Summer’s here, and it’s the perfect time to explore the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail! With 19 craft breweries nestled in the stunning Shenandoah Valley, this trail includes a unique blend of scenic beauty and delicious brews. So grab your Beerwerks Passport, and let’s plan your ultimate summer beer-cation!
Plan Your Trip
The beauty of the trail is its flexibility. Your route can include all 19 breweries in one epic road trip, or you can focus on a smaller section for a more leisurely pace. If you’re all about that summer vibe, prioritize breweries with outdoor spaces like patios, beer gardens, and scenic views. Most breweries have live music and outdoor games, making them perfect for soaking up the sun with friends.
Don’t forget your Beerwerks Passport! This little booklet is your guide to the trail, with space for stamps as you visit. Collect eight stamps from different zones to earn a stylish Beerwerks Trail shirt – a fun souvenir from your trip.
Breweries for Summer Sipping
Most breweries along the trail offer core brews that are available all year round and seasonal/rotational beers that include some excellent for summer sipping. Check out the Blackout the Sun pilsner at Seven Arrows Brewing or the Goserita strawberry lime margarita sour or Gosecolada pineapple sour at Brothers Craft Brewing. Queen City Brewing has White Rabbit fruit beer, perfect for summer sipping on the patio.
Beerwerks breweries are also notable for their inviting taprooms and patio spaces. Enjoy fresh brews and views for miles at Great Valley Farm Brewery. Relax on a Sunday afternoon to live music and pastoral views at Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery. The outdoor spaces at White Oak Lavender Farm and the newly-opened Alpine Goat Brewery are postcard-worthy. Here’s a list of patio spaces along the trail.
And if you’re looking for summertime fun along with your brews and views, you’ll want to stay busy at Redbeard Brewing Company. Redbeard hosts events like trivia, book clubs, live music, and more. Elkton Brewing, which last year won Best of the Valley awards for Best Brewery and Best Live Music Venue is another good bet. Pale Fire Brewing is located across the street from the Tuesday/Saturday Harrisonburg Farmer’s Market, where you can get fresh bites and chat with farmers and makers. Basic City Beer Co.’s The Foundry is where “history meets harmony” by welcoming big-name performers to Waynesboro’s historic warehouse space.
Pair Beer with Adventure
The Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail isn’t just about beer – it’s about the whole experience! With access to wilderness areas like Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, and the Shenandoah River and its tributaries, the Beerwerks trail is close to endless opportunities to both stretch your muscles and cool down after your adventure!
After hiking a world-class trail in Shenandoah National Park, reward yourself with a cold one at Stable Craft Brewing. Or challenge yourself by tackling House Mountain before relaxing with a beer and a meal on one of the decks at Lexington’s Devils Backbone Outpost Taproom & Kitchen.
Mountain bikers love craft brews! After surging along the singletrack in Stokesville, head back to Harrisonburg to quench your thirst and relax at Restless Moons Brewing Company! For those who have been tackling the Western Slope at Massanutten, it’s easy to hop off your bike and onto a stool at BrewHaHa Brewing Company. You might even catch a comedy show!
If a gentle paddle on the river is more your speed, explore the South River. You can hop in your canoe or kayak in Waynesboro, and pull out downriver at Grottoes, Port Republic, or Elkton before grabbing a cold one and a snack at Cave Hill Farms Brewery. Another of the area’s gems is the scenic Upper James River Water Trail, which stretches along 64 miles of the James River in Rockbridge and Botetourt Counties. It includes 12 public access points.
Make it a Weekend Trip
Extend your Beerwerks adventure with a weekend getaway in one of these rooms with a brew. Along with a range of lodging options and excellent beer, the region boasts unique attractions, history, culture, and outside adventure.
Zone A:
- Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center is an upscale hotel in downtown Harrisonburg. It provides easy access to the city’s shops, restaurants, and the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum.
- Charming By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages is near the George Washington National Forest‘s hundreds of miles of hiking trails and scenic drives.
- Lodging options at sprawling Massanutten Resort provide access to resort amenities like a water park, hiking trails, a family adventure park, and a mountain biking park.
Zone B:
- You can’t get closer to the action than an onsite suite at Stable Craft Brewing. You’ll find craft beer, scenic views, chef-inspired food, and lots of entertainment each week.
- Check out the Blackburn Inn or Hotel 24 South in Staunton for an updated historical ambiance right in the middle of the downtown action. Visit the American Shakespeare Center, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, and the Staunton Farmers’ Market.
- Plan a couple’s getaway at Waynesboro’s Iris Inn, which provides luxurious private accommodations, fine dining, and on-site spa services.
Zone C:
- Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center is also historic and incredibly comfortable. It’s just steps from Natural Bridge State Park, the Virginia Safari Park, and Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery.
- Lexington’s historic The Georges has elegant rooms and on-site dining options. Walk to downtown Lexington’s shops and restaurants. A short drive will take you to the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Steeles Tavern Manor is a peaceful bed and breakfast with a pool and walking trail. It even offers a Beerology 101 class!
The Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail will guide you on a memorable summer adventure filled with delicious craft beer, breathtaking scenery, and fun. Grab your passport, gather your friends, and embrace your ultimate summer sipping adventure along the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail!
