Recommendations Around Shenandoah

Where in Shenandoah? It's a big area but I know some folks (looking at you, @Iamjeff6) would could weigh in with some legit options if they had a smaller target.

 

Gotcha. You're an hour and change from Harrisonburg (Brothers Craft, Pale Fire, Three Notch'd, etc) and a little bit farther away from Charlottesville and Nelson County (Devil's Backbone, Blue Mountain, etc.).

I hope you can make it to Old Rag Mountain. It's kind of a clichéd recommendation but I like the view. Get there early though, especially if you're gonna be there on a weekend, since it can get crowded.

Have a great time!

 

Like @MHorridge suggested I think Harrisonburg would be your best bet. Skyland is a about 1.5 hours from me here in Winchester. Depending of your route, Im guessing you will be taking 95 to 66? If that's the case there is a newer brewery in Manassas called Heritage Brewing Co (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/33926/). I haven't been there but it might be worth checking out. There is also BadWolf Brewing Company (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30920/)

As far as beer stores there is a Total Wine in Manassas.

A little closer to Skyland you have a brewery in Sperryville that might be worth checking out- Pen Druid (http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/43702/)

Other than that I hate to say it but that's pretty much a beer wasteland.

 

Harrisonburg would be your best bet. There are 4 breweries and a bunch of bars/restaurants in town if you're willing to make the drive.

There's also a brewery in Sperryville called Pen Druid Brewery. I haven't tried any of their offerings, but it's about a half an hour drive from Skyland, opposed to the hour to Harrisonburg.

 

If you want a quick trip then I would highly recommend Sperryville about 30 mins away. Pen Druid does wild fermentation beers and they knock just about all of them out of the park. No other brewery in the nearby area is doing this right now. They usually have 6-8 on at all times. Hopkins Ordinary Ale is also in Sperryville and also does a really nice job. They usually have 8-10 on. If spirits are your thing then Copper Fox Distillery shares a parking lot with Pen Druid.

Outside of Sperryville then Harrisonburg and/or Charlottesville would be the best bets. Just about all the breweries in both places are putting out really solid beers.

 

Agree with IamJeff. I live in Winchester as well. Harrisburg is not bad but my guess is you will not pass over the mountains to get there. Penn Druid is pretty cool. Sperryville also has a good distillery Copper Fox I think.

You will love SNP. Ive been up there every week for the past month getting some hiking and trout fishing in. Let me know where you will be and I can scout out some hikes for you or streams to fish (by private mail of course as I hate to spot burn "my" streams)

 

Love SNP, spent the 4th of July there last year. Certainly fun to watch three or four fireworks shows going on from the overlooks along Skyline Drive.

If you make it to the southern end then you're near the Brew Ridge Trail. Blue Mountain, South Street, and Starr Hill are three that come to mind that call that area home.

 

Copper Fox is pretty decent actually. The head distiller spent time in Scotland learning how to make scotch.

 

The trails are fairly muddy so make sure you have the right boots and shoes. Also be prepared for lots of stream crossings depending on where you hike. We have had a decent amount of rain. Everything is very green and healthy in the park though. So enjoy! Maybe I'll see you up there on a trail

 

What effect did the fire have?

 

It burned for over a week and scorched around 10,000 acres. It may seem small compared to the fire in Alberta, but Harrisonburg was very hazy at times, depending on the wind. It shut down a section of SNP and a couple miles of the AT.

 

Just found out about Pen Druid today because they're collaborating on a brew with Aslin. VA is booming with breweries. Found out about 2 Silos today too. A massive nine thousand square foot brewery opening up in Manassas.

http://2silosbrewing.com/

I'm visiting Labor Day weekend and am opening up Aslin then hitting Ocelot then Pen Druid Sunday. Very much looking forward to my visit.

 

Copper Fox is cool, be sure to take the tour. They malt their own grain and that's the first part of the tour. They make good liquor, i like the whiskey they aged in brandy barrels (or something like that) Plus as others mentioned its right across the parking lot from Penn Druid. I've liked most everything I've had from them. They are using local yeast harvested from the property (likely some that escaped the distillery or something as it doesn't have a typical "wild yeast" taste) and wood firing (doesn't really effect the taste (that I could tell) but is cheaper than propane) their beers.

Sperryville also has Hopkins Ordinary Brewery. Its in the basement of a B&B. Was only there once, and was a cramped space, but heard they opened a beer garden.

On your way into the park if your are starting at Front Royal, you could stop at Pave Mint. They have +/- 30 taps and good food.

If you make it to the southern end of the park, i would recommend visiting blue mountain brewery. its not too far off I-64 has good beers and food.

If you are taking I-81 home a stop in Harrisonburg would be nice, several good breweries and restaurants there.