The Hardywood Starr Hill deal puts Virginia’s two biggest craft brewers under one roof: Richmond’s Hardywood Park Craft Brewery has acquired Crozet’s Starr Hill Brewery in an all-equity deal. The breweries announced it on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, and said the transaction closed Oct. 1. Price? Not disclosed. Both brands, their breweries and their taprooms keep running, and staff stay in their current roles.
Reference Log
Hardywood Starr Hill deal at a glance
| Buyer | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond (founded 2011) |
| Acquired | Starr Hill Brewery, Crozet (founded 1999 in Charlottesville) |
| Structure | All-equity acquisition; price undisclosed |
| Closed | Oct. 1, 2026 (announced Oct. 7) |
| Rank | No. 1 and No. 2 Virginia craft brewers by volume, per NielsenIQ data the companies cited |
| Taprooms | Nine, per the companies, drawing more than 900,000 visits a year |
| Employees | About 180, all keeping their roles, per BizSense |
How the Hardywood Starr Hill deal is structured
According to the release, the deal was “an all equity acquisition by Hardywood, keeping Starr Hill’s ownership, leadership, team, and brand identity fully intact.” Richmond BizSense reports that Starr Hill’s owners received a minority stake in Hardywood and that the amount wasn’t disclosed. Virginia Business says Hardywood declined to share financial details.
The companies were already working together. In 2025 they formed an operational partnership, and Axios Richmond reports that Hardywood took over production of Starr Hill’s wholesale beers at its West Creek facility. In June, Hardywood also agreed to produce and distribute Legend Brewing Co.’s flagship Legend Brown Ale.
Who runs the combined company
Hardywood co-founder Eric McKay is CEO. Kate Lee, Hardywood’s president, becomes COO and runs day-to-day operations. Josh Cromwell, a longtime Starr Hill vice president, is CFO of the combined company.
What changes for drinkers
Not much at first, sensors indicate. Both breweries will keep brewing at their current locations and operating their existing taprooms. In the weeks ahead, the companies say, taproom visitors will start seeing special releases, guest taps and merch from the sister brewery. The release also touts Hardywood’s barrel-aging program under brewmaster Brian Nelson and three pilot brewhouses, from 3.5 to 20 barrels, for taproom-exclusive beers.
The companies count nine taprooms. Starr Hill’s site lists six (Crozet, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Richmond and Tysons), and Hardywood lists two in the Richmond area, at its original Richmond taproom and at West Creek.
What the founders say
“This partnership reflects a shared belief in the future of independent brewing in Virginia,” McKay said. Cromwell said combining the businesses lets them “invest in the long-term success of both brands while creating new opportunities for innovation, growth, and continued investment in our people and communities.”
Context from the mothership: Axios notes Virginia lost eight craft breweries between 2023 and 2025, per Brewers Association data. Craft-on-craft deals keep landing on Earth; see the Bureau’s report on Jack’s Abby buying Wormtown.
Hardywood Starr Hill deal FAQ
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