DRINK: Shenandoah Valley’s Three Notch’d Brewing Company

When those hot, hazy, humid summer days get the best of Washingtonians, most head to beaches, near and far. Often going under the radar, the Shenandoah Valley offers a ton of outdoor activities, including hiking and biking, for those who don’t want to sit in traffic for half a day to get to the Maryland and Delaware beaches. For those a bit fearful of crossing paths with a black bear or copperhead snake, there’s stuff for you to do too. With cozy bed and breakfasts, awesome eats, and the Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail,the area has enough options to keep folks off the hiking trails. In addition, the craft beer scene in the mountains of Virginia is growing at epidemic rates.

After a day of hiking along Skyline Drive, I stumbled into ’ Three Notch’d Brewing Company’s newest establishment in Harrisonburg to carb load. They offer tours, tastes, full pours, and six packs to go. My favorites currently on tap were the Bloody Roots, a brown ale with the perfect blend of habanero, tomato, celery salt to cure that Sunday morning hangover, and the Rauchig Fuchs, a smoked ale that would pair perfectly with some low and slow Virginia barbecue.

Check them out, the next time you find yourself in the Shenandoah Valley. I’m looking forward to stopping in after some fall hikes for to imbibe the Session Pumpkin Ale.