Like the classic fable of the City Mouse and the Country Mouse, Central Virginia’s craft beverage scene is a tale of two distinct experiences. One local beverage trail winds through Charlottesville’s city streets, the other rolls past vineyards and mountain views. Both highlight the skill and creativity of local brewers, distillers, and winemakers.
Charlottesville Ale Trail | Suds in the City
Todd Wickersty spends most of his workday in front of a computer screen, running his Charlottesville-based web development firm, Storyware. But for the past seven years, some of his most satisfying hours have come while building a network of local brewers and drinkers united by a shared appreciation for craft and community.
“This started as a way to bring visibility to the people making great beer here,” he says. “But it’s grown into something that feels a lot bigger than that.”
Launched in 2018 with six participating breweries, the Charlottesville Ale Trail is now a nonprofit network of 19 locations, spanning breweries, cideries, a meadery, a distillery, and even a sake brewery. What began as a downtown bar crawl is now a wide-reaching effort to connect craft beverage producers across the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
The trail started as a modest side project when Wickersty and his then-business partner, Page Wood, created a website to track local brewery events. After connecting with Jason Ness from the city’s economic development office, the idea evolved into something more ambitious: a collective of beverage producers working together to promote the local brewery scene. Within months, the Ale Trail’s first Bar Crawl launched, linking six walkable breweries with a map, a mission, and a few dozen eager participants.
From the beginning, the Trail operated with a clear purpose: promote members, attract visitors, and elevate the region’s reputation for craft production. The first big promotional tool was a passport program—originally printed, now digital—allowing drinkers to check in at participating locations and earn rewards. Since the digital version launched in 2021, the passport has logged over 14,000 check-ins.
“It’s been a great tool for out-of-towners to discover what the area has to offer,” says Wickersty. “But we’ve got locals using it too. When they realize they can grab a hat or a T-shirt, they’re in.”
In 2022 and 2023, the Trail began expanding beyond the city limits into Albemarle County, welcoming places like Potter’s Craft Cider and Thistle Rock Mead Company. The membership has also broadened beyond beer to include sake and spirits.
Operated entirely by volunteers, the Trail is funded through small annual member dues and the proceeds from public events, including the city’s Grand Illumination celebration in December and the “Pints on Preston” festival each May. “I really enjoy working with people in the hospitality industry,” Wickersty says. “They’re hard-working, down-to-earth people. And we’ve finally reached a point where we can give back to local charities, which was part of our original vision in 2018.”
What makes the Ale Trail work, Wickersty believes, is a combination of shared purpose and grassroots energy. “Everyone benefits when the scene is healthy,” he says. “We’re not trying to be flashy. We’re just trying to support the people who make great things here.”To learn more about the Charlottesville Ale Trail, visit
charlottesvillealetrail.org.
THIS YEAR’S CRAWL
The annual summer brewery crawl remains the Trail’s signature event, a nod to its origins and a showcase for Charlottesville’s taprooms. The crawl’s footprint shifts from year to year. The 2025 Ale Trail Brewery Crawl takes place August 31, a four-stop guided tour through some of downtown’s most
popular spots.
Participants pay a flat fee for entry, which includes a drink ticket at each location and raffle prizes ranging from concert tickets to local gear. “It’s not just about drinking,” Wickersty says. “It’s about discovering the community behind the beverages. We’ve had people come back year after year, asking when the next crawl is. It’s like a mini reunion.”
7th Annual Walk Our City Crawl | AUGUST 31, 2025
Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery
Located in the IX Art Park, Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery specializes in locally sourced, beer-infused dishes that complement their rotating selection of craft beers. The brewery offers a full bar, craft cocktails, and a menu ranging from Southern classics to modern favorites.
Rockfish Brewing Company (Downtown Mall location)
Rockfish Brewing Company is known for its diverse lineup of IPAs and creative beer styles, including a notable California Common. The taproom provides a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying fresh, small-batch beers.
South Street Brewery
Founded in 1998, South Street Brewery is Charlottesville’s oldest brewpub and a cornerstone of the local craft beer scene, offering award-winning beers and a menu of classic pub fare. With a rustic, exposed-brick space near the downtown mall, it’s a popular destination for those seeking excellent beer and delicious food.
North American Sake Brewery
North American Sake Brewery is Virginia’s first sake brewery, brewing craft sake on-site and serving Japanese-inspired cuisine such as dumplings, ramen, and rice bowls. Located in the IX Art Park, the brewery was founded by sake enthusiasts and offers a unique experience for those looking to explore authentic sake and Japanese.