Roanoke's craft brewery scene has exploded over the past decade. From the iconic beer garden at Big Lick to the cozy taprooms scattered across the Star City, here's your guide to the best pints in town.
Roanoke has quietly become one of Virginia's best craft beer destinations. The Star City's brewery scene has grown from a handful of pioneers to a full-fledged trail worth planning a trip around. Whether you're a hop head, a sour fanatic, or just looking for a cold pint after a day on the trails, these are the breweries worth your time.
Big Lick Brewing Company
The crown jewel of Roanoke's craft beer scene. Big Lick anchors the brewery trail from its perch on Salem Avenue, boasting the largest permanent beer garden in the region — over 6,000 square feet of outdoor space that fills up fast on warm weekends. Since opening in 2014, they've crafted more than 190 distinct recipes, covering everything from light lagers to barrel-aged stouts. The rotating tap list keeps regulars guessing, and the food truck lineup is reliably excellent.
Location: 409 Salem Ave SW, Downtown Roanoke | Best for: Beer garden vibes, variety, groups
Olde Salem Brewing Company
Olde Salem's downtown Roanoke location — set in the former Deschutes taproom on Market Street — has quickly become a fixture in the city's beer scene. The space is warm and welcoming, the staff knows regulars by name, and the beer is consistently well-made. Their flagship ales are crowd-pleasers, but don't overlook the seasonal releases, which often showcase more adventurous brewing. Perfectly situated for a pre- or post-dinner pint in the heart of downtown.
Location: 315 Market St SE, Downtown Roanoke | Best for: Downtown location, neighborhood taproom feel, sessionable beers
Three Notch'd Brewing (Roanoke Crafthouse)
The Charlottesville-born brewery found a natural home in Roanoke, and the Crafthouse location has become a go-to for consistent quality across a wide range of styles. The food program is stronger than most brewery kitchens, and the space is comfortable for everything from a solo happy hour to a family dinner. Their IPAs punch above their weight, and the rotating seasonal list is always worth checking.
Location: 24 Campbell Ave SE, Downtown Roanoke | Best for: Solid food, reliable rotating taps, all-occasion spot
A Few Old Goats Brewery
Don't let the name fool you — the beer at A Few Old Goats is anything but old-fashioned. This smaller, community-focused brewery brings a genuine passion for the craft and a refreshing lack of pretension. The taproom is set inside a converted government building with an artsy, industrial feel and a lovely outdoor biergarden. A great stop for those who like discovering under-the-radar spots before everyone else does.
Location: 515 8th St SW, Roanoke | Best for: Off-the-beaten-path find, biergarden, community atmosphere
Golden Cactus Brewing
Golden Cactus brings a little Southwest flair to the Blue Ridge. Their beers skew toward bold, flavorful profiles — expect well-executed IPAs, creative seasonals, and the occasional collaboration that turns heads. The taproom has a fantastic industrial format with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, good energy, and a team that's clearly enthusiastic about what they're pouring. Worth a visit any time, but especially during one of their frequent events.
Location: 214 5th St SW, Roanoke | Best for: Bold flavors, industrial taproom, events
Blindhouse Brewing
One of the newer additions to the Roanoke brewery scene, Blindhouse has hit the ground running. The name is intriguing, the branding is sharp, and the beer backs it up. They've been particularly strong on their hop-forward offerings, and the taproom on Salem Avenue reflects a brewery that takes both the craft and the experience seriously. Keep an eye on this one — it's already building a loyal following.
Location: 534 Salem Ave SW, Roanoke | Best for: New discovery, hop-forward beers, modern taproom
Planning Your Brewery Trail
Most of Roanoke's breweries are within easy driving distance of each other, making a self-guided brewery trail a realistic afternoon plan. Start at Big Lick for the beer garden experience, work your way through one or two others, and end the night with dinner at one of the taprooms that has food service. Rideshare options make it easy to do the trail responsibly.
If you're staying in one of our properties, you're never far from a great pint. Browse our vacation rentals and make Roanoke's brewery scene part of your next stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brewery in Roanoke, Virginia?
Big Lick Brewing Company is widely considered Roanoke's best brewery, known for its 6,000+ square foot beer garden — the largest permanent beer garden in the region — and a rotating tap list drawn from more than 190 recipes since opening in 2014. For a neighborhood taproom feel, Olde Salem Brewing on Market Street is a close second.
How many craft breweries are in Roanoke, VA?
Roanoke has over 10 craft breweries, making it one of Virginia's most active craft beer cities. The main brewery trail includes Big Lick Brewing, Olde Salem Brewing, Three Notch'd Crafthouse, A Few Old Goats, Golden Cactus Brewing, and Blindhouse Brewing, among others.
Can you walk between breweries in Roanoke?
Most of Roanoke's downtown breweries — Big Lick, Olde Salem, Three Notch'd, and Well Hung Vineyard — are within easy walking or a short drive of each other. A self-guided brewery trail is a realistic afternoon or evening plan. Rideshare services make it easy to go responsibly.
Is Roanoke, VA a good destination for craft beer lovers?
Yes — Roanoke has emerged as one of Virginia's premier craft beer destinations. The city's brewery scene spans large beer gardens, intimate neighborhood taprooms, and award-winning brewing programs, all concentrated in a compact, walkable downtown area.