623 E. Main St.
Richmond, VA
804-643-ALES
Looking for a nice place to meet
some friends and enjoy some fine food and libations? This is it!
Unfortunately, unless you live
in Richmond, it is a rare moment.
Just around the corner from
the Capital Square, this downtown attraction has been pleasing visitors
and locals alike for several years. With 40 beers on tap and 200 in bottles
as well as a full bar, it can take you a while just to choose your poison.
The emphasis of the taps is local and regional beers to give it that "corner
bar" feel, though there are also international selections. The bottle selection
is made up of beers from all over the world...USA, UK, Belgium, Germany,
Czech Republic, Italy & Canada. Take a beer trip around the globe without
getting out of your chair.
This venue exudes comfort from
the time you enter. The oak-paneled walls and large oak booths give the
feeling of a private club. The 60' bar is wide and has an ice rail built
into it to keep your libation from getting warm while you enjoy a conversation
with your friends or just peruse the extensive beer & wine list. You
see, there are no TV's here to distract you from enjoying the ambiance
or the company. Owners, Matt Simmons & Chris Holder, planned it that
way. He felt that a pub should be a place for interaction between patrons
not a place for the ubiquitous television.
The ice rail was an idea gleaned
from bars in Pittsburgh & Arizona. It is 54' long and is a refrigerated
stainless tray that is filled with water at opening and then allowed to
melt and drain away at closing.(It's the white stripe in the foreground
of both pics below) Just one of those little extras that give Capital Ale
House its unique feel.
The food is also a highlight
here. The extensive menu runs from oysters to pizzas to steaks, seafood,
pasta and elegant desserts. From a small snack to a full meal, you can
enjoy the freshly prepared items with a matching brew to complete the culinary
experience.
The Capital Ale House is available
for your banquets and special events. Special menus are available for all
price ranges. On Sunday, they present a special brunch menu from 10 AM-
3PM and have special event nights during the week......Burger Night, Free
Pizza Night, Steal the Glass Night, etc.
Have a question about a beer?
Ask one of the knowledgable servers for their input. They understand the
styles and will help you choose one that you will enjoy. The more you know,
the better your experience in a beer bar of this quality. The beer list
can also be a wellspring of information to acquaint the uninitiated not
only to styles, but to the individual flavor profiles of each of the choices.
In addition to the two dining
rooms on the main floor, downstairs there is a game room with pool, darts
and other games as well as a complete bar.
Check out their website, www.capitalalehouse.com,
for all the info you'll need to find this gem, their menus, beers, etc.
So, whenever you're in the Richmond
area, be sure to add this to your itinerary. There's a lot of good beer
to be had here. Bring your friends and enjoy a night out in this most pleasant
of establishments.