FIVE ELATION GERMAN STYLE BEERS ON TAP INCLUDING OUR AWARD WINNING Festbier
OKTOBERFEST FOOD SPECIALS each DAY
Sept. 20 & 27
The happy dutchmen
sept. 26 & oct. 3
OOMPah oktoberfest brass band
2 weeks of German style beer, German Food & MusiC SEPT. 20 - OCT. 4
August was officially proclaimed Virginia Craft Beer Month in 2012 when several key steps were taken to expand the craft beer industry in the Commonwealth. Governor Bob McDonnell signed two key pieces of legislation into law…
First, Senate Bill 604 allowed breweries to sell their beer at retail in their tasting room for both on-premise consumption and in closed containers for off-premise consumption. Prior to that, only full-service restaurants (brewpubs) could offer samples and sell beers to go. This was a game changer for the craft beer landscape and was the catalyst for the craft beer boom across the state. At the time, there were only 44 registered breweries in Virginia. Over the years, we’ve seen a 500% increase. According to the Brewer’s Association, in 2024, there were 354 registered breweries, producing 397,161 barrels per year, and generating a $1.5 million-dollar economic impact.
The second piece of legislation passed in 2012 was House Bill 359 which focused on allowing breweries to lease space to smaller, start-up breweries. Both of these laws were expected to positively impact tourism, local and state revenue, support local agriculture, and revitalize both urban and rural communities.
Also at that time, Governor McDonnell passed Joint Resolution #522 commending the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild and proclaiming August as Virginia Craft Beer Month. Virginia Tourism’s new slogan – “Virginia is for Craft Beer Lovers” was also unveiled during that time. Virginia Craft Beer Month is now seen as an opportunity to celebrate the industry and encourage craft beer enthusiasts to explore the many offerings across the Commonwealth.
The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild hosts its annual Virginia Craft Beer Cup in August to commend and recognize the excellent beer being produced right here in Virginia. The Cup is the most comprehensive craft beer competition in Virginia with 34 different categories ranging from “Hazy IPA” to “Stout” to “Veg/Spice.” It’s also an opportunity for breweries to receive constructive feedback from certified judges, gain statewide brand recognition, and increase sales and taproom visits. The winners will be announced August 11 at the Virginia Craft Beer Summit & Gala. The craft beer scene has certainly changed over the past thirteen years. With the sheer number of breweries and an influx of new craft beverages (seltzers, readyto-drink cocktails, THC beverages and more), breweries are finding new ways to innovate and enhance the tasting room experience. Read more about this in Jeff’s “Trends” article.
Let’s raise a glass to toast continued craft beer excellence and innovation in Virginia. Cheers!
Jennifer
August is Virginia Craft Beer Month!
Neptune Goes Country for 10th Beer Fest
By Jeff Maisey
King Neptune may need to trade in his crown for a cowboy hat and substitute a rifle for his trident August 23 when the Neptune Festival celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Coastal Craft Beer Festival at the 31st Street Park at the oceanfront.
“We are going with seaside saloon vibes and a country-n-western twist –— competitions for the best hats and boots, line dancing during band breaks, and more.,” said Melanie Gazzolo, the event’s marketing executive. “We will feature Buckshot duo and Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos for the bands, Pungo Boys BBQ food truck, and a mechanical bull.”
In addition to all the usual awesome things about the beer fest (60+ beers, ciders, and seltzers from 30+ breweries), the event will offer non-alcoholic choices.
“It was popular at our Spring Wine Festival in May – offering Zero Proof options for those who want to taste how far the non-alcoholic options have come in the past few years,” said Gazzolo. “For the beer fest, that means a tent dedicated to non-alcoholic beers and seltzers.”
Wasserhund NFK
Get ready Norfolk, Wasserhund Brewing Company is coming to town and plans to bed-down at the former District Pizza location on Granby Street in the Railroad District.
“If everything works in our favor, Wasserhund will open in autumn,” shared Aaron Holley, co-founder and production lead of the brewery. “The concept will be a sour house, but have the same menu as both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake locations. We are working to have it be retro themed, but with a Wasserhund flare. Christine and I are excited about the project.”
Wasserhund specializes in German-style beers and has also made a name for itself as a destination for hand-crafted pizzas. The transition into the space — their third location — will be relatively easy given a full kitchen with a pizza oven, bar with taps, tables and chairs are already in place.
Wasserhund NFK will be within close proximity to Rip Rap Brewing and Maker’s Craft Brewery, creating a cluster of breweries for enthusiasts to patronize in an afternoon.
Virginia Craft Beer Month
August is officially recognized as Virginia Craft Beer Month in the Commonwealth. It was first designated as such in 2012 by the General Assembly in Richmond after then Governor Bob McDonnell signed Senate Bill 604 into law allowing breweries to sell beer directly to consumers through their tasting rooms.
Neptune’s Coastal Craft Beer Fest turns 10
brewNEWS
Virginia Guild Cup Awards
On Monday, August 11, the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild will present its annual Virginia Craft Beer Cup competition awards during a day-long event dubbed Virginia Craft Beer Summit & Gala.
The event will be held at the Farm Bureau Center in Doswell.
In addition to the regular beer competition awards ceremony, a new Real Ale competition branded as the Best Firkin Beer in VA challenge will take place.
In the 14 years of statewide competition, breweries from all corners have garnered the overall Best of Show Beer Cup — including defending champ Parkway Brewing Co., Brothers Craft Brewing, Smartmouth Brewing Company, Decipher Brewing, The Answer Brewpub, New Realm Brewing Company, Fair Winds Brewing Co., Black Hoof Brewing Co., James River Brewery, and Benchtop Brewing. Devils Backbone won the first three consecutive cups (2012-14).
Hard Tea Time
Afterglow Brewing Company is developing a soon to be released hard tea lemonade named Tea’d Up, and designed, in part, to take local market share from the national brand Surfside. Also in development are White Peach, Raspberry, and Watermelon.
Helping Charities
The Beach Ambassadors’ 757 Battle of the Beers event returns for its 13th year.
Beach Ambassadors’ founder, Andy Beale says, “When 757 Battle of the Beers started in 2013, it was hosted in a parking lot and featured seven breweries. We were really excited to have raised $3,000 for local charities. Now, 13 years later, the event features 40 breweries and is attended by thousands of craft beer enthusiasts whose support has allowed us to have a tremendous impact on many philanthropic organizations.”
The Battle goes down on September 13 (1-6 PM) at State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach.
Mockingbird Pasta Bar Kaboombox (5-9 PM)
Killin’ Pine Mobile Axe Throwing- Stein Holding Contest
On The Move
Rollercoaster Beer
If you need to get your nerve up to ride one or more of the exhilarating rollercoasters this summer at Busch Garden, consider having large-sized theme park beers such as The Wolf’s Revenge Big Bad Bier (amber ale), DarKoaster Black Lager or Loch Ness Monster Legendary Beer. Both products are brewed locally by the Virginia Beer Company in Williamsburg for the amusement park.
Virginia Beer Company also brewed and packaged the Busch Gardens Golden Anniversary Ale to commemorate the European-themed entertainment park’s 50th anniversary this year.
Virginia Pint Glass
Andrew Coplon’s Craft Beer Professionals organization has pronounced August 14 as Virginia Pint Day. Select craft breweries across the Commonwealth will be selling pint glass with artwork from designer Tianna DaCosta etched on the side.
“A portion of every glass helps fund our attendance at the Virginia Brewers Conference (not associated with the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild Summit), where brewery professionals from across the state come together to connect, learn, and get better at what they do,” said Coplon in an email.
According to the company’s website, participating breweries include Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Alewerks Brewing Co, Decipher, Black Hoof, Benchtop, Parkway, Coastal Fermentory, Elation, Water’s End, The Alpine Goat, Afterglow, MoMac, The Bold Mariner, Seven Arrows, Big Ugly, Patch, BrewHaHa, Lost Barrel, WildManDan, and more.
Longtime Starr Hill marketing manager BJ Swing has moved down the road in a similar position at Hardywood. Clay Hysell, General Manager of Patch Brewing Co., in Gordonsville, has retired to France.
Virginia Beer Company supplies Busch Gardens with theme park brews
MUG SHOTS
Afterglow Brewing 2 Year Anniversary Party,
757 Brewery Networking at The Ghent Rooftop Bar, Norfolk
MUG SHOTS
2025 U.S. Open Beer Championship
By Jeff Maisey
Location, location, location.
The other day, I couldn’t help but think of the old 1966 movie, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
Several independent craft breweries from our Commonwealth scored medals at the 2025 U.S. Open Beer Championship. I posted the results on social media for the categories in which Virginia beer makers won a gold, silver, or bronze. Each category features the beer name, the brewery name, and the state where the brewery is located.
One reader/follower gave us some flack for not including New Realm Brewing Company, noting its large scale production facility is in Virginia Beach.
When reviewing the list of 100-plus categories (over 300 award winners), my eyes sought out “Virginia.” New Realm’s award didn’t catch my eye, so I went back and gave the list another look, and there it was — from GEORGIA.
“For this competition, I listed my location, since I’m in Atlanta,” explained New Realm Brewing Company cofounder and well-known brew master Mitch Steele. “I only enter my address for US Open Beer Championships, and to be honest, it was just habit. I could have entered beers from each of our locations, just never crossed my mind to do so.”
Spencer Mapes, the director of the US Open Beer Championship, confirms this.
“Breweries with multiple locations can register up to 10 beers from each location,” Mapes said. “For example, we have close to a dozen FLIX brewhouses that enter, each one is from a different city and state and they are all recognized individually. We also have large breweries with multiple locations like New Realm that will enter from only one location. Whichever city/state they identify with on their registration form is what we list when the results are posted.”
New Realm Brewing Company was established in Atlanta, Georgia, where its headquarters remains today.
In 2018, New Realm executives came across an opportunity they couldn’t turn down — a large production facility stocked with new equipment priced at a massive discount. It was San Diego-based Green Flash Brewing Company’s short-lived east coast hub.
Today, New Realm operates breweries in Georgia, South Carolina, and two in southeastern Virginia. The second Virginia location is a true satellite with restaurant, tasting room, and a small brew house. This, according to Steele, allows the brewers in Virginia Beach to experiment and testbatch recipes since the large production facility does not have a pilot system.
All of this spurred a memory of when Devils Backbone was an independent craft brewery. They would be site-specific when entering beers in competitions. Entries were notated
as Devils Backbone Outpost and Devils Backbone Basecamp to differentiate the beers produced at their brewpub in Roseland and the large beer factory in Lexington.
For Devils Backbone, at least, both facilities were located in Virginia.
In New Realm’s case, entering beers for competition sourced from a variety of states makes for a similar, yet different picture.
As for Eric Tennant of Benchtop Brewing Company — with locations in Norfolk and Richmond — each competition, whether national or international, is different and it is up to the brewer to select which location the beer is entered from.
Said Mitch Steele: “For the BA (Brewers Association) competitions, we have our beers designated from each of our locations; so, Virginia Beach and Atlanta both have full slates of beers that are entered and are noted with this location if we win the award. Charleston and Auburn also typically have a few beers entered.”
So, there it is — an interesting insight into the way beers are entered in competition.
And, now, the category results in which Virginiamade beers earned awards at the 2025 U.S. Open Beer Championship — and, yes, we included New Realm.
brewNEWS
S e p t . 1 3 , 2 0 2 5
Classic Irish Dry Stout
Gold: O’Dark Thirty – 6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company –Virginia
Silver: Splittin’ B’s – Buckstin Brewing Company – Texas
Bronze: Dry Irish Stout – Union Bear Brewing – Texas
American Imperial Stout
Gold: Hardware Store – Franklins Restaurant Brewery and General Store – Maryland
Silver: Ape Hanger – Big Ugly Brewing – Virginia
Bronze: Navel Gazer – New Heights Brewing – Tennessee
Bitter
Gold: Pennyfarthing – Dirigible Brewing Company –Massachusetts
Silver: Forest Moon – Port O’Pints Brewing – California
Bronze: Coach Beard – Benchtop Brewing Company –Virginia
Robust Porter
Gold: Twenty-Two Porter – Big Ugly Brewing – Virginia
Silver: Donner Party Porter – FiftyFifty Brewing Co. –California
Bronze: Into the Void – Moontown Brewing Company –Indiana
Belgian Lambic
Gold: Squared Pants – 2 Silos Brewing Co – Virginia
Silver: Stupid Sexy Flanders – Sun King Brewery – Indiana
Bronze: Faithful Instruction – Monday Night Brewing –Georgia
Bronze: The Forever Echo of Your Laugh – Forgotten Road
Ales – North Carolina
Contemporary Gose
Gold: Aloha State of Mind – COVA Brewing Company –Virginia
Silver: Huckleberry Cheesecake Gose Pilot Brewing –North Carolina
Bronze: Punk Fuzz – MachineHead Brewing Co. – California
Other Kettle Sours
Gold: Mother Fluffer – Afterglow Brewing – Virginia
Gold: Vienna VA Lager – Caboose Brewing Company –Virginia
Silver: Wherever I May Foam – Magnanimous Brewing –Florida
Bronze: Red Moon Rising – Mutation Brewing Co. – Georgia
Pumpkin
Gold: Pumpkin Ale – 2 Silos Brewing Co – Virginia
Silver: Pumpkin Spice J. Marie – River North Brewery –Colorado
Bronze: Jack Of The Lantern – Nine State Brewery – Florida
Rye Beer
Gold: All Rye All Rye All Rye – Afterglow Brewing – Virginia
Silver: Red Your Last Rytes – Liability Brewing Co. – South Carolina
Bronze: Rye’ll Be Bock – Oregon City Brewing – Oregon
American-Belgo-Style Ale
Gold: Hazy Shade of Spring – Braided River Brewing –Alabama
Silver: Citra Wit – Reuben’s Brews – Washington
Bronze: Sirens Lure – Fair Winds Brewing Company –Virginia
Pink Boots Hop Blend
Gold: Stone She’s The Brewer – Stone Brewing – California
Silver: Lupulin Omen #5 – Aeonian Brewing Company – Ohio
Bronze: Her – Big Ugly Brewing – Virginia
ARE REAL ALES FOR REAL? Mallet and tasting cups at a recent cask ale event during St George Brewing Company’s 27th anniversary.
Now Trending
By Jeff Maisey
At a recent seminar in Virginia Beach, produced by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, several guest speakers discussed beer tourism and trends in the industry.
One of the key trends was breweries focusing less on broad distribution networks and doubling down on enhancing the tasting room experience.
New Realm Brewing Company master brewer and co-founder Mitch Steele led the discussion. He noted the following:
— Big beer distributors are not accepting new products
— Industrial park locations for breweries are no longer appealing to consumers
— Brewery tasting room locations in neighborhoods, city centers, and heavily trafficked locations have strong appeal
— Think outside the box when it comes to events
— “Maybe rethink another trivia night”
— Live music attracts a crowd
— Hard seltzers are dead, double IPAs are a tough sell
— IPA is still king, yet there are too many in the marketplace
— Lighter beers (less than 6% ABV) are popular as are fruit beers
— Non-alcoholic beers are gaining in popularity
— THC/Delta 9 beverages are going to be huge sellers
Food for thought: Steele also shared that New Realm now refers to itself as a beverage company, not a beer company.
A resurgence in cask ales
Virginia Craft Brewers Guild Chairman Bill Spence of The St. George Brewing Company, in Hampton, said he’s seeing an uptick amongst brewers and a growing group of enthusiasts for cask, or real, ales.
continued
St. George and Nansemond Brewing Station (based in Suffolk) have been supplying The Fiddlin’ Pig — an English pub themed restaurant in historic Smithfield — with cask beer, and customers are loving it.
At this year’s Virginia Craft Beer Summit & Gala, member brewers have been asked to showcase their technical skills and creative juices in a free contest being promoted as The Best Firkin Beer in Virginia — a Real Ale Competition.
Spence provided the essential of a British-style cask ale:
— Must be a top fermented ale
— Should have good clarity
— Should not be cold
— Needs to be naturally carbonated, unpasteurized, and unfiltered
Tapping in to the Virginia Beer Distribution Company
The Virginia Beer Distribution Company is up and running.
According to operations manager Dakota Rust, 24 independent craft breweries are using the service, which provides an opportunity for small beer/ beverage producers to get draft and packaged products to restaurants, festivals, and retailers seeking lesser known brands to attract consumers wanting something more obscure.
The distribution company operates under the management of the Virginia Department of Agriculture, but is marketed by the Virginia Manufactures Association/Virginia Craft Brewers Guild.
Expect to see a growing number of smaller production beers in the marketplace in the coming fiscal year.
A Walkable Feast for Beer Lovers in Charlottesville
By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones
According to local lore, Charlottesville’s nickname ‘the hook’ can refer to the C in the name, a defunct independent weekly magazine, or the scholarly tradition of a “Gentleman’s C“ grade at the University of Virginia. Perhaps a grade earned by students who value balance and quality of life and forfeit study time to enjoy a locally brewed malt beverage. Today’s beer scene in Charlottesville, however, earns grades that far exceed a Gentleman’s C. So, this beer scene is literally “off the hook.” Downtown Charlottesville is a beer destination where you can do a walking beer tour and not get behind the wheel. Here are some of the highlights of the downtown C’ville beer scene, so you can efficiently plan your own program of study.
Do your homework by checking brewery hours! Most open between 3:00 and 4:30 on weekdays, and noon on Saturdays and Sundays. Some are closed Mondays and/ or Tuesdays. This itinerary is a Saturday plan as breweries open by noon. You could do a driving tour, of course, but that means somebody is DD and you don’t get all your steps in for the day! Or, hire C’ville Hop On Tours for a private group tour and leave the driving to a pro.
Start your day with brunch at either South Street Brewery or Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen. Both open at 11 am on weekends for brunch and have space to accommodate groups. They are only a six-minute walk from each other, so
you can easily walk from one to the other.
South Street has been quenching thirsts in an atmospheric brewpub since 1998. Wonderful beers, an appealing food menu, wines, cocktails, and THC seltzers! Same owners as Blue Mountain Brewing in Nelson County. Take a ride on Satan’s Pony or get a flight to start the day.
Six minutes’ walk from South Street and you will reach Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen in the IX Art Park and home of their main production brewery. It’s large group friendly, and has a full menu of food, cocktails, beer, and wine options. For brunch, you might choose a Minute Man Juicy IPA or a Fruit of the Bloom Wheat ale brewed with raspberry and hibiscus as your eye-opener.
Rockfish’s West Main Street tasting room on the pedestrian mall is a three-minute walk from South Street or a nine-minute walk from Three Notch’d. Helles lager and strawberry pineapple gose were tasty recent offerings, but selection will vary as at most small breweries. We love the outdoor patio and browsing the shops, restaurants, bars, and theaters along the pedestrian mall. A great location for people watching and meeting friendly strangers! Rockfish also has another tasting room north on Preston Street.
From Rockfish on Main, Random Row Brewing is a nineminute walk. Random Row’s Mosaic Pale Ale won Bronze at GABF in 2020 and Gold in the Virginia Craft Beer Cup in 2019. They brew a range of classic styles, and if you are
feeling colorful, they brewed Over the Rainbow Skittle Sour. Note that last one may be a Pride Month offering so if they are out (in the beer sense) you may need to BYOS (bring your own skittles). They also have good pizza!
Walk left on Preston under the underpass, and next door is Kardinal Hall, a large beer hall-styled restaurant. They don’t brew, but the beer and food menus are grand. You order at the counter, and when the food is ready it’s brought to your table. Service was speedy on a recent visit, they can accommodate groups, and the outdoor beer garden is charming in nice weather.
You can walk up Preston from Kardinal Hall to the historic Dairy Market in six minutes. Crozet’s Starr Hill Brewery has a tasting room here with 22 beers, hard seltzers, seltzer cocktails, and mocktails. The Dairy Market is a fantastic food hall with Thai, Himalayan, falafel, pizza, poke, American comfort food, and more. You can bring food into the Starr Hill Tasting room which has plenty of seating and a large bar. Opens at 11 daily.
Right across the street from the Dairy Market is Superfly Brewing. A small family operation with eight solid beers on tap, Superfly has a funky music-retro-analog vibe. We highly recommend the Midnight Train London Porter, brewed by owner Ed Liversidge, an Englishman who ditched his career in the financial services industry to follow his passion for brewing. This luscious porter won a Gold Medal in its style category at the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild competition for 2024 and a Bronze for Best in Show! Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 there is often live music, and a pop-up disco could happen randomly according to locals.
Note that this entire itinerary could be done in the reverse order on Saturdays, when breweries tend to open by noon. Start your day at the Dairy Market and Superfly and proceed down Preston. End the day at Three Notch’d or South Street. It’s a palindrome of an itinerary!
We must mention two excellent C’ville downtown breweries that involve a drive. Decipher Brewing is well worth the visit. They won the Virginia Craft Beer Cup Best in Show in 2022 with their Barley Late Kolsch. The Snowball’s Chance Helles Lager won a Gold Medal in the Virginia Craft Beer Cup 2024. Librarian Irish Red scored Bronze in the 2024 World Beer Cup. Every beer we tried here was stellar. This is a family operation, they are veteran-owned, and they are now serving pizza. They don’t distribute, so you have to come here to try these fantastic beers!
Northwest in the Bellair section of Charlottesville is Selvedge Brewing. Their first location was in the Woolen Mills and they have kept the textile branding, with beers like Denim Lager, Houndstooth Bitter, Jorts Pale Ale, Flannel Stout, etc. Clean and well-brewed beers, a smoked doppelbock that knocked our socks off, a large tasting room that can easily accommodate groups, and an elevated bar food menu that emphasizes local sourcing.
We have only mentioned breweries we have been to. Hogwaller, Eastwood, and any we haven’t mentioned are on our bucket list. Enjoy your time in downtown C’ville, a true beer destination.
Looking for lodging that won’t break the bank? Check out the Acorn Inn in Faber. It’s a forty minute drive from downtown C’ville and terrific for groups who want to socialize after a day of beer touring.
BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS
Dirty Dancing Days: Summer Festival 2025
Sat., Aug. 16, 10am-10pm
Immerse yourself in the magic of Dirty Dancing with live performances by Cassette Rewind and Flashback, the Party Band, dance lessons in the barn, a Dirty Dancing movie screening, exclusive drink specials, and more!
Mountain Lake Lodge 115 Hotel Circle, Pembroke www.mtnlakelodge.com
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
JamPacked Craft Beer & Music Festival
Sat., Aug. 9, 3-11pm
Join us for a sweet line-up of music featuring Lotus, Moon Taxi, Spafford, Tauk, and Kendall Street Company in a zero-waste environment on Brown’s Island on the James River in downtown RVA. Brown’s Island, Richmond www.jampackedfest.com
Harvest Festival Market at Southern Revere Cellars
Sat., Aug. 23, 11am-4pm
Featuring over 30 local small businesses and vendors, food trucks, bounce house and face painting for the kids, live music with Gary Wayne & The Twisted Rails from 5:30-8:30pm. Southern Revers Cellars
1100 E. Jack Jouett Road, Louisa Festival of Grapes & Hops
Sat., Sept. 20, 11am-6pm
Enjoy music entertainment all day, beer and wine tastings, food, and shopping at the Old Towne Petersburg Harbor! Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at gate.
Downtown Petersburg 277 River Street, Petersburg www.grapesandhopspetersburg.com
Iron Blossom Festival
Sat. & Sun., Sept. 20 & 21, 12:30-11pm
2-day music festival headlined by The Lumineers and Vampire Weekend plus performances by Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Teskey Brothers along with many others. It’s an end of summer celebration with an eclectic lineup of artists, incredible eats, artisan bazaar, and craft beer from Starr Hill Brewery.
Midtown Green 2401 Leigh Street, Richmond www.ironblossomfestival.com
Lynchburg Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival
Sat., Sept. 20, 12-7pm
The 16th Annual Lynchburg Beer, Wine & Cider Festival is coming!
Enjoy over 50 different options of craft beer, ciders and wine all handpicked and selected from right here in the state of Virginia. Plus, there will be over 50 local artisans, food, and live music!
Lynchburg City Stadium 3176 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg 434.473.7319 www.lynchburgbeerand winefestival.com
Orangetoberfest
Sat., Sept. 27, 12-5pm
Celebrating Central Virginia’s Craft Beer & Cider featuring 18+ breweries and cider makers, 2 bands, 5+ food trucks, games, and more! Short Street, Orange 540.212.8773 www.visitorangevirginia.com
CHESAPEAKE BAY
Oktoberfest Celebration at Gloucester Brewing Sun., Sept. 21, 1pm
Enjoy live music by Miles Hoyle, traditional German brats and sauerkraut, and the release of our traditional German festbier, the Fairfield Fest.
Gloucester Brewing Company 6778 Main Street, Gloucester globrewco.com
COASTAL VIRGINIA
Roar & Pour
Sat., Aug. 2, 5-9pm
Presented by the Coastal Virginia Brewery Alliance in partnership with ODU Athletics. Featuring 30+ local breweries, live music from the Brandon Bower Band, food trucks, exclusive access to the stadium with activities for kids and adults alike.
S. B. Ballard Stadium 5000 Bluestone Avenue, Norfolk
Back to School Bash at COVA Fri., Aug. 15, 5-9pm
Kickoff the back-to-school season with “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?” trivia, a teachers appreciation discount for the night, and live music by Fox and The Bear.
COVA Brewing Company 9529 Shore Drive, Norfolk
WOAH! 90’s Party at VBC Fri., Aug. 15, 6-9pm
90’s music and the release of SCRUMPTIOUS WOAH IPA.
Virginia Beer Company
401 Second Street, Williamsburg
Anniversary Party at Sojourn Sat., Aug. 16
Sojourn Fermentory
1400 Bridgeport Way, Suffolk
Dog Days of Summer at Smartmouth Pilot House
Sat., Aug. 16, 12-9pm
Bring your dog for a full day of tailwagging fun with pup cream cups for your furry friends, doggie swim pools to keep them cool, live music by PC Duow and Scotch & Rye, and Aloha Shaved Ice food truck plus adoptable dogs from the SPCA.
Smartmouth Pilot House
313 32nd Street, Virginia Beach
Pirate Patio Party at Big Ugly Sat., Aug. 16, 12-10pm
Double the party, double the fun!
Dress up in your favorite pirate gear and come celebrate the completion of our new patio extension AND the release of this year’s Death by Pirate Barrel Aged Stout. Plus, we’ll have barrel aged beer flights, live music all day, and Prime 757 food truck. Pirate costumes encouraged.
Big Ugly Brewing Company
845 Battlefield Blvd S., Chesapeake
Boss Babe Market at COVA Fri., Aug. 22, 4-9pm
Featuring local female owned craft vendors.
COVA Brewing Company
9529 Shore Drive, Norfolk
10th Annual Neptune’s Coastal Craft Beer Festival
Sat., Aug. 23, 3-8pm
A craft beer lover’s haven featuring local Virginia beers, cider, and seltzers, as well as national and regional craft beers. Enjoy over 60 beers from 30 breweries, live music, food trucks, and more! Each ticket includes a commemorative beer glass and unlimited tastings. Tickets starting at $40.
Neptune’s Park
31st Street & Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach www.neptunefestival.com
Hampton Roads HoneyFest
Sat., Aug. 23, 3-8pm
15 local craft breweries & meaderies, artisan craft market, beekeeping, presentations, honey tastings, and family fun!
St. George Brewing Company 204 Challenger Way, Hampton Labor Day Community JamFest at VBC
Mon., Sept. 1
Featuring DJ Kudlz. Virginia Beer Company
401 Second Street, Williamsburg
complement your tastings. Looking for a fun day out? This local tradition is not to be missed. Tickets and more information available at rockbridgebeerandwine.com. Photo by October Grace Media.
The 31st Annual Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival returns to Lexington on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 12–6 PM. Gather with friends at Lime Kiln Theater for a fun afternoon of unlimited tastings featuring the best in regional wines, craft beers, hard ciders, and ready-to-drink cocktails. Enjoy live music all afternoon on two stages, and a variety of local food vendors will be on hand serving up delicious bites to
Get ready for a full day of bold flavors, great music, and community fun at the 15th Annual Virginia Chili, Blues & Brews Festival taking place Saturday, September 13 in Downtown Waynesboro! Hosted by the Wayne Theatre, this popular event features a lively chili competition, chili tastings, food trucks, craft beer, live blues music, local vendors, and fun activities for all ages.
13th Annual 757 Battle of the Beers
Sat., Sept. 13, 1-6pm
Featuring local 757 craft breweries as they battle it out to win in different beer categories.100% of the proceeds go to local charities! Also, enjoy live music by Wonderland, OCX, and Nate Sacks, food, and games.
State Military Reservation 203 Red Horse Drive, Virginia Beach www.757battleofthebeers.com
NashFest 757
Sat., Sept. 13, 12-10pm
A celebration of the iconic culture and cuisine of Nashville, NashFest features national and local recording artists, mouth-watering hot chicken, barbecue, line dancing, craft beer & whiskey tastings, and much more.
Town Point Park Waterside Drive, Norfolk 757-441-2345 www.festevents.org
Oktoberfest at Elation
Sat., Sept. 20 – Sat., Oct. 4
2 weeks of German style beer, food, and music! 5 Elation German style beers on tap including the awardwinning Festbier.
Elation Brewing Company 5104 Colley Avenue, Norfolk
51st Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
Fri.-Sun., Sept. 26-28
Celebrate the festival’s many offerings along 30+ blocks of the boardwalk. Weekend events include: International Sandsculpting Championship, Neptune’s Art & Craft Show, Neptune’s 8k Race, Grand Parade, Atlantic Regatta, Youth Art Show, Poseidon’s Playground, Neptune’s Surfing Classic, Neptune’s Healthy Haven, Live music from national and local bands, boardwalk vendors, and more!
1st – 33rd Streets
Virginia Beach Oceanfront www.neptunefestival.com
BUBtoberfest at Big Ugly
Fri., Sept. 27, 3-10pm
Break out the steins, lederhosen, and dirndls – because we’re throwing an Oktoberfest party! Featuring the release of Schlitzengiggle Marzen, Deutscher Imbiss authentic German food truck, live music with Sammy Lee, stein hoisting competitions, and more.
Big Ugly Brewing Company
845 Battlefield Blvd S., Chesapeake Bacon, Bourbon, & Music Fest
Sat., Oct. 4, 12-5pm
Tickets include unlimited brew tastings from VA breweries and ½ pound of bacon and trip thru the bacon condiment bar, and live music on three stages. Upgrade to the Bourbon Tickets and enjoy 10 tastings from over 60 high-end, specialty bourbons.
Windsor Castle Park 705 Cedar Street, Smithfield www.smithfieldvaevents.com
Oktoberfest at Afterglow Sat., Oct. 11, 12-9pm
Enjoy beer, food, & music with Mockingbird Pasta Bar, Kaboombox from 5-9pm, mobile axe throwing, stein holding contest, and more!
TASTE what Leesburg has to offer as you mingle up and down the streets, eat at local restaurants or food trucks, and enjoy your bites and brews all while listening to live music from our stages. Downtown Leesburg www.tasteleesburg.com
Virginia Bourbon & Beer Festival
Sat., Aug. 16, 4-9pm
Showcasing Bourbons from all across the country and Virginia. Plus, craft beer on tap with some from our local Fredericksburg Breweries and across Virginia, Virginia wine and cider samples, and live music.
Fredtoberfest at 6 Bears & A Goat Sat., Sept. 13, 12-10pm
We’re taking the Oktoberfest festivities to the Brewhouse. Enjoy a line-up of incredible local breweries, unique vendors, live music, German dancers, authentic eats, games, contests, and great beer.
6 Bears & A Goat Brewing Company 1140 International Parkway, Fredericksburg
Oktoberfest at Adventure Brewing Sat., Sept. 20, 12-10pm
Featuring German music, authentic food -- Doner Kebab, German potato salad, Bavarian pretzels, and brats, and beer.
Adventure Brewing Company 33 Perchwood Drive, Fredericksburg
RhinoFest at Lost Rhino
Sat., Sept. 20
All day celebration of RhinO’fest
Marzen Lager release and special German-style menu. Live music performances, Stein Holding Challenges, giveaways, and more. Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn www.lostrhino.com
Oktoberfest at Full Distance Brewing
Sat., Sept. 27, 12pm
Enjoy German fare by Bratworks and Chapo’s Tacos, live music, stein holding contest, raffles throughout the day, plus great beer.
Full Distance Brewing 650 Corporate Drive, Stafford
Oktoberfest at Lost Barrel Mon., Sept. 1
A full day of local craft beer, delicious food, live music, games, and unique local vendors..
Lost Barrel Brewing 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg
Waterford Fair Festival
Fri.-Sun., Oct. 3-5, 10am-5pm
Shop, play, and tour at this 80+ year tradition celebrating Americana and featuring contemporary craft artisans, living historians, a juried art show, historic properties tour, local libations, and entertainment for all ages. Historic Waterford www.waterfordfairva.org
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
Be Happy Beer Fest
Sat. & Sun., Aug. 23 & 24, 12-6pm
Enjoy great beer, food, vendors, contests, and live music. VIP starts at 11am. Tickets available at the brewery.
15th Annual Virginia Chili, Blues & Brews Festival
Sat., Sept. 13, 12pm
Enjoy a full day of bold flavors, great music, and community fun at the 15th Annual Virginia Chili, Blues & Brews Festival hosted by the Wayne Theatre and featuring a lively chili competition, chili tastings, food trucks, craft beer, live blues music, local vendors, and fun. Lumos Plaza, Downtown Waynesboro www.virginiachili.com 540.943.9999
APPALACHIA
Busted Still Brewing Company
185 Homeplace Drive, Gate City
276.210.6038
Lonesome Pine Brewing Company 15 East Main Street, Lebanon
Stable Craft Brewing & Cidery, Waynesboro 540.490.2609 • stablecraftbrewing.com life is hard cider, Mt Jackson Shenandoah County 540.477.3570 • kindredpointe.com
