Thanks to the booming craft beer industry in Virginia , wherever you tee it up there ' s probably a brewery tasting room nearby . from finishing 18 holes just like Sinatra or Martin . Instead , we ’ d recommend the Esperante , a Mexican lager that ’ s described as “ slightly sweet , with notes of graham cracker , refreshing lemon-lime , and floral hints .”
BIRDIES AND BREWSKIES
Ballyhack Golf Club RIGHT : Herndon Centennial Golf Course
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
If you ask any beer aficionado what their favorite brewery is in the D . C . metro area I ’ d be willing to bet a majority would say Aslin Beer Company . What started as a small microbrewery without a tasting room has ballooned into a craft beer powerhouse . Seriously , before Aslin had proper distribution the only way to get the beer was to get in line at their brewing facility on certain afternoons and hope things weren ’ t sold out by the time you got to the front of the line . Today , the brewery has a couple locations in the area ( Herndon and Alexandria ) as well as an outpost in Pittsburgh . While their double and triple IPAs bring out all the hop heads , drinking those on the course may keep you
Thanks to the booming craft beer industry in Virginia , wherever you tee it up there ' s probably a brewery tasting room nearby . from finishing 18 holes just like Sinatra or Martin . Instead , we ’ d recommend the Esperante , a Mexican lager that ’ s described as “ slightly sweet , with notes of graham cracker , refreshing lemon-lime , and floral hints .”
Right down the street from Aslin is an unheralded course called Herndon Centennial Golf Course . Founded in 1979 , the course is ‘ short ’ by modern standards because the back tees are ~ 6,200 yards , but that ’ s more than enough for most players . This course is no frills but makes for a good time so long as you ’ re just looking for game with your buddies . For added fun , take a spin around the course without any woods in your bag — that would make those sub- 400 yard par 4s a little more interesting . But truly , you have to appreciate the oldschool ambiance and the fact the course hasn ’ t been demolished and turned into an overpriced housing development .
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Choosing a brewery between Charlottesville and Richmond is tough but the standout spot is The Veil Brewing Company . Opened in 2016 , the head brewer and co-founder is Matt Tarpey . Tarpey is wellknown in the beer world for having brewed at places like Portsmouth Brewing ( NH ), The Alchemist ( VT ) and Hill Farmstand ( VT ). All of these breweries have cult-like followings up and down the eastern seaboard . Tarpey brought his style and years of experience with him to Richmond and now The Veil has multiple tasting rooms in Richmond — one of which is a stone ’ s throw from Willow Oaks Country Club .
The course originally opened in 1957 as designed by W . F . Gordon and Son . The par- 72 layout was later redesigned by golf course architect Lester George , reopening in June 2008 . The scenic course sits along the James River and stretches to 7,100 yards , with Bermuda fairways and bentgrass tees and greens . In addition , the course has hosted the State Open of Virginia multiple times . Those looking for a public option in the area should check out Belmont Golf Course in Henrico County and its re-imagined 12-hole layout .
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Originally Roanoke ’ s first Nano Brewery , Big Lick Brewing ’ s success has been built slowly through the development of quality beers , brewed with the best ingredients , using state of the art equipment . Owned by Bryan Summerson , an award-winning homebrewer , Big Lick is known for its incredible variety of beers . Rarely brewing the same exact beer twice , you never know what you ’ re going to get each time you go for a pint at Big Lick . Recently the brewing operations and taproom moved
Willow Oaks Country Club
COURTESY OF THE COURSES AND BREWERIES