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How did national beer brands impact local brewing in West Virginia?
- In the late 20th century, national brands like Budweiser and Miller overtook local beer production, leading to a decline in independent breweries.
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When did local craft brewing resurge in West Virginia?
- The resurgence of local craft brewing in the 2000s sparked a renewed interest in independent breweries.
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How many breweries have opened in West Virginia?
- Since the 2000s, nearly two dozen breweries have opened throughout West Virginia.
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What are some award-winning breweries in West Virginia?
- Notable breweries include Stumptown Ales, Morgantown Brewing Company, and Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company.
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1. Stumptown Ales
Savor hop-forward brews, enjoy a laid-back atmosphere in scenic Davis.
Stumptown Ales is a Davis brewery that has been named as West Virginia’s 2017 Brewery of the Year by Brilliant Stream. The brewery was opened by Cindy and Jon Robeson in 2015 and is named for the state’s history of timbering. Its tap room is a year-round favorite for the region’s local and tourist skiers, hikers, and bikers, offering flagship brews on tap such as the company’s Easy Blonde Ale, Cave Dweller Pale Ale, Holy Citra Double IPA, Lefty Lucy American Ale, and Over the Tip-Top Breakfast Stout. Four types of wines are also available, along with a small plates menu. Visitors are also welcome to bring in their own food or order delivery from a number of area restaurants.
390 William Ave, Davis, WV 26260, Phone: 304-259-5570
2. Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
Taste craft beers, explore unique flavors inspired by West Virginia.
Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company was the vision of friends and business partners David Kucera and Wil Laska, who released their first flagship beers under the company name in September of 2014. Today, the brewery distributes cans across the state and offers pints and to-go growler sales at its Maxwelton tap room and brewhouse. The company’s brews have received a vast array of regional and national awards, including its year-round Festivale Kolsch, Son of Zona Witbier, Zona’s Revenge Wheat Ale, Wild Trail Pale Ale, and Devil Anse IPA. Its tap room is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, showcasing decor constructed from salvaged bourbon barrels and pallets recycled from Smooth Ambler Spirits. Special events include a family-friendly First Saturday concert series, which offers live music performances, indoor games, and food trucks.
862 Industrial Park Rd A, Maxwelton, WV 24957, Phone: 304-520-4669
3. Big Timber Brewing Company
Enjoy locally brewed beers, relax with friends in a casual setting.
Big Timber Brewing Company is located in Elkins and was opened in 2014, quickly becoming a local craft beer favorite for 16-ounce tallboy can offerings, which are available in limited distribution throughout the state. The brewery offers six year-round beer offerings, including its signature blonde ale, porter, IPA, and pale ale varieties and its Double Pit IPA and Logger Lager Pilsner. Seasonal specialty brews include the brewery’s Wild and Wonderful West Virginia Wet Hop, Frost Notch Winter Warmer, Sluice Dry Stout, and Hatchet Session IPA. Its tap room is open Tuesdays through Sundays and offers taps, growler fills, and to-go sales, along with a variety of special events and live musical performances.
1210 S Davis Ave, Elkins, WV 26241, Phone: 304-637-5008
4. Bridge Brew Works
Discover creative brews, savor bold flavors in a charming mountain town.
Bridge Brew Works is located near in Fayetteville near the beautiful, expansive Gauley River National Recreation Area, which showcases West Virginia landmark New River Gorge. The brewery strives to maintain its small, local roots and offer high-quality craft beers, which are available on bottle and draft throughout the state. Its tap room facility offers flights, pints, and to-go growler sales of its top brews, including its Hellbender Black IPA, Mountain Momma Pale Ale, Long Point Lager, and Moxxee Coffee Stout, a collaboration with Charleston’s Moxxee Coffee. Beers are available for tasting Tuesdays through Saturdays throughout the afternoon and evening hours.
335 Nick Rahall Greenway, Fayetteville, WV 25840, Phone: 304-282-2201
5. Chestnut Brew Works, LLC
Sip small-batch brews, enjoy a quick, cozy visit with friends.
Chestnut Brew Works, LLC was opened to the public in 2013 in Morgantown by head brewer and owner Bill Rittenour and has become one of the city’s favorite social gathering spots, named in honor of the state’s chestnut tree foresting industry, a vital component of its economy. Its tap room facility is open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays, offering pints and to-go growler sales of its popular brews, including its flagship Halleck Pale Ale, Class II Wheatwater, Nate’s Nut Brown Ale, South Park Porter, and Your Best Hoption Imperial IPA. The brewery has long been dedicated to principles of environmental sustainability, donating all of its spent grain to local farmers for livestock feed.
444 Brockway Ave, Morgantown, WV 26501, Phone: 304-212-5079
6. Mountain State Brewing Co.
Savor craft beers, enjoy scenic views perfect for a weekend trip.
Mountain State Brewing Co. was founded in 2005 by brothers and homebrewers Willie Lehmann and Brian Arnett and has since grown to become of the state’s top distributing craft breweries. The brewery operates three tap rooms today in Thomas, Morgantown, and Deep Creek Lake, Maryland and distributes throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Year-round brews distributed by the company include its Cold Trail Blonde Ale, Almost Heaven Amber Ale, Seneca IPA, and Miner’s Daughter Stout. At the Deep Creek and Morgantown tap rooms, full-service restaurant menus are available, focusing on artisan wood-fired flatbreads. The Thomas brew house also features a music hall presenting a full schedule of live concerts and public special events, including the company’s annual Brew Skies Festival.
54 Clay St, Morgantown, WV 26501, Phone: 304-241-1976
7. North End Tavern and Brewery
Taste historic brews, enjoy hearty pub fare in a friendly space.
North End Tavern and Brewery is West Virginia’s oldest craft brewery, brewing ales in house at its tavern facility in 1997. The Parkersburg tavern dates back to 1899, the state’s oldest continuously-operating restaurant and the 122nd oldest bar in the United States. All beers are brewed with entirely natural ingredients and use no preservatives in their recipes. Up to half a dozen brews are tapped at any given time, including the brewery’s award-winning flagship Roedy’s Red Amber Ale. Other craft brews include the tavern’s 5-Way IPA, Dawk’s Porter, Northern Light, West Virginia Wheat, and Berry Wheat. A full tavern menu highlights German-American fare, along with specialties such as the tavern’s famous NET Burger.
3500 Emerson Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26104, Phone: 304-428-5854
8. Parkersburg Brewing Co.
Explore exciting craft beers, savor delicious bites in a lively atmosphere.
Parkersburg Brewing Co. is a resurrection of the Hebrank and Rapp Brewery, which opened in 1864 and operated under the Parkersburg name through 1912 and the beginning of Prohibition. Today’s reboot of the brewery is operated by Dan Curtis and Justin Logue and has been relocated to Parkersburg’s Market Street, as the original brewery facility was demolished in 2004. Year-round brews offered by the company include its unique From Ash and Ember, a Cascadian ale with floral, citrus, and earthen hops that pays tribute to the brewery’s symbolic rise from the ashes. Other ales include the company’s Citrus Tsunami Grapefruit IPA, Palooka Pale Ale, Cell Block 304 Brown Ale, and On the Lam Oatmeal Stout. A full bar menu is served at the brewery’s tap room, including shareable bar appetizers and a full menu of craft paninis.
707 Market St, Parkersburg, WV 26101, Phone: 304-916-1502
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