The only thing better than sipping a cool beer outdoors is doing it while gazing out on a beautiful view. Luckily for Washingtonians, there are plenty of scenic breweries within a short drive of D.C. Here are some of the most picturesque places to grab a beer:
Harpers Ferry Brewing
Purcellville, VA (a short drive from Harpers Ferry, WVa)
This spot is rightfully popular — but still not so well-known that you can’t grab a spot. It’s more of a complex than a brewery; there’s also ziplining and river tubing here. The brewery itself is huge, with a bar inside plus multiple outside. There’s pizza onsite and usually a few food trucks, plus live music on many weekends. They serve a mix of house-made brews plus a selection of other regional beers and spiked seltzers. The real treat is the the view — the venue is perched on the bluffs overlooking the Potomac River. There are multiple areas with picnic tables; my favorite is the one to the far left when you walk outside — it offers a prime view of the Harpers Ferry town. It’s great for kids and dogs, too.
Dirt Farm Brewing
Bluemont, VA
Drive up the winding road to the top of this Bluemont hillside and grab a table on the expansive patio overlooking the valley below. There are multiple bars here, and beyond the patio there’s a big lawn with picnic tables and Adirondack chairs where you can spread out. There’s food truck service onsite. Prefer wine? There’s a winery right next door.
Bear Chase Brewing
Bluemont, VA
Set on 30+ acres atop a hill overlooking Loudoun County, Bear Chase converted an old manor home and grounds into a beer destination. There are multiple bars and a taproom, plus outdoor seating with a great view of the countryside. This spot’s no secret — the parking lot can get so crowded they have attendants directing people where to go.
Springfield Manor
Just past Frederick, MD
There’s something for everyone at this winery, brewery, and distillery outside Frederick. Set in a gorgeous 1774 stone home surrounded by farmland and backed by the Catoctin Mountains, the venue is so pretty it’s a popular wedding and event destination. On weekends they often have live music and food trucks, and there’s plenty of outdoor seating.
Pen Druid
Sperryville, VA
There’s no shortage of space at this Shenandoah brewery. There are ample tables spaced around a large field, with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can also bring camp chairs or a blanket and spread out on the grass. The brewery is near the delicious Rappahanock Pizza Company — pick up a few pies and bring them over to pair with your brews. The beer list is funky — look for wild fermentations, collabs with local brewers and distillres, and a creative spin on brewing.
Milkhouse Brewery
Mt. Airy, MD (near Frederick)
The views aren’t as sweeping as some of the other spots on this list, but this farm brewery has a comfortable and very Covid-conscious outdoor setup (sanitizer on each table, blocks to indicate if the table is clean or recently used, etc.). Many tables have umbrellas for those hot summer days. The hops used in beers are grown at the onsite Stillpoint Farm (as are other small-batch crops, and a cast of animals).
