One of Richmond’s biggest beer makers is dipping its toe into the cider business.
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is preparing to launch an offshoot called West Creek Cider Co.
The venture will be a separate entity from Hardywood, much like its Suncrush beer brand it launched this year.
Patrick Murtaugh, Hardywood’s co-founder and brew master, said making a hard cider has been on their minds for a while.
“We’ve gotten a lot of requests for a gluten-free option in our taprooms and felt that our visitors might enjoy a well-balanced cider made with Virginia apples,” Murtaugh said.
West Creek Cider Co. has filed for ABC licenses at all three of Hardywood’s locations in Richmond, West Creek and Charlottesville.
Murtaugh said West Creek Cider Co.’s launch date is to be determined.
“Right now, we are still working on getting licensed, so we don’t have a hard date on when it might be available to the public. But we are hoping for that to be before the end of the year,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Goochland cidery is contemplating a dip into beer and liquor.
Courthouse Creek Cider has applied for a conditional-use permit with Goochland County to allow for a microbrewery and distillery at its flagship location at 1581 Maidens Road.
Co-owner Eric Cioffi said the cidery has no imminent plans to add a brewery or distillery, but they’re working to secure the licenses in case they decide to do so in the future.
Courthouse Creek’s application is scheduled to be heard at Goochland’s planning commission meeting on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 1800 Sandy Hook Road.
The cidery opened a Richmond outpost during the summer at 3300 W. Broad St. in The Highpoint in Scott’s Addition.
Hardywood is preparing to dip its toe into the waters of cider-making.