If you love autumn’s bright colors, golden light, and crisp air, you’re probably spending as much time as possible outdoors, enjoying hiking, biking, camping, sporting events, and leaf peeping. When a seasonal chill is in the air, extend your time outside by pulling on your cozy fleece and gathering with friends around a crackling fire pit. Make it even better by sipping a delicious craft beer! While most Beerwerks breweries have outdoor spaces, the ones we’re featuring this month warm those spaces with fire pits, making them ideal destinations for those looking to combine beer tasting with a seasonal outdoor experience.
Stable Craft Brewing
Stable Craft Brewing has several huge fire pits surrounded by Adirondack chairs, so there’s never a chance you won’t find a seat. S’mores kits are available to occupy the kids (and your sweet tooth). Cozy up for a long chat with friends, and if you’re hungry, Stable Craft boasts a chef-inspired menu with appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and entrees. The extensive outdoor space also has a shaded patio, picnic tables, and a variety of lawn games like volleyball and cornhole. When really cold weather hits, groups of up to eight people can reserve private heated igloos. Stable Craft has lots of indoor seating (and an indoor fireplace) and hosts regular events like weekend live music, holiday and beer-release parties, and special events like dancing, craft workshops, gourmet dinners, and mystery theater. Make a weekend of it by reserving one of Stable Craft’s on-site suites, just steps away from the taproom.
Cave Hill Farms Brewery
After you’ve spent the day hiking or biking at Massanutten, wind down at Cave Hill Farms Brewery. You’ll find an exceptional beer menu, full of IPAs, lagers, porters, ales, and even hard seltzers. The beer is made with farm-grown barley and hops as well as fresh water from the farm’s well. If the cool weather has stoked your appetite, the onsite Feedlot serves tasty bar food and has a kids’ menu. The brewery tasting room is in the large former feedlot of this working farm. While no cows use the space, visitors can explore exhibits of antique farming equipment, buggies, and more. The large outside seating area has views of the farm and mountains. Choose a seat at a shaded table during the day, or around the fire pit at night. Kids can stay busy playing cornhole. Catch live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and occasional Sundays.
Seven Arrows Brewing
Seven Arrows Brewing has several ways to enjoy the outdoors while visiting the brewery. Have a seat on the deck with a selection of open and shaded tables, enjoy the picnic tables in the graveled beer garden, or draw in close at the fire pit. There’s also an indoor fireplace to enjoy on especially chilly nights. The 12 beers on tap at Seven Arrows include lagers, pilsners, IPAs and a variety of seasonal and rotational brews. On-site Nobos Kitchen serves up American fare with a twist emphasizing locally sourced ingredients for lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. The pooch and the kids are welcome, and there’s a kids’ menu and board games to keep them busy.
Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery
Not only does Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery serve amazing craft beer, award-winning wine, and a dry cider, but it also provides a peaceful atmosphere that makes a visit the best part of your week. Inside, a rustic modern taproom lets you choose from a variety of seating options, but if you want to enjoy the peaceful rural views of farm and vineyard, head outside. Take a seat on the deck, kick back in the Adirondack chairs on the lawn, set up a picnic in the pavilion, or gather around the crackling fire pit. Enjoy live “Uncorked” acoustic music on weekend afternoons as well as other events like “Sip & Paint” sessions and Mimosa Saturdays, and grab a snack of local cheeses from the tasting room or from a scheduled food truck.
Fire pits are wonderful places to bring people together. The warmth helps your crew relax, and sampling a selection of locally-crafted brews really helps spotlight the particular characteristics of the season. Toast the autumn around a Beerwerks fire pit today!