Behind the Brew: How We Created a Custom Beer for Company Party

When they reached out to us in September 2025, they had a clear goal: make their annual holiday party feel special. After years of the usual catered bar setup, they wanted something that reflected their company culture, creative, collaborative, and a little different.

We were having a free-flowing conversation about their party when the topic of serving a dark beer came up. They mentioned a local gingerbread stout they'd tried but thought it was too heavy for their event. I agreed. If I were going to make a version for myself, I'd brew it with a lower ABV, less body, and more carbonation. Really, something more drinkable and refreshing for a party setting.

They loved that idea and asked if I'd ever made something like that before. I hadn't, but I had a base stout recipe I could work from. That conversation became the spark for what would become their custom holiday brew.

That's exactly the kind of challenge we love. Here's how we worked with our client  to create a holiday party drink experience their team is still talking about.

Step 1: The Initial Consultation

Everything started with a conversation about how the client wanted their holiday party to feel like.

What We Talked About:

• How many employees/guests were expected?

• Setup details?

• Location, logistics and budget?

• How can I best serve the party? Bartend or have it as a serve-your-own?

• What was the vibe they wanted (formal vs casual)?

• What was their audience like (age range, beer preferences)?

• What timeline were you working with?

Our Recommendation:

I brought them samples of a lighter pub ale they'd tried before, and they immediately knew they wanted that. We agreed on adding a crisp helles lager as a second option to accompany the wine and spirit options they had in place, which is light, refreshing, and crowd-pleasing. But with their guest count in mind, I suggested a third keg: a custom holiday-themed beer. That's where the gingerbread stout idea came to life.

Step 2: Recipe Development & Collaboration

This is where we dialed in the details. We proposed a few flavor profiles and worked with the client  to land on something that fit their vision.

The Recipe:

I started with a tried-and-true stout recipe, then added fresh ginger and molasses during the boil stage. During kegging, I added cinnamon sticks, allspice, and a few other spices to round out the gingerbread flavor without overpowering it.

• Style: Gingerbread Stout

• ABV: 6.4% which is strong enough to feel festive, while remaining drinkable

• Special ingredients: Fresh ginger, molasses, cinnamon, allspice

• Name: By-Tor and the Snow Dog

The goal was to make it feel indulgent and holiday-appropriate without being heavy or syrupy. The trick was finding the right balance of gingerbread flavor, enough to taste festive, but not so much that it overwhelmed the beer.

Step 3: Brewing the Custom Kegs

With the recipe locked in and the timeline set, we got to work.

What Happened Behind the Scenes:

• Ingredient sourcing: We used Virginia-grown ingredients whenever possible to keep it rooted in Richmond

• Timeline: Approximately 3 months. Which is an unusually long lead time. So, I  brewed the helles lager about 2 months out to give it time to condition properly in the keg.

• Final product: We ended up with 3 total kegs, that was all beer, no non-alcoholic options requested.

The brew days themselves were relatively straightforward. The one challenge was dialing in the gingerbread flavor in the stout to make sure it didn't taste artificial or overpowering.

Step 4: Delivery, Setup & the Party

The night of the client’s holiday party, we showed up ready to make sure everything went smoothly.

What We Provided:

Relax and Enjoy package with 1 add-on keg.

Setup was easy, though I had a bit less space than I was expecting in their basement wine cellar and bar area. But that also meant less to set up, so it worked out. The vibe was great and party guests were delighted walking into the bar to find a small brewery set up just for them.

The Guest Experience:

The response from guests was incredible. People had tons of questions about the beer, especially the custom gingerbread stout, and wanted to hear the story behind it. I ended up having several longer conversations throughout the night with folks who were genuinely curious about the brewing process and how we created something specifically for party.

The custom brew was a huge hit. Guests kept coming back for more, and you could tell they appreciated that it wasn't just another generic bar setup, it was something made just for them. The feedback on all three beers was fantastic, but the By-Tor and the Snow Dog really stood out. People loved that it had a holiday flavor without being too heavy or sweet, and the name definitely sparked some fun conversations.

What Made This Collaboration Special

This wasn't just keg delivery for a corporate event. It was a partnership with the client to create something meaningful.

What the Client Got:

• A custom holiday beer brewed specifically for their team

• Local, Virginia-sourced ingredients that reflected Richmond values

• Professional mobile bar service so they could focus on celebrating

• A drink experience that made their employees feel valued

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

What We Got:

A chance to be part of their celebration. To create something their team would remember. To turn holiday party drinks into a conversation starter and a memory.

The Feedback

After the party, they reached out to let us know how much they loved the whole experience. They appreciated that we took the time to create something personal for their team and that their employees were still talking about it days later. They left us a thoughtful Google review. 

“Dan was amazing for our Christmas gathering. His brews are fantastic, and he is a great guy that is so knowledgeable in his craft. If you enjoy great beer, he is your guy!”

It's feedback like that, knowing we made their celebration memorable is what makes this work so rewarding.

That's why we do this. Not just to deliver kegs, but to be part of the moments that matter.

Could This Be Your Next Company Party?

Whether you're planning a corporate celebration, office party, or any special occasion in 2026, we're here to collaborate with you and create something your team won't forget.

What We Offer:

• Custom keg brewing designed around your company culture and event theme

• Mobile bar service across Richmond and Central Virginia

• Keg delivery and setup with professional tap service

• Local craft beer and seasonal options for variety

• Non-alcoholic options so everyone's included

• Transparent pricing starting at $149 for keg pickup, up to $999 for full-service packages

We typically need 4-8 weeks for custom brews, so if you're planning a spring corporate event, team celebration, superbowl watch party or milestone party, now's the time to reach out.

Serving the Greater Richmond Area:

We deliver to Richmond VA and Central Virginia (RVA + 30-mile radius) for corporate events, private parties, office parties, outdoor events, and more.

Ready to Create Your Custom Brew?

Let's talk about your event. We'll walk you through the process, answer your questions, and figure out how to make your celebration one your team won't stop talking about.

Because at the end of the day, great beer brings people together. And when it's brewed just for you? Even better.

Let's brew something unforgettable.