Did you know that the city of Roanoke in Virginia is a magnet for beer lovers?
Roanoke is the largest metropolitan area on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway and one of the best spots to imbibe in your favorite craft brews.
Not that it’s all about the beer — the city is known for its gorgeous mountain setting, outdoor activities, and walkable downtown. But, if you’ve got craft beer on your mind, and want to try a selection of Virginia’s finest sudsy beverages, head to Roanoke for the weekend.
But first, download Virginia’s Blue Ridge Cheers Trail Passport— where you can find breweries throughout the Roanoke region, get special deals at each location, and win a Cheers t-shirt after checking into five craft beverage locations.
And speaking of beer trails, many of the breweries mentioned below are located in downtown Roanoke, within walking or biking distance of each other. We’ve listed a few of our favorite breweries in Salem and one in Explore Park as well.
Some of these spots serve mouth-watering meals to go with their amazing selection of beers. Others allow you to bring your own food, provide snacky menu items, or host food trucks for the ultimate foodie experience.
From the hoppiest IPAs to authentic German-style brews, and over-the-top sours, here are the most incredible breweries in Roanoke VA for your next craft beer getaway.
Big Lick Brewing Company in Downtown Roanoke
Address: 409 Salem Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: Order from nearby restaurants or bring your own
Big Lick Brewing Company began in 2013 as Roanoke’s first nano brewery and has grown exponentially since then. This beautiful brewery in downtown Roanoke features a massive patio with big umbrellas, cornhole, and lots of opportunities to listen to live music while relaxing with your favorite brew.
In addition to a full line-up of weekend music, you can also pop in for midweek events like music bingo, trivia, and open-mic comedy. Big Lick’s Star City Pale Ale is a refreshing, fruity brew for anyone who appreciates the sharp bite of a hoppy beer without the high alcohol content of a traditional IPA.
I visited Big Lick Brewing on a road trip with my pup, Malinda, and it was the most dog-friendly brewery we visited as we explored Roanoke.
Star Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage in Roanoke
Address: 6 Old Whitmore Ave, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes, on the outside patio
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: Food trucks on select weekends
Located within walking distance of River’s Edge Park, Star Hill Brewery has been shaking up the beer industry since 1999. What started as a small brewpub and music hall in Charlottesville has morphed into one of the largest independent and locally owned breweries in Virginia with six taprooms throughout Virginia.
With food trucks and live music on the weekends, this dog-friendly brewery is the place to come after a romp on the Roanoke River Greenway. For a fruity summer refresher, try the Groove Tangerine Wheat, which is the perfect accompaniment to fresh air and sunshine.
Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen in Downtown Roanoke
Address: 24 Campbell Ave SE, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes, outside
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: Yes
Located on Cambell Avenue in downtown Roanoke, Three Notch’d is one of the few downtown breweries that runs a kitchen. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm, and dogs are permitted on the sidewalk patio. This is the place to come for that pub-inspired comfort food that you’ve been craving.
During our visit, I devoured the Brussels Sprout Caesar (addictive) and fries and the King of Clouds juicy IPA, which I’m told is their most popular brew. This juicy IPA is hopped with Idaho 7 and Citra for a robust tropical flavor.
For those of you who like to spend your days in the mountains, check out Three Notch’d for the perfect post-hike meal or a low-key dinner with friends.
Twisted Track Brewpub in Roanoke
Address: 523 Shenandoah Ave NW, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes, on the outside patio
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: Yes
Craving pizza and a pint? Twisted Track Brewery has made a name for itself with its tasty lagers, but they also offer several IPAs, a hefty imperial stout, and a malty Belgian Dubbel — my favorite choice for a rainy day warming brew.
The food menu includes traditional pub fare, but I was especially impressed with the thin-crust pizza. Insider tip: ask about their pizza of the month — you won’t be disappointed!
Twisted Track is a family-friendly atmosphere with a friendly staff and lots of space indoors. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio.
Golden Cactus Brewing in Downtown Roanoke
Address: 214 5th St SW, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: No, but FoodHut RKE is right next door
Golden Cactus Brewing has a serious boho vibe with colorful walls and vibrant murals, plants everywhere, and even a few pinball machines and an old-school game console.
In my humble opinion, the perfect sunny patio drink is the Earthshaker, a strong, fruity beer with all kinds of hoppy goodness.
Golden Cactus is slinging beers every day of the week and is open until 9 pm most days, 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights, and 8 pm on Sundays.
While Golden Cactus doesn’t have a kitchen of its own, it shares patio space with FoodHut RKE, which serves up a rotating menu of fun, casual food.
Parkway Brewing Company in Salem
Address: 739 Kessler Mill Rd, Salem, VA
Dogs: Yes, on the outside patio
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: Daily food trucks
With its massive stone fireplace, colorful murals, comfy sofa, and frequent live music, Parkway Brewing has already set the stage for a memorable experience, and the line-up of stellar beers makes that experience exceptional.
During my summer visit, I indulged in Four Damn Fights To A Pint, a solid double IPA with a big head, strong flavor, and a fruity finish. At 9.5% alcohol content, it definitely went to my head — good thing I wasn’t driving.
Parkway Brewing hosts daily food trucks and an afternoon happy hour, making it a fantastic stop after hiking McAfee Knob or Sawtooth Ridge — it’s just a short 10-minute drive from the trailhead.
Olde Salem Brewing Company in Downtown Roanoke and Salem
Address: 315 Market St SE, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes
Outdoor seating: No
Food: No
Olde Salem Brewing Company, located in nearby Salem, Virginia with a tasting room in downtown Roanoke, serves up robust, flavorful brews that exceeded my high expectations, and as much as I adore IPAs (I’m a Vermonter, after all), it was so refreshing to experience such a variety of delightful brews.
My recommendation? Grab a flight of four beers, and try varieties that you don’t normally enjoy.
The raspberry wheat, called Heartbroken in Disrepair, is made with an unfathomable amount of fresh raspberries, and pretty much tastes like summer in a can. One Headlight, the coffee blonde ale pulls you in with its sweet, comforting aroma and is simultaneously light and robust — the perfect before-dinner beer!
During our visit to Roanoke, I didn’t make it out to the Salem location, but I can vouch for the beer, which is the same at both locations and was the best I experienced on my trip to Roanoke!
A Few Old Goats Brewing (AFOG) in Downtown Roanoke
Address: 515 8th St SW Ste 228, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: Occasional food trucks
Pay a visit to A Few Old Goats Brewing (AFOG) and you will be delightfully surprised by the offerings. That’s because they are always brewing something new, and you’ll never know what’s on tap from one day to the next.
With 12+ taps featuring everything from delicious cream ales to hoppy IPAs, AFOG is one of the best places to head for an afternoon brew or a game of pinball, and their outdoor space is beautiful.
Because of the rotating beer menu, there’s not much point in telling you my favorite from my summer patio visit, but I suggest ordering a flight. If you’re unsure of what to get, the bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable, and after asking you a few questions, can bring you a nice liquid lineup that will impress even the most snobby beer critics.
Twin Creeks Brewpub in Explore Park in Roanoke
Address: 1 Old Salem Tpke Rd, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes, on the lawn and at outdoor tables
Outdoor seating: Yes
Food: Yes
Located in Explore Park, Twin Creeks Brewpub is a brewery and restaurant located in the historic Brugh Tavern. Serving traditional pub fare, and hosting live music, this weekend-only brewery is a great stop for anyone enjoying an afternoon or camping weekend at Explore Park.
I was glamping in one of the on-site cabins during my visit, so this was a perfect low-key spot to relax with an IPA before heading to my campsite for the night.
Blindhouse Beer in Downtown Roanoke
Address: 534 Salem Ave SW, Roanoke, VA
Dogs: Yes
Outdoor seating: Yes, there is a small sidewalk patio
Food: Snacks and bakery items, plus the occasional food truck
Roanoke’s newest brewery, Blindhouse Beer is committed to creating mixed-culture farmhouse beers from wild yeast and seasonal ingredients. This process creates surprising flavors in the Belgian Saison tradition, and no two batches are alike.
The beers are complex, with layers of flavors that sometimes aren’t even beer-like (my opinion here), and each pour is 10 ounces, which I really appreciate! These are brews to be savored, paired with food, and sipped through the evening!
While the tasting room is small, Blindhouse does occasionally host live music and pop-up events that are not to be missed. Outside food is welcome too!
Roanoke Breweries Map
Plan your next beer-cation in Roanoke with a visit to some of these fantastic breweries! Here’s a Roanoke breweries map to help you plan your trip.
Roanoke is one of our favorite cities! Here are a few more posts you should check out before visiting:
- Amazing Things to Do on the Blue Ridge Parkway
- 10 Perfect Things to Do in Roanoke Virginia
- The Best Parks in Roanoke Virginia
- Dog-Friendly Trails and Tasty Brews: A Weekend in Roanoke VA
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Tara is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.
