Southwest Virginia is beloved by outdoor enthusiasts because of rugged destinations like the Spearhead Trails, the Appalachian Trail, and challenging waterways like the New River. But there is much more to the region besides active, adventurous pursuits. The area has a number of buzzworthy craft breweries.
Check out a few of these craft breweries in Southwest Virginia to combine the beauty and splendor of the outdoors with some of the best beverages the Commonwealth has to offer.
The River Company Brewery—Radford
The River Company Restaurant & Brewery has a prime location overlooking the New River, only minutes away from Radford University and Virginia Tech. The brewery resembles a wood lodge both inside and out, with huge wood beams intersecting across the large open space and a crackling fire going during the cool months in the stone fireplace.
The on-tap selection balances year-round staples with specialty beers crafted utilizing seasonal flavors. For food, they are known for their beef, specifically steaks, but the menu is packed with tasty options to enjoy with your craft brews.
Rising Silo Brewery—Blacksburg
The creations at Rising Silo Brewery in Blacksburg are more than just delicious beer—the team views crafting beverages as an expression of creativity. The brewery also prioritizes green energy, using solar power to account for 40% of energy usage on their farm. Sample the flagship Farm Life Lager or stop into the brewery to try a seasonal creation.
Creek Bottom Brewing—Galax
Galax’s Creek Bottom Brewing acts as both brewery and restaurant for the community, offering wood-fired pizzas, smoked wings, and a bevy of fantastic food selections to go along with their handcrafted beers. About 6-8 of their own brews rotate on draft, along with 12-14 beers from other Virginia breweries and cideries, but they also serve over 300 bottled or canned beers from international breweries, rounding out an impressive selection that even the biggest beer aficionado can appreciate. Shiny red stools surround the handful of high-top wood slab tables spread around the brewery, and string lights dip from the ceilings to create an intimate, cozy environment for your dining and drinking.
The Damascus Brewery—Damascus
Grab a delicious craft brew and pull up a stool in The Damascus Brewery. This Southwest Virginia brewery is close to both the historic Creeper Trail and the Appalachian Trail, and it definitely pulls from these outdoor destinations for inspiration. The wood paneled walls and open vault ceiling speak to the no-frills approach that the brewery takes in décor, and turns the focus instead to the all-grain craft brews.
Sample a few of the inventive options, from the robust Beaver Fever Porter (a play on the brewery’s mascot), to the easy-to-drink Amberdelic. You’ll often catch live music while visiting the brewery, and if the weather is nice, a seat at the picnic tables on the outdoor patio is the way to go.
Bull & Bones—Blacksburg
Wood-fired barbecue and fresh lager and ales are on the menu at Southwest Virginia's oldest brewery, Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill. The brewhouse creates ales, lagers, and stouts and prioritizes local ingredients for quality flavors.
Buffalo Mountain Brewery—Floyd
The small-batch Buffalo Mountain Brewery in Floyd has brewed over 60 different styles of beer throughout its years in business. Grab a brew and a bite at the connected McDaniel's Tavern, named in honor of owner Bill McDaniel's great grandfather. Snacks on the menu include pimento cheese dip, the tavern's specialty hummus, and a soft pretzel with spicy house mustard.
