Ready for a ride on the Virginia craft beer bandwagon? If so, please do one of two things: 1) Designate a driver or 2) Take a chauffeured tour. Here’s how you can responsibly sip, sample and enjoy Virginia craft beer.
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Beer Loop
– TASTING ON YOUR OWN –
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Beer Loop was unveiled just in time for August Virginia Craft Beer Month and includes six breweries around the Roanoke Valley. The Loop is a self-guided tour, which enables you to take your time and truly enjoy that one beer you find and love.
- Big Lick Brewing Co. – Roanoke – opening Labor Day weekend!
- Callaway Brewing Co. – Callaway
- Chaos Mountain Brewing – Callaway
- Flying Mouse Brewery – Troutville
- Parkway Brewing Co. – Salem
- Soaring Ridge Craft Brewers – Roanoke
Here’s Something … When you visit all six breweries this month (and have your passport stamped) you’ll be entered to win prizes! Download the Brochure and Map
Spread your craft beer experience over a couple of days and throw in a winery (10 to choose from), a distillery and a cidery to make it a well-rounded Virginia tasting. An example is the Red, White and Brew Trail in Nelson County:
- Blue Mountain Barrel House
- Blue Mountain Brewery
- Devils Backbone Brewing Company
- Wild Wolf Brewery
Some of the Red, White and Brew sites are also on the Nelson 151 Trail. See the Map
In a similar way, the Brew Ridge Trail incorporates many of the sites mentioned above, plus hops over to Charlottesville to pick up Starr Hill and South Street breweries. Additional attractions and places to stay are also listed for consideration.
– CHAUFFEURED TOURS –
Richmond Brewery Tours
Richmond Brewery Tours has been doing the driving for craft beer enthusiasts for two years, and there’s no sign of business slowing down. Craft beer is exploding in the Richmond region, with new breweries seeming to pop up all the time. The 14 passenger bus delivers you and your friends to three Richmond breweries for tastings and tours. Special tour events, like “Brews & Burlesque” are a hit with locals and visitors alike. Regular public tours are available Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Book Your Tour
Reston Limousine is running the NoVA Brew Bus to Mad Fox Brewing, Port City Brewing and Forge Brew Works on September 6, departing from Reston Town Center. Get behind-the-scenes tours, tasting, and even lunch at Mad Fox when you book this all-day craft beer excursion. Book Your Tour
Additional Upcoming Tours:
- Loudoun East Brew Bus: Old Ox, Lost Rhino and Beltway Brewing – August 24, September 28, October 26, 2014. Book Your Tour
- Loudoun West Brew Bus: Corcoran, Adroit Theory and Catoctin Creek Distillery – September 21 and October 19. Book Your Tour
– STAY LONGER –
The Mark Addy Inn
Holladay House Bed and Breakfast in Orange is offering private tours for two to six in a luxury Cadillac Escalade. Tour sites can include breweries, wineries or cideries. This is an add-on to your stay with rates from $225 for six.
Stay with The Mark Addy Inn in Nellysford and get a taste of the aforementioned Red, White and Brew Trail. This package is good for two nights until August 28 (better hurry!), and includes their three-course breakfast, plus a bottle of red Virginia wine, a bottle of white Virginia wine, and a six-pack of Virginia craft beer to take home. Six VIP vouchers are included for wine and/or craft beer tours and tastings, plus a $50 discount on a four-hour chauffeured tour. Rates start at $355 for two (room included). Book Now
Belle Hearth Bed and Breakfast in Waynesboro invites you to stay two nights and receive a welcome basket of wine or beer and other goodies. Your stay will include a chauffeured tour to three wineries and/or microbreweries. Rates from $380 (room included). Offer good through November 30, 2014.
Now that Staunton has two craft breweries to boast, the Stonewall Jackson Hotel has put together a craft beer package for your visit. Stay a night and receive a six-beer flight at Redbeard, two pints at Shenandoah Valley Brewing, and a free tasting at Hops retail store, plus a gift certificate to Shenandoah Pizza, breakfast, and parking. Rates from $199 for two. Book Now
Where will your love of craft beer take you? Check out Virginia.org/CraftBeer to see what you’re missing.
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© Casey for Virginia’s Travel Blog, 2014
