Who would have known that there would be so many great breweries near Shenandoah National Park?
I guess these days craft breweries are popping up everywhere, but I loved visiting each one near Shenandoah and trying new beers as well as the food these places were serving.
It was nice to go hiking in the mornings and then I spent the afternoons exploring the local towns and having a beer or two.
If you plan on spending multiple days in the area then don't miss this 3 days in Shenandoah National Park itinerary.
For hiking ideas, check out the best hikes in Shenandoah National Park plus 9 easy hikes in Shenandoah. Camping in Shenandoah is pretty fun too!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going!
The first section of breweries are ones that I visited myself while at the park. Each one is in a neighboring town to Shenandoah and doesn't take too long to get there from the entrance station.
Vibrissa Beer was about five minutes from the Front Royal Entrance Station so super convenient on my way into the park.
It has a full-service restaurant with lots of great options. The cheeseburger was cooked perfectly and the toppings were fresh.
Not to mention those sweet potato fries. YUM! They also came with a tarragon-aioli that was different from anything I've had but very good.
My favorite beer here was the Compass which was a Hefeweizen.
There are two different patios here - one that allowed dogs and one that did not. My waitress was super friendly and helpful with menu choices!
There isn't much parking along Main Street but there is a free parking lot behind the Front Royal Town Square or in front of the main entrance to Vibrissa.
My GPS took me to the entrance along Main Street, but it looks like there is another one on the Peyton Street side.
If you come in from the Main Street side, you'll just walk down a long hallway until you get to the brewery entrance. Definitely one of the best breweries near Shenandoah National Park!
Address: 122 E. Main St, Front Royal, VA | Website: Vibrissa Beer
Backroom was a little way outside of Front Royal in Middletown. It's about 20 minutes from the Front Royal Entrance Station and a popular place on the weekends.
The brewery is located on a working herb farm and there is an event venue on-site as well as the brewery.
When you drive in the event venue will be on your left and the brewery will be the building on your right. They have caution tape up around where the grills are in the back of the building so don't let that make you nervous.
They serve food as well as a wide variety of different beers and my favorite here was the Juice Bomb Hazy IPA. I love Hazies.
My pulled pork sandwich was absolutely delicious and the baked beans had a great seasoning in them.
This is a great spot for a no-fuss taproom with lots of different beers on tap. There are also plenty of tables outside to hang out at.
Address: 150 Ridgemont Rd, Middletown, VA | Website: Backroom Brewery
Skyline Brewing is actually part of Little Washington Winery & Brewery. The first thing that strikes you here is the beautiful view off the back deck of the tasting room.
This one is closest to the Thorton Gap Entrance Station and you'll head toward Sperryville. It's 21 minutes from the entrance station.
They have a couple of different flight options for wine and offer a flight of beer a well. You can also get a pint of whatever you would like of course.
The couple that owns Little Washington, Carl & Donna Henrickson, is incredibly nice and very knowledgeable about the area.
The winery & brewery is down a long gravel road so don't get nervous if this is your first time visiting. It's nice to be tucked back off the road.
They also have a disc golf course so you can come play around and then grab a drink afterward.
If you have wine and beer drinkers in your group then this is a great spot that will please everyone.
They also offer tons of different classes on wine and beer which I thought was super fun! If I ever go back to the area I'll definitely sign up for one.
Address: 72 Christmas Tree Ln, Washington, VA | Website: Skyline Brewing
This was SUCH a great find. Fantastic beer, a great atmosphere, and a local hangout spot.
There was plenty of different types of beer to choose from here and I even got to try something new - a California Common which is an ale/lager hybrid.
They have live music on many Friday and Saturday nights and a super cute interior. There was also plenty of outdoor seating in front of the brewery.
It's owned by three brothers who each bring different talents to the management team. They opened in March of 2020 and thankfully had lots of community support since we all know what happened then.
What's on tap changes frequently but I had the ShenandOATs Porter and the Blonde Bear and loved them.
They provide complimentary snacks which I thought was the coolest thing but you can also order from Old 33 Beer & Burger Grill and have it delivered.
If I hadn't been on a timeline, I could have stayed here all night. Elkton Brewing is just 10 minutes from Swift Run Gap Entrance Station.
Address: 100 N. 5th Street, Elkton, VA | Website: Elkton Brewing
This is possibly one of the most unique breweries near Shenandoah National Park that you'll find. I mean, they have a small agricultural museum in their taproom.
Oh, and the farm was originally built on 1,000 acres of land that was granted to the family by King George II of England in 1759!!! How cool is that!?
The taproom is in what used to be the loafing shed where cows were held before they were milked.
The building is large with televisions on many of the support columns in case you came to watch the game with a group of friends.
If you get a flight here, you pay per beer and I believe you can choose between 4 - 6. Should have written that down.
They have their own permanent food truck - The Feed Lot - and you order your food at the bar and can pick it up at the window.
I'm sure you can catch gorgeous sunsets here and it's a great hang-out spot. It's a quick 18-minute drive from the Swift Run Gap Entrance Station.
Address: 1001 Jacob Burner Dr, McGaheysville, VA | Website: Cave Hill Farms Brewery
If you want an incredible lunch or dinner with great beer then this is the place for you. They have a full-service restaurant along with the brewery here.
Plus it's only about 10 minutes from the Rockfish Gap Entrance Station.
Their specialty is pizza but they have tons of other options on their menu. You can also get a flight of 10 different beers from them. So you know that's what I did.
Don't worry, those come in smaller flight glasses so the pours are only 2.5 ounces. No matter what food or drinks you have, make sure you order the Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwich.
This place gets busy especially on the weekends so try to visit during off-peak times. They have tons of outdoor seating though with umbrellas if the sun is a little harsh.
Address: 9519 Critzer Shop Rd, Afton, VA | Website: Blue Mountain Brewing
A little over 10 minutes in the opposite direction of Blue Mountain, you'll find Seven Arrows Brewing. This spot is different because it's located on a busy main road in Waynesboro.
They have a variety of beer to choose from though and the staff is super friendly. When I visited in late September they were going all out for the Oktoberfest theme.
You can sit out on their back deck after you've ordered at the bar or choose a spot inside the taproom. I really liked their Vienna Lager and Oktoberfest brews.
Nobos Kitchen is located in the taproom as well where you can order different bar food like wings, burgers, and sandwiches.
Address: 2508 Jefferson Hwy #1, Waynesboro, VA | Website: Seven Arrows Brewing
Of course, I wasn't able to visit all of the breweries near Shenandoah National Park. So I've put together a list of some of the other nearby towns and the breweries there.
One note since some of you may be surprised Harrisonburg wasn't included.
It was a little further out and there are so many breweries in Harrisonburg that it really deserves a separate post entirely. Maybe one day.
I will list them though if you are curious: The Friendly Fermenter, Pale Fire Brewing Co., Restless Moons Brewing, Brothers Craft Brewing, and Three Notch'd Valley Collab House.
Strasburg is on the northern end of the park, a little ways from Front Royal. It's a quaint, small town that sits on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.
Here you'll find Box Office Brewery in the middle of town right on East King Street. It's located in the historic Strand Theatre which is super fun.
They have brick oven pizza, Brisket & ribs, and all kinds of sandwiches in addition to their beer. Everyone loves the atmosphere here and it keeps them coming back.
I was honestly so disappointed that my schedule didn't line up to when Hawksbill Brewing was open. Their hours change seasonally so just be on the lookout for that.
They use locally grown ingredients when they can and are a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike.
After hitting Luray Caverns and shopping downtown, a stop by Hawksbill is a must.
Sperryville is a small town in the opposite direction of Luray off of the Thorton Gap Entrance Station.
In the small downtown area, you'll find locally-owned shops as well as the Hopkins Ordinary Bed & Breakfast Ale Works.
This B&B is unique in that there is a brewery in the basement! This small batch brewery also focuses on local ingredients and you'll always find something new here.
Plus they have an outdoor beer garden and who doesn't love those?
In addition to Elkton Brewing and Cave Hill Farms Brewery, you'll find BrewHaHa Brewing Company in Elkton.
BrewHaHa Brewing recently opened - as in their Grand Opening was Oct 2021 - and they are Virginia's first Comedy Brewhouse.
This veteran-owned company began as BrewHaHa Comedy Tours which joined brewery tours with comedy. Then the owner, Pete, decided that he would open his own brewery instead!
In the town of Waynesboro, you'll find Basic City Beer Co. and Stable Craft Brewing in addition to Seven Arrows.
Basic City Beer actually partners with the National Park and you can get a special beer brewed just for them at Skyland and Big Meadows. I tried the Big Meadows IPA and am a fan.
They have delicious, hand-crafted pizza at their taproom. It's a large building with an industrial feel but they also have picnic tables outside for seating.
Stable Craft Brewing is the brewery located at Hermitage Hill Farm and Stables. Not only will you find a brewery here, but also a restaurant, event venue, and lodging.
As if that wasn't enough for you to visit, they were voted Virginia Brewery of the Year by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, & Travel Association.
Come here for delicious food, great beer, and a lively atmosphere.
There are lots of breweries near Shenandoah National Park that are sprinkled through the countryside on the southern end.
First, Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet is one of the most popular breweries in Virginia. They have six different locations throughout the state and you'll find a wide variety on tap here.
At Brewing Tree Beer Co. you'll find great beer and a fantastic outdoor environment. There are gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the taproom is located beside a creek.
They also have their own food truck here in case you have the munchies.
WildManDan Brewery is a smaller spot housed at a B&B but they are known for the friendliest staff and incredible beers.
Hazy Mountain Vineyards & Brewery supply jaw-dropping views plus wine and beer. They also have a light food menu.
The post 7 Breweries Near Shenandoah National Park appeared first on Stuck on the Go.