Inspired by co-owners Thomas Evans and Daniel Baker‘s ancestral roots in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, Red Dragon Brewery, opening today in Fredericksburg, specializes in traditional English beers and draws its namesake red dragon logo from the Welsh national flag. Evans and Baker have known each other since childhood, growing up in Northern Virginia.
Evans first got a taste for brewing after a family member gifted him a homebrew kit. Soon his pastime developed into a passion for homewbrewing, and he partnered with Baker to make it happen. “I started with the business plan of making a brewery back in 2011 but decided not to move forward,” Evans says. Five years later, with his children now older, he can now dedicate more time to making beer, though both Evans and Baker will keep their full-time jobs for now.
Although its specialty is English beers, Red Dragon will also offer IPAs, Belgian-style beers, farmhouse ales and some sours, with today’s inaugural lineup showcasing St. Davids Stout, Chasing Fireflies Belgian Blonde, Anglescy Saison, Kilkenney Kolsch and Bitter, an experimental pale ale made with honey.
Evans and Baker plan to produce beers in smaller batches so they have the flexibility to try a variety of styles. The brewery also has plans to offer growler and crowler fills beginning this Saturday. // Red Dragon Brewery: 1419 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg
