Best 14 Breweries in Virginia: Top Places to Enjoy Craft Beer
Virginia is home to some of the best breweries in the United States. With a rich history in brewing, Virginia has become a hub for craft beer lovers. From small, family-owned breweries to large, well-established ones, Virginia has something to offer for every beer enthusiast.
Craft beer has become increasingly popular in Virginia, and the state’s breweries have gained national recognition for their unique and flavorful beers. Many of these breweries offer tours and tastings, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the brewing process and sample some of the best beers Virginia has to offer. Whether you prefer an IPA, a stout, or a sour, Virginia’s breweries have a wide variety of beers to choose from.
Some of the most popular breweries in Virginia include Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Answer Brewpub, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Lost Rhino Brewing Company, and Center of The Universe Brewing. These breweries have gained a reputation for their exceptional beers and welcoming atmospheres. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, a visit to one of these breweries is a must for any beer lover in Virginia.
The Virginia Craft Beer Scene
Virginia has become a popular destination for craft beer lovers in recent years. With hundreds of locally owned breweries popping up throughout the Commonwealth, Virginia’s craft beer scene just keeps growing. The state has also attracted big names like Stone Brewing, which opened an East Coast location in Virginia.
The Virginia craft beer scene offers a diverse range of breweries with unique flavors and atmospheres. From the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to the bustling city of Richmond, there is a brewery for every taste and preference. Many breweries also offer tours and tastings, making it a great way to spend a day with friends or family.
Craft breweries in Virginia are known for their commitment to quality and creativity. They use locally sourced ingredients and experiment with new brewing techniques to create unique and flavorful beers. Some of the most popular Virginia breweries include Blue Mountain, Wasserhund, and Lost Rhino. Blue Mountain, in particular, is known for its gorgeous location and full menu with good food.
The Virginia craft beer scene also hosts many events and festivals throughout the year. These events provide an opportunity to explore even more of Virginia’s craft beer and meet other craft beer lovers. It is important to note that responsible drinking is encouraged, and visitors are advised to designate a driver or use public transportation.
Top Breweries in Virginia
Blue Mountain Brewery
Blue Mountain Brewery is a popular brewery located in Afton, Virginia. It is known for its stunning location and delicious craft beer. The brewery offers a wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. Blue Mountain Brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
Website: http://www.bluemountainbrewery.com/
Address: 9519 Critzer Shop Rd, Afton, VA 22920, United States
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a craft brewery located in Richmond, Virginia. It is known for its unique and creative beers, including the Gingerbread Stout, which has become a cult classic. The brewery also offers a range of other beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the World Beer Cup.
Website: http://www.hardywood.com/
Address: 2410 Ownby Ln, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
The Answer Brewpub
The Answer Brewpub is a popular brewpub located in Richmond, Virginia. It is known for its creative and experimental beers, including the famous Mind Games IPA. The brewpub also offers a range of other beers, along with a full menu of food options. The Answer Brewpub has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
Website: http://theanswerbrewpub.com/
Address: 6008 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, United States
Center of the Universe Brewing Company
Center of the Universe Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Ashland, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup.
Website: https://cotubrewing.com/
Address: 11293 Air Park Rd, Ashland, VA 23005, United States
Alewerks Brewing Company
Alewerks Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup.
Website: http://www.alewerks.com/
Address: 189B Ewell Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188, United States
Port City Brewing Company
Port City Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Alexandria, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
Website: https://www.portcitybrewing.com/
Address: 3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304, United States
Crooked Run Brewing
Crooked Run Brewing is a craft brewery located in Sterling, Virginia. It is known for its unique and creative beers, including the famous Supernatural IPA. The brewery also offers a range of other beers, along with a full menu of food options.
Website: http://www.crookedrunfermentation.com/
Address: 22455 Davis Dr #120, Sterling, VA 20164, United States
Rising Silo Brewery
Rising Silo Brewery is a craft brewery located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup.
Website: http://risingsilobrewery.com/
Address: 2351 Glade Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
Ocelot Brewing Company
Ocelot Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Dulles, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup.
Website: http://ocelotbrewing.com/
Address: 23600 Overland Dr STE 180, Dulles, VA 20166, United States
Triple Crossing Brewing
Triple Crossing Brewing is a craft brewery located in Richmond, Virginia. It is known for its unique and creative beers, including the famous Falcon Smash IPA. The brewery also offers a range of other beers, along with a full menu of food options.
Website: http://www.triplecrossing.com/
Address: 113 S Foushee St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States
The Veil Brewing Co
The Veil Brewing Co. is a craft brewery located in Richmond, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup.
Website: http://www.theveilbrewing.com/rva-sa
Address: 1509B Belleville St, Richmond, VA 23230, United States
Devils Backbone Brewing Company
Devils Backbone Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Roseland, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
Website: https://www.dbbrewingcompany.com/
Address: 200 Crandall Run, Roseland, VA 22967, United States
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
Lost Rhino Brewing Company is a craft brewery located in Ashburn, Virginia. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, along with a full menu of food options. The brewery has won numerous awards for its beers, including the gold medal at the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup.
Website: http://www.lostrhino.com/
Address: 21730 Red Rum Dr #142, Ashburn, VA 20147, United States
Legend Brewing Company
Legend Brewing Company is the oldest craft brewery in Virginia, located in Richmond. It is known for its wide range of beers, including IPAs, porters, and stouts, each carefully crafted to cater to diverse palates. Legend Brewing Company has become a staple in the Richmond community and beyond, drawing both locals and visitors seeking a unique and flavorful beer experience.
Website: http://www.legendbrewing.com/
Address: 321 W 7th St, Richmond, VA 23224, United States
Unique Beer Flavors
Virginia’s craft beer scene is known for its unique and diverse beer flavors. From stouts to IPAs, Vienna lagers to brown ales, and even gingerbread stouts, Virginia breweries offer a wide range of beer styles to satisfy any beer lover’s palate.
Stouts, for instance, are a popular beer style in Virginia. With their dark, roasted malts and rich, creamy mouthfeel, stouts are the perfect beer for cold winter nights. Some of the best stouts in Virginia include Resolute, a Russian Imperial Stout from Brothers Craft Brewing, and Dark Hollow Reserve: Concealed Darkness, an American Imperial Stout from Blue Mountain Brewery.
IPAs are another popular beer style in Virginia. Known for their bold, hoppy flavors and bitter finish, IPAs are the perfect beer for hopheads. Some of the best IPAs in Virginia include Talking Backwards, an Imperial IPA from Ocelot Brewing Company, and Ghost Fleet IPA, a West Coast-style IPA from Back Bay Brewing Co.
Vienna lagers are a lesser-known beer style in Virginia, but they are gaining popularity among beer enthusiasts. With its amber color and malty sweetness, Vienna lagers are the perfect beer for those who prefer a lighter, more refreshing beer. Some of the best Vienna lagers in Virginia include Vienna Lager from Devils Backbone Brewing Company and Vienna-style Lager from Port City Brewing Company.
Brown ales are another beer style that is gaining popularity in Virginia. With their nutty, caramel flavors and low bitterness, brown ales are the perfect beer for those who prefer a more balanced beer. Some of the best brown ales in Virginia include Brown Ale from Alewerks Brewing Company and Frontier Trapper Brown Ale from Apocalypse Ale Works.
Finally, gingerbread stouts are a unique beer style that is only found in a few breweries in Virginia. With their spicy gingerbread flavors and rich, creamy mouthfeel, gingerbread stouts are the perfect beer for the holiday season. Some of the best gingerbread stouts in Virginia include Gingerbread Stout from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery and Gingerbread Brown Ale from Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery.
Brewery Locations
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is home to a number of great breweries, including Brass Cannon Brewing and Virginia Beer Company. Both breweries offer a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as outdoor seating areas where visitors can enjoy their drinks in the sunshine.
Charlottesville
Charlottesville is a popular destination for beer lovers, thanks in large part to its many breweries. Some of the most popular options include Champion Brewing Company, Three Notch’d Brewing Company, and South Street Brewery. Each of these breweries offers a unique selection of beers, as well as a welcoming atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home.
Richmond
Richmond is another great destination for beer lovers, with a number of top-rated breweries located throughout the city. Some of the most popular options include Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Veil Brewing Co., and Triple Crossing Brewing Company. Each of these breweries offers a unique selection of beers, as well as a welcoming atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home.
Ashburn
Ashburn is home to a number of great breweries, including Lost Rhino Brewing Company and Old Ox Brewery. Both breweries offer a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as outdoor seating areas where visitors can enjoy their drinks in the sunshine.
Leesburg
Leesburg is another great destination for beer lovers, with a number of top-rated breweries located throughout the city. Some of the most popular options include Black Walnut Brewery, Crooked Run Brewing, and Dog Money Restaurant & Brewery. Each of these breweries offers a unique selection of beers, as well as a welcoming atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home.
Fairfax
Fairfax is home to a number of great breweries, including Caboose Brewing Company and Ornery Beer Company. Both breweries offer a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as outdoor seating areas where visitors can enjoy their drinks in the sunshine.
Afton
Afton is a small town located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and it is home to a number of great breweries. Some of the most popular options include Blue Mountain Brewery, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, and Wild Wolf Brewing Company. Each of these breweries offers a unique selection of beers, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is another great destination for beer lovers, with a number of top-rated breweries located throughout the city. Some of the most popular options include Adventure Brewing Company, Red Dragon Brewery, and Spencer Devon Brewing. Each of these breweries offers a unique selection of beers, as well as a welcoming atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is home to a number of great breweries, including Back Bay Brewing Company and Commonwealth Brewing Company. Both breweries offer a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as outdoor seating areas where visitors can enjoy their drinks in the sunshine.
Roanoke
Roanoke is another great destination for beer lovers, with a number of top-rated breweries located throughout the city. Some of the most popular options include Big Lick Brewing Company, Deschutes Brewery, and Starr Hill Brewery. Each of these breweries offers a unique selection of beers, as well as a welcoming atmosphere that makes visitors feel right at home.
Sterling
Sterling is home to a number of great breweries, including Crooked Run Brewing and Dynasty Brewing Company. Both breweries offer a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as outdoor seating areas where visitors can enjoy their drinks in the sunshine.
Brewery Tours and Events
Virginia is home to some of the best breweries in the country, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore them through brewery tours and events. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, there’s something for everyone.
One popular way to explore Virginia’s breweries is by taking a brewery tour. Many breweries offer guided tours of their facilities, where you can learn about the brewing process and sample their beers. Some of the most popular breweries for tours include Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, Devils Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland, and Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet.
If you’re looking for a more organized brewery tour experience, there are several companies that offer brewery tours in Virginia. For example, the Nelson 151 Trail is a popular beer trail that takes visitors to several breweries and cideries in the Nelson County area. Another option is to take a bus tour, such as the Brew Ridge Tours, which takes visitors to multiple breweries in Charlottesville and the surrounding area.
In addition to brewery tours, there are also several beer festivals and events throughout the year in Virginia. One of the biggest is the Great American Beer Festival, which takes place in Denver, Colorado, but features several Virginia breweries. Other popular events include the Virginia Craft Brewers Fest, the Richmond Beer Trail, and the Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival.
Brewery Food Offers
Virginia breweries are not just known for their craft beers but also for their delicious food offerings. Many breweries have a full food menu that pairs well with their beers. Here are some of the popular brewery food offers in Virginia:
- Big Lick Brewing Company in Roanoke offers a variety of pizza options, including Margherita, BBQ Chicken, and Meat Lovers. They also have a pretzel with beer cheese and mustard dip that is a crowd favorite.
- Devils Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland has a full food menu that includes wings, burgers, and sandwiches. They also have a kids’ menu and a dessert menu that features ice cream.
- The Answer Brewpub in Richmond has a rotating food menu that changes every few weeks. They offer a variety of dishes, including Korean Fried Chicken and Ramen.
- Lost Rhino Brewing Company in Ashburn has a menu that features pub fare with a twist. They have a variety of sandwiches, burgers, and tacos. They also have a dessert menu that includes a chocolate chip cookie skillet.
- Center of The Universe Brewing in Ashland has a food menu that includes salads, sandwiches, and burgers. They also have a kids’ menu and a dessert menu that features ice cream.
- Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond has a food menu that includes sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. They also have a dessert menu that features ice cream and cookies.
Additional Information
Virginia is home to a thriving beer market that offers high-quality brews from several breweries. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy a wide range of beer styles, from traditional lagers and ales to experimental brews made with unique ingredients. In addition to the breweries listed in the previous sections, there are several other notable breweries worth checking out.
One of the top breweries in Virginia is Devils Backbone Brewing Company, which offers a range of award-winning beers. The brewery’s flagship Vienna Lager is a popular choice, but visitors can also try seasonal brews and limited-edition releases. Devils Backbone has won numerous awards for its beers, including several gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.
Another great brewery to check out is Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery, which is located on a 290-acre farm in central Virginia. The brewery uses produce grown on its farm to create innovative and unique beers. Visitors can enjoy a range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sour beers, in a beautiful setting surrounded by rolling farmland.
For those who want to explore Virginia’s beer scene in depth, there are several beer tours available. These tours offer a chance to visit multiple breweries in a single day and learn about the brewing process from expert guides. Some popular beer tours include the Richmond Beer Trail and the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail.
In addition to beer tours, visitors can also attend beer festivals and events throughout the year. These events offer a chance to sample beers from several breweries and enjoy live music, food, and other entertainment. Some popular beer festivals in Virginia include the Virginia Craft Brewers Fest and the Capital Ale House Oktoberfest.
Overall, Virginia’s beer scene is thriving and offers something for every beer lover. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, be sure to check out some of the state’s top breweries and explore all that Virginia has to offer.