Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is the perfect destination for a mountain cabin getaway. Well known as a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Harpers Ferry also offers a vibrant food and beverage scene, including some of the best brewpubs in the region.
The surrounding Loudoun County is dotted with vineyards producing some of the best wine on the east coast, but breweries are also gaining popularity in the region.
Travelers looking for a location where they can spend their days outside and their evenings enjoying local beers will find Harpers Ferry can check all these boxes and more. From traditional ales and lagers to creative, experimental brews, this area has something special for every beer lover.
So grab your glass; it’s time to explore these must-drink destinations near Harpers Ferry!
About Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry is a small town located in the northeast corner of West Virginia, only an hour away from Washington, D.C.
This charming spot has been the center of important moments in American history, such as the 1859 raid led by abolitionist John Brown and the 1862 Battle of Harpers Ferry. Visitors can wander through historic sites where important events like John Brown’s Raid occurred or appreciate finer points such as local architecture from different eras past.
In addition to its long and storied history, Harpers Ferry is well-known for its wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities. Most famously, the town is considered the halfway point of the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters are located in Harpers Ferry and offer information on the trail and its history.
Harpers Ferry Breweries
While there are plenty of things to do in Harpers Ferry, brewery hopping should be on your list!
Loudoun County may be best known for its high concentration of wineries and vineyards, but craft breweries are also growing in popularity here. Several wineries also have a brewery specializing in brewing and sharing their handcrafted beers with the community alongside their local wines.
Harpers Ferry is relatively small and quaint, so some of these brewery options are just out of town or a few minutes across the border in Virginia. Still, each spot on the list is only a short drive from Harpers Ferry.
Harpers Ferry Brewing
- Address: 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Purcellville, VA
- Website: https://harpersferrybrewing.com
- Hours: See the website for seasonal hours.
Just across the river from Downtown Harpers Ferry, you will find the beloved Harpers Ferry Brewing, offering a long list of in-house brews on draft. Harpers Ferry Brewing has you covered whether you are looking for a full-bodied blonde ale, a chocolatey dark beer, or a crisp hard cider.
Situated high on a bluff, this brewery serves up views with its brews. From the expansive back patios you can enjoy sweeping views of the Potomac River and take in the town of Harpers Ferry from a new angle. Its location makes it a great place to pass a lazy afternoon even if you are not exactly a beer connoisseur.
This brewpub is a social hub. Harpers Ferry Brewing has a full calendar of regular events, such as Growler and Crowler Hour every Monday, Trivia Night every Thursday, and live music every weekend from March through November.
In addition, food trucks regularly partner with this hopping brewery. They are also dog friendly so bring along your pup to enjoy the atmosphere as well.
Do you have a large group and don’t want to worry about a designated driver? Book the Harpers Ferry Brewing BrewVan (up to 12 people) or BrewBus (up to 40 people) and enjoy the ease of having your transportation set.
This designated transportation is a great option for bachelor or bachelorette parties, family events, or any time you have a large group of people looking for a great brew!
Hillsborough Winery, Brewery, and Vineyard
- Address: 36716 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro, VA
- Website: https://www.hillsboroughwine.com
- Hours: Open daily from 11 am to 6 pm.
Best known for its complex, unique wines, the Hillsborough Winery, Brewery, and Vineyard also produces a range of craft beers. A full day here allows you to try wine, beer, and delicious snacks with an incredible view of the Blue Ridge Foothills.
During the self-guided tasting, you can choose flights of three of their bespoke wines, depending on your tastes and preferences, and five of the beers on tap.
If you are looking for an in-depth experience allowing you to learn more about the vineyard and brewing process, consider booking a guided tasting or one of the monthly events where they walk visitors through the brewing process.
The Hillsborough craft beers are also available bottled and canned, so if you have a favorite, it is easy to purchase some to enjoy at home!
Notaviva Farm Brewery and Winery
- Address: 13274 Sagle Rd, Purcellville, VA 20132
- Website: https://notaviva.com
- Hours: See the website for seasonal hours.
- All visitors must be 21+.
You can find something for everyone at Notaviva Farm Brewery and Winery, which offers handcrafted small-batch beers, wines, seltzers, and ciders. Even if your party has different beverage preferences, you can rest assured that Notaviva Farm has a drink they will love.
In addition to tasty brews, Notaviva’s beverage presentation is unique and fun. Each drink is paired with a song, music genre, or lyrical inspiration that fits the flavor profile. This is how the owners, who used to work in the music business, combine their passions and meld the fun of beats with brews.
Notaviva Farm Brewery and Winery is close to Harpers Ferry, making it easy to swing by even if you don’t have much free time.
Flying Ace Farm
- Address: 40950 Flying Ace Ln, Lovettsville, VA 20180
- Website: https://flyingacefarm.com
- Hours: Open Thursday through Sunday from 11:30 am to 9 pm.
Enjoy great beer and liquor at Flying Ace Farm, Loudoun County’s first farm distillery and brewery. Producing its own whiskey, rum, beer, and seltzers, Flying Ace Farm is a fantastic stop.
Located a short drive from Harpers Ferry in Lovettsville, Virginia, the working farm is set against a backdrop of green fields and rolling mountains.
Flying Ace Farm is pet-friendly and family-friendly, with the exception of the 21+ section.
Abolitionist Ale Works
- Address: 129 W Washington St #1529, Charles Town, WV
- Website: http://www.abolitionistaleworks.com
- Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday; see website for hours.
With a name inspired by one of the most famous American abolitionist movements, which took place here, Abolitionist Ale Works is a must-visit for those vacationing in Harpers Ferry.
The brewers here craft a wide-ranging menu of IPAs, pilsners, amber ales, sours, stouts, and more. The diversity allows everyone to leave this brewery satisfied.
Abolitionist Ale Works also has an outdoor patio perfect for sipping on a cold one in the sunshine. This brewhouse also offers a menu of appetizers, sandwiches, and pizzas.
Old 690 Brewing Company
- Address: 15670 Ashbury Church Rd, Purcellville, VA
- Website: https://www.old690.com
- Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday; see website for hours.
Head south of Harpers Ferry into Virginia for a stop at Hillsboro’s oldest brewery.
Old 690 Brewing Company offers a dozen brews with something for every palate. Each brew utilizes fruits and herbs grown on its 10-acre farm. Their Gnarly Boar is Pale Ale perfection. The Roadside Raspberry Wheat Ale is perfect for the wine drinker who only dabbles in beers.
In addition to great beer, they have a menu with pub appetizers, sandwiches, and flatbreads. When the weather is nice, head out to their firepit to cook some s’mores!
Old 690 offers flights, pints, and growlers to go in their unique tasting room, which is open separately from the brewery from Friday to Sunday.
Smoketown Brewing Station
- Address: 223 W Potomac St, Brunswick, MD
- Website: https://www.smoketownbrewing.com
- Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday; see website for hours.
It’s more than just a name – the Smoketown Brewing Station was founded in 2015 after renovating an old firehouse into a fully functioning brewery. As the oldest brewery in historic Brunswick, Maryland, the crowd feels homegrown, and the ambiance is family-friendly.
Nestled in the firehouse built in 1948, their tasting room boasts eighteen handcrafted beers, not including seasonal releases. Hefevizens, ales, and IPAs are all available on tap. They will happily pour you a pint or growler to go and are also dog friendly.
Don’t let the address fool you; Smoketown Brewing Station is only a ten-minute drive from Harpers Ferry.
Drink and Stay In Harpers Ferry
Best known for its outdoor recreation and high number of nearby wineries, the craft beer and brewery scene in Harpers Ferry is steadily gaining in popularity.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy a delicious cold one at any of the nearby breweries, many of which offer to-go beers that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your mountain cabin. So be sure to explore the local breweries on your upcoming trip to your Harpers Ferry vacation rental.
