Exploring Craft Breweries in Downtown Harrisonburg

Nov 26, 2016
3 min read

On July 2, 2015 my two best friends took me to Jack Brown’s for lunch. Why was this special in the first place? I had just turned 21. As usual I ordered my burger, but looking at the beer list ready to order beer for the first time was like trying to make an educated guess on an exam. I remember ordering Fat Tires Amber Ale thinking my dad likes it, so I might like it as well. Though I was able to enjoy my drink it was not one that I have tried since.

Since then I have had the opportunity to explore the downtown area and since then I have seen the intriguing spots in Harrisonburg that you tend to pass by on the way to your favorite bar. While drinking beer is an acquired taste, for those looking to find their start in craft beers it’s hard to find a place better than downtown Harrisonburg. Four excellent breweries have set up shop all within the same two-mile radius.

In the coming weeks I intend to help provide something of a guide to help navigate the various breweries downtown. We will visit the four taprooms in Harrisonburg and explore what makes each one of them unique. I will not be rating them, simply giving background on the company and suggestions of beers to try. Ultimately your taste is what will direct you down the avenues of he beer world, but it all starts with being willing to go out and explore and to try new things. And believe me beer tastes better from the tap than out of a bottle in your living room.

Brothers Craft Brewery

If you know anything about local beer you probably have heard about Brothers Brewing. They’re certainly are the oldest brewery in town and are native to Harrisonburg having grown up in the area. Founded by the three Shifflett siblings they opened up shop in Dec. of 2012. Though their bottling and production plant is outside of Harrisonburg, they have a taproom located at 800 North Main Street.

Flagship Beers:

The Great Outdoors – Pale Ale

Hoptimization – IPA

The Admiral – Double IPA

Lil Hellion – Lager

Check out their website here: Brothers Craft Brewing

Image via visitharrisonburgva.com

Pale Fire Brewery

About three years ago, Pale Fire Brewery took over the old icehouse on South Liberty Street, but it wasn’t until April 2015 that they opened their doors to the public. Currently they only distribute locally in Virginia and you can find their beer all over town, from Pure Eats to the Mid-town bottle shop.

Flagship Beers:

Deadly Rhythm – Pale Ale

Salad Days – American Saison

Saving Grace – Table Beer

Village Green – Double IPA

Check out their website here: Pale Fire Brewing

Image via visitharrisonburgva.com

Wolfe Street Brewery

Wolfe Street Brewing is of the youngest of these breweries. Founded by JMU alumni and founder of Back Bay Brewing, Josh Canada took over an old auto-repair shop on West Wolfe Street. Having visited Wolfe Street before I can definitely say it is a trendy place where you can enjoy good beer and great music. This brewery is one of the few that hosts live bands regularly. There are no stated flagship beers however, their Citra Tonic is a Pale Ale that is always on the menu.

Check out their website here: Wolfe Street Brewing

Image via visitharrisonburgva.com

Three Notch’d Brewery

Three Notch’d is the only brewery on this list that is not native to Harrisonburg. Their home base is located in Charlottesville, but has expanded to Harrisonburg and Richmond. The name itself is a reference Three Notch’d Road, which is tied to Virginia’s colonial-era history. As the story goes Jack Jouett of the Virginia Military rode to Monticello, in Charlottesville, VA to warn then Governor Thomas Jefferson and a number of our founding fathers about the coming threat when the British sacked Richmond in 1781. Their goal as a brewery is to align their products with Virginias rich history as their brewery in Charlottesville is located less than a quarter mile from Jack Jouett’s original trail. They have a wider selection of beers and have only one declared flagship beer, a number of their other brews have won awards across Virginia.

Flagship Beer:

40 Mile – IPA