You set out on a Virginia beer trail one Saturday, looking to conquer a few of the craft breweries in your region with a handful of friends. All of the sudden, the image of a delicious cheesy pizza or a thick, juicy burger fills your mind, and you wish you could conjure up a meal without having to change your travel plans. Luckily, many breweries understand this plight, and to counteract these cravings, they provide some tasty meal and snack options to pair with your beverages.
If you need more than crackers or peanuts while visiting a brewery, these places serve up some mouthwatering meals to get your mind back to what really matters: Savoring excellent Virginia craft beers.
Devils Backbone Brewing Company—Nelson
Photo Credit: Devils Backbone Brewing Company
You'll find the Basecamp Brewpub of Devils Backbone Brewing Company at the bottom of the mountain ridge that holds Wintergreen Resort. It's a popular spot for skiers and snowboarders that are looking to fill up and get warm with a big meal and a tasty craft beer after a trip to the slopes. With dozens of beers on tap as well as cocktails, wine, and spirits, there's plenty to sip on. The menu includes tempting shareables like the brewhaus nachos and truffle fries, plus salads, sandwiches, and other American fare. During warmer months, head outside to the outdoor patio for a game of cornhole after your meal.
A Taste of the Menu: Pit master pulled pork platter with house smoked pulled pork, coleslaw, collard greens, pickles, and garlic bread.
Stable Craft Brewing—Waynesboro
Found on a working farm, Stable Craft Brewing knows the importance of farm-raised products. They source many of the menu items locally, using fresh ingredients to create unique appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and even tacos. But the brewery offers more than just beer and food (although they have perfected both of these). Before dining on a juicy burger and sipping cold craft beer, take a tour of the hop fields and visit with the farm’s friendly horses.
A Taste of the Menu: Pulled Pork Burger, piled high with their smoked pulled pork, served with honey sriracha cole slaw.
Blue Mountain Brewery—Afton
Blue Mountain Brewery is another location off the Blue Ridge Trail featuring a fantastic restaurant, where you can get lunch and dinner every day, as well as Sunday brunches. The real star of the food menu at Blue Mountain is definitely the pizzas. Many of the desserts are made using their beers, 10 of which are on always draft at the brewery. The outdoor patio area is huge, dotted with picnic tables and large teal umbrellas, and guests frequent the area because of the gorgeous mountain backdrop and the cornhole sets provided by the brewery.
A Taste of the Menu: Date Night pizza with sweet dates, shaved prosciutto, goat cheese, and mozzarella, topped with fresh arugula and a balsamic reduction
Trapezium Brewing Company—Petersburg
Petersburg’s first craft brewery, Trapezium Brewing Company, pairs craft brews on tap and specialty pies on the menu. The brick building and hanging old-fashioned lights create a classic, enchanting ambiance inside the tasting room. Outside, sturdy wood picnic tables shaded by large red umbrellas provide alternative seating for guests visiting on clear sunny days. The outside bar is not your average dwelling, but a weathered old houseboat, where staff serve cold beverages and select food combinations.
A Taste of the Menu: Kealia pizza with red sauce, bacon, pineapple, five cheese blend, and bourbon barbecue sauce
Woodstock Brewhouse—Woodstock
Stop into Woodstock Brewhouse and savor one of their draft beers along with something from the menu. The brewery offers a variety of starters, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. If you're in the mood for something sweet, don't miss the churro with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
A Taste of the Menu: The Falafel Wrap with hummus, romaine, tomato, cucumber, red onion, mint, and tahini
The Veil Brewing Company—Richmond
The Scott's Addition location is the flagship spot for this Richmond brewery which is known for partnering with up-and-coming food concepts. Swing by The Veil and get food from Nokoribi, a Japanese-inspired street fusion restaurant. Sit in the taproom or relax with a brew on the patio.
A Taste of the Menu: Miso Chicken Meatball Sub with a spicy brown sugar glaze, gochujang sauce, cucumber, daikon, carrots, and fresno chili
Lost Rhino—Ashburn
Lost Rhino Brewing Company has a multitude of food fare available to go with their craft beers. For just a small bite, order the nachos or the chips and dip, served with a queso cheese made with the breweries Face Plant IPA. Bigger menu items include a small selection of wraps and sandwiches. Not full yet? Try one of the incredible desserts, like Root Beer Float made with Lost Rhino’s Root Beer.
A Taste of the Menu: The Rachel sandwich with turkey, Swiss, house-made sauerkraut, and house-made Thousand Island dressing
“Hopping” Breweries with Food Trucks
Not every brewery can boast a full size kitchen and restaurant. These breweries frequently host food trucks from local vendors to supply various delicious dishes right in their parking lots. For dates and details on food truck schedules, contact the breweries.
- Hardywood Park Craft Brewery—Richmond
- Adventure Brewing Company—Fredericksburg
- Reaver Beach Brewing Company—Virginia Beach
- Port City Brewing Company—Alexandria
- Big Lick Brewing Company—Roanoke
- The Virginia Beer Company—Williamsburg
- Commonwealth Brewing Company—Virginia Beach
These are just a small sample of the craft breweries around Virginia that offer impressive fare inside their business. Keep planning your foodie adventures around Virginia.
