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Loudoun Craft Beverages Boom in the New Year

Brian Tinsman
Digital Properties Manager

 

Updated on Sept. 7, 2017

The 2017 calendar year has been kind to Loudoun County’s craft beverage industry already. Here’s a highlight from each part of the industry:

 

Breweries: Dragon Hops Brewery and Twinpanzee Brewing Co.

This week, Dragon Hops took the next step from being a hops producer to opening a full brewery in Purcellville. The announcement even gained the attention of ABC-7 WJLA reporter Amy Aubert, who made the trip to Loudoun County:

Dragon Hops co-owner Marilla Coryell told Aubert that renovations on the site would begin in February with a goal of opening for business in June. Dragon Hops is one of several breweries planned to come online this year, joining 21 other breweries in the county.

Another such brewery on the move is Twinpanzee Brewing Co., opened the doors on its new space in

Distilleries: Catoctin Creek

The New Year kicked off with an announcement that major liquor distributor Constellation Brands had invested an undisclosed amount in Purcellville-based Catoctin Creek Distilling Company.

The move will allow owners Scott and Becky Harris to expand the staff, expand production and market the award-winning whisky more aggressively.

“We needed the right partner for the next level of growth,” Becky Harris said in a press release. “Constellation has a strong commitment to this category, and with their expertise and support, we look forward to bringing our Virginia whiskey to the world with the same team and exceptional product quality.”

Founded in 2009, Catoctin Creek is Loudoun’s first post-Prohibition distillery, and is the most-awarded whisky in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Wineries: The Wine Reserve at Waterford

A former Loudoun County vineyard came back online, as The Wine Reserve at Waterford opened its doors to the public in January. Formerly known as the Loudoun Valley Vineyards, the winery was purchased in 2015 by Cori and Jon Phillips.

The couple spent more than a year fixing it up and planting new vines, and plans to offer small production wines from around the region and beyond.

“It’s our intent to support and promote our neighbors and their businesses,” Cori said, underscoring the collaborative nature of the craft beverage industry in the county.

Retail: Delirium Café

Delirium Café, a European brewpub with 300 beers in stock, also opened this spring in downtown Leesburg, thanks to the work of a familiar Loudoun restauranteur.

“With all the sprawl going on outside of downtown Leesburg, it’s fun to bring something like this to the heart of Leesburg,” Curtis Allred, franchise owner, told Loudoun Now. “It’s an opportunity to elevate everything in the restaurant community here in downtown.”

The café employs a staff of more than 20 people.

Loudoun is home to the most craft beverage producers of any county in the Commonwealth, with plenty of room to grow. For more information, or to get involved in the industry, please call us at 1-800-LOUDOUN.