Lexington, Buena Vista & Rockbridge County
Craft Beer on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail
Lexington & Rockbridge County Breweries
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As you settle into your Adirondack chair at Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery with a kolsch and a mountain view, it's easy to appreciate the simple charms of drinking beer in the country. Until a camel walks by in the distance…Yep, camels, llamas, and other exotic creatures prowl the rolling hills below Great Valley, which overlooks the Virginia Safari Park near Natural Bridge. Great Valley Farm is one of 19 craft breweries on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail, which stretches south through the Shenandoah Valley from Harrisonburg to Natural Bridge. The southernmost brewery on the Beerwerks Trail, Great Valley is renowned for its hilltop views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Virginia Safari Park. Sunsets are amazing too. The tap line-up changes regularly, but the Coffee Stout is always worth a try if it’s available. Wines from their vines are sold too. Live music and food trucks make regular appearances on weekends in warmer weather.
- 🚗 about 61 min drive
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In Rockbridge County the trail also connects with Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery, Devils Backbone Outpost Tap Room & Kitchen, and Heliotrope Brewery. Small-batch beers are on tap at Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery in North Rockbridge, where gentle hills and small farms unfurl for miles. The brewery keeps its focus narrow, offering just six different beers, including a pale ale, a pilsner, and two IPAs. Beers are served in a cozy taproom adjacent to the vineyard's wine tasting room. Out back are picnic tables, chairs, and fire pits. The grounds are pet friendly. In warmer months there’s live music on Sunday afternoons.
- 🚗 about 33 min drive
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Devils Backbone is no longer a small-batch brewery, but local live music, trivia nights, and Southern hospitality keep the vibe small-town. With communal tables inside and big tables on the deck, Devils Backbone is a festive post-hike gathering spot, whether you’re coming down from a hike on House Mountain or Crabtree Falls. The flagship Vienna Lager is one of 16 beers on tap. Gourmet pub grub is on the menu – don't miss the fish tacos.
- 🚗 about 10 min drive
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Heliotrope, a brewpub in downtown Lexington, is the new kid on the block, but you wouldn’t know it from the students, professors, and locals packed elbow-to-elbow for the creative IPAs and artisanal woodfired pizzas. Order at the counter – the beer and pizza change regularly – then find a seat inside or at a picnic table in the alley. Beers come with creative names – we’re looking at you Zamboni Joyride – and feature local ingredients. Look for current beer and food menus on Heliotrope’s Facebook page.