The Answer, friends, is beer. Heavenly, handcrafted beer.

Now, before you refer me to my local AA meeting, I’m specifically talking about The Answer, a brewpub located in Richmond, Virginia. Also, it’s pronounced on-sir, after its founder An Bui, whose portrait proudly hangs on display.

An Bui, 2019. The Answer Brewpub. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved. (Except this is a photo of someone else’s art. Not sure how that works.)

This place is off. the. chain.

The Husband and I have visited over 150 breweries (and counting!) over the past several years, and therefore pride ourselves in having a weee bit of street cred.

This is my new favorite.

(Okay, okay, you’re right. Hill Farmstead is still Number One. But it still blew me away. I talked about this place all damn weekend!)

Blanton’s German Chocolate Cake Stout, 2019. The Answer Brewpub. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.

Sitting down for some tasters, I just had to try the famous “Joose” selections. I’m only sorry I couldn’t try them all.

Sample #1:

3 Scoops: Pineapple, Coconut, Strawberry: Sour – Ale

The scent of this alone is divine, like walking into an Anthropologie: sophisticated citrus you just want to dive into. The taste is a perfectly nuanced fruit explosion. Yes, you need it in your life. How far do you live from Richmond?

Drinkable Art, 2019. The Answer Brewpub. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.

Sample #2:

Triple 3 Scoops: Passionfruit, Lemonade, Mango:  Sour – Ale

This is yet another 5-star ranking from The Answer. Just as I was known in the classroom, I’m a harsh grader when it comes to beer. It’s gotta be exceptional if you want an A. And friends, this makes the cut and then some.

Triple 3 Scoops, 2019. The Answer Brewpub. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.

While I could certainly go on about the other masterfully balanced brews we tried, I need to take a moment to tell you about the food! (emphatically pounds fist on the table)

If I believed in Heaven, it would be a magical place filled with Paul McCartney albums and Asian cuisine. To me there is nothing more flavorful and artistic. (I’m specifically referring to the food, but we can apply that to Paul as well. It works.)

This was my lunch:

Brussels Sprouts Heaven, 2019. The Answer Brewpub. Original Photo by SnapDragon X. All rights reserved.

The Viet Brussel Sprouts main dish did not disappoint. The mushrooms and red pepper medley danced so beautifully with the garlic sauce that I was momentarily distracted from the beer! (Oh, yeah. I also ordered veggie steamed dumplings but promptly devoured them before I could snap a photo. I like to eat. Sue me.)

I love my life.

So, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m obsessed with The Answer. It’s fresh. It’s excellent. And it’s beyond worthy of a road trip.

Cheers!