25 Best Virginia Beers to Drink in 2026
Virginia beer stretches from polished Blue Ridge lagers and Williamsburg classics to Richmond hop showcases, fruit-driven ales, and holiday stouts made with local ingredients. This 2026 ranking gathers 25 packaged beers that best show the Commonwealth’s range, balancing enduring flagships with current releases worth seeking out.
Falcon Smash
Brewed by Triple Crossing Beer
Triple Crossing's flagship IPA remains one of Richmond's clearest statements of modern hop flavor.
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Falcon Smash brings orange marmalade, grapefruit, light pine, and stone fruit over a soft wheat-supported body. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with spicy fried chicken, sharp cheddar, or citrusy fish tacos. Serve it fresh and moderately cold, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Gingerbread Stout
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
The Virginia holiday classic that turned local ginger and honey into a nationally recognized stout.
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Gingerbread Stout brings roasted malt, fresh ginger heat, honeyed sweetness, vanilla, and baking spice in a full-bodied pour. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with pecan pie, gingerbread, blue cheese, or vanilla ice cream. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
Great Return IPA
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
A James River-inspired IPA with classic American bitterness and enough fruit to stay approachable.
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Great Return IPA brings grapefruit peel, pine resin, tropical fruit, and a sturdy bitter finish with little residual sweetness. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with a cheddar burger, grilled onions, peppery sauce, or smoked wings. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
Jomo Vienna Lager
Brewed by Starr Hill Brewery
Virginia's long-running Vienna lager proves malt depth and easy drinking can occupy the same glass.
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Jomo Vienna Lager brings toasted bread, biscuit, restrained caramel, and gentle floral hops in a polished amber body. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with grilled sausage, roast chicken, or a pretzel with mustard. Serve it cold in a mug or narrow pint, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Porter
Brewed by Port City Brewing Company
Port City's year-round dark ale delivers stout-like depth with the balance of a polished porter.
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Porter brings bittersweet chocolate, espresso, toasted grain, and faint dark fruit in a smooth mahogany pour. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with smoked brisket, charred mushrooms, chocolate cake, or aged Gouda. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
Richmond Lager
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Hardywood's hometown lager makes a persuasive case for simple beer brewed with uncommon care.
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Richmond Lager brings pale grain, fresh bread, restrained floral hops, and lively carbonation in a precise golden lager. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with pizza, fried seafood, grilled hot dogs, or salty peanuts. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
Clever Girl
Brewed by Triple Crossing Beer
A leaner Triple Crossing IPA that emphasizes vivid Citra and Mosaic character over sweetness.
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Clever Girl brings grapefruit pith, orange, dark berry, and pine across a lean, dry, surprisingly light body. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with grilled shrimp, jerk chicken, or citrus-dressed salad with goat cheese. Serve it fresh in a wide-rimmed hop glass, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Vienna Lager
Brewed by Devils Backbone Brewing Company
A foundational Virginia craft lager that pairs old-world malt character with mountain-sessionability.
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Vienna Lager brings toasted bread, biscuit, light caramel, and restrained bitterness in a smooth amber lager. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with bratwurst, roast pork, pretzels, or a campfire supper. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
Tropication
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Hardywood's juicy flagship brings tropical saturation without abandoning a useful finishing snap.
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Tropication brings ripe pineapple, mango, orange, soft peach, and measured bitterness over a plush hazy body. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with spicy tacos, Thai curry, or a salty grilled cheese. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
Superb IPA
Brewed by Alewerks Brewing Company
Alewerks' modern flagship IPA balances juicy aroma with the brewery's preference for composed structure.
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Superb IPA brings mango, orange, grapefruit, soft grain, and restrained bitterness in a rounded hazy pour. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with barbecue chicken, pepper jack, or a spicy fried-fish sandwich. Serve it fresh and cold in a tulip, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Hopkeeper
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Virginia malt and honey give this double IPA a local foundation beneath its bold hop bill.
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Hopkeeper brings pineapple, orange zest, citrus, warming alcohol, and subtle Virginia-honey roundness. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with blue cheese, spicy wings, or sticky pork ribs. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
Baby Falcon
Brewed by Triple Crossing Beer
Falcon Smash's lower-strength sibling keeps the house character while making room for a longer session.
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Baby Falcon brings tropical citrus, navel orange, grapefruit, berry, mint, and light pine in a lean package. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with nachos, grilled chicken, or citrus-dressed slaw. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
Virginia Blackberry
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
A Virginia Roots favorite that turns local blackberries into a vivid ruby-hued wheat ale.
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Virginia Blackberry brings ripe blackberry, gentle tartness, soft wheat, and rye spice with integrated fruit rather than syrupy sweetness. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with goat cheese, duck, berry-glazed pork, or dark chocolate. Serve it cool in a stemmed glass, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Pils
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Hardywood's polished pilsner gives lager drinkers a sharper, more hop-defined alternative to Richmond Lager.
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Pils brings pale cracker malt, floral hops, delicate citrus, lively carbonation, and a firm dry bitterness. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with schnitzel, fried oysters, salty potato chips, or a fresh pretzel. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
Pumpkin Ale
Brewed by Alewerks Brewing Company
Alewerks' autumn staple earns its reputation by tasting like spiced beer rather than scented syrup.
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Pumpkin Ale brings baked pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and caramelized malt on a sturdy amber foundation. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with roast turkey, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin cheesecake. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
O'Fest Lager
Brewed by Devils Backbone Brewing Company
A Blue Ridge märzen with enough malt richness for fall and enough polish for a full stein.
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O’Fest Lager brings toasted bread crust, biscuit, light caramel, herbal hops, and a smooth clean-fermented finish. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with bratwurst, roast chicken, smoked pork, or pretzels with mustard. Serve it cold in a full stein, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Tangerine
Brewed by Alewerks Brewing Company
A seasonal wheat ale that uses real citrus character to brighten rather than bury the base beer.
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Tangerine brings fresh orange peel, juicy tangerine, creamy wheat, and gentle grain in a clean summer ale. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with grilled fish, summer salad, soft goat cheese, or light tacos. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
Peach Tripel
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Virginia peaches soften a strong Belgian-style tripel without erasing its peppery fermentation character.
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Peach Tripel brings ripe orchard peach, pale malt, peppery yeast, honeyed fruit, and a dry warming finish. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with roast chicken, washed-rind cheese, peach cobbler, or a celebratory spread. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
Intentional Stout
Brewed by Alewerks Brewing Company
A no-gimmick American stout that balances substantial roast with dark fruit and hop structure.
BAR NOTES
Intentional Stout brings cocoa, dark chocolate, toasted bread, restrained dark fruit, and American-hop bitterness. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with grilled steak, smoked mushrooms, brownies, or sharp blue cheese. Serve it cool in a nonic pint, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Christmas Morning
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Coffee turns the Gingerbread Stout framework into a richer, breakfast-inspired holiday pour.
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Christmas Morning brings fresh coffee, roasted malt, ginger, honey, vanilla, and holiday spice in a decadent body. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, or an after-dinner conversation. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
Bourbon Barrel Cru
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
A barrel-aged quadrupel that trades hop intensity for layered fruit, caramel, oak, and spirit warmth.
BAR NOTES
Bourbon Barrel Cru brings toffee, almond, vanilla, oak, dark cherry, raisin, plum, and integrated bourbon warmth. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with aged Gouda, bread pudding, fruitcake, or a small square of dark chocolate. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
Chesapeake Pale Ale
Brewed by Alewerks Brewing Company
A balanced pale ale that connects classic American hop flavor with everyday Virginia drinkability.
BAR NOTES
Chesapeake Pale Ale brings citrus, light pine, biscuit malt, and measured bitterness between session IPA and classic pale ale. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with crab cakes, grilled chicken, pizza, or farmhouse cheddar. Serve it fresh and cold in a standard pint, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Anywhere Double IPA
Brewed by Alewerks Brewing Company
Alewerks packs a broad spectrum of tropical and citrus flavor into a controlled double-IPA frame.
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Anywhere Double IPA brings mango, pineapple, grapefruit, orange, and a small caramel-malt note with controlled sweetness. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with spicy barbecue, strong cheddar, or a peppery burger. A clean, style-appropriate glass helps the aroma open, while the suggested serving temperature keeps sweetness, bitterness, and carbonation in useful balance.
River On!
Brewed by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
A new core Easy IPA created with the James River Association for active, all-day refreshment.
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River On! brings bright tropical fruit, juicy citrus, light grain, and clear hop aroma on a remarkably light body. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with fish tacos, grilled vegetables, or salty picnic snacks. Take a moment with the aroma before drinking; the right temperature and a clean glass reveal details that disappear when the beer is served carelessly.
Pumpkin Spice Lager
Brewed by Devils Backbone Brewing Company
A clean-fermented seasonal that keeps pumpkin spice lighter and crisper than most autumn ales.
BAR NOTES
Pumpkin Spice Lager brings pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, toasted malt, and a cleaner finish than most seasonal pumpkin ales. The flavors stay coherent from the first aroma through the finish, giving the style enough personality to feel distinctive without losing the balance that makes another sip inviting.
Pair it with roast chicken, butternut squash, apple pie, or sharp cheddar. Serve it moderately cold in a standard pint, and check package freshness when hops, fruit, or delicate lager character is central to the experience.
Keep your Virginia beer trail going
From Blue Ridge lagers and Richmond IPAs to fruit-driven ales and spiced imperial stouts, Virginia gives you plenty of directions for the next pour or homebrew project.
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