St. George Brewing Co.
Hampton, VA
Available: VA
Olde Richmond Beer Co. is a new brand developed by the St George Brewing Co.
ABV: 6.7
ABW: 5.3
Color: 7
Bitterness: 65
Original gravity: 1068
Final gravity: 1017
Malts used: two-row pale, caramel 30, Munich
Hops used: Centenial, EK Goldings, Cascade
Handsome screened bottle to grace the holiday table. Head of micro bubbles fades a little too quickly. Floral nose is nice. So is the taste — fresh and malty without the bitterness of “over the top” IPAs. Mouthfeel is bread-like, slightly fruity, with hop dryness that made this a good beer to serve with spicy BBQ pork ribs, garlic fries and vinegary coleslaw.
Brewed under contract at St. George Brewing Co., with a silk-screened message on the back about replicating beers of 18th century Richmond. The spirit may be willing, but the hops act 20th century and American. Citrus and pine meet apple and caramel in the aroma. More of the same on the palate, biscuity, slightly slick with a hint of toffee giving way to persistent, though not overwhelming, bitterness. Pleasantly dry finish. New American, with a nod toward its English heritage.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Editor at Realbeer.com, a professional journalist for 40 years and amateur brewer for 15, Hieronymus is the author of four beer books, including Brew Like a Monk.
