Charlottesville’s vibrant craft beverage scene continues to thrive, making it a top destination for beer, cider, sake, and mead lovers alike. The Charlottesville Ale Trail gives visitors the opportunity to experience this flourishing culture by connecting local breweries, cideries, and tasting rooms in one convenient, self-guided tour. Whether you’re a local looking to explore new spots or a visitor hoping to get a taste of Charlottesville’s unique craft scene, the Ale Trail offers an immersive experience.
Here’s your guide to the Charlottesville Ale Trail, featuring stops that highlight a range of craft beverages from beers to sake and even mead!
1. Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
- Location(s): 520 2nd St. SE, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: 40 Mile IPA
Three Notch’d Brewing is a staple of Charlottesville’s craft beer scene. Named after a historic road that runs through Virginia, this brewery combines historical inspiration with innovative brewing techniques. Known for its robust IPAs, sours, and seasonal brews, the Craft Kitchen pairs great beer with a delicious food menu. Three Notch’d offers a wide variety of beers that appeal to all kinds of beer lovers.
2. Random Row Brewing Co.
- Location: 608 Preston Ave., Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Mosaic Pale Ale With its spacious, modern taproom and family-friendly atmosphere, Random Row has become a favorite in the Charlottesville craft beer community. Known for its IPAs and collaborations with other local businesses, Random Row’s innovative approach to brewing ensures there’s always something new on tap. Its patio is perfect for sunny days, and the laid-back vibe makes it a perfect stop for both casual drinkers and craft beer aficionados.
3. Rockfish Brewing Co.
- Location(s): 201 West Main St., Charlottesville, VA | 900 Preston Ave., Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Blackberry Gose Rockfish Brewing Co. brings its unique style to two locations: the bustling Downtown Mall and a more relaxed vibe at their Preston Ave spot. Specializing in nano-brews, Rockfish prides itself on small-batch brewing, ensuring each pint is as fresh and flavorful as possible. If you’re into sours or fruity brews, Rockfish’s Blackberry Gose offers a tart, refreshing treat.
4. Starr Hill Brewery
- Location(s): 946 Grady Ave., Charlottesville, VA (Inside Dairy Market) | 5391 Three Notch’d Rd, Crozet, VA
- Must-Try: Ramble On Juicy IPA As one of the pioneers of Virginia’s craft beer industry, Starr Hill Brewery is a must-stop for beer lovers. The Dairy Market location in Charlottesville offers a lively, urban vibe, while their Crozet taproom provides a more laid-back experience with a spacious beer garden. Known for their award-winning IPAs and experimental seasonal brews, Starr Hill is a trailblazer in the local craft beer scene.
5. Decipher Brewing
- Location: 1740 Broadway St., Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Ciphers Hazy IPA One of the newer additions to Charlottesville’s craft beer landscape, Decipher Brewing is quickly gaining a reputation for its creative takes on classic beer styles. Specializing in hazy IPAs and crisp lagers, Decipher offers a cozy and inviting taproom where visitors can enjoy a carefully crafted pint.
6. Potter’s Craft Cider
- Location: 1350 Arrowhead Valley Rd, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Farmhouse Dry Cider For those who prefer cider over beer, Potter’s Craft Cider offers some of the best cider in Virginia. Set in a scenic, rural setting, Potter’s combines the best local apples with traditional cider-making techniques to create refreshing, innovative ciders. Their tasting room is a great place to unwind, especially if you’re looking for a break from the beer trail.
7. Selvedge Brewing
- Location: 2415 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, VA (at The Wool Factory)
- Must-Try: Table Beer Located at the historic Wool Factory, Selvedge Brewing merges craft beer with a stunning industrial setting. With a focus on lighter, more drinkable brews, Selvedge’s beers are perfect for pairing with a meal from their on-site restaurant. The Wool Factory offers a relaxed atmosphere where patrons can sip on brews while enjoying the scenic surroundings.
8. North American Sake Brewery
- Location: 522 2nd St. SE, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Quiet Giant Sake As the first sake brewery on the East Coast, North American Sake Brewery brings a completely unique experience to the Ale Trail. Offering traditional Japanese sake alongside creative variations, their taproom provides an intimate atmosphere for exploring a different type of fermentation. Sake lovers and newcomers alike will enjoy sampling the diverse styles, from dry and crisp to rich and fruity.
9. Högwaller Brewing
- Location: 1518 E High St, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Virginia Ale Högwaller Brewing offers an authentic Charlottesville experience, combining community vibes with well-crafted beers. Focusing on locally sourced ingredients, Högwaller has a variety of brews, including stouts, pale ales, and IPAs. It’s a perfect spot for those who enjoy exploring new, experimental flavors.
10. Taps at South Street Brewery
- Location: 106 West South Street, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Virginia Pale Ale As one of Charlottesville’s longest-standing breweries, South Street Brewery offers a nostalgic yet fresh take on craft beer. After a renovation and revival under new ownership, South Street continues to be a go-to for local brews with a twist. Its laid-back atmosphere and historic significance make it a must-visit for anyone looking to dive into Charlottesville’s beer scene.
11. SuperFly Brewing Co.
- Location: 943 Preston Ave, Suite 2, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Fly PA A playful addition to the Charlottesville Ale Trail, SuperFly Brewing Co. stands out with its whimsical branding and adventurous beer styles. Known for pushing the boundaries with their brews, SuperFly’s rotating taps ensure that there’s always something exciting and new for visitors to try.
12. Tasting Room + Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve
- Location: 5931 Blenheim Rd, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Estate Ale Located just outside of Charlottesville, the Tasting Room + Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve combines high-end luxury with craft beer. Set on a sprawling estate, this taphouse offers a range of brews as well as food pairings, making it an ideal stop for a refined brewery experience.
13. Thistlerock Mead Company
- Location: 3075 Gables Run Road, Charlottesville, VA
- Must-Try: Wildflower Mead If you’re looking to venture outside the world of beer and cider, Thistlerock Mead Company offers something entirely different. Specializing in mead, the oldest known fermented drink, Thistlerock creates a range of traditional and modern meads made from local honey. It’s a refreshing stop for those looking to explore unique flavors.
Exploring the Charlottesville Ale Trail offers a fantastic way to experience the best of local craft beverages, from beer to cider, sake, and mead. Whether you’re a local or visiting, the trail provides a variety of unique drink experiences that showcase the region’s vibrant brewing culture. If you’re planning a tour along the Ale Trail, Ambassador Limousine is here to make your trip even better. Our professional, luxurious, and stress-free transportation service ensures that you can focus on enjoying the breweries without worrying about parking or logistics.
Whether it’s a casual outing with friends or a special event, Ambassador Limousine guarantees you’ll travel in comfort and style, elevating your brewery tour experience. Let us handle the details while you focus on discovering Charlottesville’s best craft beverages in comfort and style.