West Virginia is a state rich in history and tradition. Craft beer, by definition, is “beer made in a traditional or non-mechanized way by a small brewery.” The Mountain State has a number of these small craft breweries in the state, and here are several worth checking out.
- Chestnut Brew Works, 444 Brockway Avenue, Morgantown, WV
Facebook/Chestnut Brew Works Chestnut Brew Works started out in April, 2013, as a small brewery nestled in the woods of southern Monongalia county, about 10 miles south of Morgantown, WV. Chestnut’s master brewer put his Ph.D. in fungal biology to work understanding the science behind brewing’s key ingredient: yeast. Demand quickly outpaced supply, and after one year in business, this green-minded brewery expanded and added a taproom in the historic South Park area of Morgantown. The tap room is open Wednesday through Friday, 4 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., and Saturday, noon – 11:00 p.m.
- Morgantown Brewing Company, 1291 University Avenue, Morgantown, WV
Facebook/Morgantown Brewing Company Morgantown Brewing Company (MBC) is West Virginia’s oldest operating brewery. Alumni-owned and operated, they reopened in 2009 under new ownership. The team at MBC is committed to high-quality, on-premise craft brews that satisfy the evolving tastes of today’s responsible beer consumers. Currently, the brewery offers ten craft brews on tap with several seasonal and small-batch special brews released every week. MBC offers full-service dining, a large outdoor deck, and Fresh Beer for Home Use packaged in carry-out growler containers. Operating Schedule: Monday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 2:00 am; Sunday, 1:00 pm – 2:00 am. Tours Available on Monday Evenings and by appointment; tastings available by request.
- Bridge Brew Works, 333 Nick Rahall Greenway, Fayetteville, WV
Facebook/Bridge Brew Works Bridge Brew Works is a small brewery in Fayette County just south of Fayetteville off of Rt. 16 in the Wolf Creek Industrial Park. The two owners both started home brewing in 1995 and soon took it seriously. They decided the Fayetteville area would be a great place to brew. Their first batch of Long Point Lager was brewed in January 2010 in their new brewery. Most of their beer is distributed across WV in draught and can be found anywhere in the state. They also produce a small amount of specialty beers in bottles.
- Screech Owl Brewery, 2323 Ralph Livengood Road, Bruceton Mills, WV
Facebook/Screech Owl Brewery The oldest brewery in Preston county, Screech Owl Brewery is a micro craft beer brewery located of off I-68 exit 29 in Bruceton Mills, WV. Of their rural location, they like to say “You are either lost or looking for us when you come up the driveway.” They are a small-batch brewer, using all natural ingredients, grain, mountain water, hops from around the world and the U.S. and yeast. As a small batch brewer, their beers are limited in quantity, and available only at the brewery.
- Berkeley Springs Brewing Company, 91 Sugar Hollow Road, Berkeley Springs, WV
https://www.facebook.com/bathwaterbrewpub/photos/a.841847485886906.1073741825.841844879220500/1162244910513827/?type=3&theater Located in beautiful Berkeley Springs, WV, Berkeley Springs Brewing Company features a variety of non-filtered ales using the world famous waters of Berkeley Springs. The brewpub is family friendly and has a complete menu of in house prepared beer infused specialties. The bar offers a selection of WV-produced wines and spirits as well as fresh made kombucha and root beer on tap. They often have live music and their game room has a pool table and dart boards. They are a nonsmoking establishment.
- Big Timber Brewing, 1210 South Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV
Facebook/Big Timber Brewing Company Big Timber Brewing’s brewery and taproom is located in the heart of Appalachia, in beautiful Elkins, West Virginia. Their name pays homage to the surrounding forests and the industry that built the community. Started in 2014, their website says: “We make beer we love and enjoy doing it, creating a product that we, our town, and our state can take pride in. What started as a dream, became a reality in 2014 when our first keg went out the door, and our commitment to our beer, our community, and our dream continues to grow stronger everyday.” Closed on Mondays, they are open Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Greenbrier Valley Brewing, 862 Industrial Park Drive, Maxwelton, WV
Facebook/Greenbrier Valley Brewing “Get Out, Explore, Bring Beer” is their motto. The owners of Greenbrier Valley Brewing are proud of their West Virginia roots, and name their quality craft beers after local legends and mythical figures. Opened in 2012, Greenbrier Valley Brewing serves as a brewery and music venue.
- Wheeling Brewing Company, 2247 Market Street, Wheeling, WV
Facebook/Wheeling Brewing Company Wheeling Brewing Company was created out of a passion by its owners to lead in the revitalization of downtown Wheeling, and to resurrect a rich history of micro-brewing in the area. What started out as a craft basement brewery, this local favorite has kept its cozy roots with a rustic micro-brewery and pub in the historic Centre Market District. Their cuisine is locally sourced, and the beer on tap all local. The brewmaster is always happy to talk to you about his craft.
- Lost River Brewing Company, 155 W. Main Street, Wardensville, WV
Facebook/Lost River Brewing Company Located in the heart of historic Wardensville, WV - known as the “gateway to WV” - the Lost River Brewing Company is a small brewpub serving its own beer and hearty pub fare not available anywhere else. They feature live music from local musicians on the weekends. Tastings Available Thursday, Friday 5 PM until closing Saturday, Sunday 12 PM until closing.
- North End Tavern & Brewery, 3500 Emerson Avenue, Parkersburg, WV
Facebook/North End Tavern & Brewery The North End Tavern & Brewery (aka “the N.E.T.” to locals) offers many styles of locally brewed, craft beer and serves American pub-style fare as well as traditional German dishes. Established in 1899, the N.E.T. first opened its doors as a small neighborhood pub in Parkersburg’s North End. The N.E.T is known for its award-winning Amber Ale, Roedy’s Red and its legendary NET Burger. Over the last century, the N.E.T. became a Mid-Ohio Valley tradition, offering locals and visitors a friendly place to unwind while enjoying great food and drink. Tastings available. Schedule: Monday – Saturday; 8:00 am – 12:00 am Sunday, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Labor Day – Memorial Day); Sunday closed (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
No matter what your taste, you’re sure to find a craft beer you’ll love in one of these fine establishments. What is your favorite craft brewery?
Facebook/Chestnut Brew Works
Chestnut Brew Works started out in April, 2013, as a small brewery nestled in the woods of southern Monongalia county, about 10 miles south of Morgantown, WV. Chestnut’s master brewer put his Ph.D. in fungal biology to work understanding the science behind brewing’s key ingredient: yeast. Demand quickly outpaced supply, and after one year in business, this green-minded brewery expanded and added a taproom in the historic South Park area of Morgantown. The tap room is open Wednesday through Friday, 4 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., and Saturday, noon – 11:00 p.m.
Facebook/Morgantown Brewing Company
Morgantown Brewing Company (MBC) is West Virginia’s oldest operating brewery. Alumni-owned and operated, they reopened in 2009 under new ownership. The team at MBC is committed to high-quality, on-premise craft brews that satisfy the evolving tastes of today’s responsible beer consumers. Currently, the brewery offers ten craft brews on tap with several seasonal and small-batch special brews released every week. MBC offers full-service dining, a large outdoor deck, and Fresh Beer for Home Use packaged in carry-out growler containers. Operating Schedule: Monday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 2:00 am; Sunday, 1:00 pm – 2:00 am. Tours Available on Monday Evenings and by appointment; tastings available by request.
Facebook/Bridge Brew Works
Bridge Brew Works is a small brewery in Fayette County just south of Fayetteville off of Rt. 16 in the Wolf Creek Industrial Park. The two owners both started home brewing in 1995 and soon took it seriously. They decided the Fayetteville area would be a great place to brew. Their first batch of Long Point Lager was brewed in January 2010 in their new brewery. Most of their beer is distributed across WV in draught and can be found anywhere in the state. They also produce a small amount of specialty beers in bottles.
Facebook/Screech Owl Brewery
The oldest brewery in Preston county, Screech Owl Brewery is a micro craft beer brewery located of off I-68 exit 29 in Bruceton Mills, WV. Of their rural location, they like to say “You are either lost or looking for us when you come up the driveway.” They are a small-batch brewer, using all natural ingredients, grain, mountain water, hops from around the world and the U.S. and yeast. As a small batch brewer, their beers are limited in quantity, and available only at the brewery.
Located in beautiful Berkeley Springs, WV, Berkeley Springs Brewing Company features a variety of non-filtered ales using the world famous waters of Berkeley Springs. The brewpub is family friendly and has a complete menu of in house prepared beer infused specialties. The bar offers a selection of WV-produced wines and spirits as well as fresh made kombucha and root beer on tap. They often have live music and their game room has a pool table and dart boards. They are a nonsmoking establishment.
Facebook/Big Timber Brewing Company
Big Timber Brewing’s brewery and taproom is located in the heart of Appalachia, in beautiful Elkins, West Virginia. Their name pays homage to the surrounding forests and the industry that built the community. Started in 2014, their website says: “We make beer we love and enjoy doing it, creating a product that we, our town, and our state can take pride in. What started as a dream, became a reality in 2014 when our first keg went out the door, and our commitment to our beer, our community, and our dream continues to grow stronger everyday.” Closed on Mondays, they are open Tuesday – Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Facebook/Greenbrier Valley Brewing
“Get Out, Explore, Bring Beer” is their motto. The owners of Greenbrier Valley Brewing are proud of their West Virginia roots, and name their quality craft beers after local legends and mythical figures. Opened in 2012, Greenbrier Valley Brewing serves as a brewery and music venue.
Facebook/Wheeling Brewing Company
Wheeling Brewing Company was created out of a passion by its owners to lead in the revitalization of downtown Wheeling, and to resurrect a rich history of micro-brewing in the area. What started out as a craft basement brewery, this local favorite has kept its cozy roots with a rustic micro-brewery and pub in the historic Centre Market District. Their cuisine is locally sourced, and the beer on tap all local. The brewmaster is always happy to talk to you about his craft.
Facebook/Lost River Brewing Company
Located in the heart of historic Wardensville, WV - known as the “gateway to WV” - the Lost River Brewing Company is a small brewpub serving its own beer and hearty pub fare not available anywhere else. They feature live music from local musicians on the weekends. Tastings Available Thursday, Friday 5 PM until closing Saturday, Sunday 12 PM until closing.
Facebook/North End Tavern & Brewery
The North End Tavern & Brewery (aka “the N.E.T.” to locals) offers many styles of locally brewed, craft beer and serves American pub-style fare as well as traditional German dishes. Established in 1899, the N.E.T. first opened its doors as a small neighborhood pub in Parkersburg’s North End. The N.E.T is known for its award-winning Amber Ale, Roedy’s Red and its legendary NET Burger. Over the last century, the N.E.T. became a Mid-Ohio Valley tradition, offering locals and visitors a friendly place to unwind while enjoying great food and drink. Tastings available. Schedule: Monday – Saturday; 8:00 am – 12:00 am Sunday, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Labor Day – Memorial Day); Sunday closed (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
More in the mood for some local wine? Check out our list of 12 great wineries and breweries.
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