“For the most part, we want to stick with traditional beers,” Renfrow explained when I ask him about 7 Hills beer style philosophy, “I know that in this business there are these special beers – like the Gingerbread Stout, an award-winning blue ribbon beer, is not a traditional beer at all. I think that every now and then it’s cool to get a little creative… Strangeways is doing a great job of being creative. Neil and those guys over there make probably the most creative bunch of beers I’ve seen around.”

Renfrow believes that the traditional style-bearers work better at a full-service restaurant, but they will play with more creative beers, such as the Texas Beach ThaiPA, as well. Taps will include four to five of their year-round beers, three to four seasonals or one-offs, and a couple of guest taps.

Making these traditional and creative beers will be head brewer Jeff Metz, currently at Legend Brewing.

“Legend was one of the first beers I ever had – we grew up with that,” said Renfrow, waxing nostalgic when the discussion turns to Richmond’s veteran brewery. “Legend Brown I still think is one of the best beers in the nation.”