The ultimate West Virginia beer road trip

Venture your way through the Mountain State and have some incredible brews along the way! From IPAs to stouts, each stop will lead you to discovering your new favorite beer, and the views and southern hospitality you receive while on your trip won’t be so bad either.

Weathered Ground Brewery

Start your quest for amazing beer at Weathered Ground Brewery in Cool Ridge. At Weathered Ground Brewery, you’ll find a rustic barn where they make small batch West Virginia farmhouse ales crafted with the finest local ingredients and love. Head to their taproom or outdoor patio and try one of their beers like the Scrappy Rye Pale Ale, brewed with malted rye and with a hint of spice. The brewery also serves wine, coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages, as well as small, seasonal plates that pair well with the beers on tap.

Things to Do: Weathered Ground is just a quick 30-minute drive to Beckley where there is something to do on every corner. Stop by Tamarack, which sells artisan products and extraordinary food. While you’re there, make sure you visit the fine arts gallery, as well as the hands-on workshops in pottery, culinary arts, woodworking and mixed media.

Bridge Brew Works

Your next delicious craft beer destination is just 30 minutes away at Bridge Brew Works in beautiful Fayetteville. Bridge Brew Works is a small brewery that brew Belgian-style beers right here in West Virginia. Visit their tasting room for tastings and growler fills of their unique beers. Try their Mountain Momma Pale Ale, which has citrus and spicy hops with mild malt flavors and pairs best with bacon cheeseburgers, crab cakes and hot wings. Sounds delicious!

Things to Do: If adventure is what you seek, then Fayetteville is the perfect place for you. Visit the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve to go whitewater rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, zipling and much more. You will never run out of things to do in this GORGE-ous area!

Big Timber Brewing Company

Although your next stop is a bit of a drive, you will find it to be completely worth it! Make the two hours and 40-minute drive to Big Timber Brewing Company. Big Timber Brewing Company’s name pays homage to the surrounding forests and the industry that built their community. Depending on when you visit their taproom you just might catch one of their beloved seasonal brews such as Wild and Wonderful West Virginia Wet Hop, Bourbon Barrel Porter, Forestfest Octoberfest, Sluice Dry Stout, Hatchet Session IPA and more.

Stumptown Ales

Travel an hour and five minutes to the gorgeous mountain town of Davis where you’ll find your next brewery: Stumptown Ales. Their philosophy is, “We pay homage to hops, brew with passion and precision and embrace out town’s storied history. We are Stumptown Ales.” For those looking to try a unique brew, try the Six Legged Frog IPA; it’s brewed with Galaxy hops from Australia and has fruity flavors and very little bitterness. Or try the Over the Tip Top Breakfast Stout, which is brewed with cocoa nibs from Ghana, baker’s chocolate and fine coffee from Tip Top Coffee Shop in Thomas. Stumptown Ales also allows you to bring in yummy food from nearby restaurants like Hellbender Burritos, Sirianni’s Pizza Café and Big Belly Deli.

Things to Do: Breathe in the beauty of Davis at Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park. At both of these scenic spots you can hike, bike, fish and take in the magic beauty of West Virginia.

Mountain State Brewing Company

Your next stop is another quick trip, just four minutes away you’ll find Mountain State Brewing Company in Thomas. Mountain State Brewing Company sits at over 3,000 ft in elevation atop a watershed, allowing beer to be brewed with the purest water possible. Attached to the brew house in Thomas is a tap room and music hall where seasonal kitchen offerings, brewery tours, live music and other events take place. Year-round you can visit their taproom and try their Cold Trail Blond Ale, Almost Heaven Amber Ale, Seneca IPA and Miner’s Daughter Stout.

Things to Do: Explore the small mountain town of Thomas for a fun and unique experience. Stop by the Purple Fiddle for sandwiches, wraps, salads, coffee, tea, homemade ice cream, desserts, wine and beer. Or you can enjoy some retail therapy at Riverfront Antiques, Three Castle Antiques, Thomas Yard and more.

Abolitionist Ale Works

Head to the gorgeous Eastern Panhandle region of the state for your next stop on your road trip. Two hours and 55 minutes away you’ll find Abolitionist Ale Works. Abolitionist Ale Works is a brewery that rebels against the status quo of the beer industry and strives to create fun, flavorful and unique beers for every palate. Stop by for a taste of their incredibly unique brews like the Pale the Funky, a peachy IPA or the Blue and Gold n’ Delicious, a saison brewed with wheat and oats and fermented with blueberries and apples. That sounds perfect for summer! You can also fill up on some delicious food while you’re there like Bavarian pretzel rods with beer mustard, fig and pig pizza, hot Hawaiian pizza, pork BBQ pizza and more.

Things to Do: In Charles Town, stroll historic streets or have some fun at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. At Hollywood Casino and Inn at Charles Town Races, you can play slots and table games at the casino, experience the thrill of live thoroughbred horse racing and catch a performance by some of your favorite performers and musicians.

Screech Owl Brewing

Drive three hours to the beautiful Mountaineer Country region of the state for the next few stops on your road trip. This area is a mecca for great beer so get ready! First stop in this area is Screech Owl Brewing in Bruceton Mills. Screech Owl Brewing brews their beers in the mountains of West Virginia using well water and only the finest hops, barley and grains that are procured from all over the world and sometimes right from their farm. Try one of their amazing beers brewed in the old style of “farm breweries” like their Wild and Wonderful Strawberry Ale, Muddy Creek Ale, Buckwheat Honey Porter and more.

Things to Do: Bruceton Mills is just a 30-minute drive from Morgantown where you can tour the beautiful campus of West Virginia University, take in a West Virginia Black Bear game, explore the 48 miles of the Mon River Trails, try delicious and unique restaurants, sightsee, shop and more.

Chestnut Brew Works

Make the 45-minute drive to Morgantown. Here, you’ll find Chestnut Brew Works. You can find this small brewery in the historic South Park area of Morgantown, and it’s a must that you visit their taproom for a taste of one of their incredible beers. On tap they have classics like their Class II Wheatwater, a light-colored and refreshing wheat beer brewed with coriander and orange peel, as well as their South Park Porter, a black-colored robust porter with nutty and malty flavors and aromas.

Morgantown Brewing Company

You can walk or drive to your next stop, Morgantown Brewing Company, which will take just a few minutes. Morgantown Brewing Company is both a restaurant and micro-brewery with indoor and outdoor seating, perfect for a relaxing stop. Try their East Coast Mountain Boi Pale Ale or go for the unique Listen to Britney Spears Sour. For food, indulge on fish and chips, deep-fried pickles, avocado tacos, quesadillas and more.

Mountain State Brewing Company

Walk down the street and you’ll find Mountain State Brewing Company’s second location. Here, you can savor their amazing beer as well as satisfy your stomach with their delicious wood-fired pizza. Sit outside on their patio that looks out onto the Monongahela River for the perfect way to drink your pizza, eat your beer and take in the beautiful scenery of Morgantown with your friends and family.

Short Story Brewing

Your next stop is just a quick 35-minute drive to Short Story Brewing in Rivesville. Short Story Brewing is a family-owned craft beer brewery with a sleek yet cozy atmosphere and a literature theme. Stop by their taproom and treat yourself to a pint of their Lamplight Pilsner or a glass of their Fell Asleep Like This Imperial Stout.

Things to Do: Visit Fairmont, which is just a short 15-minutes from Rivesville. Explore the scenic beauty of Fairmont at Prickett’s Fort State Park or Valley Falls State Park. Or learn about the incredible history of Marion County at the Marion County Historical Society and Museum.

Brew Keepers

Next, visit the Northern Panhandle region of the state where you’ll find Brew Keepers in Wheeling, just an hour and 50-minute drive from Rivesville. Here, you can taste samples of their unique beers and get growler fills as well. Try some of their staple beers as well as other limited specialty beers like Topper Gold, Suspension, Flip Flop, Wild and Wonderful, Irish Pirate and more.

Things to Do: In Wheeling, explore the historic Centre Market, the Good Zoo at Oglebay Resort, the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum, the West Virginia Independence Hall and Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino and Racetrack. There is something for everyone to do in the beautiful city of Wheeling!

North End Tavern and Brewery

End your beer road trip an hour and 50 minutes away in the Mid-Ohio Valley region of the state at North End Tavern and Brewery. Accredited with being the oldest restaurant and brewery in West Virginia by Thrillist your experience at North End Tavern and Brewery will truly be unique. Their beers are hand-crafted on-site and made from all-natural ingredients, with absolutely no preservatives and with only the finest barley malts, cereal grains, hops, yeast and West Virginia spring water. Their lineup of craft brews includes Roedy’s Red, 5-Way IPA, Dawk’s Porter, Northern Light, WV Wheat and Berry Wheat. You can also fill up on jalapeno poppers, pub pickles, fried chicken sandwiches, bratwurst and more.

Things to Do: While in Parkersburg, experience its history and heritage, outdoor recreation, shopping and dining. Explore the grounds of Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park or stroll the beautiful Julia-Ann Square Historic District. Everything you do in Parkersburg will truly be a fun and unique experience.

Parkersburg Brewing Company

Finish your road trip just 10 minutes away at Parkersburg Brewing Company. Their taproom is the perfect way to celebrate the end of your beer road trip. Year-round, they serve their Happy Camper, Cell Block 304 or Citrus Tsunami brews. Order the Flight of the Phoenix for 5 oz. pours of their original beers. Or end your trip with one of their scrumptious paninis, gourmet steak burgers and desserts.

Which beer are you most excited to try on your road trip? Let a free copy of the new West Virginia Vacation Guide lead the way on your upcoming brew adventure.

This post was last updated on July 15, 2024