Summer Party Drinks Guide for Richmond, VA (BBQ, Birthdays, and Beyond)
Summer in Richmond hits different. The humidity rolls in, the grills fire up, and suddenly everyone's calendar is packed with backyard cookouts, birthday bashes, Father's Day gatherings, family reunions, graduations and Fourth of July celebrations. And if you're the one hosting? You already know the drinks are just as important as the food.
I'm Dan Jablow, founder of Small Batch Brewing, and before I was brewing beer, I was cooking over fire. I spent years as a chef and ran a smoked meat company, so I take the combination of great food and great drinks seriously. This guide is everything I've learned about planning beverages for summer parties in Richmond. From what to serve to how much to order to why a keg might be the best decision you make all season.
Why Beer Is the Perfect Summer Party Drink
Canned beer is fine. A cooler full of bottles works in a pinch. But if you want your summer celebration to feel like an actual event, draft beer on tap is the move.
Here's why:
It stays colder and fresher than canned or bottled beer sitting in a cooler
It's cost-effective — one keg equals roughly 50 pours, which adds up to real savings for larger groups
It's sustainable — fewer cans, fewer bottles, less waste
It looks great — there's something about a tap setup that instantly elevates any backyard party
And when the beer itself is locally brewed and designed for summer? Even better.
What's on Tap This Summer at Small Batch Brewing
I've been putting together a summer lineup that covers every kind of guest and every kind of gathering. Here's what we're pouring:
Helles Lager - Our Flagship
If you haven't tried our Helles Lager yet, this is where to start. A German-style pale lager, it's crisp, clean, and malt-forward with just enough character to remind you this isn't your average beer. It's the kind of beer that goes down easy on a hot Richmond afternoon and keeps people coming back for another pour, which is exactly what a flagship should do. Pair it with just about anything off the grill and you really can't go wrong.
Cream Ale
If there's one beer built for a Richmond summer, it's a Cream Ale. Smooth, clean, and incredibly easy to drink, this is the one that disappears fastest at backyard parties and for good reason. It's approachable enough for casual beer drinkers and satisfying enough for the craft beer crowd. Pair it with grilled chicken, classic burgers, or anything coming off a charcoal grill. This is your crowd-pleaser, full stop.
Blood Orange Shandy
Bright, citrusy, and refreshing, our Blood Orange Shandy is basically summer in a glass. It's lighter than a traditional beer and has just enough sweetness to balance the tartness of blood orange. This one is a hit at birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and family gatherings where you want something festive without being over-the-top. It also tends to be a favorite for guests who don't usually reach for beer.
Mixed Berry Blonde
Our Mixed Berry Blonde takes a smooth, easy-drinking blonde ale and layers in berry flavor that feels natural, not artificial. It's fruity without being sweet, and crushable without being boring. Perfect a summer party where variety matters. This one tends to surprise people in the best way.
Jalapeño Lime Seltzer
For the guests who want something a little different, the Jalapeño Lime Seltzer delivers. Crisp and clean with a pop of citrus and a slow, subtle heat from the jalapeño, this one is anything but boring. Incredibly refreshing on a hot day, and it pairs surprisingly well with spicy BBQ, smoked meats, and anything with a little kick.
Beyond the Beer: Drinks for Every Guest
A great summer party takes care of everyone at the table, not just the beer drinkers.
At Small Batch Brewing, we also offer:
Non-alcoholic beer brewed for flavor, not as an afterthought
Gluten-reduced options for gluten-sensitive guests who still want to raise a glass
Craft sodas made in-house for a touch of something special without the alcohol
Hard seltzers for lighter sipping all afternoon
Nobody should feel left out of the celebration, and with a lineup like this, nobody will.
How Keg Delivery Works for Summer Events in Richmond
One of the most common things I hear from people planning summer parties is that they don't want to spend the whole event behind a bar. That's exactly why we built our keg delivery and tap service the way we did.
Here's how it works:
You pick your lineup. Choose from our rotating summer selection or let us help you decide based on your crowd and your event.
We deliver and set up. Whether you need a jockey box for an outdoor cookout, a kegerator for a backyard setup, or a full draft tower system, we bring everything and get it running.
We pour and serve (if you want us to). With our full-service bartending option, you hand it off completely and focus on your guests.
It's designed to be simple, because the best summer parties are the ones where the host is actually having fun too.
Planning Drinks by Event Size
Not sure how much to order? Here's a quick breakdown:
Small gatherings (10–25 guests): 1–2 kegs or a mixed beverage package with beer and non-alcoholic options
Mid-sized parties (25–75 guests): 2–3 kegs with a couple of different styles. Think something light like the Cream Ale alongside something with a little more personality like the Mixed Berry Blonde or Jalapeño Lime Seltzer
Large events (75+ guests): Full bar service with multiple taps, broader variety, and a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options
A good rule of thumb: plan for one drink per person per hour. You'll thank yourself later.
Want Something Custom? Plan Ahead.
One of my favorite things we do at Small Batch Brewing is collaborate with clients on a completely custom brew. A beer or seltzer, or shandy designed specifically for your event, your company, or your family.
We've done custom brews for corporate summer events, milestone birthdays, and family reunions where the host wanted something truly one-of-a-kind. If that sounds like your kind of summer party, the key thing to know is that custom brews require 4 to 8 weeks of lead time.
If you're planning a Fourth of July party, a big August reunion, or a late-summer company picnic, now is exactly the right time to reach out.
Summer Celebrations We Love to Be Part Of
Every kind of summer event has its own energy, and we love matching the right lineup to the right occasion:
Father's Day cookouts — Dad deserves a cold draft, not a warm can
Fourth of July parties — Go big with multiple taps and a crowd-pleasing spread of styles
Backyard birthday parties — Make it memorable with something brewed just for the occasion
Family reunions — Variety matters when you're serving everyone from 21 to 81
Company picnics and office summer parties — Elevate the standard cookout with a tap system and something local
Graduation celebrations — Toast the graduate with something worth remembering
Ready to Plan Your Summer Party Drinks in Richmond?
Summer books up faster than you think, especially if you want a custom brew or full-service bar setup for a big event.
Reach out to Small Batch Brewing today and let's build the perfect beverage experience for your summer celebration. Whether it's a keg on your back porch or a full tap setup for 200 people, we make it easy, local, and worth raising a glass over.
Ready when you are. Let's brew something worth celebrating.