By voting to approve a new farm brewery ordinance, officials in Loudoun County have opened the taps to become a leader in Virginia’s growing craft beer movement. Loudoun is the first county in the state to pass local legislation incorporating state code that permits farm breweries on agricultural land where ingredients used in the beer are grown on the farm.
Jay DeCianno is one of the farmers expecting to open a brewery now that the ordinance has passed. “We are thrilled that the Board of Supervisors has authorized farm breweries in Loudoun County. This demonstrates their support for entrepreneurs and small business owners like us. We depend on this for our success,” DeCianno said. “I’d like to especially thank Kellie Hinkle, and the Department of Economic Development, for all of her assistance. We would like to thank those involved with the Loudoun County government and the Virginia ABC as well. Kellie’s team has simplified the process for Quattro Goomba’s Brewery to start making beer in Loudoun County.”
According to the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, the state currently has 93 craft breweries. The Brewers Association estimates that Virginia’s craft breweries have a $662 million economic impact in the state. Eight breweries are already operating in Loudoun; the county ordinance will allow farmers outside of incorporated towns to begin brewery operations. The Department of Economic Development is working with six new businesses that are ramping up to begin production this year.
“We have everything in Loudoun to make farm breweries an incredibly successful industry,” said Loudoun Economic Development Director Buddy Rizer.
One of the biggest contributors to Loudoun brewers’ success will be the new Lucketts Mill / HopWorks processing facility that was announced by the governor in November. McAuliffe said in a press release that the facility “is a significant win for the commonwealth as it fills a critical need for current and future craft brewers and builds on my administration’s efforts to increase Virginia’s position in the fast-growing craft beer industry.”
Within days of the governor’s announcement, the renowned Flying Dog brewery moved to set up shop in Loudoun. Rizer noted, “Every day we get calls from people who want to start breweries or grow hops or specialty grains. The board’s action proves that the county is committed to helping this important industry thrive.”
Kellie Hinkle, the county’s agricultural business development officer, explained, “We think our brewery industry will grow very quickly – our winery industry has doubled in the last decade, and there’s a pent-up demand for farm breweries. These businesses will make a big contribution to the Loudoun economy in a short time.”
Visit Loudoun, the county’s destination marketing organization, plans to create a craft beer trail, similar to the wine trail that promotes Loudoun’s busy 42 wineries. Officials estimate that breweries will attract visitors from the across the region and beyond, adding to the $1 billion generated annually by Loudoun’s tourism industry.
According to the Virginia Craft Brewery Survey conducted by Visit Loudoun in 2014, craft beer enthusiasts are generally very well-educated, affluent, and work in I.T. and other highly skilled occupations.
“Loudoun has the ideal customer base for craft breweries. We’re a growing community with people who are passionate about quality crafted products,” Hinkle said. “Loudoun residents are strong supporters of the ‘buy local’ food movement, and farm breweries fit perfectly into that mode.”
The county expects the first new farm breweries to be operational this spring.
Instructions for the Permit Process.