Ardent Craft Ales - Craft Beer in Richmond, Virginia

📜 Short History:

Ardent Craft Ales is a brewery located in Richmond, Virginia, USA. It was founded by three partners: Kevin O'Leary, Tom Sullivan, and Paul Karns. The trio began as homebrewers, brewing beer in a garage in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond. They were known for hosting "garage talks" where they would invite friends and neighbors to taste their brews and discuss beer.

Their passion for brewing led them to establish Ardent Craft Ales as a co-op in 2010. The co-op was a space for homebrewers to come together, share ideas, and brew beer. It was during this time that they honed their skills and developed many of the recipes that would later become Ardent's core beers.

In 2013, they decided to take the next step and turn their co-op into a commercial brewery. They moved to the Scott's Addition neighborhood of Richmond, a former industrial area that was becoming a hub for breweries and other craft beverage producers. After a year of construction and preparation, Ardent Craft Ales officially opened its doors to the public in June 2014.

Since then, Ardent Craft Ales has become a staple of the Richmond beer scene. They are known for their diverse range of beers, from traditional styles like IPAs and stouts to more experimental brews like their Honey Ginger beer. They have also collaborated with other local businesses and organizations on special releases, further cementing their place in the community.

Ardent Craft Ales continues to operate in Scott's Addition, where they have a taproom and beer garden for visitors to enjoy their beers. They also distribute their beers throughout Virginia and in select locations in other states.