Farm Breweries Advancing in Loudoun
According to the Brewers Association, there’s never been a better time to open a brewery, or just be a fan of craft beer. The craft brew industry is on the upswing both in Loudoun and the nation, with U.S. operations at their highest level since the 1800s. Recently, Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors took action related to expanding brewery operations in our county.
Last year, the Virginia State Legislature removed the requirement that breweries sell food, which decreased would-be brewers’ investment and overhead costs. Now the state is working on legislation that will allow farm brewery licenses to be granted to any farm-based brewery producing less than 15,000 barrels of beer per year, using fruit, barley or hops grown on that farm.
However, “the proposed state legislation doesn’t include what percentage of fruit, barley or hops must be grown by the brewer,” said Loudoun County Agricultural Development Officer Kellie Hinkle. “There should be some kind of percentage.”
So at the recommendation of the Loudoun County Rural Economic Development Council, Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors is proposing a percentage to the State Legislature.
This board action will “help ensure that Loudoun breweries are agricultural businesses,” Hinkle said. “The whole idea of rural business in western Loudoun is to promote agricultural development and preserve land for agricultural production.”
The board has also begun the research phase on a Brewery Zoning Ordinance Amendment designed to allow breweries in additional areas of the county. Currently, Loudoun breweries are only allowed in industrially zoned areas and within town limits.