*Please plan responsibility and use a designated driver when traveling the brewery trails in Virginia.*
Right across the Potomac from Washington, D.C. the Northern Virginia region of the Commonwealth is an interesting blend of historic urban areas, suburban communities, and rolling farmlands at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But each of these landscapes have something in common; they all are home to a surprising number of award-winning craft breweries. Out of Virginia’s over 200 breweries, Northern Virginia has about 60 craft breweries along five beer trails, offering several distinct day trips for those looking to discover what Virginia’s craft beer scene is all about. Use this guide to plan your brew-based outing along the beer trails of Northern Virginia.—BELTWAY BEER TRAIL—
The Beltway Beer Trail is made up of 29 breweries in the Fairfax, Prince William, Manassas, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Arlington areas of Northern Virginia. With the furthest north just outside of Reston and the southern portion of the trail near Woodbridge, every brewery is within a 35-mile drive of each other. Plan Your RouteWater’s End Brewery—Lake Ridge

Photo Credit: Josh Fournelle
The 1,800 square-foot tasting room at Water’s End Brewery is bathed in natural light from the expansive glass windows, but on sunny weekends, grab a seat on the brewery’s patio, which is actually the drive-thru for the neighboring bank during weekdays. This fact speaks to the brewery’s relationship in the community, where both businesses and locals are eager to support the burgeoning craft brewery, newly opened in September 2016. Since their opening date, they have been busy formulating new beer recipes, with 28 distinct beers under their belt to date. They aim to keep about six to eight beers on tap at all times, with only a single staple remaining on the menu, their “Damn Beer”, a refreshing and drinkable golden ale. Every other beer on draft is selected from a steady supply of experimental and seasonal batches produced by the brewing team, giving you the opportunity to try new creations with every visit to the brewery.Caboose Brewing Company—Vienna

Lake Anne Brew House—Reston

Photo Credit: Charlotte Geary
Lake Anne Brew House provides small-batch, hand-crafted beers in their nano-brewery taproom, which sits right off the water in Lake Anne Village Center Plaza. Owned by husband-and-wife team Jason and Melissa Romano, Jason runs the brewing side of the business, while Melissa brings her experience as an architect to create a tastefully minimalistic, modern style brew room. Sit out on the patio under the umbrellas to savor your craft beer with a peaceful view of the water.Brew Republic Bierwerks—Woodbridge

Port City Brewing Company—Alexandria

- Mustang Sally Brewing Company—Chantilly
- New District Brewing Co.—Arlington
- Heritage Brewing Co.—Manassas
- 2 Silos Brewing Co.—Manassas,* note this one is not opened yet.
- Aslin Beer Company—Herndon
- Badwolf Brewing Company—Manassas
- Fair Winds Brewing Company—Lorton
- Forge Brew Works—Lorton
- Portner Brewhouse—Alexandria
—FREDERICKSBURG AREA BREW TRAIL—
The Fredericksburg Area Brew Trail is comprised of eleven craft breweries in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, all regions that are also known for their significant historic sites. Get your fill of both Virginia history and craft beer when you travel along the Historic Hops Beer Trail. Plan Your RouteRed Dragon Brewery—Fredericksburg
Located in historic downtown Fredericksburg, Red Dragon Brewery strives to bring together artists, craftsmen, and any beer lover that enjoys creative pursuits. The owners became enthralled with craft beer production after sampling a batch of home beer made by relatives, and since then, have turned the hobby into a passion-fueled career. Today, owners Tom Evans and Dan Baker encourage others to find their new passions by sponsoring weekly events inside the tasting room like Paint & a Pint night, Morning Yoga & Beer, and Nerd Nite, where local experts will bring science and other topics to life in presentations, all while you sip on tasty craft beers.Spencer Devon Brewing—Fredericksburg

6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company—Fredericksburg
While the name may seem unusual, 6 Bears & A Goat refers to the owners combined military service, with six of the founders each having more than 20 years in the military and the “Goat” (the mascot of the U.S. Naval Academy) referring to the seventh founder’s service in the U.S. Navy. The brewery has four mainstay brews on draft, including a Blonde Ale, American Pale Ale, Red IPA, and an Irish Extra Stout, and these staple brews are supplemented by rotational and seasonal picks. The brewery partners with Fredericksburg food powerhouse FoodE, to serve up a world-class menu that complements their craft beverages. Other Northern Virginia Breweries on the Historic Hops Beer Trail:- Strangeways Brewing—Fredericksburg
- 1781 Brewing Company—Spotsylvania
- Battlefield Brewing Co.—Fredericksburg
- Adventure Brewing Company—Fredericksburg
- Highmark Brewery—Fredericksburg
- Maltese Brewing Company—Fredericksburg
—LOCO ALE TRAIL—
The LoCo (short for Loudoun County) Ale Trail spans the modern, urban landscape of the eastern corridor to the rural farmland and pastures along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the western part of Northern Virginia. Plan Your RouteLost Rhino Brewing Company—Ashburn

Belly Love Brewing Company—Purcellville
Belly Love Brewing Company serves a variety of traditional ales and lagers in a relaxed taproom decorated with cozy couches, a huge bar, and plenty of table seating. A rotation of eight to ten beers are kept on draft at a time, including gluten-free beer options, and are changed out frequently enough to provide a new experience each time you visit. Local Chef Karen Harper-Fuog cooks up seasonally inspired dishes to pair with the beers, changing to correspond with the brewery’s available selections.Quattro Goomba’s Brewery—Aldie


Dirt Farm Brewery
- Adroit Theory Brewing—Purcellville
- Barnhouse Brewery—Leesburg
- Beltway Brewing Company—Sterling
- Solace Brewing Company Tap Room—Sterling
- Dirt Farm Brewing—Bluemont
- Old Ox Brewery—Ashburn
- Ocelot Brewing Company—Dulles
- Old 690 Brewing Co.—Purcellville
- Crooked Run Brewing—Leesburg

Adroit Theory Brewing Company
Find All LoCo Ale Trail Breweries—SEMINOLE BEER TRAIL—
The Seminole Beer Trail runs along Route 29 from Madison in Central Virginia to Gainesville in Northern Virginia. The entire route includes nine breweries, with seven of these within the Northern Virginia area. Plan Your RouteFar Gohn Brewing Company—Culpeper

Old Trade Brewery—Brandy Station
The beers at Old Trade Brewery emulate American and European farm-centric beers, creating a menu that spans the oceans and features their take on traditional styles like pale ales and IPAs as well as distinctive Belgian brews like Saisons and Lambics. The brewery utilizes hops grown on-site in conjunction with common farm ingredients, including raspberries, pecans, pears, and even honey from local bee hives. They source their barrels from nearby vineyards and distilleries, adding another layer to the flavors in their one-of-a-kind craft beers. Other Northern Virginia Breweries on the Seminole Beer Trail:
Old Bust Head
- Powers Farm & Brewery—Midland
- Wort Hog Brewing Company—Warrenton
- Old Bust Head—Vint Hill
- Beer Hound Brewery—Culpeper
- Tin Cannon Brewing Co.—Gainesville
—HELLTOWN BEER TRAIL—
The Helltown Beer Trail runs mainly through the Shenandoah Valley region, with the name coming from the fact that the trail is centered on Front Royal. In the 1790’s, the town earned the nickname “Helltown” because of the abundance of livestock wranglers and boatmen passing through the area, culminating in the establishment of dozens of saloons in the area. Although the trail is mainly in the Shenandoah Valley, a few breweries runs along the western border of the Northern Virginia region. Plan Your RouteHopkins Ordinary Ale Works—Sperryville

- Barrel Oak Farm Taphouse—Delaplane