When you’re looking for breweries in Charlottesville, VA, you have a large number of great options!
The Downtown Mall is home to several top breweries in town, including South Street Brewery and Champion Brewing Company. You can also find plenty of dog-friendly breweries, and breweries that serve food.
Whether you lean toward IPAs, Stouts, Lagers, or Belgian Pale Ales, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your tastes!
(Top photo courtesy South Street Brewery.)
13 Best Breweries in Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville Brewery Map
13 Best Breweries in Charlottesville, VA
Below are some of my top recommendations for the best breweries in Charlottesville, VA.
1. Starr Hill Downtown
Starr Hill was founded in Charlottesville by a Charlottesville native, so it definitely earns a top spot on the list!
The brewery is also the second oldest craft brewery in Virginia. They’ve gained recognition beyond Virginia and won numerous awards, including the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, and Great British Beer Festival.
They now feature numerous locations throughout Virginia, including Richmond and Lynchburg.
Some of their year-round favorite brews include Northern Lights (Indian Pale Ale), Ramble On (Juicy IPA), and Wahoowa (Pale Ale), a nod to the local University of Virginia.
You can also find limited and seasonal releases like Festie (October Lager), Virginia Peaches (American Wheat Ale), and Big Red Roostarr (Imperial Coffee Cream Stout.)
Leashed pets are allowed on the outside patio, but only service pets are allowed inside.
You can grab food from the food hall vendors outside and bring it in to enjoy with your brew.
2. Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen and Brewery
Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen and Brewery is another major beer destination in town. They also have 5 locations throughout Virginia.
The brewery was founded by three friends from Charlottesville.
As the name suggests, Three Notch’d features a full-service kitchen, too, specializing in beer-infused dishes with local ingredients.
There is no shortage of great brews on top, including plenty of IPAs, Lagers, Ciders, and Sours. If you want a dessert-inspired beer, you can try the Double Dark Chocolate Biggie S’mores stout!
Three Notch’d also serves non-alcoholic beers.
The kitchen serves up lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm. They have a wide variety of menu items, including Parmesan Garlic Fries, Chicken Tacos, Fish & Chips, Mushroom Ravioli, Soups, Salads, and more.
Three Notch’d is also a great place to host your next special event. They feature multiple large spaces, including The Roth Room and a covered patio, which is heated and open year-round.
The brewery also hosts regular events, like the Run Club, where you can go on a run and then enjoy $5 beers and snacks, and Pups & Pints, where you can bring your dog and enjoy a discounted beer on the patio!
Leashed pets are allowed on the outside patio, but only service pets are allowed inside.
3. Champion Brewing Company
Champion Brewing Company is another great local craft brewery to check out in Charlottesville, VA.
They feature a good mix of rotating beers on tap, including IPA, Mexican-style Lager, Pilsner, Porter, and Vienna Style Lager.
The brewery has a fun space for patrons that includes a shuffleboard table, pinball games, and board games.
There’s even more outdoor space on the patio, including an outdoor stage.
They also have a full-service kitchen that serves excellent bratwurst, burgers, pretzel bites, nachos, and much more!
4. South Street Brewery
South Street Brewery is another excellent brewery choice in Charlottesville. They’ve been around since 1998!
South Street has a large selection of beers on tap, including IPAs, Pilsners, Imperial Amber Ale, and Irish Dry Stout. They also serve up some creative concoctions like the Monticello Mountain Ale, which is a local honey ale.
You can pair your beer of choice with a full menu! They’re open for lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch.
Some of the dishes include loaded tots, jumbo pretzels, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and entrees like Creamy Roasted Mac and Cheese, and Cajun Pasta. So you’ll definitely find something to satisfy every appetite!
And definitely make sure to leave room for a Beer Float for dessert! It’s a perfect combination of Dry Irish Stout and ice cream!
You can find a full menu online.
5. Random Row Brewing
You can find great home-brewed, award-winning beers at Random Row Brewing Co. Their Mosaic Pale Ale is definitely a standout. It has won numerous awards, including the 2019 Gold Medal Virginia Craft Beer Cup.
You can also try a sweeter twist on the Mosaic Pale Ale in the form of the Grapefruit Mosaic. They also have a broad mix of other beers, including Hefeweizen, Pilsner, Imperial Stout, Belgian Blond Ale, and of course a selection of IPAs.
Random Row also pays tribute to other local breweries and wineries, by serving their products as well, such as a Red Blend from nearby Blenheim Vineyards and various ciders from Potter’s Craft Cider.
And what goes great with beer? Pizza of course! Random Row also serves up pizza, which is made on-premises in their stove oven, in partnership with Richmond company Billy Pie.
You can order classics like Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Margherita Pizza, and Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza.
You can learn about even more of the best places to find great pizza in Charlottesville!
Random Row also hosts a large number of regular events, including Trivia Night, Charity Bingo, Yoga Classes, Run Club, and even Pickleball! And so you’re sure to find a fun event to go with your favorite beer!
6. Rockfish Brewing Company
Rockfish Brewing Company wins rave reviews for its great craft beer and friendly vibes. They have two Charlottesville locations, one on Preston Ave, and one in the Downtown Mall.
They brew a variety of favorites, including Pilsners, Pale Ales, Porters, and Kolsch.
Rockfish also serves food, ranging from bar favorites like chips and dip, wings, tacos, and nachos, and more unique fare like Avocado Minichangas and Empanadas.
You can even find some delicious desserts on hand, like Tres Leches, Churros, Plantain Pie, and Cheesecake Xangos.
7. Decipher Brewing
Decipher Brewing is located in a warehouse, which gives it a cool industrial vibe. They have some unique offerings like the Bourbon Barrel Aged Artemis alongside mainstays like IPAs, Porter, Scottish Ale, and Lager.
You’ll especially want to try out their dark beers, which earn high marks from customers!
The brewery hosts regular events, including Trivia Nights, 80’s Parties, and live music performances.
You can also grab a bite at one of the many food trucks that stop outside.
8. Selvedge Brewing
Selvedge Brewing is a great beer destination near the Rivanna Trail, which is one of my favorite hiking trails in Charlottesville! This makes it the perfect stop mid-hike or bike ride!
The brewery is also located in the Wool Factory, which is part of a complex that dates back to 1868.
The small-batch brewery focuses on blending “the old with the new”. Some of the beers on tap include an American Lager, New England IPA, English Style Pub Ale, and a Munich Style Dunkel.
Selvedge also features a full-service kitchen with dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients. They also offer many vegetarian options. The menu is full of dishes that go beyond the typical brewery menu.
For instance, you can order BBQ Sweet Potatoes, Soy Maple Glazed Carrots, and Peruvian Chicken. All of their dishes are made from scratch on-site.
Dogs are welcome in the outside seating area.
9. North American Sake Brewery
If you’re in the mood for something beyond beer, you can check out North American Sake Brewery, which features sake, the Japanese drink made by fermenting rice.
They feature a handful of sakes, including Real Magic, a Junmai Craft Sake; Big Baby, a Cloudy Style Craft Sake; and the extra dry Quiet Giant. You can try them out as a sake flight before you commit to just one!
When you visit, make sure to take a sake brewing tour to get a behind the scenes look at how this unique beverage is made!
You’ll also find the Bad Luck Ramen Bar inside the brewery, for a perfect food pairing with your sake of choice.
As you’d expect, there’s no shortage of ramen options at the restaurant, including the Nas Original (with Tonkotsu Broth, Chashu Pork, Ramen noodles, corn, button mushrooms, a soft-boiled egg, scallions, nori, togarashi, and garlic oil) and Momo Chicken (with Shio Broth, Chicken, Ramen noodles, carrots, button mushrooms, a soft boiled egg, scallions, sesame seeds, nori, and garlic oil.)
The ramen bar also serves pork dumplings, edamame, sushi, and rice bowls.
Beyond sake, you can also get Japanese Whisky, Japanese Beer, Sake Bombs, Saiko Sparkling Sake, and even Sake Slushies!
10. Beer Run
Beer Run offers a little bit of everything. They have a retail store where you can purchase anything from beer, to cider, and even mead.
They also, naturally, have beers on tap, plus a wine room, restaurant, and outside patio. They’re even open for Sunday brunch.
Among the many beers on tap, you’ll find plenty of IPAs, Belgian Blonde, Pilsners, Stout – Imperial, and Witbier. They also have ciders and sours.
Many of the featured beers come from Virginia breweries, including a Stout – Imperial from Commonwealth Brewing Company of Virginia Beach; as well as a Belgian Blonde made by the Bingo Beer Co. of Richmond, VA.
The restaurant serves a good selection of brewery staples, like Grilled Chicken Wings, Nachos, soups, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. The entrees include even more great choices like Shrimp & Grits, Turkey Cannelloni, and Salmon Risotto.
For an extra treat, check them out on Saturdays for Saturday Tacos, which features a huge selection of different tacos.
11. Blue Mountain Brewery
Blue Mountain Brewery is outside of Charlottesville in Ashton, VA. In fact, it has the distinction of being “Virginia’s First Rural Brewery”!
The brewery is a great destination if you want to get a break from the city and enjoy beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Some of their top beers include a Virginia Pale Ale, orange-infused IPA, Classic Lager, and Hazy IPA.
For a unique sweet treat, try the Crandy Shandy, which features a blend of Kölsch 151, cranberry simple syrup, and a splash of citrus.
Blue Mountain also has a full-service restaurant, with a robust menu that serves everything from Chili Cheese Fries, to Buffalo Chicken Dip, to Soups, Salads, Wings, Burgers, Sandwiches, Pizzas, and even desserts.
Stop by on a weeknight for special events like Fish Taco Tuesday, Happy Hour, and the Friday Fish Fry.
Blue Mountain is also a pet-friendly destination with plenty of beautiful outdoor space to enjoy.
12. Brewing Tree Beer Company
Brewing Tree Beer Company is another great destination outside of Charlottesville in Afton, VA.
They serve a good variety of beers on tap, including Pilsner, Hazy IPA, Irish Red Ale, and a Pear Lager.
Beyond beer, you can get a Sour Raspberry Margarita Slushie or Sriracha Peach Margarita Slushie.
Brewing Tree also makes its own kombucha on-site. You can try seasonal flavors throughout the year, like Apple Spice, Elderrberry, Strawberry Kiwi, Strawberry Mango Jalapeño, and Jalapeño Peach.
Scratch Kitchen is a food truck on-site that serves up fresh dishes made from scratch (naturally!)
Some items from the menu include Local Strawberry Salad, Bada Bing Shrimp, Turkey Club, and Baby Back Ribs. Note that the menu does change seasonally.
One of the best parts about Brewing Tree is its great outdoor areas located along the North Fork River. It’s a great place for lounging, or for the dogs and kids to play! There are cornhole games and a field. They even have a River Bar that’s open on the weekends with six beers on tap.
They also feature some cool and unique special events like Scratch Kitchen Spring Cooking Class, Steamed Shrimp Fridays, and live music.
13. Merriwether Springs Vineyard and Brewery
Merriwether Springs Vineyard and Brewery give you the opportunity to enjoy excellent wines and beers in a lovely setting near downtown Charlottesville! In fact, it’s the area’s first combination winery and brewery.
The property is named for Meriwether Lewis, the famous explorer who charted the Louisianna Territory for Thomas Jefferson, and the property is filled with history. In fact, there is an original family springhouse on the property that you can visit.
Some of their beers include an Amber Lager, English Pale Ale, Irish Red Ale, and Blonde Lager.
If you’re in the mood for a glass of wine, you can choose from Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Petit Verdot, Chamborcin, and more.
Merriwether also serves wood-fired pizzas to go with your beverage of choice!
There are live music performances throughout the summer and early fall.
The gorgeous property sits on 40 acres and is a great location for weddings and parties.
Please note that the property is closed during the winter months.
Charlottesville Breweries with Food
While some breweries don’t serve food, a number of excellent breweries in the Charlottesville area feature a full-service kitchen and great food options! Some of my top picks are:
✅Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen and Brewery – This local favorite serves up lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm. Their menu includes Parmesan Garlic Fries, Chicken Tacos, Fish & Chips, Mushroom Ravioli, Soups, Salads, and more.
✅Champion Brewing Company – Their bratwurst in particular earns rave reviews!
✅South Street Brewery – Check them out for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. They serve just about everything, including loaded tots, jumbo pretzels, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and entrees like Creamy Roasted Mac and Cheese, and Cajun Pasta.
✅Random Row Brewing Co. – They have an assortment of pizzas, including favorites like Margherita, Cheese, Pepperoni, and Prosciutto and Arugula.
✅Rockfish Brewing Company – They feature chips and dip, wings, tacos, and nachos, and more unique fare like Avocado Minichangas and Empanadas, plus delicious desserts, like Tres Leches, Churros, Plantain Pie, and Cheesecake Xangos.
✅Selvedge Brewing – They have unique, locally-sourced dishes like BBQ Sweet Potatoes, Soy Maple Glazed Carrots, and Peruvian Chicken.
✅North American Sake Brewery – Definitely check out the Bad Luck Ramen Bar for all of the ramen and dumplings you could want!
✅Beer Run – They have a full restaurant featuring dishes like Shrimp & Grits and Salmon Risotto, plus come for tacos on Saturdays!
✅Blue Mountain Brewery – They have a full-service restaurant plus Fish Taco Tuesdays – what more could you ask for! Definitely check out their pizzas too. They’re very big and delicious!
✅Merriwether Springs Vineyard and Brewery – Great for wood-fired pizzas
You can learn even more about the best restaurants in downtown Charlottesville!
Charlottesville Breweries with Outdoor Seating
You can find some great outdoor seating areas in many Charlottesville Breweries.
Some of the best spots are:
✅Starr Hill Downtown
✅Three Nothch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
✅Champion Brewing Company
✅Selvedge Brewing
✅Blue Mountain Brewery
✅Brewing Tree Beer Company
✅Meriwether Springs Vineyard and Brewery
Dog-Friendly Breweries Charlottesville
Most Breweries do not allow dogs (except service dogs) inside, however, a number of them have great outdoor spaces and patios that do allow dogs.
Some of my top picks of the best dog-friendly breweries in Charlottesville are:
✅Starr Hill Downtown
✅Three Nothch’d
✅Selvedge Brewing
✅Blue Mountain Brewery
✅Brewing Tree Beer Company
Breweries in Downtown Charlottesville
Many of Charlottesville’s breweries are conveniently located in the Downtown Mall:
✅Starr Hill Downtown
✅South Street Brewery
✅Champion Brewing Company
✅Rockfish Brewing Company
✅Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
✅North American Sake Brewery & Restaurant
Charlottesville Brewery Tours
Going on a brewery tour can be a great way to experience some of the best breweries in the area without the hassle!
Most of the tours offer pick-up services at select Charlottesville hotels. The bus then drives to several breweries while you just sit back, relax, and enjoy the best beers that Cville has to offer!
Below are some of my top recommendations for the best Charlottesville Brewery Tours:
✅CVille Hop On Tours is one of the best brewery tours in town. They offer pick-up points at select hotels in town like The Graduate, The Draftsman, and Courtyard by Marriott – Hillside Dr., among others.
Depending on where you’d like to go, you can choose from a number of different tours. You can even visit a mix of breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries. You can find all of the available tours online.
✅Blue Ridge Brew Excursions offers a number of great brewery tour options, especially for special occasions. They offer the Virginia Brew Tour, Couples Brew Tour, and the Bridal Party Brew Tour, among others. Some of the tours even include dinner and up to 9 hours of touring!
Conclusion: 13 Best Breweries in Charlottesville, VA
There’s no shortage of great breweries in Charlottesville! Whether you’re looking for a chill downtown spot, or space and beautiful views outside of the city, you’ll find the perfect destination for your next brewery trip.
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