Stafford County’s craft beer scene had plenty to celebrate at this month’s Virginia Craft Beer Cup Awards, with breweries from across the Commonwealth earning well-deserved recognition for their standout brews. Three Stafford breweries, Barley Naked Brewing Company, Laudenbach Brewing, and 6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Company, all brought home medals. Their wins are a reminder that some seriously good beer is being brewed right here in Stafford, and that our local breweries are holding their own among the best in Virginia.
Barley Naked Brewing Company Takes Home Two Medals
Barley Naked Brewing Company took home two awards for beers on opposite ends of the flavor spectrum. The brewery earned gold in the Stout Category for its Irish Prenup Sweet Stout, an Oatmeal Milk Stout with rich coffee and subtle chocolate notes, as well as silver in the Strong European Lager Category for its Hung Monk Doppelbock. The traditional Bavarian-style lager features a hearty malt character with nutty, toasty flavors and hints of dark fruit from its extended lagering process. They may be very different beers, but they had one thing in common: they came away winners.
Laudenbach Brewing Earns Silver for Schwarzwald Lager
Laudenbach Brewing has been a great addition to Stafford’s growing lineup of breweries, and this year’s Virginia Craft Beer Cup is a perfect example of what they’re bringing to the table. Laudenbach earned silver in the Dark Lager Category for its Schwarzwald Lager, adding another medal to Stafford’s strong showing at this year’s competition. Inspired by traditional German brewing, the beer balances rich malt character with the clean, crisp finish of a lager, offering a refined take on the classic style and reflecting Laudenbach’s focus on traditional flavors and careful brewing.
6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Company Recognized for O’Dark Thirty
6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Company rounded out Stafford’s medal-winning breweries, earning silver in the Stout Category for its O’Dark Thirty. The Irish Extra Stout pours midnight black with a full-bodied character that isn’t overly heavy or sweet, offering deep roasted malt flavors while maintaining a smooth, approachable finish. The award marks the beer’s ninth medal, adding another accolade to O’Dark Thirty’s growing list of recognition.
A Toast to Stafford’s Award-Winning Breweries
Stafford’s craft beer community has plenty to celebrate this year. Congratulations to all three breweries on their well-deserved recognition. Their wins reflect the talent behind Stafford’s growing craft beer scene and certainly give locals and visitors a few more reasons to stop by their taprooms and raise a glass. Cheers!
These three breweries are just a few of the great spots Stafford has to offer. Visit our Breweries & Wineries page to discover more local breweries, Potomac Point Winery, and other places to enjoy.
