The Brew

“Customers don’t have money to spend because inflation’s eaten into their pockets and they have to pick and choose where they go,” Pakurar said. “Going out and having fun takes second place.” 

“We’re building a destination, and that’s why we’ve really taken our time,” said Good Ship Brewing’s Donnie Barber. “We’re not really in competition with anybody with this. In Hopewell there’s nothing else around here like this.”

The Chapter 7 filling came just days after Steam Bell ceased operations after nine years in business. Its biggest debt is $720,000 owed to the SBA.

“They’re asking for more money because they need more money. The cost of living in Richmond has gone through the roof,” said a rep for the Teamsters’ Local 322 branch, which is representing Stone’s local workers.

With Steam Bell’s lease expiring, the brewery was apparently unable to come up with a new location amid a challenging business landscape, according to a social media post on Friday that appeared to be written by owner Brad Cooper.

There’s already been some cross-pollination between Brainstorm and Black Heath Meadery, which uses fermented honey. One of Brainstorm’s initial beers is Buzz Worthy honey lager.

Owner Dave McCormack now plans to convert the former Masonic lodge on North 25th Street into office space, while he also just bought an office building near Willow Lawn that he plans to modernize.

What started as a graduate school project is set to become a new canned beverage business in Richmond.

“We want the brand to continue whether we continue it or if it ends up in someone else’s hands,” said Legend’s Dave Gott said. “The goal, ultimately, is keeping Legend Brown Ale and our products on the shelves. We’ve worked too hard to let it go by the wayside.”

“In the craft beer world sales are down for a lot of folks and we’ve had an issue with parking with all the construction going on,” said Legend’s Dave Gott. “We’re still here, but it seems like right now we need to think of other options.”