Every good time deserves a great beer and Dustin Caster, an archaeologist by trade who brews beer for the love of it, intends to bring the diversity and variety of world beer to enhance the good times in the quaint, little town of Scottsville.

“The way I came into brewing is very elementary actually…I love beer. And I have been fortunate to travel a large amount of the world with my degree (Kansas State 2005),” says Caster, who started drinking quality beers when first abroad in Central America.

“Since then, as my travel expanded to the globe, likewise so did my taste in beer. I have had beer in over 25 countries and on five continents, and I have come to realize it is all different with so many subtle flavor traits.”

The connoisseur credits the beer-making relationship with his friend Carl Swan—“who has been brewing for nearly 20 years”—for teaching him of the many little nuances specific to home brewing.

Right now, Caster runs a home brew operation, but his talents have caught the attention of John Keaton, business owner of 330 Valley St., a Scottsville restaurant and lounge.

“Dustin is perfecting recipes, brewing out of his house. He has already won awards with [his brews].” Keaton is in the process of getting permission for 330 to have Caster’s award-winning beers on site.

Once state and federal permits to brew beer and sell it on site are obtained, there are plans for 330’s lounge side to host a new operation: James River Brew Company, which will transform the neighborhood bar into a world-class brew pub.

330’s assistant manager, Chris Kyle, works closely with Caster. “When he is home, we brew. And one day we were thinking, ‘What would be the next step to take the next level?’ The simple solution was to make something small at 330 Valley Street.”

The three men are excited. “A good group of people go around to wineries and go to different brew pubs,” says Keaton. “Scottsville can become an official part of that scene.”

There is hope that the trio will be able to brew within the building at 330 Valley St. by November. “The ABC (Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control) had to come in and do a walk-through to see we are not doing anything yet,” says Keaton, who has since been presented with a lot of information to make the process “more easy and smooth for us, helping us get through the paperwork.”

More help has come from the guys at South Street Brewery and Devil’s Backbone. “Most of those breweries are very helpful,” says Kyle. “They share ingredients, go to festivals together,” events the up-and-coming James River Brewing Company will attend as soon as it is able.

For now, it is all Caster, who recently brought home three ribbons from the Albemarle County Fair. “He placed first in Kölsch style beer—a flagship beer,” Kyle says. “First place for English bitter, second for Irish Red. One of those beers got best in show. Every one of them is solid.”

If given the go-ahead, James River Brewing Company can offer the following in Scottsville:

Irish Red Ale: A balanced beer, in the classic Irish style. Easy to drink, with a mild hop nose

English Southern Bitter: An English bitter with a slightly higher APV, than the standard. Good, rich malty tones characterize this beer, while New Zealand’s Green Bullet hops give it the right kick without too much bite

British IPA: A more traditional IPA. While most American IPAs today are using Cascade and Northern Brewer hops, this beer has a distinctly classic taste resulting from using traditional Kent-Golding and Williamette hops. The nose, is distinctly less floral than most of its American counterparts, but the balance between the nose and the body more than makes up for it.

Kölsch: A standard light drinking ale in many parts of Germany. This beer provides many of the characteristics that a lager does, smoothness with an all over subtleness then blends flavors together instead of separating them out. Highly refreshing and easy drinking, this brew looks to possibly be the first beer launched on top at 330 Valley St.

Dunkelweizen: A personal favorite of Caster’s. “Dunkelweizens are characterized by the flavors the yeast gives during fermentation: banana, clove, and touch of citrus. Slightly hardier than Heifewizens, this darkened variety is a wonderful beer to have with many foods. This particular brew has a little extra added pale malt compared to most, adding not only slightly to the APV, but also enriches the sweetness of the beer.”

Ginger Pale Ale: Ginger…you love it or you don’t! If you love ginger, this beer is fantastic, brewed with ginger in the boil, this beer, is robust in its design. Behind the ginger, you will find all the classic notes of good English Pale Ale.

Belgian Dubbel: Not many have had a chance to try this one, as not many bottles are left. A classic style Belgian Dubbel, with one major difference…it has been aged in fermentation with French oak, giving it a distinctly earthy body to it, as well as hints of vanilla—a truly unique beer that Caster and Kyle hope to replicate soon.

There is a Facebook page available for all beer lovers and for anyone else who cannot wait for James River Brewing Company to become a reality for Scottsville. To learn more about the future of James River Brewing Company, visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113273778722258&ref=ts.