Many of you may have already heard about Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry, but may not be aware that the Commonwealth is also growing in terms of brewing. Several parts of the state are becoming bastions of better beer, but you may not know where to find them. I’m providing this page for just that reason.

With so many beer stores and bars around the state, I tried to keep those listings Richmond-centric. If you’re looking for more specific recommendations for certain parts of the state or Mid-Atlantic region, I would look to the C.R.A.B.B. or BeerAdvocate. Whether you’re just passing through, or are a life-long Virginia resident, give these establishments a gander the next time you get thirsty.

Virginia Breweries & Brewpubs

• Blacksburg Brewing Company – Blacksburg
• Blue & Gray Brewing Company – Fredericksburg
• Blue Mountain Brewery – Afton
• Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill – Blacksburg
• Cally’s Restaurant & Brewing Co. – Harrisonburg
• Capitol City Brewing Company – Arlington, Washington DC
• Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company – Roseland
• Jefferson Street Brewery – Lynchburg
• Legend Brewing Company – Richmond
• Picadilly’s Brew Pub & Restaurant – Winchester
• Queen City Brewing – Staunton
• Richbrau Brewing Company – Richmond
• The River Company Restaurant and Brewery – Radford
• Roanoke Railhouse Brewery – Roanoke
• Shenandoah Brewing – Alexandria
• Shooting Creek Brewery – Floyd
• South Street Brewery – Charlottesville
• St. George Brewing Company – Hampton
• Starr Hill Brewery – Crozet
• Sweetwater Tavern – Centreville, Merrifield, Sterling
• Vintage 50 Restaurant & Brew Lounge – Leesburg
• Williamsburg AleWerks – Williamsburg

National Brewpubs

• Gordon Biersch – Virginia Beach, McLean
• Hops Grill & Brewery – Richmond, Alexandria
• Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery – Arlington

Richmond Area Beer Bars & Restaurants

• Avalon Restaurant
• Bottoms Up Pizza
• Cafe Gutenberg
• Caliente
• Can Can Brasserie
• Capital Ale House – Richmond, Fredericksburg
• Commercial Taphouse & Grill
• Mekong
• Penny Lane Pub – “Liverpool without the airfare”  (i.e. Richmond)

Richmond Area Beer Stores

• The Caboose – Ashland
• Corks & Kegs
• Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market
• European Market & Cafe
• Once Upon a Vine
• Patterson Express
• River City Cellars
• Shields Market
• Strawberry Street Market
• Wine & Beer Westpark

Homebrew Supplies

• Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing – Roanoke
• Fermentation Trap – Barboursville
• HomeBrew USA – Norfolk
• MyLHBS – Falls Church
• Weekend Brewer – Chester
• Wine and Cake Hobbies – Norfolk

If you own, operate, or frequent an establishment deemed worthy of consideration for this section, drop me a line with some background information and it may be added to the list. Remember, it’s about the beer.