The 17 craft breweries on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail are all within an easy hour’s drive of each other. To guide your exploration, we’ve divided our map into three zones. Hop between zones or discover them one at a time, but make sure to mark your progress on your 2023 Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail Passport. As you work toward earning your Beerwerks t-shirt, you’ll need to visit at least eight breweries in at least two zones. Buy a beer and get your Passport stamped. It’s that easy. You’ll be sporting that new shirt in no time!
Zone C is located at the Southern end of the Beerwerks Trail and includes the breweries in Lexington, Natural Bridge, and Rockbridge County. Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery, Heliotrope Brewery, Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom & Kitchen, and Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery are all popular destinations for craft beer enthusiasts. Here’s what to know if you haven’t yet visited them.
Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery
Located in Natural Bridge, Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery is a family-owned and operated brewery that offers a farm-to-pint experience and specializes in Belgian-style farmhouse ales. In fact, the Belgian Blonde beer won an award in the 2017 Virginia Craft Beer Cup. Committed to eco-friendly and sustainable farming and brewing practices, they grow their own hops and other ingredients on their 27-acre farm. This makes their beer unique and flavorful. Visitors will wax poetic about the stunning views of the Blue Ridge from the outdoor patio area. The brewery also often features live music and service from some of the area’s best food trucks. Blue Ridge Outdoors calls it “the perfect destination for beer lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.”
Great Valley’s top-rated beers on Untappd include:
- Hibiscus Wit – Wheat Beer – Witbier / Blanche
- IPA – This beer features tons of Centennial, Chinook, and Cascade hops, both in the boil and dry hop.
- Belgian Blonde Ale – A light-bodied, refreshing beer with floral/herbal aromas, backed up by smooth, bready Pilsner malt flavors.
- Belgian Stout – Traditional flavors of coffee, chocolate, and caramel mingle with dark cherry and plum from the yeast.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors to Natural Bridge should explore Natural Bridge State Park to see the 215-foot limestone bridge that was once owned by Thomas Jefferson. The park has seven miles of hiking trails, a 30-foot waterfall, and the Children’s Discovery Area and Kid’s in Park TRACK Trail. One of four International Dark Sky Parks in Virginia, self-guided stargazing nights and ranger-guided dark sky programs are offered throughout the year.
The Virginia Safari Park is another local attraction worthy of a visit. This drive-thru safari park gives kids the chance to pet and feed the wildlife nosing through the car windows in search of feed. Other park areas allow visitors to feed giraffes and let birds perch on their fingers.
If your family likes odd stuff, grab tickets for Dinosaur Kingdom II, and walk through the bizarre imagination of sculptor Mark Cline. You’ll see life-sized dinos fighting alongside soldiers in an unexpected version of the Civil War and more.
Heliotrope Brewery
Heliotrope Brewery is a popular microbrewery that offers small batches of ales and lagers brewed primarily with local grain and other ingredients. The taproom is located on Lexington’s Main Street and the Scandanavian-inspired decor promotes “the concept of hygge, a cozy feeling of contentment.” Heliotrope is known for its friendly staff and a wide selection of unique beers, wines, and ciders. The food menu complements the beer selection including tasty appetizers and artisan pizzas.
Heliotrope’s top-rated beers on Untappd include:
- Neahkahnie – Pacific NW-style IPA with Strata, Citra, and Apollo.
- Snoggin’ Toboggan – 1st-anniversary stout, conditioned on local maple syrup from Seasons’ Yield Farm, and a chocolatey Guatemalan coffee blend from Lexington Coffee Roasters.
- New Boots And Contracts – Double dry hopped IPA with Citra and Galaxy.
- Ouija Board Boyfriend – Double dry hopped IPA with Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado.
Nearby Attractions
Heliotrope is located in downtown Lexington, steps away from shopping, dining, historical sites, and culture. In warmer months, Lime Kiln Theater is a popular destination for entertainment and music under the stars. Families looking for a fun afternoon with the kids will enjoy the gardens and amazing natural playground at Boxerwood Gardens.
Lexington is also home to Washington and Lee University as well as the Virginia Military Institute. Both colleges have on-campus museums, and visitors should check the schools’ schedules for opportunities to see sports, lectures, performances, exhibits, and more.
Take a stroll or bike ride along the scenic (and flat) Chessie Trail. Once a railroad bed, the 7-mile trail follows the path of the Maury River and connects the towns of Lexington and Buena Vista.
Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom & Kitchen
Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom & Kitchen is an outpost of Devils Backbone Brewing Company that’s located in Rockbridge County. Devils Backbone has a long history of brewing high-quality beers in a wide range of flavors and styles. They’ve won numerous awards at beer festivals, including medals at the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, and the Virginia Craft Brewers Cup. Brewery visitors will love the indoor and outdoor seating options and the lively, family-friendly atmosphere. People also love the kitchen at Devils Backbone. The full menu is loaded with appetizers, burgers, salads, and entrees, including options that are gluten-free. Ask your server to recommend a food and beer pairing!
Devils Backbone’s top-rated beers on Untappd include:
- Vienna Lager – Smooth, medium-bodied, and semi-sweet, while not too heavy or bitter.
- 8 Point American IPA – Brash American hops balanced with a bright, citrus finish.
- Danzig (Porter – Baltic) – Well-balanced, full-bodied blend of a strong English porter and a Germanic black lager.
- Gold Leaf Lager – Traditional German-style lager.
Nearby Attractions
Devils Backbone is on the outskirts of Lexington and very close by to Hull’s Drive-In, a classic drive-in movie theater that admits people by the carload, switches up the double-feature every Friday, and offers tasty snack shop fare. Hull’s is open from March to October. Devils Backbone is also near the Virginia Horse Center, an equestrian center that hosts regional, national, and international horse shows, rodeos, concerts, and much more.
For scenic views of the Valley from above as well as access to trails along the ridgeline, hop on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. Rockbridge County is also a phenomenal place to pedal your bike. Check out some popular routes including the 45-mile Lexington to Goshen Loop or the 11.7-mile Whetstone Ridge Trail.
Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery
Beer and wine lovers alike will love family-owned and operated Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery. Visitors will love the relaxed atmosphere and the stunning vineyard views, as well as the delicious wine and beer selections. The wines are made with estate-grown grapes, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Vidal Blanc. And though the brewery portion is relatively new (added in 2018), Brew Ridge Trail calls the beers it produces “just as impressive as their wines, with a range of flavorful and well-crafted beers that showcase the best of Virginia brewing.” Relax in front of the fire in the rustic tasting room or spread out on the lawn for a panoramic view of the mountains. Sunday is especially popular because the brewery hosts Uncorked live music and food trucks. Other regular events include the monthly Mimosas and Brunch, Sip & Paint sessions. Check the calendar to see how Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery plans to celebrate upcoming holidays.
Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery’s top-rated beers on Untappd include:
- Hazy IPA – Lush tropical aromatics and palate showcase the wonders of Mandarina Bavaria, Citra, and Mosaic hops.
- Porter – American porter with notes of dark fruit and toasted malt.
- Pale Ale – A light American-style pale ale brewed with hops showcasing piney and citrus aromatics.
- Oatmeal Stout – A healthy dose of oat malt and flaked oats give this richly flavored stout a lovely smooth and creamy mouthfeel.
Nearby Attractions
Hikers will like the challenge of the trails threading through nearby St. Mary’s Wilderness. The popular St. Mary’s Falls hike crosses the river multiple times before reaching a swimming hole fed by a waterfall. The wilderness area also includes the Tye River Gap Recreation Area and the Cellar Mountain trailhead.
If you’d rather just stretch your legs before or after your brewery visit, head to the Cyrus McCormick Farm to learn about the history of the mechanical reaper. This small exhibit features farm buildings with a water wheel, picnic tables, and a short nature trail.
History lovers will also enjoy the Brownsburg Museum (reopening with a new exhibit in June 2023). This small museum houses a collection of 18th, 19th, and 20th-century regional memorabilia. Its purpose is to instill civic pride by “connect[ing] the public with the history, arts, and culture of Brownsburg and the surrounding area.”