10 Best Breweries in Virginia with 30 Beers Worth Trying
Virginia’s beer scene is easier to explore in regions than in one long brewery crawl. Richmond offers several distinct approaches to hops and fermentation, Northern Virginia brings classic styles, Hampton Roads has coastal taprooms, and the Blue Ridge route adds destination brewpubs.
These ten HBA editorial picks balance distinctive beer, style variety and regional coverage. Brewery numbers organize the guide; the thirty beer-card numbers are reading order, not a separate statewide beer ranking.
Beer portfolios and brewery menus were reviewed in October 2026. Rotating and seasonal beers may be between releases; check the current venue, taps and package stock before visiting. Food pairings are suggestions for your own tasting.
Virginia brewery picks at a glance
| Brewery | City | First beer to try | Flight focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Veil Brewing Co. | Richmond | Master Shredder | Hazy hops and a West Coast comparison |
| 2. Triple Crossing Beer | Richmond | Falcon Smash | Flagship IPA with lager and dry stout |
| 3. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery | Richmond | Richmond Lager | Lager, Belgian-style ale and holiday stout |
| 4. Port City Brewing Company | Alexandria | Optimal Wit | Witbier, classic IPA and robust porter |
| 5. Benchtop Brewing Company | Norfolk | Proven Theory | Flagship IPA and two classic lager styles |
| 6. Blue Mountain Brewery | Afton | Full Nelson | Pale ale, classic lager and barrel-aged stout |
| 7. Smartmouth Brewing Company | Virginia Beach | Seven Cities Lager | Lager and two distinct hop strengths |
| 8. Reaver Beach Brewing Co. | Virginia Beach | Hoptopus | Three approaches to hop-forward beer |
| 9. Devils Backbone Brewing Company | Roseland | Vienna Lager | Vienna lager and a Baltic porter contrast |
| 10. Starr Hill Brewery | Crozet | Northern Lights | Classic IPA, wheat beer and dry stout |
1. The Veil Brewing Co.
The Veil takes the first spot for a focused comparison of its house IPA, a double IPA and a drier West Coast interpretation. These are specific named targets, rather than a promise that every rotating release will be available.
Choose a Richmond venue first: Scott’s Addition and Forest Hill have their own menus. The brewery also operates in Norfolk, but stock and pours are location-specific.
Master Shredder
Brewed by The Veil Brewing Co.
Mosaic-led melon and citrus character.
BAR NOTES
Master Shredder makes the clearest opening order because it is the house hazy IPA. Mosaic brings melon and citrus impressions without requiring double-IPA strength.
Taste it before whiteferrari and compare the finish as well as aroma. Our