Author Archives: admin

About admin

I am a writer. And a musician/songwriter. And a husband/father. I love good beer, the outdoors, the embrace of family, the company of true friends, the telling of a good story and the inner peace derived from quiet reflection in solitude. Recently I have specialized in beer writing. My most recent adventure is "Virginia Beer: A Guide from Colonial Days to Craft's Golden Age" published fall 2018 by University of Virginia Press. In October 2014, "Richmond Beer: A History of Brewing in the River City" was published by History Press. "Charlottesville Beer: Brewing in Jefferson's Shadow," followed in January 2017. Send me an email at rvabeerguy@gmail.com. As you can see from this site, however, my interests are broader than beer. Spend time, leave a comment or just enjoy. Lee

Founder’s vision still brings focus to Starr Hill

Posted on February 13, 2014 by admin

Sometimes being a visionary doesn’t look so good. Like when you walk into a bureaucrat’s office to get a license to distribute beer from your fledgling brewery, your wife is nine months pregnant and she’s the one who’s going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Leave a comment

Getting a laugh out of lager

Posted on January 14, 2014 by admin

During an afternoon of research for my upcoming book,”Richmond Beer,” I almost laughed myself into a coma reading some of the outrageous tales of misadventures concerning lager. All are taken from Richmond papers printed in 1859, a year when lager, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Thoughts while running on a brisk Thanksgiving Day

Posted on November 28, 2013 by admin

I normally keep my spiritual thoughts close to my vest. Today this blossomed in my mind on a lovely run, and I felt compelled to share. I hope you enjoy. I am thankful for my life, but I do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Leave a comment

Devils Backbone repeats as Virginia breweries make strong showing at Great American Beer Festival

Posted on October 14, 2013 by admin

For the second year in a row, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. in Nelson County won top honors in its category at the Great American Beer Festival. The brewery’s Basecamp operation was named Small Brewing Company of the Year, and head … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brown ale leads the way for Legend’s longevity

Posted on September 22, 2013 by admin

  Banners hung from the walls of Commercial Taphouse & Grill. Founder James Talley and his co-workers were all decked out for the affair. “It was a big event. It was incredibly exciting. We were wearing ties with blue denim … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Leave a comment

Fine dining embracing fine beers

Posted on September 12, 2013 by admin

  Normally — about eight days out of seven — I have a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich for lunch. Not just any PB&J. Skippy Extra Crunchy Super Chunk Peanut Butter. Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly. And some good bread — Arnold’s Oatnut, for … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Leave a comment

Devils Backbone smokes the competition at brewers’ fest

Posted on September 12, 2013 by admin

  Not many beers make me want to change my lifestyle. I’m a vegetarian, but I couldn’t help but yearn for a good German wurst when I tasted Devils Backbone Smokehaus Lager. The smoky quality of this rauchbier is silky … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Two empty beer cans left in a road

Posted on June 6, 2013 by admin

  Two empty beer cans left in a road stir emotions half a century later  Note: This Beer Guy column originally appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch in 1998. I have not updated some of the references. LG     Two … Continue reading →

More Galleries | Leave a comment

Craft brewers celebrate, take stock

Posted on March 29, 2013 by admin

I’m back in good ole RVA, but my head is still spinning—and not just from some of the great beers. The good vibes were so thick at the Craft Brewers Conference in D.C. that there were as many pats on … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Craft beer conference takes off

Posted on March 27, 2013 by admin

WASHINGTON, D.C.—There was something special about last night’s opening reception of the national Craft Brewers Conference. It wasn’t just that beers of Virginia and elsewhere in the D.C. region were showcased for thousands of brewers from around the country. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer adventures | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment