Usually THEbreweryauthority compiles a Top 10 list, but for Virgina we needed to expand into a Top 12 because there are just so many great Virginia breweries! It goes without saying that beer quality and selection makes a huge difference when considering all these breweries. However, I can drink some amazing beer right out of my fridge at home. When we are talking about the best of the best we need to consider the taproom itself. The atmosphere, ambiance, and overall vibe of the brewery. Some aspects that go into this are taproom arrangement and decor. I can have the best rated IPA fresh from the brewery taps, but if I'm drinking in what resembles a dentist office it will definitely destroy my experience.
Is the brewhouse right next to the table you're at or is there a massive mural painted on the wall by a local artist? Does the brewery have an overall decor theme? Or are you sitting in a florescent lighted white room with ugly drop ceilings? That stuff makes a different and can really affect your experience whether you realize it or not.
Staff can also play a major part in your brewery experience. When a bartender takes the time to explain a beer and guide you to the one you will enjoy the most, chances are you will have a positive experience. Maybe a manager, owner, or brewer will come talk to you about the history of the building or the newest barrel aged sour release. That all adds to the experience.
Like I said Virginia made it extremely difficult to narrow the list down to 12 so look for our honorable mentions at the end!
#12 Thin Brew Line
The Virginia Beach area pumps out some great breweries and Thin Brew Line drops the hammer at Number 12 with their prison, police, and firefighter themed taproom. Before ordering a beer you may want to take a trip to check out the Shawshank Redemption themed bathroom and the mugshot themed one right next to it. The theme continues with their line of beers with ones like Badge Honey (blonde ale), Station 12 Fire Engine Red (Scottish ale), and Hops N Robbers (the go to IPA).
Major points for originality and uniqueness and going the extra mile to keep the theme consistent through all aspects of the brewery. My only complaint is that the taproom isn't bigger! Would love to see the theme expanded on a much larger scale. I can imagine a fireman's pole to slide down from a second floor taproom, being breathalyzed and being put in a cop car in the middle of the bar area if you are over the limit, or maybe police car and fire truck lights that go off at happy hour. The ideas are limitless
#11 Benchtop
This Norfolk based brewery touts itself as a neighborhood taproom complete with a place to park your bike when passing by. I couldn't help but feel relaxed while sitting on the patio with a calm breeze cooling me off. Benchtop runs the gamut from old school side pull lagers to fully fruited sours and the all important hazy IPA. The high stem beer glasses suggest a touch of class to your day drinking and the lager mugs really bring out the aromas of your Czech pilsner.
Now you can enjoy the same great libations at Benchtop's newly open Richmond taproom. This location wouldn't make the Top 12 list on its own, but that doesn't mean you should skip it! They have all the great beers the Norfolk location has and is still a great hangout spot in an up and coming section of the beer capital of Virginia.
#10 Richbrau
Speaking of the beer capital of Virginia, Richbrau Brewing slides into the Number 10 spot. Technically, they are a newer brewery in town. However, they are modeled after one of the original breweries before prohibition. If you are looking for that authentic brewery experience then Richbrau is for you! We are talking gritty warehouse/garage style brewery with stainless steel tanks directly next to you while you play board games. Sure there's plenty of breweries that are similar, but Richbrau just does it so well.
Richbrau Brewing may be one of the most underrated breweries in not only Richmond, but the entire state. Look for some finely crafted IPAs and sours that will only elevate your experience.
#9 Maltese Brewing - Fredericksburg
Thin Brew Line touched on the fireman theme previously on the list but Maltese Brewing goes full throttle with it. Sorry, this brewery isn't in an old firehouse like some breweries, but they go above and beyond making you feel like you are. From countless uniforms on the wall, patches from fire companies all over the country, and a fireman emblem flight board, Maltese makes for a truly unique brewery experience.
Another clever idea that blends perfectly with the fire theme is their line of pepper beers. I'm not normally a pepper beer fan but what better place to turn up the heat than a firefighter brewery?! One particular pepper beer is so hot you need to sign a waiver to try it (we thankfully did not try it). Maltese may not be on everyone's Top 12 list but no one can argue that it's a great, underrated brewery in Virginia and cannot be passed by when traveling through.
#8 The Answer - Richmond
Many readers will have The Answer higher up on this list or perhaps Number 1 because of there's UNRIVALED fruited sours. True, their sours are unmatched, but remember, this list takes into account the whole brewery experience not just the beer. The beer alone is what propels The Answer onto this list as the taproom is quite run of the mill. A simple taproom with neutral colors and basic tables and chairs greet you upon arrival. But the massive tap list of possibly the best quality beer in not just Virginia, but the whole United States, makes you care less about what the taproom looks like.
We don't claim to be foodies but the adjoining Korean restaurant has some food that will blow your mind. Words can't describe how this gourmet Korean delight pairs so perfectly with their vast draft list. Rarely do we rate so highly a brewery that has such a bleek and boring taproom. It takes some amazing beer AND food to get where The Answer got!
#7 Big Lick Brewing - Roanoke
Big Lick Brewing represents western Virginia in a big way. You are faced with a difficult decision upon your arrival. Do I sit in the mini airport hangar style taproom or do I sit in the art drenched biergarten. There's no right answer to that question so you may just have to split your time equally.
Inside you have the unnecessarily shiny fermenters that will grab your attention instantly. The spacious taproom provides various points of view throughout and the vast beer menu will surely keep you hovering around the bar area. As enjoyable as the indoor area is, on a nice day, I'd suggest sitting in the red umbrella dotted biergarten. You will immediately notice the massive mural on the adjoining building that evokes all sorts of thoughts.
Did I mention the beer??? Big Lick represents western Virginia with not only a great brewery atmosphere, but also an amazing lineup of high quality brews. Hop heads will love Big Lick, but so will stout and traditional style beer enthusiasts. A MUST visit out in western VA.
#6 The Garage Brewery - Chesapeake VA
The Garage Brewery is simply a fun brewery. However, I have to admit when we first rolled on up to the place I was incredibly disappointed to find out The Garage Brewery is NOT in a garage. In fact it looks more like an Applebee's or some chain restaurant rather than a brewery. But once you step through the front door the "garage" theme takes center stage.
Starting off they have all the grain bags and other brewing ingredients stored on a rack like you would in your own garage. After a closer look you see they do have a garage door and the painted yellow beams remind you of a mechanic's lift in an auto garage. The brewery includes such "garage" details like the flights coming in a wooden tool box, and excavator arm coming from the wall, and decor such as hard hats and auto signs hung throughout. Like I said, a very fun brewery and a reminder not to judge a brewery by its cover!
#5 Vasen Brewing - Richmond
Richmond is highly represented on this list for good reason. The breweries are simply amazing. Vasen settles into the Number 5 slot for a few reasons. Firstly and most importantly is their unique and slowly crafted beers, particularly their sours. They have a few fruited up sours, however, Vasen's slowly fermented and aged sours are top tier in Richmond and the rest of Virginia. When visiting look for the Bergamot and Ginger sour or the Smoked Blood Peach sour, both unbelievably unique and will force you to question your knowledge of craft beer. Vasen provided us with our first sour stout that was actually good. This sour was the kind that sticks in your mind forever.
Apart from the beer, the Vasen taproom is underrated and can get lost in the brewery rich Scotts Addition section of Richmond where there are nearly a dozen breweries, wineries, distilleries and more. The ceiling and large panel windows allow you to gaze up the large oak foeders and the rest of the brewhouse. Vasen even has a waterfall inside! Best place in Richmond to sip some wild ales.
#4 Decipher - Charlottesville
On the surface Decifer Brewing seems like your typical small warehouse brewery. Granted, a very VERY well done warehouse brewery. But upon closer inspection you will encounter a theme. This is a theme unlike any other in the brewery world. It lies within their name...Decipher. All around the taproom you will find codes that need decoding, including the paper you need to fill out to order your flight. I'm no genius so clearly I was unable to solve any of these riddles, but that didn't stop me from noticing what looked like hieroglyphics written on various places. I'm sure most patrons don't even notice them, but for me, I still wonder what these weird symbols meant...
Clearly the attraction for us was this amazingly unique theme, however, the beers ain't half bad either. Decipher definitely has a more diverse beer selection compared to some others on the list and that can be good/bad depending on your mood. So if you're looking for a bit more than your standard brewery I'd recommend stopping by Decipher Brewing and try figuring out the riddles for the rest of us!
#3 Precarious Beer Project - Williamsburg
Precarious Beer Project is just a straight up, fun time brewery. Let's start with the atmosphere. This open beer hall style taproom puts an American twist on the great German beer halls. Don't look for bar wenches in lederhosen or hanging Oktoberfest banners. Here you will find a vibrant color scheme of green, black, and even some graffiti art.
Staying with the uplifting, colorful theme...the beer! Bright and fruity sours and juiced up IPAs take center stage at Precarious Beer Project. Not many better places in Virginia to bring the whole family after a long day of walking the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg, which is less than a block away. Can't believe you don't hear more about this brewery. Shouldn't be considered a hidden gem. Precarious should be considered simply A GEM!
#2 Triple Crossing Beer - Richmond
Hop heads already know about Triple Crossing as they have some of the dankest and juiciest IPAs in all of town. As residents of Pennsylvania we were elated when we started seeing some of those IPAs pop up on draft boards around here. But did you know they make some amazing lagers too? Of course you didn't, but they do! Triple Crossing also has one of my favorite beer ever...a biere de garde (of all styles)!
Triple Crossing now has THREE locations. Our favorite remains the original in the heart of downtown. This small brick building has a charm that you can't replicate in a newly constructed, massive taproom like the two other locations. Sure those are great locations as well and the spaciousness is great for those busy weekends, but if you want a personalized experience then head to the original spot and enjoy some of the freshest and haziest beers you will ever have!
#1 The Veil Brewing
The Veil takes Number 1 because all their locations are simply amazing. The Veil also takes Number 1 because they have, in our opinion, the best beer in all of Virginia. The race for top beer is definitely close, but The Veil takes the gold metal. Another brewery that creates spectacular IPAs and fruited sours. Earlier I discussed how Vasen Brewing has the best wild ales. Well The Veil has great fruited up sours....those thick tart and sweet bombs we all love.
The Veil has three locations in Richmond and one in Norfolk. All of these locations are unique and worth your time, but THEbreweryauthority always enjoys the original location. There's something about seeing where it all began....where the brewery earned the reputation. Then you visit the Forest Hill location and see how far they've come. You go from a small gritty taproom with only a few tables and a biergarten in their parking lot to a multi-level taproom with a huge draft list, kitchen, and flashy decor. Hands down our favorite brewery in Richmond and all of Virginia.
Honorable Mentions
Virginia has wayyyyy too many great breweries and I'd feel guilty if I did not mention those that nearly made the list. These are some breweries that may have rightfully made your Top 12 and I can't argue with that. Even though these breweries didn't make our list doesn't mean you should avoid them, they are MUST VISITS as well!!!
Restless Moons Brewing - Harrisonburg
Not a fan of big cities but still want a huge concentration of breweries? Head to Harrisonburg. Last count there were 5 breweries in this very small Appalachian town. Not as many as Richmond, but per capita that's quite impressive. All 5 were great but our choice of Harrisonburg has to be Restless Moons because of their curbside appeal and garage style taproom done nearly to perfection. This low key hangout is a standout in the great brewery town of Harrisonburg.
Aslin Brewing - Alexandria
Since we visited Aslin they've opened a massive taproom and increased availability of all their amazing beers. Aslin's stouts are sought after nationwide and their IPAs stand up to all the great Richmond breweries. The old location was mainly take out only aside from a few samples, but by the looks of the new location Aslin may have completed with the #1 slot on the list. Seems as though Aslin is opening up another location in the Pittsburgh area as well...looks like THEbreweryauthority has some work to do.
Red Dragon Brewing - Fredericksburg
Another Virginia brewery with highly sought after fruited sours. Red Dragon would have made the list if beer alone decided everything. The basic and rather mundane taproom kept them off the list, but I'd happily return again for a taste of their award winning beers. Simple as that...another small Virgina town with some big beers.
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - Richmond
I know readers want Hardywood on the list both for their well known stouts and expansive brewery taproom. I can't argue with that. Both are impressive, we simply thought others did them better. However, you would be doing yourself an injustice if you skipped Hardywood Park. We always enjoy sitting next to a wall of oak barrels or relaxing in some Adirondack chairs and Hardywood Park has all that and more.
Commonwealth Brewing - Virginia Beach
Commonwealth has no theme, which usually pushes a brewery onto one of our lists. Commonwealth Brewing is simply an extremely well done garage brewery with all the decor you'd expect. Oak barrels, Adirondack chairs around fire pits, rustic wooden taproom, perfect lighting, and so much more. Nothing wrong with with Commonwealth at all.
There you have it! Some of the best breweries in Virgina. Now you have the ultimate guide to Virgina beer. Questions or comments? Send us a message on Instagram if you're planning a Virgina beer-cation and we'd be happy to send you in the right direction.
Cheers!
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