Craft Beer Trails

Virginia Craft Beer Gold Road

The Virginia Craft Beer Cup competition is held annually by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild (VCBG) and continues to be the largest state competition of its kind in the United States.  In 2023, 125 breweries from across the Commonwealth competed in 31 different beer categories.  The Virginia Craft Beer Gold Road features the 2023 gold medal winners in each beer category as well as this year’s “Best in Show” beer.  If you are a craft beer enthusiast, this beer trail is a self-guided tour of some of the best independent craft beer Virginia has to offer.  

2023 Virginia Craft Beer Cup Winners - Benchtop Brewing Company
Photo Credit: Virginia Craft Beer Magazine

2023 Best in Show Winner:

• Benchtop Brewing Company, Crimson Gaze - Norfolk

2023 Gold Medal Winners:

• Alewerks Brewing Company, Weekend Lager, Williamsburg
• Barley Naked Brewing Company, Irish Prenup, Stafford
• Barnhouse Brewery, Barnhouse X, Leesburg
• Benchtop Brewing Company, Crimson Gaze, Norfolk
• Benchtop Brewing Company, Brown Bear Honey Pot Batch 4, Norfolk
• Bike Lane Brewing, Hellwig, Reston
• Billsburg Brewery, Fly Away IPA, Williamsburg
• Blue Mountain Barrel House, Full Nelson, Arrington
• Blue Mountain Brewery, Classic Lager, Afton
• Brew Republic, Eisbock, Woodbridge
• Dirt Farm Brewing, Peachy Mother Pucker, Bluemont
• Full Distance Brewing, Yucatan Sunrise, Stafford
• Great American Restaurants (Sweetwater Tavern), Kissing Bull Lager, Centreville
• Great American Restaurants (Sweetwater Tavern), Barking Frog Kolsch, Centreville
• James River Brewery, James Bean Vanilla Oatmeal Porter, Scottsville
• Lake Anne Brew House, Reston Red, Reston
• Long Way Brewing, Exacta Right, Radford
• Lost Barrel Brewing, Stratazacca Double IPA, Middleburg
• Momac Brewing Company, Pato De Palo (Peg Leg), Portsmouth
• Nansemond Brewing Station, Myrtle’s Diary Red Ale, Suffolk
• Pale Fire Brewing Company, Taking Water, Harrisonburg
• Patch Brewing Company, Home Run Hefe, Gordonsville
• Port City Brewing Company, Optimal Wit, Alexandria
• Selvedge Brewing, Houndstooth , Charlottesville
• Selvedge Brewing, Wooly Mammoth, Charlottesville
• South Street Brewery, Slippery When Wit, Charlottesville
• St. George Brewing Company, Honey Meade Lager, Hampton
• Starr Hill Brewery, Dark Biddings, Richmond
• Thin Brew Line Brewing Company, VB Strong, Virginia Beach
• Three Notch’d Brewing Co, Firefly Nights Summertime Ale, Richmond
• WildManDan Brewery, We are Pivo, Afton

Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail

The Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail is an unforgettable travel adventure that allows you to discover the vibrant micro and craft brewing scene found throughout Virginia.

Rising Silo Brewery

Breweries include:

• Bristol Station Brews & Taproom – Bristol
• Buffalo Mountain Brewery – Floyd
• Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill – Blacksburg
• Chaos Mountain Brewing – Callaway
• Creek Bottom Brewing Company – Galax
• Damascus Brewery – Damascus
• Hammer & Forge Brewing Company – Boones Mill
• Right Mind Brewing Company – Blacksburg
• Rising Silo Brewery – Blacksburg
• River Company Brewery – Radford
• State Street Brewing – Bristol
• Studio Brew – Bristol
• Sugar Hill Brewing Company – St. Paul
• Wolf Hills Brewing Co. – Abingdon

Virginia 58 Beer Trail

The VA 58 Beer Trail is a grouping of breweries that are located along the Western portion of VA Route 58.

Buggs Island Brewing Company

The breweries include:

• 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co Inc – Danville
• Ballad Brewing – Danville
• Bristol Brewery – Bristol
• Buggs Island Brewing Company LLC – Clarksville
• Busted Still Brewery – Gate City
• Creek Bottom Brewing LLC – Galax
• Mountain Valley Brewing – Axton
• State Street Brewing – Bristol
• Studio Brew LLC – Bristol
• Sugar Hill Brewing Company – Saint Paul
• The Damascus Brewery – Damascus
• Wolf Hills Brewing Company – Abingdon

Brew Ridge Trail

The Brew Ridge Trail has taken the craft brewing world by storm. The Brew Ridge Trail is self-guided, so you can visit any brewery you want, in any order, during their regular business hours.

Blue Mountain Brewery

Our Breweries:

• Blue Mountain Barrel House – Colleen
• Blue Mountain Brewery – Afton
• Devils Backbone Brewing Company – Wintergreen
• South Street – Charlottesville
• Starr Hill – Crozet

Charlottesville Ale Trail

Three Notch'd Craft Brewery & Kitchen

The Charlottesville Ale Trail is a 2.3 mile urban pedestrian beer trail that includes:

• Champion Brewery
• Random Row Brewing
• Rockfish Brewing
• Starr Hill Downtown
• South Street Brewery
• Three Notch'd Craft Brewery & Kitchen

Nelson 151 Trail

The Nelson 151 Trail provides a convenient way to sample Nelson County's many wineries and breweries, all along scenic Rt. 151 - the destination for Virginia wine, craft beer, local food, and outdoor recreation lovers. The trail features seven wineries, and three breweries/restaurants along a beautiful stretch of scenic byway, with Blue Ridge Mountain views, and easy access to and from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Devil's Backbone Brewing Company and Restaurant

Breweries Include:

• Blue Mountain Brewery – Afton
• Devils Backbone Brewing Company – Roseland

Red White and Brew Trail

With 11 wineries, five breweries, two hard cideries, distilleries and local restaurants that will satisfy the most discriminating palate - the Red, White and Brew Trail in Nelson County is a culinary hot spot.

Brewing Tree Beer Company

Breweries Include:

• Blue Mountain Brewery – Afton
• Blue Mountain Barrel House – Arrington
• Brewing Tree Beer Company – Afton
• Devils Backbone Brewing Company – Roseland
• Wildmans Brewery – Afton
• Wood Ridge Farm Brewery – Lovingston

Richmond Beer Trail

Quench your thirst in Richmond, Virginia, which is quickly becoming a major craft beer destination. With more than 20 craft breweries and more on the way, it's clear why the Wall Street Journal said Richmond "is home to one of the region's fastest growing beer scenes."

Hardywood West Creek

Our breweries include:

• Ardent Craft Ales
• Benchtop Brewing Co.
• Canon & Draw Brewing Co.
• Castleburg Brewery and Tap Room
• Center of the Universe
• Dogtown Brewing
• Extra Billy’s Smokehouse & Brewery
• Final Gravity Brewing Co.
• Fine Creek Brewing Company
• Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
• Hardywood Park Craft Brewery West Creek – Goochland
• Isley Brewing Company
• Intermission Beer Company
• Kindred Spirit Brewing
• Legend Brewing Company
• Lickinghole Creek Craft Brewery – Goochland
• Midnight Brewery – Rockville
• Origin Beer Lab
• Rock Bottom Brewery
• Steam Bell Beer Works
• Stone Brewing Co.
• Strangeways Brewing
• The Answer BrewPub
• Three Notch’d Brewing Company
• Triple Crossing Brewing Company
• Triple Crossing Brewing - Fulton
• Väsen Brewing Company
• Veil Brewing Company

Coastal VA Beer Trail

The Coastal VA Beer Trail consists of breweries in Williamsburg, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Smithfield and Virginia Beach.

Commonwealth Brewing Co

Breweries include:

• AleWerks Brewing Company – Williamsburg
• Back Bay Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Benchtop Brewing Company – Norfolk
• Big Ugly Brewing Company – Chesapeake
• The Bold Mariner Brewing Company – Norfolk
• Brass Cannon Brewing Company – Willliamsburg
• Bull Island Brewing Company – Hampton
• Coelacanth Brewing Company – Norfolk
• Commonwealth Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Gordon Biersch – Virginia Beach
• Home Republic Brew Pub – Virginia Beach
• O’Connor Brewing Co. – Norfolk
• The Oozlefinch Craft Brewery – Fort Monroe
• Pleasure House Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Reaver Beach Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Rip Rap Brewing Co. – Norfolk
• Smartmouth Brewing Company – Norfolk
• St. George Brewing Company – Hampton
• Tradition Brewing Company – Newport News
• The Virginia Beer Company – Willliamsburg
• Wasserhund Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Wharf Hill Brewing Company – Smithfield
• Young Veterans Brewing Company – Virginia Beach

Toast the Coast VA: Beer, Wine & Shine Trail

The Toast the Coast: Beer, Wine and Shine Trail consists of breweries in Williamsburg, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Smithfield and Virginia Beach.

Back Bay's Farmhouse Brewing Co: Cranberry Blood Orange Cider

Breweries include:

• Amber Ox Public House *  – Williamsburg
• AleWerks Brewing Company – Williamsburg
• Back Bay Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Benchtop Brewing Company – Norfolk
• Billsburg Brewery – Williamsburg
• Big Ugly Brewing Company – Chesapeake
• The Bold Mariner Brewing Company – Norfolk
• Brick & Mortar Brewing – Suffolk
• Bull Island Brewing Company – Hampton
• Capstan Bar Brewing Company – Hampton
• Coelacanth Brewing Company – Norfolk
• Commonwealth Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Deadline Brewing Project – Virginia Beach
• Gordon Biersch – Virginia Beach
• Home Republic Brew Pub – Virginia Beach
• Momac Brewing Company – Portsmouth
• O’Connor Brewing Co. – Norfolk
• The Oozlefinch Craft Brewery – Fort Monroe
• Pleasure House Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Reaver Beach Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Rip Rap Brewing Co. – Norfolk
• Smartmouth Brewing Company – Norfolk
• St. George Brewing Company – Hampton
• Tradition Brewing Company – Newport News
• The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery – Hampton
• The Virginia Beer Company – Willliamsburg
• Wasserhund Brewing Company – Virginia Beach
• Wharf Hill Brewing Company – Smithfield
• Young Veterans Brewing Company – Virginia Beach

Spirits of the Clinch

Starting on either end of Virginia's Hidden River, visitors to Spirits of the Clinch can find a distillery, two breweries, and three wineries waiting like old friends at the end of a dirt road to greet you.

Sugar Hill Brewing Company

Breweries include:

• Painted Peak Brewing Co. – Tazewell
• Sugar Hill Brewing Co. – St. Paul
• Plum Creek Winery – Tazewell
• Vincent's Vineyard – Russell
• Stone Mountain Distilling – Russell
• Sugar Hill Brewing Company – Wise
• Mountain Rose Vineyard – Wise

Beltway Beer Trail

The Beltway Beer Trail is currently the largest beer trail in the Virginia, showcasing more than 20 different breweries located in Fairfax, Prince William, Manassas, Alexandria, Falls Church and Arlington.

New District Brewing Company

The breweries include:

• 2 Silos Brewing Co – Manassas
• BadWolf Brewing Company – Manassas
• Brew Republic Bierwerks – Woodbridge
• Caboose Brewing Company LLC – Vienna
• Capitol City Brewing Company – Arlington
• Fair Winds Brewing Company – Lorton
• Forge Brew Works – Lorton
• Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant – McLean
• Growling Bear Brewing Company – Woodbridge
• Heritage Brewing Co – Manassas
• Lake Anne Brew House LLC – Reston
• Mustang Sally Brewing Company LLC – Chantilly
• New District Brewing Company – Chantilly
• Ono Brewing Company – Chantilly
• Ornery Beer Co – Woodbridge
• Port City Brewing Company – Alexandria
• Portner Brewhouse – Alexandria
• Sweetwater Tavern – Sterling
• Water's End Brewery – Lake Ridge

Fredericksburg Area Brew Trail

The Fredericksburg Area Brew Trail is made up of up breweries in Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania.

Red Dragon Brewery

Breweries include:

• 1781 Brewing Co. – Spotsylvania
• 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company – Stafford
• Adventure Brewing Company – Fredericksburg
• Adventure Brewing South – Fredericksburg
• Barley Naked Brewing Company – Stafford
• Highmark Brewing Company – Stafford
• Maltese Brewing Company, LLC – Spotsylvania
• Red Dragon Brewery – Fredericksburg
• Spencer Devon Brewing, LLC – Fredericksburg
• Strangeways Brewing – Fredericksburg

LoCo Ale Trail

Make your way along the LoCo Ale Trail featuring delicious craft breweries in Loudoun County.

Loudoun pairs a modern and urban eastern corridor with wide-open rural seclusion on farms and pastures along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west.

Dirt Farm Brewing

Our Breweries:

• Adroit Theory – Purcellville
• Black Walnut Brewery – Leesburg
• Belly Love Brewing – Purcellville
• Beltway Brewing – Sterling
• Corcoran Brewing – Purcellville
• Crooked Run Brewing – Leesburg
• Dog Money Restaurant & Brewery – Leesburg
• Jack's Run Brewing Company – Purcellville
• Lost Rhino Brewing – Ashburn
• Lost Rhino Retreat – Ashburn
• Loudoun Brewing Company – Leesburg
• MacDowell Brew Kitchen – Leesburg
• Mad Horse Brew Pub – Lovettsville
• Old Ox Brewery – Ashburn
• Ocelot Brewing Company – Dulles
• Quattro Goomba's Brewery – Aldie
• Dirt Farm Brewing – Bluemont
• Old 690 Brewing Company – Purcellville
• Barnhouse Brewery – Leesburg
• Sweetwater Tavern – Falls Church
• Vanish – Leesburg

Steins, Vines and Moonshine Trail

Steins, Vines and Moonshine Trail is the official trail for local breweries, wineries and distilleries throughout Prince William County, Virginia. Discover what wonderful experiences Prince William has to offer for beer, wine & spirit lovers...!

Heritage Brewing Company

Breweries:

• 2 Silos Brewing Company – Manassas
• BadWolf Brewing Company – Manassas
• BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
• Brew Republic Bierwerks – Woodbridge
• Cedar Run Brewing Co – Nokesville
• Eavesdrop Brewery – Yorkshire
• Heritage Brewing Company – Manassas
• Ornery Beer Company & Public House – Woodbridge
• Sinistral Brewing Company – Manassas
• The Farm Brewery at Broad Run – Broad Run
• Tin Cannon Brewing Company – Gainesville
• Water’s End Brewery – Lake Ridge

Helltown Beer Trail

The Helltown Beer Trail gets it's name from Front Royal, VA where the Beer Trail is centered. By the 1790s, Front Royal earned the nickname "Helltown," due to the many livestock wranglers and boatmen on the Shenandoah coming through the area, who came into town to visit local saloons. The Helltown Beer Trail includes 10 breweries from the Northern Valley region of Virginia as well as the country's first State Beer Museum.

Woodstock Brew House

The breweries include:

• AleSatian Brewing Co – Winchester
• Backroom Brewery – Middletown
• Barrel Oak Farm Taphouse – Delaplane
• Escutcheon Brewing Co – Winchester
• Hawksbill Brewing Co – Luray
• Hopkins Ordinary Ale Works – Sperryville
• Pen Druid Brewing – Sperryville
• Winchester Brew Works – Winchester
• Woodstock Brewhouse – Woodstock

Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail

Along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail you can taste some of the best craft beer in the country. This beautiful region provides a way to reconnect with important things in life – relax and enjoy the companionship of good friends amidst some of the nation’s most beautiful farms and mountains,

Pale Fire Brewing Co.

Breweries Include:

• Brothers Craft Brewing – Harrisonburg
• Pale Fire Brewing Co. – Harrisonburg
• Seven Arrows Brewing Co. – Waynesboro
• Redbeard Brewing Co. – Staunton
• Stable Craft Brewing – Waynesboro
• Queen City Brewing – Staunton
• Shenandoah Valley Brewing Co. – Staunton
• Basic City Beer – Waynesboro
• Three Notch'd Brewing Co. – Harrisonburg
• Restless Moons Brewing Company – Harrisonburg
• Devils Backbone Outpost – Lexington
• Great Valley Farm Brewery – Natural Bridge
• Skipping Rock Beer Co. – Staunton
• BrewHaHa Brewing Company – Elkton
• Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewing – Raphine
• Cave Hill Farms Brewery – McGaheysville
• Elkton Brewing Co. – Elkton
• Heliotrope Brewery – Lexington
• The Friendly Fermenter – Harrisonburg

Shenandoah Spirits Trail

Wineries, craft breweries, cideries and distilleries span from Harrisonburg into Rockingham County through Shenandoah County to Winchester/Frederick County make up the Shenandoah Spirits Trail.

Pale Fire Brewing Co.

Breweries Include: 

• Swover Creek Farm Brewery – Edinburg
• Virginia Beer Museum – Front Royal
• Brothers Craft Brewing – Harrisonburg
• Pale Fire Brewing Co. – Harrisonburg
• Restless Moons Brewing – Harrisonburg
• Three Notch'd Brewing Co. – Harrisonburg
• The Friendly Fermenter – Harrisonburg
• Hawksbill Brewing Co. – Luray
• Ridge Runner Farms and Brewing Co. – Maurertown
• Backroom Brewery – Middletown
• Box Office Brewery – Strasburg
• Woodstock BREW HOUSE – Woodstock
• Alesatian Brewing – Winchester
• Broken Window Brewing Co. – Winchester
• Escutcheon Brewing – Winchester
• Winchester BREWWORKS – Winchester

Virginia's Blue Ridge Cheers Trail

Virginia's Blue Ridge Cheers Trail includes local breweries and is the perfect way to experience the flavors of Virginia's Blue Ridge and meet the people who are bringing these great beers to life.

The Roanoke Valley in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains is quickly developing into a popular location for craft breweries. The plentiful supply of top-quality water combined with the beautiful landscape and unique culture that exists in the region makes Virginia's Blue Ridge a natural choice for many beer companies.  The trail also includes wineries and craft spirits. producers.

Big Lick Brewing Company

 Breweries Include:

• A Few Old Goats – Roanoke
• Beale's – Bedford
• Big Lick Brewing Company – Roanoke
• Chaos Mountain Brewing – Callaway
• Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room – Roanoke
• Golden Cactus Brewing - Roanoke
• Hammer & Forge Brewing Company – Boones Mill
• Ober Brewing Company – Salem
• Olde Salem Brewing Co. – Salem
• Parkway Brewing Company – Salem
• Soaring Ridge Craft Brewers – Roanoke
• Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage – Roanoke
• Sunken City Brewing Company – Hardy
• Twin Creeks Brewing Company – Vinton
• White Rock Brewery – Goodview