1. ​“California Common” Steam Beer

Rockfish Brewing Company

Often referred to as “Steam Beer,” this beer right here is an underappreciated classic. Originally made famous by America’s oldest craft brewery, Anchor Brewing Company in San Francisco, Rockfish’s take is brewed with lager yeast but fermented at ale temperatures…

The result is a nice malt character giving you tastes of caramel and toasted bread without being overly bitter. Plus, this beer recently won gold in the 'Amber Ale' category at the 2025 Virginia Craft Beer Cup, so you know it's a winner! Head to Rockfish Brewing and try it yourself -- they've got two locations: one on the Downtown Mall and one on Preston Ave! Both have delicious food options to accompany your brew.

2. ​“Ramble On” New England Style IPA (NEIPA or Hazy IPA)

Starr Hill Brewery

Starr Hill is a bit of an OG in the Charlottesville beer scene but that doesn’t mean they’re not innovating new ways to wow beer drinkers.

Ramble On is their answer to the “Haze Craze” that’s taken the IPA world by storm over the last few years. This beer explodes forward with tropical fruit flavors and juicy citrus aromas. With low bitterness and full flavor, this is the pour for those that aren’t sold on the more bitter taste of West Coast IPAs. Head over to Starr Hill, located at the Dairy Market on Preston Ave, to try it yourself. While you're there, be sure to try their Stupid Sexy Flanders Sour, which just won gold in the 'European Sour' category at the 2025 Virginia Craft Beer Cup!

3. ​“Minute Man” IPA

Three Notch’d Brewing Company

It’s hard to believe, Three Notch’d has been around since 2013. They’ve sure come a long way from humble beginnings on Grady Avenue to now owning 6 locations across the state. In that time, they’ve brewed a lot of beer..…

Credit: Sabrina Combs

However, there is one that always remains a constant, Minute Man IPA. Three Notch’d was brewing this juicy IPA before the Haze Craze swept the craft beer world. This beer is loaded with so much orange, you’d swear there’s fruit in it. However, it’s all coming from the hops! Strata, Mosaic, and Idaho 7 hops pack this IPA full of orange flavor goodness. Stop into their brewpub at Ix Art Park next time you're in town -- they've got a full-service craft kitchen and $3 draft pours and $25 cases of Minute Man IPA every Monday!

4. ​“POG” Wheat Beer

Random Row Brewing Co.

Got friends that aren’t quite into craft beer? Do they like tropical fruit? Bring them over to Random Row and have them try this beer ASAP. In my mind, this beer is a great “gateway” to craft beer.

Made with Passionfruit, Orange, and Guava, this wheat beer explodes with tropical flavors. However, the fruit never overpowers -- another sign that this is a fruit beer made the right way. Now go convert your holdout friends into craft beer drinkers. Bonus: be sure to try their Mosaic Pale Ale too -- it just won bronze in the 'Pale Ale' category at the 2025 Virginia Craft Beer Cup!

5. ​“Satan’s Pony” Amber Ale

South Street Brewery

“I’ve been coming to South Street since before Blue Mountain Brewery bought it!” -Your Friend from Cville, probably. South Street has been serving craft beer in Charlottesville since ’98.

Since then, their Amber Ale, Satan’s Pony has become just as important to the Charlottesville and Albemarle County craft beer scene. This a true Amber Ale, meaning it’s got a balanced malt profile, a bit of sweetness, and is cold and refreshing. Not to mention – it has one of the baddest beer names in town.

So, go grab your C'ville native friend and head to South Street Brewery to reminisce on the good ol’ days. While you're there, try their award-winning Barrel-Aged Imperial Satan's Pony -- it most recently won silver in the 'Best in Show' category and gold in the 'Wood Aged Beer' category at the 2025 Virginia Craft Beer Cup! Kudos to Blue Mountain Brewery for keeping this Charlottesville staple alive and well and also for winning their own medals -- gold in the 'Pale Ale' and 'Cream & Blonde Ale' categories!

6. ​“Midnight Train” London Porter

Superfly Brewing

This Midnight Train may not go to Georgia, but London is quite alright with me!

Superfly Brewing Co. is the newest addition to the robust Charlottesville brewing scene. Owner and Brewer, Ed Liversidge, a UK native, carves his niche by brewing great English inspired beers along with classic styles. One of these beers, Midnight Train, a London Porter is not to be missed. Porters like stouts are dark beers. The differences between a stout and a porter are debatable. What is not debatable is that this porter is one of, if not the best in VA. This is evidenced by the bronze medal it won in the 'Porter' category at the 2025 Virginia Craft Beer Cup!

While you're at Superfly Brewing, be sure to try their Down on the Farm Belgian Ale -- it just won gold too!

7. Selvedge Brewing

We can't end this list without mentioning Selvedge Brewing and their small-batch, culinary-inspired beers that expertly weave together old and new styles. Their new taproom, located in the recently renovated Bellair Place on the west side of Charlottesville is an excellent spot to gather, with plenty of room, stellar beer, and food menus.

When you visit, we recommend trying the Threadenator Smoked Beer, Linen Kolsch, and Denim Lager, which received silver, bronze, and honorable mention, respectively, at the 2025 Virginia Craft Beer Cup!

Author

Corey Hoffman

Founder of Neon Culture Brewing

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