The Brew Ridge Trail

They have a logo and
everything

So it’s like this: I believe that the craft beer scene is growing larger every day and eating up a significant percentage of the total beer market in the process. The statistics actually do bear this out. I also believe that in the next 5-10 years, local breweries will replace a significant percentage of the national beer market, meaning that there will be enough local breweries in America that they will begin to chip away at national craft brewers, as well as the industrial swill brewers. Brands like Dogfish Head, Stone, Sierra Nevada and New Belgium will begin to see their total sales dwindle in areas far-removed from their home bases. The fact is, craft beer is not a “hard to find” commodity any more. More and more metropolises and regions of the country are being graced by delicious locally brewed beer. As America becomes more artisanal in their commercialism, the crafty beer enthusiasts will naturally lean towards these local brews. They’ll be cheaper than something that was shipped from the other side of the country, plus you’ll be keeping your money in the local economy, which is good for everybody involved.

All those brewers, centrally located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah.
How can you resist?

Now that I’ve shared my vision, let’s discuss some local brewing that is near and dear to me. There is a collection of breweries in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western Virginia, in and around the Charlottesville, VA area, that the locals are calling “the Brew Ridge Trail.” Celebrating the craft beer industry in Nelson and Albemarle Counties and claiming that there are more breweries than stop lights, the Brew Ridge Trail consists of the Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton, VA, the Blue Mountain Barrel House in Arrington, VA, the Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company in Roseland, VA, the South Street Brewery in Charlottesville, VA, the Starr Hill Brewery in Crozet, VA, and the Wild Wolf Brewing Company in Nellysford, VA.

The brands of the Brew Ridge Trail

The Brew Ridge Trail has taken the craft brewing world by storm. With medals at the Great American Beer Festival and highest honors at the 2012 World Beer Cup, Nelson County and its Albemarle and Charlottesville counterparts have all eyes on Virginia beer. The Charlottesville, VA area was even recognized in a recent Yahoo! Travel article on the 10 best vacation cities for beer lovers. Along with their local destination marketing organizations, Nelson County Economic Development and Tourism and the Virginia Tourism Corporation assisted in marketing the trail and the region’s culinary attractions as well as the regional wineries. Even the Governor of Virginia supports them, and has seen to the passing of two pieces of pro-brewing legislation in May 2012.

The Devil's Backbone Brewing Company, with it's panoramic views, at the footsteps of the Blue Ridge Mountains

So do yourself a favor if you’re in the area, or even if you’re not, and check out the Brew Ridge Trail in western Virginia. There are plenty of hotels and B&Bs in the area, as well as majestic scenery and historical sites to complement your beer pilgrimage. Make a weekend of it. And no, I am not receiving any incentives for endorsing these breweries, though I am willing to listen.

For more information on the Brew Ridge Trail attractions and accommodations, check out their website.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!