lakedawgs

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My brother and family are coming to visit us in Indiana in a month or so. I would like him to bring me something I cannot get here. What do you suggest for a great Virginia beer?
Thanks!

Vellum

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Depends on where he is at in Virginia. I think o'connors great dismal swamp is really tasty. I also enjoy devils backbone eight point ipa. Some good beer in va now a days. The northern va people might have more suggestions for you.

Teromous

Recipes 

I would definitely put these ones on the list:

Williamsburg AleWerks
Legend Brewing Co.
St. George Brewing Company
Starr Hill

As Vellum mentioned O'Connor is a Norfolk brewery, and you could also try getting Beach Brewing Co. which is local to VA Beach. I don't know how widely spread those ones are, but I know the other ones I listed get pretty good distribution in VA. If I had to pick one, I'd go with Williamsburg AleWerks because they have some really good beers. Legend is also really good.

mb82

Recipes 

Hardywood Brewery
Center of the Universe

Right now with my friends the biggest deal in beer is Devils Backbone Vienna Lager. Mighty tasty. I also enjoy Hardywood Single along with O'Connors Dismal Swamp.

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Jayhem

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Blue Mountain Brewery out of Afton, VA has one of the best tasting APA's I've ever had. The cool thing about it is it is hopped with Cascade hops they grow right in the backyard of the brewery!


Other good ones to write home about would be Dominion Oak Barrel Stout


and Star Hill's Northern Lights IPA.

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Vellum

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I'll just list some breweries and my favorite beer there. Some are distributed on a wider geographical region than others. Your beer tastes most likely vary from mine but each brewery should have something to take care of you.
Hardywood - single, and Irish stout
Williamsburg aleworks - George Washington porter
O'cinnors - great dismal swamp (cascadian dark ale)
Beach brewing - hoptopus (double ipa)
Devil's backbone - all (I have never had a bad beer here) my favorite is the belgo Congo ipa though (it is a seasonal)
St. George - English ipa
Smartmouth brewing - hardy porter
Legend - I usually pass on their beer (not sure why) but I enjoy their brown ale
Starhill - the gift (winter seasonal) wonderful helles bock

That is my list for VA. I haven't been to them all and I didn't really get into the good beer they make near DC. I live down in Norfolk but travel to Charlottesville often so I get to hit the breweries on the way. My next planned stop is center of the world. Also Charlottesville has some good small breweries (Growler fill only). I'm sure I left some out but others will chime in to fill I'm the gaps. Others might have favorites more along your tastes too in case mine are far left field in comparison. Cheers and happy drinking!

kepling5001

Recipes 

I'll go ahead and repeat Williamsburg alewerks drakes tail IPA is great. Also legend brown ale is mighty tasty..

OrdinaryAvgGuy

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http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/charlottesville-breweries-390301/


Here's a few that you may find helpful.

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Barnesie

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Dominion is brewed in Deleware, not Virginia and ABInBev has a significant minority ownership and exclusive distribution.

As far as "package" breweries, Northern virginia only has Port City and Lost Rhino. Lost Rhino is currently bomber only and very limited distribution leaving Port City as your only real option unless you're visiting the actual breweries. (This is excluding brewpubs) The Port City Optimal Wit is a very decent wheat beer. I really like a lot of Lost Rhino, but it's hard to get outside of going to the actual brewery.

Only other Virginia brewery I can think of that hasn't been mentioned yet is St. Georges. Of all of them, Williamsburg Alewerks might be the most impressive.

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atomicskiracer

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If you are around Charlottesville, skip Starr Hill, its widely considered the worst brewery in the area by the locals. Blue Mountain Brewery and Devils Backbone are far superior in beer taste as well as brewery experience. (Starr hill=warehouse)