Quad (Legend Brewing Company)

     Since senate bill 604 has past it has become massively easier for brewers to get out of the basement and onto the shelves at your local store or on tap at your corner bar. We have gotten a new brewery at a rate of about one a month in the state of Virginia. There are now over ten breweries with in two hours of Richmond. Legend brewing began in the basement of a building in south side in 1994. Before there was a full scale restaurant and deck there was a small sampling bar. Legend has waived fair well to Richbrau and enjoyed being the only beer of Richmond for a short while. Legend has built a reputation around providing a huge portfolio of beers, 6 year round beers and around 20 rotating small release beers that are highly anticipated. They have remained very relevant in today's craft beer market.

     The Quad is a Belgian style very strong ale that is nearly 11% ABV. It has a very floral note which hides the boozy flavor you would normally get with a beer this high in alcohol. I would really suggest that you enjoy this beer out of a glass with a round shape like the one in the picture. This shape will help get the bouquet of the beer in your nose and the extra surface of the glass against your hand will slowly warm the beer to optimum temperature for tasting. This is a beer that is probably drank and a colder temperature than intended by the brewer desired for optimum flavor, much like brandy in a snifter.
     Also this time of year Legend is offering their chocolate porter which is the most anticipated seasonal offering crafted this time of year. I have had good success unloading cases of the rich porter but usually only get one opportunity to order it before it is all gone. If you live here in Richmond and will be traveling for the holiday, pick up some of these limited creations to share with family. I would even suggest buying a couple of Quads and putting them away to compare against next years batch.
    Legend has done a great job ingraining itself in the fiber of Richmond as a unique local for great experience and taste. They are working on spreading distribution to adjacent states which should sustain their growth for years to come. I always encourage that everyone get out to the brewery, surround yourself in this process that makes the beer so much more real. Check out what events and things upcoming at www.legendbrewing.com