Shenandoah Valley Breweries and Seasonal Flavors
August is Craft Beer Month, and the Shenandoah Valley’s craft beer scene is something to celebrate! Our breweries offer a wide range of flavors emphasizing local ingredients and brewer ingenuity. They showcase the region’s culture and heritage and serve as gathering places for their communities. Experience the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail to earn a free “Drink In the Shenandoah Valley” t-shirt. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or simply looking to taste new things, the Shenandoah Valley has over 24 craft breweries inviting you to savor summer flavors and create memories that will last long after the last sip. Below are some of the breweries to try on your next beercation!
Twisted Oak Farm Brewery / 912 White Post Road, White Post
Twisted Oak Farm Brewery, Clarke County’s first and only brewery, welcomes visitors with a rustic and family-friendly atmosphere. The newly constructed barn features a warm wood and cozy leather ambiance with both indoor and outdoor seating. The brewery uses local ingredients to brew a variety of excellent beers, but summer favorites include the White Post Pilsner, a light-bodied and crisp summer lager, the Clarke County Kolsh, which is clean, crisp, and fruity, and the Miss Hazy, a citrus and hoppy blend of Citra, Simco, Comet, Mosiac, El Dorado. Guests can enjoy these refreshing beers while exploring the farm, attending brewery tours, or relaxing with a meal from one of the weekend food trucks. Kids can check out the farm chickens and keep busy with games like Jenga and cards. There’s live music on Friday nights.
For nearby family fun, you can’t miss with Dinosaur Land, Blandy Experimental Farm/State Arboretum of VA, or Burwell-Morgan Mill. Refresh with a Black Angus burger at Lone Oak Tavern or a flight of cider Wild Hare Cidery.
Pale Fire Brewery / 1618 Orkney Grade, Basye
Recently opened Pale Fire Brewery, Basye serves a variety of beer styles that are perfect for drinking year-round. Good bets for summer include #9 Dream, a hazy pale ale that has notes of mixed berries and tangerine, and bright, tropical Negative Boogie IPA. Not a beer drinker? Order some Sage Bird cider, wine, or Blue Ridge kombucha. The brewery has a menu of yummy bar food and Detroit-style pizza with vegan options. There’s plenty of shaded outdoor seating and you can bring the kids for a round on the mini-golf course! Pale Fire is located near Lake Laura, golfing, and the Bryce Resort Downhill Mountain Bike Park.
Enjoy Shenandoah County attractions like the whimsical parade floats at American Celebration on Parade and the awe-inspiring Shenandoah Caverns. Learn about snack creation and sample chips at the Route 11 Potato Chip Factory. Want more craft beer? Box Office Brewery, Woodstock Brewhouse, and Swover Creek Farms and Brewery serve excellent beer and keep things lively with plentiful entertainment options.
Elkton Brewing Co. / 100 North Fifth Street, Elkton
Housed in a historic mill, family-owned Elkton Brewing Co. specializes in natural artisan beers, emphasizing quality over volume. With taps that turn over regularly, the diverse selection includes everything from dark to light, smooth to bitter, fruited to traditional, and even some creative hybrids. All the beers are brewed using high-quality ingredients as well as fresh spring water from local Bear Lithia Spring. Ask about its history and medicinal value as well as the colorful stories and landmark lore behind the names of the beers! Enjoy the brewery’s indoor and pet-friendly outdoors spaces, regular live music and delicious bites from the food trucks that park nearby.
Make a day of it by hiking in nearby Shenandoah National Park, paddling or fishing on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, or enjoying four-season Massanutten Resort, all within ten minutes of the brewery.
Restless Moon Brewing Company / 120 W Wolfe Street, Harrisonburg
Restless Moons Brewing Company brews all its beers just a few feet away from the bar. You can actually see the five-barrel system from your seat in the taproom! This small-batch system allows Restless Moons to keep things fresh and interesting by constantly rotating what’s on tap. You’ll find IPAs, stouts, porters, sours, ales, lagers, and summer flavors like Gose Gose Sour Ranger Watermelon Pickle Pear, Margarita Repulsa, and Pinkies Out white tea kolsh. Snag a comfy seat inside or outside in the beer garden. There’s always something happening at Restless Moons. There’s live music on the weekend, game nights, and open acoustic jams each week. See the schedule for live movie nights and festivals like the Friendly City Beer Festival, which hosts local craft beer and cider producers. Restless Moons is dog and kid-friendly, and you can bring snacks or get food delivered to the taproom.
Harrisonburg’s five craft breweries are all within walking distance in downtown Harrisonburg. All host exciting events and pour award-winning libations. Gather with friends for rounds of beer at The Friendly Fermenter, Pale Fire Brewing Company, Three Notch’d Valley Collab House, and Brothers Craft Brewing.
Stable Craft Brewing / 375 Madrid Rd, Waynesboro
Stable Craft Brewing is a four-season destination brewery and cidery situated on a beautiful 20-acre working farm known for its sustainable practices. Voted Best Patio Dining, Best Brewery, Best Cidery, and Brewery of the Year, Stable Craft serves hand-crafted beer, cider, sodas and a wide variety of local wines. Summer seasonal flavors include Watermelon Sour, Strawberry Lemonade Sour, and White Peach Cider. Guests can enjoy their libations along with food from a locally-sourced, chef-inspired menu. Bring the family – there’s a packed events calendar that caters to various ages, and there are plenty of outdoor games and activities onsite. Extend your trip with a stay in their cozy suites, just steps from the taproom!
Spend the day in the area: explore Grand Caverns or The Blue Ridge Tunnel and find treasures at the enormous Factory Antique Mall. If you have time, sample more craft beers nearby at The Alpine Goat Brewery and Seven Arrows Brewing.
Redbeard Brewing Company / 120 S. Lewis St., Staunton
Redbeard Brewing Company, a nano-brewery in downtown Staunton, creates a variety of unfiltered craft beers brewed on a small-batch, three-barrel system. Each batch is handcrafted by one person from beginning to end, using ancient techniques but modern equipment. This season’s special flavor is Granny Ray’s Hard Lemonade, a seltzer-based adults-only lemonade that is naturally gluten-free. Visitors can enjoy this tasty drink in the taproom or outside in the beer garden. Redbeard hosts events most nights, so you might sip as you play trivia, sing karaoke, discuss books, play DnD, or listen to live music. Don’t miss Redbeard’s Groovin’ in the Garden summer concert series.
A trip to Redbeard should include stops at nearby Staunton attractions like the Saturday Staunton Farmers’ Market, Blackfriars Playhouse, and Sunspots Studios. Dine alfresco during Shop & Dine Out Downtown (Friday – Sunday), and take a ride on the Virginia Scenic Railway. .
The Shenandoah Valley’s craft beer scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, experiences, and community spirit. From the historic charm of Elkton Brewing Co., the rustic allure of Twisted Oak Farm Brewery, and the lively atmosphere of Redbeard Brewing Company, each brewery offers a unique and unforgettable experience. So why wait? Embark on your beercation today and discover the magic of Shenandoah Valley!
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