The Loudoun County community comes alive at their local breweries, where beer lovers gather to have a good time. While LoCo is better known for its wine, there are plenty of amazing options for those who enjoy a cold ale or lager.
In the last five years, Northern Virginia has gone through a craft beer boom. For Loudoun County, the beer-making industry started back in 1989 with Old Dominion Brewing Company. Since then, many breweries have come and gone, but new beers are still being created every day. Get to know them all at the LoCo Ale Trail.
Be sure to collect your Ale Trail Pocket Guide & Passport at any brewery to keep track of your tour. As many as they are, some are simply more exceptional than others.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best breweries you’ll find in Loudoun County, VA:
Ocelot Brewing Company
23600 Overland Drive #180
Dulles, VA
If you’re on the lookout for exciting new beer flavors to quaff on site or take home, the Ocelot Brewing Company is your kind of company. Each week, the owners – self-confessed “beer geeks, engineers and brewers” – offer new creations on tap, named after the lyrics of their favorite artists. Their award-winning brew, Sunnyside Dweller, references The Circle Six, a Nineties West Virginia band fronted by Steve Rubin, who went to school with one of the owners. In fact, the brewery name, Ocelot, was taken from a Phish song, and uses a logo in the shape of a guitar pick. Visit their website for a schedule of events, beer releases, and local live music.
Solace Brewing Company
42615 Trade W Dr #100
Sterling, VA
A genetic research scientist, an accountant, and healthcare administrator walk into a bar. If that sounds like the beginning of a joke, it’s not. The founders of Solace Brewing Company in Loudoun County were, at one time or another, just that. Today the bar they now walk into is theirs – a spacious, down-home tasting room, with massive ceiling fans whirring over long pine tables, a wooden bar, a 600-foot glass window through which guests can view the Solace production room, and a changing menu of events, eats, and, yes, plenty to drink. Their signature beer, Partly Cloudy, is a pale ale with “El Dorado and Citra hops” with a “juicy aroma and flavor.” Other beers such as the dry, roasty Dubliner, the melony and fresh cut grass spirit of It’s Fine 2020, and new brews like Super Dope (fruity with a piney flavor) are also available.
Old 690 Brewing Company
15670 Ashbury Church Road
Purcellville, VA
On Facebook, a patron of Old 690 Brewing Company wrote, “Terrific small craft brewery. Love that they grow their own hops on premises. Super fresh brews of many varieties.” The fact that this customer posted their review in 2020, seven years after the Old 690 first opened its doors, speaks of the level of quality the brewery has maintained through the years. The hops that are grown on the premises span 10 acres, allowing the creation of seasonal ales and fresh craft beers. On Saturdays, the brewery offers food trucks serving flatbreads, chili bowls, grilled hotdogs, and cinnamon pretzels.
Crooked Run Brewing
205 Harrison Street Se, Leesburg, VA
22455 Davis Drive, Ste 120, Sterling, VA
There’s always great fun to be had when business owners care about their projects. Crooked Run Brewing was founded by Jake Endres and Lee Rogan in 2013 following a Kickstarter campaign. With such humble beginnings, it’s heartwarming to see how much the enterprise has grown since then. Now with two locations at Leesburg and Sterling, weekly can releases, and an online shop for in-state orders, Crooked Run seems poised for even more exciting times ahead.
Bear Chase
33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont, VA
Bear Chase, the local favorite and destination-style farm brewery, was dreamed up in 2017 by five friends. They envisioned a B&B but recognized its potential to become a good brewery as well. Thus, they incorporated both ideas in what has become a luxury bed & breakfast-cum-brewery. In fact, Bear Chase was a finalist for Loudoun’s 2020 Destination Business of the Year, and their Kodiak Kölsch brew won silver at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival.
Dirt Farm Brewing
18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA
Boasting breathtaking mountain views to go with their farm-fresh craft beer, Dirt Farm Brewing works hard to make sure the community of beer enthusiasts keep coming back for more. There’s nothing quite like a roomful of kindred spirits having a whale of a time as they’re served good food, great views, and even better drinks.
There’s no shortage of places to explore in Loudoun County. If you’re looking to support earnest business owners who are eager to innovate and support a great community, reach out to the Wicker Homes Group at 571.338.3880 or send a message here. We believe helping you find your dream home is just the beginning. We want you to love living in Loudoun County as much as we do. We’re loco for LoCo! Get in touch with us today.