Capital Ale House - Downtown

June 3, 2008
Big letdown after being at Brick Store the previous night. Good selection, but as several people here have noted, they are often out of beers. They were out of my wife’s first two choices, which was a pretty bad start. Then, I wanted a beer from the downstairs bar. My server would not go downstairs and get it for me, so I had to get up from my family and fetch it myself. Decent selection of draft beer. I had a Weihenstephan Hefe, Smuttynose Barleywine, Arrogant Bastard, and a local Imperial Stout. The wife had a Stone Ruination and then a Victory Hop Devil on cask, which really wasn’t as good as it is on CO2. Food was good enough. My burger was ok. Ambiance is a little sterile and noisy.

April 22, 2008
Busy place. Had to eat outside in the rain, and while I like that, it’s not everybody’s thing. Limited menu and beerlist in the outdoor seating area, but the burger was good. Have to go upstairs to the bar to get anything from the full beerlist. It’s worth it though, as the full beer list is amazing. Service is OK, thoughy one of our party wasn’t served until the rest of us were finished. Not cool.

April 2, 2008
Great venue. They just opened up the music hall which features multiple live sets a week. Haven’t ventured down to the Beer Garden as of yet, but I am hearing good things. Just as good as the Innsbrook location besides having fewer draft handles...

March 25, 2008
I was really excited about this place after seeing the reviews. However, of all the beers on tap, 2 that I asked for were out and the waiter didn’t seem to know all that much about the beers. Food was good, but very expensive. Would still recommend and try again. Beers tasted were Schwelmer Alt Brauerei Schwelm, Blue Mountain Classic Lager, St. George Winter Stout, Mendocino Winter Seasonal Imperial IPA, Starr Hill Jomo Lager, and Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel.

January 17, 2008
This is definitely my favorite beer bar in Richmond. Everyone else’s descriptions seem to do this place justice so I’ll just have to agree! Only downside is the price. This place is a must for anyone traveling through richmond.

December 5, 2007
Nice atmosphere, plenty of seating. GREAT selection - make sure you block out a chunk of time before you go so you have plenty of time to check out the beer booklet! Didnt try the food, i was only there for the beer.

December 5, 2007
Excellent draught selection, although many of my choices were out. Didn’t have any food, just went for the beer.

September 26, 2007
One of my favorite bars in Virginia with lots on tap that I can’t find anyplace else. Dogfishhead 90 on tap? You kidding me, pour forth, bonnie lass. Spendy place but a nice hang for the beer lovers.

September 24, 2007
Pretty nice spot. Good bottle selection, fair tap selection. Stopped by there for an Oktoberfest session and got to take home a free Hofbrau crockery stein. Chummy clientele. A monster cheese and sausage sampler with a big pretzel. I dropped more $$$ here than I planned, but it was a memorable stop. Clean, good service, good grub.

August 26, 2007
August 2007 - Enjoyed appetizers and a couple beers here after the Shockoe Craft Beer Festival. Nice place with a classic upscale tavern feel, dark wood and big windows up front. The food we did have was pretty good and the menu looked like it had a nice array. The huge beer menu is well put together with short descriptions for those who may not know their beers. On the day I went, the offerings included two regionals on cask, and about 40 draughts ... Allagash, Bells, Blue & Gray, DFH, Lagunitas, Legend, North Coast, Rogue, Smuttynose, Starr Hill, Stone, Stoudts, Troegs and a range of imports from German hefeweizens to a Flemish Sour. Impressive indeed. Well worth a visit if you find yourself in downtown Richmond!