12 Virginia Beer Trails to Sample Local Craft Breweries

Updated on November 7, 2023 by Julie McCool

These 12 Virginia beer trails help craft beer lovers explore the state's thriving brewery scene, whether your focus is on the journey or the tasty brew that awaits. Official beer trails are always changing and many early trails have expanded to include wineries and distilleries too. No matter the focus, they are a fun way to discover new breweries. That's a good thing because Virginia is busting with more than 200 craft breweries.

Virginia Beer Trails

Grab a designated driver and visit several breweries in one day, or explore at a more leisurely pace. Breweries are casual, relaxed places, so there's no need to hurry. Several spots on these Virginia beer trails are easy to reach by bike or on a city stroll. Or take a scenic drive through the countryside to visit breweries and other fun stops.

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The Virginia beer trails below are organized by region, and listed north to south through the eastern, central, and western part of the state. Follow the links for lists of breweries, suggested itineraries, and special events.

Beltway Beer Trail, Northern Virginia

The Beltway Beer Trail showcases 25 different breweries located in Fairfax, Prince William, Manassas, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Arlington. Loudoun County and Prince William have their own Virginia beer trails, so there is some overlap with the Beltway list.

This is one of the newer trails and the website was down the last time we checked. The Beltway Beer Trail list includes favorite bike trail destinations like Caboose Brewing Company, along with restaurant-focused chains like Sweetwater Tavern.

Beer flight at Ocelot Brewing in Ashburn Virginia
Beer flight at Ocelot Brewing

LoCo Ale Trail, Loudoun County

The fast-growing LoCo Ale Trail connects the many breweries throughout Loudoun County. You'll find our favorite brewery view (so far) at Dirt Farm Brewing, and there are also walkable destinations clustered in Purcellville and Leesburg. There are also plenty of sleek industrial spaces on the list, like Ocelot and Old Ox.

Plan your visit with our complete guide to the LoCo Ale Trail.

Dirt Farm is one of the fun stops on Virginias LoCo Ale Trail in Loudoun County VA
Spectacular view from Dirt Farm Brewing

Steins, Vines, and Moonshine Trail; Prince William and Manassas

Launched in 2017, the Steins, Vines, and Moonshine Trail connects 20 breweries, wineries, and distilleries in Prince William County and Manassas. A combined trail is perfect for groups with a mix of drink preferences.

Ask your designated driver to escort the group through a day that starts at a winery, continues with a brewery stop, and finishes with a tasting of locally distilled spirits. Or focus on sites that serve a combination of drinks like 2 Silos Brewing.

Craft Beer at 2 Silos Brewing Manassas
Craft Beer at 2 Silos Brewing Manassas

Seminole Beer Trail, Charlottesville to Gainsville

Another new collection (did you see a pattern here?), the Seminole Beer Trail, connects 9 breweries along Route 29 from Gainesville to Charlottesville. Follow participating brewers and find the latest events on their Twitter account. You'll find some overlap with the Prince William and Charlottesville trails.

Tin Cannon Brewing flight
Tin Cannon Brewing flight

Brew Ridge Trail, Charlottesville Area

The Brew Ridge Trail only includes 7 breweries, but they are spread across some beautiful countryside through Albermarle and Nelson Counties. Brewery visits are one of the fun things to do in Charlottesville and there are always new stops to explore. This area is perfect for slow, scenic drives or a day of hiking followed by a brewery stop. Visit several stops and leave the driving to the experts with C'ville Hop on Tours.

Check out the trail website for suggested itineraries and event details. Wine lovers can explore the C'ville region on the Thomas Jefferson-inspired Monticello Wine Trail.

Cville Hop on Tour bus Charlottesville Virginia
Cville Hop on Tour bus Charlottesville Virginia

Grapes and Grains Trail, Stafford and Fredericksburg

There are four wineries and the A.S. Bowman Distillery on the Grapes and Grains Trail. The trail connects sites in Stafford and historic Fredericksburg.

Bowman Distillery Fredericksburg Virginia
Bowman Distillery Fredericksburg Virginia

Richmond Beer Trail, Richmond

The Richmond beer scene is growing so quickly that the Wall Street Journal even took notice. The Richmond Beer Trail highlights over 30 Richmond-area breweries and the list keeps growing. We highly recommend a Richmond weekend getaway to visit several breweries and explore this hip and historic city.

Delicious Sweet Potato and Sage Beer at Ardent Craft Brewing in Richmond VA
Ardent Craft Brewing Richmond VA

Coastal VA Beer Trail, Virginia Beach Area

The Coastal VA Beer Trail connects breweries in Williamsburg, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Smithfield, and Virginia Beach. As if we needed another reason to head to the beach! Of course, nothing goes with a steamy beach day like a frosty craft beer, so this Virginia beer trail is perfect for summer fun. Find the latest coastal brewery list here.

Read more about favorite craft breweries in the Virginia Beach area. Want to explore them all? We highly recommend a stay in Norfolk for great food and fun things to do.

Helltown Beer Trail, Front Royal

There are 10 breweries on the Helltown Beer Trail along with the country's first state museum devoted to beer. According to Virginia.org “By the 1790s, Front Royal earned the nickname “Helltown,” due to the many livestock wranglers and boatmen… who came into town to visit local saloons.” The Virginia Beer Museum is on Chester Street in Front Royal.

You'll find many more fantastic breweries in Winchester.

Winchester Beer Works beer and mural
Winchester Beer Works

Shenandoah Spirits Trail, Shenandoah Valley

There are over 25 stops on the Shenandoah Spirits Trail, a mix of breweries, wineries, and distilleries stretching from Winchester to Harrisonburg. This list calls for a Northern Shenandoah Valley road trip! Sign up your designated driver with the promise of winding country roads and beautiful mountain views.

Woodstock Brew House Northern Shenandoah Valley
Woodstock Brew House flight

Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, Shenandoah Valley

Once you reach Harrisonburg, keep the journey going with the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail. You'll find more country roads, historic stops, cool scenery, and tasty craft beer on a Southern Shenandoah Valley road trip. The breweries around Waynesboro are also perfect for some cold relief after hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Basic City Beer Company Waynesboro Virginia
Basic City Beer Company Waynesboro Virginia

Virginia's Blue Ridge Cheers Trail, Roanoke

A little further south, Virginia's Blue Ridge Cheers Trail (formerly Blue Ridge Beerway) highlights breweries, wineries, and distilleries in the beautiful Roanoke Valley. Sample local brews in a downtown tasting room, or head out to neighboring towns for epic brews with views.

There are so many fun things to do in Roanoke, and visiting one of the local breweries should certainly be on your list.

Outdoor tables and mural at Big Lick Brewing on Virginia's Blue Ridge Cheers Trail in Downtown Roanoke
Big Lick Brewing Roanoke VA

Virginia Beer Trails Tips

These 12 Virginia beer trails are certain to have company, as new beer, wine, and spirits trails are announced. Happily, the craft beer industry is more collaborative than competitive. Craft beer lovers enjoy exploring new flavors and spaces. And Virginia's growing beer scene makes it easy to do just that.

Craft brewery hours vary widely. Many breweries are only open over long weekends or have reduced weekday hours. Always check the brewery website before you head out.

Every August, the state celebrates Virginia Craft Beer Month with special events, social media competitions, and fun. Keep an eye on the Visit Virginia website for new events and to learn more about local breweries and Virginia beer trail itineraries.

Whatever Virginia beer trail you choose to explore, please drink responsibly and always drive sober.

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Virginia Beer Trails sample the state's thriving craft brewery scene, whether your focus is the journey or the tasty brew that awaits.
Virginia Beer Trails

6 thoughts on “12 Virginia Beer Trails to Sample Local Craft Breweries”

  1. I’m a big fan of trails but I’m also into beer. What a great way to work two of my favorite things in together! Being in NC, we don’t seem to think too much about our neighbors when it comes to beer. Might have to change that, huh? Thanks for sharing this, Julie. I’ll definitely be consulting this when we finally cross the border for explore time.

    • Thanks for the nice feedback Duke! In fact, many of these tasty craft breweries are close to nice hiking trails, so combining the two works for us. Hope you make it into Virginia for some beer trail fun.

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