Best Breweries in Roanoke, VA: Top Craft Beer Brewing

This post is about the best breweries in Roanoke, Virginia.

Whether you live in the area or planning to visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway, check out this list of breweries in the Roanoke region to try some of the best beer in the best places along the blue ridge beerway! I mean… parkway.

There are numerous small towns and cities along the parkway and you need to make Roanoke a stop as its one of the best small town brewery destinations. Read further down this list for flavorful beers in friendly breweries in the Roanoke valley. Don’t forget some hangover prevention (and also plan a safe ride home please)!

These locations are in no particular order!

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Use the table of contents below for easy navigation throughout the post.

A Few Old Goats Brewing

AFOG is a friendly brewery offering a fun and laid back atmosphere. They are dog friendly featuring new beers on tap almost every week continuously rotating their stock. There is an outdoor seating area stocked with games and fun things to enjoy while trying some of your new favorite beers. Check out this link here to see what’s currently on tap.

You will find a variety of beers at this 2-barrel nano-brewery. Enjoy some great beer while playing on some pinball machines!

• Hours:
  • Monday: 3pm – 7pm
    Tuesday: 4pm – 8pm
    Wednesday and Thursday: 4pm – 9pm
    Friday: 2pm – 9pm
    Saturday: 12pm – 9pm
    Sunday: 12:30pm – 7pm
• Address:
  • 515 8th St SW Suite 228 – West End Flats
    Roanoke, VA 24016

Golden Cactus Brewing

If you love a good beer in a unique looking mason jar, this is your place!

The aesthetic of this place is super cool and unique; a truly iconic symbol of good branding (and good beer)! This is a must visit for a unique experience.

Check out a full list of their beers here, but I personally love how they name their beers after plants or rather how you would name a plant. For example: Thistle (a Belgian style saison, delicate and floral with notes of honeysuckle and clove), Suzette The Grisette (a farm house ale dry and light with earthy undertones) and Iris (A soft, pillowy, and pleasant hazy New England style Pale ale).

Golden Cactus is in the heart of downtown Roanoke which is also across the street from Big Lick Brewing making either a great option if you’re looking to hit as many spots as possible.

• Hours:
  • Monday-Thursday 3-9 PM
  • Friday-Saturday 12-10 PM
  • Sunday 10 AM- 8 PM
• Address:
  • 214 5th Street SW
    Roanoke, VA 24016

Barrel Chest Wine & Beer

Barrel Chest triples as a beer and wine store with a nano brewery and self pour wine and beer bar. They offer 20 different beers and 12 wines for you to enjoy while you shop for… more beer and wine! They also offer light snacks and sandwiches. Barrel Chest is closed Sunday and Monday but open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 7.

They offer an outstanding selection of beer and wine products marking them as one of the largest independent beer and wine retailers in Virginia.

• Hours:
  • Monday – Closed
  • Tuesday-Thursday
  • 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Friday – Saturday
  • 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
  • Sunday – Closed
• Address:
  • 2601 Franklin Road (near Wonju intersection), Roanoke, VA 24014

Blindhouse Beer Co.

Blindhouse Beer gets its name from the regional term “blindhouse” meaning a windowless cottage or cabin. Originally, these types of places were used sort of like “getaways” from others to focus, most particularly those of the drunk and disorderly. The irony here is pretty funny!

Blindhouse is unique for several reasons; one being their brewing system. They use an open-fermented system utilizing regional ingredients and native yeasts. A true local taste of the blue ridge mountains!

There is an outdoor patio and dogs are also allowed in the tasting room. If you get hungry, light snacks and baked goods from Kind Baking Co are offered as well as rotating food trucks. Outside food is welcome.

They have fun special events from time to time. In May, every Friday is called B.Y.O.V. – Bring Your Own Vinyl; which means basically that. Each Friday they offer a loose theme to follow and invite people to bring in their own records to spin, as a result you receive two half price beers! A pretty cool idea if you ask me.

• Hours:
  • Monday 4-9 PM
  • Thursday 4-9 PM
  • Friday 4-19 PM
  • Saturday 1-9 PM
  • Sunday 1-7 PM
  • Closed Tuesday-Wednesday
• Address:
  • 534 Salem Ave SW
    Roanoke, VA 24016

Big Lick Brewing Company

Roanoke’s first nano brewery, Big Lick Brewing Company does all their crafting onsite and have brewed over 190 distinct recipes since opening in 2014. Big Lick really is “big”… their location offers a large taproom and beer garden, featuring live music and other special events. They even have beer slushies!

They don’t have a kitchen or food menu but invite you to order from nearby restaurants for delivery or pickup.

Consider trying: Hey George! (Wheat Beer – American), Open Secret 13 (Sour – Fruited Gose) or Double White Bronco (IPA – Imperial).

Big Lick is also across the street from Golden Cactus making it easy to try plenty of different beers throughout your night! But remember to drink responsibly and get home safe.

• Hours:
  • MON-THUR: 4pm – 9pm
  • FRI: 2pm – 10pm
  • SAT: 1pm – 10pm
  • SUN: 12pm – 8pm
• Address:
  • 409 Salem Avenue SW
    Roanoke, VA 24016

Conclusion

And there you have it! A grouping of some of the best breweries in Roanoke, VA.

Some honorable mentions include: Olde Salem Brewing Company, Twin Creeks Brewing Company, Parkway Brewing Company, Twisted Track Brewpub and Starr Hill Brewery.

Be sure to let us know your favorite spots!