Speaking on the Story of Hardywood

Patrick Murtaugh is the Co-Founder and COO of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery located in Richmond, VA. Originally from New York City, Patrick is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where he received a BS in Hospitality Management. Following in the footsteps of his Great Grandfather and Great Uncle, Patrick studied brewing science at The Siebel Institute in Chicago as part of the World Brewing Academy’s Master Brewer Program that culminated with practical brewing training at The Doemen’s Academy in Munich, Germany. Patrick’s career in the beer industry includes several years in sales and management roles at a craft beer wholesaler in New York City followed by apprenticeships at various breweries including Brauerei Heller-Trum in Bamburg, Germany and Defiant Brewing Co. in Pearl River, NY.

In October, 2011 he founded Hardywood Park Craft Brewery with childhood friend, Eric McKay. Since opening, Hardywood has garnered many awards for both its beers and its business practices. These include the 2013 business expansion award from the city of Richmond, the 2014 Business of the Year Award and the 2015 Impact Award from The Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, The Best Brewery in VA award from ratebeer.com and the 2016 Green Brewery of the Year Award from VA Green Travel. Hardywood beers have achieved international recognition including a gold medal for their Raspberry Stout at the Great American Beer Festival and a Bronze medal for both their Gingerbread Stout and Ruse at The World Beer Cup. Hardywood purchases all of it’s electricity from renewable sources and supports many non-profits including the James River Association, the Capital Trail foundation and Feedmore.