Mon Towns Breweries Tour
Summary
After a long day of adventuring, nothing quite hits the spot like a locally brewed beer straight from the tap! Thankfully, wherever you are in our nearly one million acres of wild and wonderful West Virginia, a good drink is never too far away! We've paired some of our favorite brews with some of the most popular and under-the-radar trails along the way!
The breweries featured on our tour celebrate their relationship with the Mon National Forest, from its lumber legacy to its modern environmental revival. More than serving beers and filling growlers, these Mon Forest Towns breweries embrace what makes the Monongahela so special- whether that be gorgeous mountain views, artful wooden atmospheres, love of the outdoors, or locally sourced ingredients. From seasonal specialties to year-round offerings, here are some of our favorite brews and trails!
Remember to drink responsibly when enjoying all the Mon has to offer!
1.) Stumptown Ales
Our brewery tour starts strong at Davis’ Stumptown Ales with a helpful dose of wild mountain views! Started in 2015, Stumptown Ales owner-brewer Jonathan Robeson is self-admittedly hop-obsessed, a penchant that paid off big time just a year later when Stumptown was voted West Virginia’s best new brewery. Further perfecting their now regionally recognized brews like the tropical Holy Citra! Double IPA (8.0% ABV) and rich Porter? I Barely Knew Her (6.0% ABV), Stumptown went on to claim West Virginia’s Brewery of the Year award in 2018. Since then, Stumptown has continued to evolve its tap list, and, as their brewing philosophy states, “new growth towers above.”
Trail Pairing: Sassy Mojo Double IPA (8.0% ABV) & Hoodoo Rocks, Moon Rocks, Trials Road Loop (4.9 Mi, 2-3 Hours)
Brewery Address: 390 William Ave, Davis, WV 26260
2.) Mountain State Brewing Company
Only a 5-minute drive to Thomas is another can’t-miss stop on the Mon Towns brewery tour, the original Mountain State Brewing Company taproom. Founded in 2005, Mountain State Brewing Co. is one of the first microbreweries to set up shop in West Virginia, relying on Thomas’ 3035 feet of elevation to score some of the Mon’s purest mountaintop water for their lineup of award-winning ales. Hikers returning from Canaan Valley and Bikers at Blackwater Falls can recharge with seasonal specialties like Closs’ Harvest, crafted from pumpkins gathered at Tucker County’s Close Mountain along the Allegheny Trail, or try staple brews such as the Cold Trail Ale (5.5% ABV) and the Miner’s Daughter Oatmeal Stout (5.2% ABV). Whether you pair it with a classic, from-scratch West Virginia pepperoni roll or a “Fire on the Mountain” flatbread pizza, Mountain State Brewing Company’s brewery tours, live music, and events will get you back on your feet in no time.
Trail Pairing: Almost Heaven Amber Ale (5.2% ABV) & Blackwater Falls Trail (0.4 Mi, 15-30 Min) + Dobbin House and Pase Point Loop (4 mi, 1-2 Hours)
Brewery Address: 1 Nelson Blvd, Thomas, WV 26292
3.) Big Timber Brewing
Continuing the tour a little more than 50 minutes into the heart of Randolph County via the Seneca Skyway won’t just take you by one of the most stunning scenic mountain overlooks the Mon has to offer- it puts you right in the center of Elkins’ growing craft brewing scene. With its brand-new riverfront taproom and brewery, Big Timber Brewing is only getting bigger from here! In the game since 2014, Big Timber is the perfect place to share stories over a game of cornhole with a glass of Logger Lager (5.2% ABV), catch some live music with a hearty Bourbon Barrel Porter (6.8% ABV), or cozy up by the fire with a smokey seasonal Frost Notch (7.6% ABV).
Trail Pairing: Wild & Wonderful West Virginia Wet Hop Ale (5.6% ABV) & Olson Observation Tower (0.1 Mi, 20 Min) + Bickle Knob Observation Tower (0.3 Mi, 15 Min)
Brewery Address: 2 Davis Ave, Elkins, WV 26241
4.) Fox Hops Brewery
Right down the road in Elkins is the Mon’s freshest brewery, Fox Hops. This woman-owned operation opened its doors in 2024 and is taking flight with six unique beers. From the Chinook SMaSH single malt (6.2% ABV) to the creamy Chocolate Stout (5.4% ABV), Fox Hops offers a relaxed atmosphere to catch the game or grab a booth with your friends. Fox Hops also serves a full food menu, including yummy appetizers like pretzel bites with beer cheese and fried pimento cheese. In addition to their lineup of brats, their spicy and sweet PB&J Burger was a personal favorite!
Trail Pairing: Sami’s Saison (6.1% ABV) & Fox Forest Wildlife Management Area Overlook Trail (0.7 Mi, 30-45 Min) + Stonecoal Trail (3.5 Mi, 2-3 Hours)
Brewery Address: 25 Bowstring Lane, Elkins, WV 26241
5.) Old Spruce Brewing
Heading down to Pocahontas County for our next brewery Mon Forest Breweries Tour stop along the historic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike promises endless scenic views! It’s worth a stop at the Monongahela National Forest’s Gaudineer Scenic Area for a short hike as you climb the winding roads of Cheat Mountain, unload the mountain bike for a world-class ride at the Mower Tract trail system, or disconnect from technology at the Greenbank Observatory– you’ll be able to catch up on calories at Snowshoes’ Old Spruce Brewing Company! Whether you’re enjoying a summer sunset with their Pomegranate Weisse (4.0% ABV) or embracing the holiday spirit at one of the Eastern United States top ski resorts with some sugar, spice, and everything nice rolled into a Christmas Ale (6.0% ABV), Nature’s Mountain Playground isn’t just for kids!
Trail Pairing: Red IPA (8.1% ABV) & Gaudineer Knob Trail (0.3 Mi , 15-30 Min) + Gaudineer Old Growth Trail (0.4 Mi, 15-30 Min) + Thorny Mountain Fire Tower Loop (2.4 Mi, 1-2 Hours)
Brewery Address: 52 Silver Creek Rd, Snowshoe, WV 26209
6.) Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company
Our Mon Forest Towns Breweries Tour wraps up right outside of White Sulphur Springs. Hosting 4 of the 10 top beers in West Virginia, the hour and thirty-minute trip to Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company is worth the drive, not to mention the breathtaking scenery along the Seneca Skyway. History buffs will want to stop at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, while natural lovers can get their fix at Beartown State Park, both of which are located just south of our Mon Forest Town of Marlinton. After a brief closure at the start of 2023, Greenbrier Valley Brewing Co. is back in the saddle, returning with all their fan favorites- from the fruity Zona’s Revenge witbier (5.2% ABV) to the distinctive blend of malts found in their Devil Anse IPA (6.9% ABV).
Trail Pairing: Mothman Black IPA (6.7% ABV) & Red Spruce Knob Trail (2.4 Mi, 1 Hour) + Beartown Boardwalk and Nature Trail (0.6 Mi, 15-30 Min)
Brewery Address: 862 Industrial Park Rd A, Maxwelton, WV 24957