Four Hours Across West Virginia

Just guessing, based on a few trips to and through WV, you have a pretty good chance. Morgantown and Wheeling are the obvious target zones if you’re going that way. We spent a night in Morgantown and were quite happy.

If you happen to take a long-cut through the back roads, Stumptown in Davis, is a highlight. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/45837/

Mountain State seemed to be widely available, although not as good as Stumptown, IMHO. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/12365/

Bridge Brew Works (just south of the New River Gorge Bridge (go for a jump on “Jump Day” October) in Fayetteville is good. https://officialbridgeday.com/
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22611/

We had a very good meal at Dobra Zupas, Beckley, however were disappointed they had no beer when we visited. So it is doubtful they distribute, but if you find any, please report back. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35597/

Personally, WV is a beautiful state and we are seriously considering retirement there.

Whatever happens, please do post an update.

 

short answer is breweries are everywhere. I would say Mountain State is below average for beer but they have a few brewpubs. Otherwise, as you said, you're with a non-drinking crew. In terms of critical mass if you're passing by Morgantown that will be your best bet. One of these days when I run out of bigger cities I might try to do a west virginia ramble through the state.

 

Agree that Mountain State is what you’ll be more inclined to find if just pulling off the interstate. Let us know your route thru WV and we could probably do some scouting for you.

Blackwater Falls & towns of Davis/ Thomas nearby are a nice place to check out. Also Fayetteville (New River Gorge National Park), Is another highly recommended WV stop. Harpers Ferry/Shepardstown area. WV is a unique place in this country for sure.

 

A month+ ago I was at Basic City Brewing in Waynesboro, VA (which I greatly enjoyed) and had a conversation with a local and he really talked up Bear Chase Brewing in Bluemont, VA (he stated its near Harpers Ferry). According to Google Maps it is a 30+ minutes drive from the park. Maybe check out Bear Chase while at Harpers Ferry?

Cheers!

 

Harpers Ferry Brewing is a must stop. Beers are ok/nothing special, but not bad either but it sits high on the cliffs of the Potomac River and the views are amazing. There’s a few Bald Eagles nest in the area as well. If you do venture down to Bluemont VA, there’s a lot of wineries/vineyards in Loudon county and also a good brewery on to of the mountain called Dirt Farm worth checking out. On a clear day you can see 30 miles to Washington DC.

 

Jackie o's in Athens if you haven't. The Columbus to Richmond line may take you through Charlottesville which has a lot of options but it's been awhile for me. Nevermind afton or route 151. Some of VAs best breweries on 151 between devils backbone and blue mountain. I always liked pro re nata.

 

It's been a few years, but when I was in West Virginia in 2017, I saw Mountain State beers in cans at a gas station in Fayetteville or around there on our way through. There's probably more breweries packaging these days, so my guess is you'd have a good chance of spotting some WV-made brews at gas stations if that's your hope. The aforementioned Tamarack Marketplace roadside stop along I-64 near Beckley looks to be along your route and would be a good place to aim for in particular.

 

Reminds me of my road trip to Texas last fall visiting friends and family. It was the very first week of November and in the mountains of West Virginia we encountered snow during the drive. It was not a lot of snow but I was surprised it was snowing given it was only November 1 (or 2) at the moment.

Cheers!

 

Greenbrier Valley Brewing
Hawk Knob (Cidery)

Both around Lewisburg, WV