How to Book a Mobile Brewery for Your Richmond Event
If you've found your way here, you're probably planning something. A wedding, a company party, a birthday, maybe just a backyard thing that deserves better than a cooler of beer. Whatever it is, you're in the right place.
I started Small Batch Brewing because I genuinely believe beer brings people together, and I wanted to build something around that. We're not a big operation. We don't do generic. We're a small, hands-on Richmond brewery that brews to order and shows up for your event ready to pour something worth talking about.
A lot of people aren't sure what the process looks like when they reach out, so I figured I'd just walk you through it — start to finish, no surprises.
Step 1: Reach Out
Timeline: Right now
This one's easy. Fill out the contact form on our website and tell us about your event — the date, where it's happening, roughly how many people, and the general vibe you're going for. That's all we need to get started. You'll hear back from us within 48 hours to confirm availability and figure out next steps.
No pressure, no pitch. Just a conversation.
Step 2: Lock In Your Date
Timeline: 9–10 weeks before your event
Once we've connected and confirmed we're a good fit, you'll pick your service level and put down a deposit to officially reserve your date. That's what gets you on the calendar and gets us into planning mode.
The three service options are straightforward:
Keg Only — Starting at $149. You pick up the keg from us, we'll have a pump ready. Simple. Great for smaller backyard parties, casual office parties, or anyone who already has their setup figured out. Reserve here →
Setup & Serve — Starting at $299. We deliver (free within 30 miles), set up the full draft system (jockey box, kegerator, draft tower) whatever your setup calls for and leave you ready to pour. No hardware store runs, no logistics headaches. Works really well for birthday parties, graduation parties, corporate events, and most occasions in between. Reserve here →
Relax & Enjoy — Starting at $999. Two kegs, delivery, setup, a server for three hours, cups, ice, and cleanup when it's all over. You literally just show up and enjoy your own party. This is the one I'd point you toward for weddings, corporate galas, and any event where the host genuinely deserves to be a guest. Reserve here →
Not sure which one fits? We'll help you figure it out.
Step 3: Beer and Beverage Planning
Timeline: 8–9 weeks before your event
This is probably my favorite part of the process. Once you're booked, we sit down and build out your full beverage lineup together.
We'll talk through what your guests tend to drink, the feel of the event, and any dietary stuff worth knowing about (gluten sensitivity, non-drinkers in the crowd, etc.). We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach here. A laid-back company mixer and a black-tie wedding dinner are different conversations, and we treat them that way.
From there, you can choose from our rotating menu of local craft beer — light and crisp options like our Helles Lager and Pilsner, hoppy stuff like our Hazy IPA and West Coast IPA, and darker pours like our Oatmeal Stout and Dark Lager. Seasonals rotate in too. Browse the full current menu here.
We'll also sort out quantities (one keg = roughly 50 twelve-ounce pours — handy for planning), keg sizes, and any service logistics so nothing gets left to guesswork.
And we always make sure there's something for everyone. That means non-alcoholic options, gluten-reduced brews, craft sodas, and seltzers built into the mix. Nobody should feel like an afterthought at a party.
Want Something Nobody's Ever Had Before?
This is where things get really interesting. If you want a custom brew designed specifically for your event, we can do that. I love doing these.
We talk through what you're going for from flavor and feel to the story behind the occasion. We’ll design a beer around it. Weddings are a big one for us. There's something genuinely special about a couple having their own signature ale with a custom name. Same goes for a company that wants a branded brew for their annual party, or a birthday where the whole lineup is built around what the guest of honor actually loves to drink.
Got something in mind that's not on the menu? We'll make it happen.
Step 4: We Brew It
Timeline: 4–8 weeks before your event
Once the plan is locked in, we get to work. Your beer is brewed in small batches with real attention to quality. That's not just a line, it's literally the name of the operation. Custom brews are crafted specifically for your event during this window. Behind the scenes, we're also finalizing equipment, staffing, and logistics so that event day runs smoothly.
This is the window that catches people off guard if they wait too long to reach out. Custom brews need 4–8 weeks. If you've got a date in mind, don't sit on it.
Step 5: Final Details and Confirmation
Timeline: 1 week before your event
About a week out, we'll touch base to confirm final guest counts, go over the timeline, and review all the delivery, setup, and service details. By the time this call is done, you'll know exactly what to expect on event day; who's showing up, when, and what they're bringing.
No last-minute scrambles. That's kind of the whole point.
Step 6: Event Day — We've Got It From Here
Timeline: Day of your event
We show up on time with everything needed for smooth service. Equipment gets set up professionally and monitored throughout. Depending on your package, our team handles the pours, the service, and the cleanup when it's all done.
Your job is to enjoy the moment. We've got the beer covered.
Events We Do (Honestly, Most of Them)
We work across a pretty wide range of events, but here's where we spend most of our time:
Weddings — This is a big one for us. Whether you need a wedding drink vendor to run a full-service bar or just want a couple of kegs of something local and really well-made, we can do both. A custom brew with your names on the label is one of those details guests actually remember. Check out our services page for more on what we offer.
Corporate Events — From office keg delivery for a low-key team mixer to a fully staffed portable bar for a client appreciation night, we scale to fit the event. We've worked with companies of all sizes and we know how to read the room. Whether the vibe is relaxed and approachable or something a bit more polished.
Birthdays — Milestone birthdays deserve more than a liquor store run. Let's build a lineup around the person you're celebrating, or brew something made just for them.
Graduations, Reunions, Backyard Parties, and Everything Else — If people are gathering and there's a reason to celebrate, we're in. That's the only real requirement.
Places We've Poured Around Richmond
Part of what makes mobile bar service work well is knowing the venues. We've had the chance to set up at some great spots around Richmond, and a few worth knowing about if you're still figuring out your location:
Headquarters (HQ) — A versatile event space that works really well with a portable bar setup. Good energy for corporate events and private parties alike.
1717 — Rooftop plus an indoor bar area. It's the kind of space that just feels right for a celebration, especially when you pair it with a seasonal draft and the right crowd.
Hops in the Park — A national award-winning hops and harvest festival set right on the banks of the James River in Chesterfield County. Live music, Virginia craft beer, and 400 years of history in the same afternoon — it's a pretty hard combination to beat.
Backyards — A more unique option if you want something that feels intentional and a little different. Great fit for the kind of event that's trying to be memorable, not just functional.
All of these work well with outside beverage catering, which means you can bring in Small Batch Brewing's mobile brewery setup without any friction. And if you're still deciding on a venue, we've been around Richmond long enough to have a few opinions, just ask.
Ready to Get the Ball Rolling?
Reach out here and tell us about your event. We'll get back to you within 48 hours. If you've got questions before you're ready to book, the FAQ covers a lot of the common ones.
Good beer, good people, good night. Let's make it happen.