brewery crawl without someone ending up as the designated driver. Thankfully, RVA has dedicated tour operators who have done the hard work of routing, scheduling, and storytelling so you can focus on the beer.
The dedicated experts in Richmond food and drink tourism, Discover Richmond’s brewery tours take you behind the scenes of some of RVA’s finest operations with knowledgeable guides, curated tastings, and the local context that makes each stop more meaningful. A great option for both newcomers and seasoned beer fans looking to go deeper.
Fun, open-air TukTuk vehicles shuttle small groups between Richmond’s best beer spots with narrated tours that blend history, neighborhood character, and great beer stops. Perfect for a social outing, a birthday celebration, or any occasion that calls for an adventure with friends.
The Perfect RVA Beer Day
Here’s a loose itinerary for a quintessential Richmond beer day, whether you’re celebrating National Beer Day on April 7th or just making the most of a beautiful Saturday.
Morning: Start with a walk or bike ride along the Capital Trail to see the historic Richmond Beer Caves near Rocketts Landing. Snap a photo of the historical marker and appreciate that this city’s love of beer goes back over 150 years.
Midday: Head to Legend Brewing for lunch and a pint on the riverside patio. The views of downtown Richmond from Manchester are unmatched, and the food menu holds its own alongside the beer.
Afternoon: Hop to the city for a self-guided crawl. Hit Triple Crossing in downtown for a precision IPA, swing by The Veil in Scott’s Addition, and stop into Three Notch’d to see what’s new.
Late Afternoon: Head to Hardywood for a more relaxed vibe. The space is large enough to gather a crowd, and the beer selection always has something for everyone. A great place to land for the golden hour.
Evening: End the night at The Answer Brewpub. With its exhaustive tap list and cozy atmosphere, it’s the perfect bookend to a full day of RVA beer exploration.
