The Beer Bucket List: Capital Ale House
The Capital Ale House chain of beer bars in Virginia (Downtown Richmond, Innsbroock, Midlothian, and another coming soon in Fredericksburg) is all about the advancement of beer culture. Their motto is: “Good beer, good food, good conversation.” Apparently they’ve struck a chord that resonates with a whole lot of people because all three locations have opened in the last six years.
The “original” sits in a 100+ year-old building in historic downtown Richmond. It houses 46 taps, 2 cask conditioned ale hand pumps, and over 200 bottled beers. The Beer Garden, replete with a Euro-inspired fountain, even has its own kitchen. The Innsbrook location is a massive 10,000 square foot building with 75 taps, 2 cask hand pumps and 200+ bottled beers. The huge Beer Garden at Innsbrook has a duck pond and a babbling brook. The third site is in Midlothian, and has the biggest selection of beers with 80 taps and well over 250 bottled beers. Not satisfied with three locations, the owners’ felt their mission to “augment the guest’s beer drinking experience” had to continue. A fourth Ale House is being built in the historic district of Fredericksburg. The 150+ year-old building will be home to the biggest and baddest of Capital’s Ale Houses. Surrounded by the building’s history and complimenting the old brick, wood beams and pine flooring of this time tested building will be an 80 foot long bar and a 300 square foot beer cellar.
Even though each location is packed with great food, live music, and has its own identity and architecture… the focus is always on the beer. One of the true “Tavern Wonders” of the beer world is located in the “original” Richmond location. A long strip of ice runs down the middle of the bar in order to keep the glasses cold. And if that weren’t enough to prove the veracity of their love for beer… each month the downtown Richmond Alehouse holds “Beer 101″ for all the staff. This class explores beer down through the ages and teaches the employees the importance this elixir of the gods has had in shaping our world.
I’ll be in the DC area from Oct - Dec for training… Actually between DC and Baltimore… Would you say this place is worth the drive on a slow weekend?
Absolutely! Especially if you’re going to be there for 2+ months! If I were down there for that long I’d most definitely go a time or three. ;)
Back in 2004 I was in Alexandria, VA, for 2 weeks. There was a brewery that had just opened up on King Street, which of course is where I spent almost every night. But for the life of me I can’t remember the name of it now. It MIGHT have been Founder’s, and if so I think it’s closed now.
If you come across any other beer bars while you’re out there that you think might be good enough to make this list… let me know!
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