The Brew

“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.”

Kindred Spirit took over the former Castleburg Brewery and gave it a space theme, complete with neon lights, sci-fi decor and a kitchen serving pub fare.

“If we can attract people by offering a beverage that they’re familiar with, i.e., beer, then I can get them in the door and we can start talking more about the uniqueness of mead and the crazy things that we can do with it,” said co-owner Matt Carroll.

Under the new ownership, Basic City’s Manchester spot will operate more as a restaurant and bar, and will no longer be brewing beer onsite.