You’ve hiked your miles in the sun and sweated out half your body weight pushing the mower. Maybe you’ve even wilted a bit during a downtown stroll. No doubt you’re craving a cold pint, some shade, and no pressure to power through something heavy. That’s where low-alcohol by volume (ABV) beers come in. Along the Beerwerks Trail, brewers are creating refreshing beers designed for easy summer sipping, many of them clocking in under 5%. These lagers, kölsches, sessionable IPAs, sours, and non-alcoholic options will give you all the satisfaction of a craft pour without requiring an after-beer nap! Here’s how to sip light and live large this summer.
Find Low-ABV in Zone C
- Heliotrope Brewery’s Home Plate (4.0%) is a light lager brewed with Virginia barley and corn. Belt and Braces (4.3%) is an Irish stout on nitro. For a zero-proof pick-me-up, their hop water is zesty and non-alcoholic.
- Rockbridge Vineyard and Brewery’s Irish Red Ale (4.4%) is packed with caramel and toffee notes, and the Pilsner (4.8%) offers classic Czech-style balance and refreshment. If you’re craving something slightly hoppy, the Pale Ale (5.0%) is citrusy with a crisp finish.
- Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery’s Kölsch (5.0%) is light, smooth, and German-inspired, with just the right touch of malt. Wine lovers will appreciate the dual nature of the taproom, and it’s just minutes from Natural Bridge State Park, making it a logical post-hike hangout.
- There’s a lot to look at from the big decks and outdoor spaces at Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom & Kitchen, but you’ll be so captivated by the taste of the Gold Leaf Lager (4.5%) you’re sipping that you might not even notice!
Zone B’s Best Light Beers
- Stable Craft Brewing’s Lightest Beer Ya Got (4.5%) is an “extra crispy, uber crushable brew” that can quench your thirst all day, while the Blueberry Blonde (4.5%) adds a fruity twist. Not in the mood for beer? Try their homemade root beer or apple, blackberry, or white peach cider (5% ABV), and say hello to the horses while you sip.
- After exploring Staunton’s Wharf historic district, retire to Redbeard Brewing Co. for flavorful low-ABV offerings like Augusta Amber (4.5%), Two Moons German Pilsner (4.5%), and White Star Pils (4.5%). For something punchy but playful, grab a glass of Granny Ray’s Hard Lemonade (5.0%), a seltzer-based summer crowd pleaser.
- Queen City Brewing’s huge selection of beers includes lighter options like the Wall Jumper (4.5%), a south-of-the-border lager, and the O’Hara (4.3%), a cheeky Irish red. The White Rabbit (4.9%) will surprise you with just a hint of apricot magic.
- Easy sippers at PRO RE NATA+ include clean and refreshing Sound Check Lager (4.6%) and Doctor’s Orders Light Lager (4.5%). Feeling summery? Try The Big Squeeze Hard Lemonade (5.0%) or the Breakfast Jam Sour (4.0%).
- Located in a converted industrial space not far from the Waynesboro Water Trail and Shenandoah National Park, Basic City Beer Co. is a no-brainer for post-adventure beers. Plus, they make their beers with artesian spring water. Try Our Daily Pils (4.7%), their classic German-style pilsner, or Brujula (4.7%), a lime-and-salt Mexican lager made for summer days. Tart Up: Dragon Fruit (4.7%) is a fruited sour with just enough tang to keep things interesting.
- Seven Arrows’ Skyline Lager (4.5%) is light-bodied with noble hop aroma and a clean finish, perfect for the craft-curious. The brewery also stocks rotating bottles of Blue Ridge Bucha, a regional favorite for kombucha lovers. Hungry? Onsite Nobos Kitchen’s menu includes apps, sandwiches, and “big plates.”
- The Alpine Goat Brewery’s Ruffner Radler (2.5%) is the quintessential summer shandy, while their Session Hazy IPA (4.5%) keeps things juicy without the buzz. The Prickly Pear Seltzer (4.5%) adds a fun, fizzy option for gluten-free guests.
En“Lighten” Yourself in Zone A
- Pale Fire Brewing Co.’s lightest beers include Saving Grace (4.2%), a Trappist-style table beer. Sun Snatcher Lager (4.7%) is a breezy blend of key lime and tortilla chip notes that practically begs for siesta in a hammock. Pure Shenandoah Hydrate is a CBD-infused sparkling water with tropical vibes.
- Feel the Rain Brothers Craft Brewing’s Loner (4.1%) English mild is easygoing with caramel undertones. Or try the Cerveza Lime (4.7%), a citrus-forward Mexican lager that pairs perfectly with cornhole, porch hangs, or a return to JMU after summer break. House-made root beer keeps the kids and designated drivers happy, too.
- Breathe deeply as you explore the gardens and discovery areas at White Oak Lavender Farm. Make sure to try the lavender-infused Lavandé Lager (4.0%) or the ginger and honey Day Hiker Cider (4.0%). Want something extra cold? The wine slushies promise serenity in a glass.
- Just East of Massanutten Resort, BrewHaHa Brewing Co. is a funky little brewery that keeps things weird and wonderful. Just a Quickie (4.6%) is a hazy IPA brewed with cordyceps mushrooms, because why not? Expect both earthiness and a tropical explosion of pineapple, lime, and citrus..
- After a long, hot float on the Shenandoah River, stop at Elkton Brewing Company to try the Shenanbasa (3.5%). This oak-smoked wheat beer is intriguing, smoky, and totally summer-worthy. It even has notes of kielbasa! Relax in the covered pavilion and look for live music and food trucks on the weekends.
- Cave Hill Farms Brewery’s mountain and pasture views pair well with Tom Foolery (4.7%), a smooth coffee stout, or Garden Grove – Strawberry Watermelon (5.0%), a fruited sour usually served with a dairy-free swirl.
- The Friendly Fermenter is a community-focused nano-brewery with a basement taproom and the sense of humor to call itself “The Beer Shelter.” Their Enter the Dragon (4.9%), a dragon fruit sour with ginger, is a brewer favorite. For zero-proof refreshment, try the handmade and all-natural Wholy Water cucumber-lime seltzer (NA).
- Three Notch’d Valley Collab House serves Virginia Light Lager (4.2%) and Noggin Nugget Dry Hopped Sour (4.9%), which will refresh you after a day of sightseeing, dining, and shopping in downtown Harrisonburg.
- Restless Moons Brewing’s Pit Fiend is a fruited wheat beer with 4.6% ABV that goes perfectly with live music in the beer garden.
You don’t need a 10% triple IPA to have a good time! Use this low-ABV field guide to find all the light beers on tap at Beerwerks breweries.
