Stone Celebrates One Year in Richmond with Brown’s Island Music And Beer Festival

Filing across the bridge to Brown’s Island, Richmonders danced the day away in celebration of of the first year anniversary of Stone Brewery’s Richmond imprint.

Throughout the day on Saturday, music and beer lovers of all ages grooved to the sounds of psych-rock, funk, and soul bands Pontiak, The Bright Light Social Hour, Jeff – The Brotherhood, The No BS! Brass

Band, The London Souls, and headlining group, Lettuce. The events proceeds were donated entirely to Richmond non profit organizations including Venture Richmond, The Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton Hill, the James River Association, and the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation.

The festival offered free admission for children under 12 and $10 tickets for adult guests. Drink tickets could be purchased for $5 and could be exchanged at drink stations throughout the festival grounds.

Falling in line with Stone’s overarching ethos of collaboration and inclusion, the event highlighted brews not only from Stone but from fellow local brewers Tapezium, Alewerks, Blue Mountain Brewery, and Buskey Cider. In an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Engles said “So much of the business world is cut-throat, and the craft beer business is a really refreshing thing in contrast. I hop

e that’s something we can hold on to as the industry matures.”

While sipping on their craft ciders and ales, festival goers were treated to a variety of food trucks from area restaurants including Boka, Cary St. Burgers and Fries and Strawberry St. Cafe.

Originally headquartered in Escondido California, Stone opened their river side Richmond location in March of 2016, marking their first location on the East Coast. The festival was bookended by pre and post-parties at The Broadberry featuring Kevin Morby and Cris Jacobs, with free admission for festival attendees.

Lia Tabackman, Contributing Writer