Craft Beer Month: How to Sip in Staunton

Craft Beer Month is here, and it’s time to celebrate by getting to know your local brews. Head to a microbrewery to sample beer made with high-quality, often local ingredients, lovingly crafted by one dedicated brewer. Not only are craft beers available in a variety of interesting, seasonal flavors, they often have more flavor and nuance than mass-produced beer. Taking your business to an independent brewery is an excellent way to support the local economy and engage with your community. Craft beer is readily available all over the state, but Staunton is a great place to start. Not only is the craft beer fantastic, but the local breweries are just steps away from the Queen City’s walkable downtown with all its dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

Local Craft Breweries

Redbeard Brewing Company

Redbeard Brewing Company carefully handcrafts its beer using traditional techniques and modern equipment. Relax in the taproom and order your favorite brew or build a flight from 10-14 taps. There’s also a beer garden outside that welcomes kids and dogs. Hungry? You can buy charcuterie snack packs or snacks from a vending machine. You’re also welcome to order in or bring snacks from home. Redbeard hosts lively events most nights of the week. Join the Sunday karaoke, Monday music bingo, or Wednesday game night fun. If you like live music, there’s music in the taproom on Friday and Saturday nights and bigger names perform in the Redbeard Summer Concert Series on select Saturdays through September. 

Queen City Brewing

You’ll feel right at home when you belly up to the bar at Queen City Brewing. This down-to-earth brewery, which opened in 2013, holds the title of being Staunton’s first brewery since Prohibition! You’ll find more than 30 beers in their extensive selection, which you can order by the pint, mini pint, or flight paddle of eight. Hang out in the industrial taproom, or relax in the fresh air outside. While there’s no onsite kitchen, Queen City often hosts food trucks, welcomes carry-out, and sells bottomless tubs of popcorn. Stop in for regular live music (see schedule) and open mic nights every Wednesday. 

Stable Craft Brewing

Not only does Stable Craft Brewing serve delicious craft beer and cider that’s been made onsite using sustainable farming practices, but the brewery is also family-friendly, so you won’t have to hire a sitter! The large exterior space has extensive decking, a patio, picnic tables on the grass, lawn games, and fire pits for roasting smores. There’s even a 9-hole cornhole golf course. You’ll also enjoy the brewery’s panoramic views of the mountains and its location on a working horse and hops farm. On-site dining options emphasize farm-to-table fare in appetizers, dinners, and hand-helds. Best of all, you can book onsite accommodations and stay the entire weekend on the farm! Check the events schedule for live music on Fridays and Saturdays, goat yoga, murder mystery dinner theater shows, and seasonal celebrations.

Seven Arrows Brewing

Seven Arrows Brewing serves several core brews that are always available as well as rotational and seasonal beers that are specifically tailored for the time of year. beer offerings will make you a repeat customer, but you’ll also love the onsite Nobos Kitchen. The delicious lunch, dinner, and late-night fare emphasize locally sourced ingredients. You’ll want to try the fried pickles and chicken bites before chowing down on the Swiss mushroom burger or the Cajun shrimp and grits. A kids’ menu will appeal to smaller, less adventurous appetites. Relax in the fresh air with outdoor seating that ranges from open and shaded tables on the deck to seats around a fire pit and picnic tables in the graveled beer garden. There’s live music on Saturday nights and open mic and trivia nights each month.

Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery

Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery is located south of Staunton in Raphine, but the drive is easy and beautiful. You’ll love the view and the atmosphere as well as the wine and carefully crafted small-batch beers! The space has indoor and outdoor seating and you can bring a picnic or buy some local snack on site. The venue hosts frequent food trucks as well as live music on Sunday afternoons. Mark your calendar for the upcoming Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery Harvest Festival (October 7).

More Breweries on the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail

The Staunton-area breweries are part of the 17-stop Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail. The breweries on the trail are less than an hour’s drive from one another, and there’s a lot of the Valley to enjoy in between. Sign up for a Beerwerks Passport and collect stamps from eight breweries to earn a t-shirt. Most breweries are dog and kid-friendly, include dining options, and offer fun activities.

Staunton Restaurants Serving Craft Beer

Of course, you don’t need to go directly to the source to get craft beer. Dine out at any of these Staunton restaurants that serve craft beer.

• The By&By
• Slyde @ 23
• Baja Bean Co.
• Shenandoah Pizza & Tap House
• BLU Point Seafood Co.
• The Green Room
• Byers Street Bistro
• The Shack
• Clocktower Restaurant & Bar
• Second Draft Bistro
• Depot Grill
• Mill Street Grill
• Chicano Boy Taco
• Yelping Dog
• Zynodoa

What are you waiting for? Craft Beer Month won’t stick around forever! Stop buying watery supermarket suds and find a local beer brewed just for you!