2023-07-18 11:34:53
With so much fertile farmland producing fresh fruit and grain, it’s no surprise Loudoun has become a vibrant craft beer destination. More than 30 breweries make up the county’s LoCo Ale Trail, in a variety of locales – trendy urban taprooms, Piedmont farm beer gardens, mountaintop tasting rooms – few regions can match. While many breweries incorporate some local ingredients, some are inspired by the old European "land beer" ethos requiring beer be made solely with regional ingredientss. Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery in Waterford leads the way, producing the first all-Loudoun grown beer – the crisp, citrusy Loudoun Grown Farmhouse Ale – in which every ingredient came from the farm or the county. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery in Lucketts uses hops from its five-acre hops field, while Dirt Farm Brewing in the Blue Ridge makes fruit-forward seasonal IPAs using peaches, strawberries and cherries from their own orchards. As with all creative subcultures, Loudoun brewmasters are constantly innovating. You’ll find everything from crisp lagers and hoppy ales to malty barrel-aged stouts fused with herbs, honey, flower petals, coffee, wine or whiskey, many made with obscure yeast strains from Sterling-based lab Jasper Yeast. Don’t miss Virginia Craft Beer Month each August! Check out the events calendar at VisitLoudoun.org TAP INTO THE Trail 1. HARPERS FERRY BREWING This western Loudoun hilltop brewery with stunning Potomac River and Harpers Ferry views has 20 beers and ciders on tap. Taste: Riverside Kölsch @harpersferrybrewing 2. OLD 690 BREWING CO. Tucked in a holler on a dirt road in Hillsboro, this popular family-run brewery hosts frequent live bands and open-mic nights. Taste: Gnarly Boar Pale Ale @old690brewingcompany 3. BELLY LOVE BREWING CO. Hand-crafted beers for every belly, this Purcellville brewery features 14 brews on tap and popular trivia nights. Taste: Narcissist Lager 4. LOST BARREL BREWING CO. Beyond the tap house and porch of this Middleburg-based brewery, the grounds are dotted with firepits and Adirondacks, perfect for both cool winter days and hot summer afternoons. Taste: Farm Ale @lostbarrelbrew 5. LOUDOUN BREWING CO. This Leesburg nano brewery crafts and cans specialty beers for Loudoun United soccer and others. Taste: Completely Nuts Brown Ale @loudounbrewing 6. SOLACE BREWING CO. This inventive open-plan urban beerhall in Sterling offers 20 craft beers and hard seltzers. Taste: Partly Cloudy IPA @bar_therapist 7. OCELOT BREWING CO. Located in eastern Loudoun, this small craft brewery features an extensive beer geek’s menu of IPAs, lagers and barrel-aged brews. Taste: Tommy’s Ale @girliebeer Follow the LoCo Ale Trail
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