
Starr Hill Brewery—Crozet
Should we be surprised that a brewery that was born alongside a concert hall is keeping the musical connection going almost 20 years later? Starr Hill Brewery was founded in 1999, sharing a space with the upstairs Starr Hill Music Hall on Main Street in Charlottesville. The brewery’s operations have since moved to a larger facility in nearby Crozet, and while the facility still hosts live music, they don’t stop there. Music has made its way into their beers, and several of their brews have music-themed names and labels, like their Grateful Pale Ale (nodding to the Grateful Dead) the Reviver Red IPA, which sports a keyboard on the label, and the Double Platinum IPA, which includes a visual nod to vinyl enthusiasts.Hardywood Park Craft Brewery—Richmond

Champion Brewing Company—Charlottesville
“The Pils Are Alive” at Champion Brewing Company as the name of their dry-hopped pilsner would suggest, but not with the sound of music that Rodgers and Hammerstein would have written. Champion offers events like “Rad Dads Burgers and Records” on Father’s Day, and the Charlottesville brewery has become a home for music fans looking for louder accompaniment. In addition to their own metal shows, they’ve hosted the Metal Showcase as part of the city’s Tom Tom Founders Festival, an April celebration of creativity and civic engagement that coincides with Thomas Jefferson’s birthday. They also collaborated with punk group Against Me! on a brew called Black Me Stout, and they hosted a free performance by the band as part of the beer’s release.O’Connor Brewing Company—Norfolk

Lake Anne Brew House—Reston
Few things are better than grabbing a seat at an intimate venue and relaxing, beer in hand, while listening to a talented musician. But then there are the times when you’re looking to take a more active role in the surrounding sonic landscape… and Lake Anne Brew House gets it. On the first Thursday of each month, the brewery is home to an acoustic open mic night hosted by local solo acoustic act Field Shaman. Patrons can bring out their own instruments and decide what they might want to play while sipping a Brown's Chapel Brown Ale. First time performing at an open mic? You’ve earned a reward — perhaps a Reston Red Ale?Redbeard Brewing Company—Staunton
Redbird Brewing Company is another spot where you can find a great craft brew as well as an opportunity to sing your heart out. Staunton's first downtown brewery features live music every Friday evening and passes the microphone around later in the weekend for Sunday Funday Karaoke. What better way to build up the courage to belt out your own version of Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" than a Bad With Names IPA? Relaxing after a passionate rendition of Wilson Phillips' "Hold On"? Try holding on to a Citra Grissette saison.Lost Rhino Brewing Company—Ashburn

Strangeways Brewing—Richmond
Strangeways Brewing is another brewing-meets-tunes love story. Want proof? Look no further than the name “Strangeways,” which references the 1987 Smiths’ album Strangeways, Here We Come; a vinyl copy hangs on the wall behind the bar at the brewery’s tasting room in Richmond. And their past brews have included a That’s My Jam Berry Sour, their Wake Me Up Before You Gose, a nod to the Wham! hit “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” and GWAR Blood, a hoppy red ale that picked up on the gory persona of Richmond’s preeminent shock metal export. It’s also periodically home to Hip-Hop Bingo!Blue Mountain Brewery—Afton, Arrington

The Answer—Richmond
Not content to be just the proprietor of a Vietnamese restaurant that consistently won awards for being the best beer bar in America, An Bui founded The Answer, a brewpub located behind his Mekong Restaurant in the very same building. A loyal clientele followed, as did his thriving restaurant’s house band: Mekong Xpress & the Get Fresh Horns. The group hosts weekly Monday night concerts that showcase some of Richmond’s most talented and in-demand musicians, mixing jazz and soul covers with original tunes, many of which were committed to vinyl on bassist Todd Herrington’s brilliant Things album. The music and beer could not be a more perfect marriage: both are among the best in town or elsewhere — all within a strip mall on Broad Street.Parkway Brewing Company—Salem
