Active Woman Traveler

The news may not be apparent to the casual observer, like an ale experiencing secondary fermentation in the bottle or cask. But it's big.

Ardent Craft Ales has announced the purchase of their brewery building and property located in the Scott's Addition neighborhood of Richmond – yes, the same property where you've been enjoying their beers since they opened this location in June 2014.

The Ardent team bought the 1940s storage and warehouse building from local developer Scott Coleman of Crossroads Development, who originally partnered with the brewery in 2013 to renovate the property. The sale allows Ardent to proceed with a brewery expansion to support wider distribution, which is expected to begin later this year.

"We are active members of the Scott's Addition community and deeply committed its history and future. Our decision signifies our intent to remain here long-term and to engage in the neighborhood in a more meaningful way," said Tom Sullivan, co-owner and director of operations at Ardent.  

The sale of Ardent's 25,875 square foot property includes the 9,100 square foot taproom and brewery building and a 2,000 square foot of beer garden.

It's Valentine's Day in a bottle. And if you don't have a significant other who will appreciate this rich, chocolatey Starr Hill stout, then just treat yourself!

A part of Starr Hill's All Access program, Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout is available January through March. The deep brown ale smells smooth (don't ask me how smooth smells – pick up a bottle and see for yourself). The nose presents a touch of coffee, malts and alcohol.

The taste pops immediately with chocolate, followed up by a bittersweet chocolate caressing of the tongue. The initial flavors give way to vanilla undertone and malty goodness. The mouthfeel is full and smooth, with just enough tingle.

And at 7.8% ABV, the beer offers an immediate relaxing effect without sedating you.

Double Bass is brewed with a malt bill of Maris Otter, chocolate, crystal and Carafa II plus golden oats to give it the smooth body. Hops are appropriately subtle: Apollo (assumedly for the bittering effect of dark chocolate) and British hops East Kent and Goldings. Flavor adjuncts are cocoa power, cocoa nibs, vanilla beans and lactose.

Virginia-based Starr Hill Brewery recommends several pairings for this beer: hoisin-glazed baby back ribs, aged goat cheese or gouda, or a raspberry chocolate tart. I'd love to pair this with a creamy cheesecake, to provide complements in the richness and gratifying contrasts in the flavors.

Starr Hill Brewery currently distributes in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington D.C. (use the beer finder for more specifics). Or stop by the brewery at 5391 Three Notched Road in Crozet, Virginia. 

Occasionally, I'll receive news that I don't want to share. You know, like the favorite fishing hole or solitary waterfall hike – those secrets that are better when few know about them. When it comes to beer news that others really should know, though, I let professional integrity overcome selfish intent. (Damn integrity!)

Such is the case with Hardywood's Family Tree Beer Club. At noon on Jan. 18, 2017, limited membership enrollment opens that allows you to get the best of the Hardywood beers – without waiting in the wee-cold hours of the morning, in long lines, while wondering if you've come early enough!

Hardywood Family Tree membership includes:

• 4 curated seasonal packages, each containing 3 bottles sought-after Hardywood beers and an exclusive member gift
• Titanium membership card/bottle opener, designed by Richmond’s Machine Era
• Members-only events
• Limited beers bottled exclusively for members
• Merchandise discounts at the brewery
• Additional surprises

To make the score even better:

Packages will be available for pick-up at the Richmond brewery in February, May, August and November. Packages may be picked up by a proxy for those who are out of the area. Over the course of the year, packages are guaranteed to include Ruse, Foolery, Trickery, Cassowary, Gingerbread Stout and Kentucky Christmas Morning. The first package, available Feb. 4, will include the membership card, two bottles of Kentucky Christmas Morning and one bottle of Ruse.

So set your alarm for noon on Jan. 18! (Or perhaps I should say, set your alarm for 12:01 p.m., to ensure that I get in first!)

For further details and sign-up, visit the Hardywood Family Tree web page.

Upon my first whiff of Starr Hill's Warm Up Winter Ale, I'm transported to a cold winter evening, a blanket over my lap and a book in hand, dog snoozing by my side and a fire in the fireplace.

But I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

Though the beer pours with only a moderate head, the mouthfeel – I discover later – offers plenty of smooth bubbly. In the glass, the beer is a rich mahogany color with ruby-red undertones, nicely clear. The nose immediately speaks of winter spices, most strongly of nutmeg and cinnamon.

Upon the first sip, my palate notes the spices right away – again the cinnamon and nutmeg predominate – followed by some toasty malts. The progression continues nicely, as a touch of sweet and vanilla take a bow at the end of each sip.

The Starr Hill beer is made with 2-row, crystal and Munich malts and golden oats, Willamette hops, and special additions of cinnamon, cocoa, nutmeg and vanilla. The cocoa seems to be the lightest of the flavors (perhaps because I'm accustomed to beers that celebrate chocolate like a tacky lights tour celebrates the holidays).

This beer appears on the brewery's Heavy Rotation list, a series that rotates four times a year, available in six-packs and on draft. Starr Hill Brewery currently distributes in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington D.C. (use the beer finder for more specifics). Or you can stop by the brewery at 5391 Three Notched Road in Crozet, Virginia. 

For its 6.1% ABV, Starr Hill's Warm Up Winter Ale packs in plenty of flavor. Recommended pairings are malt-glazed roast turkey, gouda cheese and snickerdoodle cookies. But I'm happy just to let the ale warm up by insides all by itself. No need for complications when simplicity will work.