Do you need an excuse to sit back, relax and enjoy a few drinks? We’ve got you covered! August is Virginia Craft Beer Month and Loudoun has all the best breweries to visit. Loudoun may be DC’s Wine Country®, but it is also home to one of the most dynamic craft brewing scenes in the U.S. Today, there are more than 30 breweries in a range of settings all waiting to be explored during Virginia Craft Beer Month!

 

Ale Trail Passport

Win prizes while exploring new breweries and enjoying a tall glass of beer! The LoCo Ale Trail passport features more than 30 breweries, each represented by a bottle cap icon on the map. Order a beer at any of the participating breweries and earn a stamp on your passport. Finish one of the four clusters (Brews with a View, Brews by Bike, Downtown Leesburg and Dulles Corridor) and earn a prize. Make your way through the whole passport to get the Grand Prize!

 

Brews You Can’t Miss this August

Pyramid Scheme

This hazy IPA is multi-level infused with mosaic hop flavor, citrus, bubblegum and passion fruit. Created at Crooked Run Fermentation, this ale is brewed just in time to help keep you refreshed in this summer heat.

Som’ Peach

Dropping just in time for Virginia Craft Beer Month, Som’ Peach is a golden ale base that is fermented in 800 pounds of peaches freshly picked from local Great Country Farms. Utilizing fresh ingredients, Dirt Farm Brewing is hosting a weekend-long event on August 6 and 7 to celebrate the launch of this fan-favorite peachy beer with live music and a special appearance from Nomini Bay Oyster .

Mexicali Blues

Refill your growlers today with Bear Chase Brewing Company’s new beer on tap, the Mexicali Blues. This dark beer inspired by a Mexican Lager differs itself as a dark beer that won’t slow you down on a hot summer day. If dark is not your thing, you can still order the Snickers Gap that provides all the hazy and juicy nourishment of NEIPA’s.

Ride the Tide

Lost Rhino Brewing Co is dropping a new release just in time for Virginia Craft Beer Month – a New England style IPA named Ride the Tide. The beer is a simple malt-style brew with a hazy body and a creamy mouth finish with notes of citrus and pine.

A Taproom Twist

The Craft of Brewing has taken the traditional tap room style and thrown it out the window. There is no more waiting for a bartender at this self-serve business, which features a beer wall with 20 taps that are poured by the ounce to ensure you get just the right amount for you. The Craft of Brewing is also known for teaching customers the art of home brewing. With seven personalized brewing stations, customers can craft their own recipe and develop the skills needed to brew at home. When you book a brew session – you have 20L, 50L or kegging/bottling stations to choose from. Take home a couple of cases, growlers or a keg or two.

 

Brewery Events

Cars and Coffee

Show off that hot rod and meet up at Lost Barrel Brewing for Cars & Coffee. Bring your cars or motorcycles and enjoy a breakfast sale while checking out some sick rides. The event is on the 1st of every month from 9-11 a.m., so if you can’t make this one there’s always next month!

Pairings on the Potomac

History buffs and beer lovers are in for a treat – Harpers Ferry Brewing is hosting a brief seminar on the history of beer August 12. Spruce up your knowledge of ale while enjoying a three-course beer and appetizer pairing on the Potomac followed by a brew house tour. This is the ultimate experience for true beer lovers.

Taste of Blue Ridge: The Great Chef’s Table

Head to the stunning Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery for an August 14 craft beverage and culinary extravaganza featuring chefs, a bounty of local produce, beer, wine and sangria. The evening will also include cooking demonstrations and an opportunity to chat with Chef Ambassadors.

Recurring Brewery Events

Everyone loves a good game night, so pair that with a tall glass of beer and have some fun. Check out these places for weekly game nights.

  • Vanish themed Trivia Night 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ever last Friday
  • Rocket Frog Wednesday Board Game Night 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Crooked Run Fermentation in Sterling Bingo for Charity every Tuesday 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Beer-focused Happy Hours

  • Lost Barrel Brewing Friday Happy Hour 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Monk’s Tap Tuesday 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Live Music

Enjoy local singers and bands throughout the week at different breweries across the county. These are just a few places that often have live music.

Markets

Shopping and drinking? Sign me up! Check out some of these lively markets

 

Be Sure to check out Visit Loudoun’s event calendar for the latest Virginia Craft Beer Month events and tag @VisitLoudoun and the #LoCoAleTrail to show us how you celebrate the month. Cheers!