Spring

Sip Your Way Through Montgomery County

After a stroll through the streets of our local towns, it will dawn on you that it’s five o’clock somewhere. Why not head over to Rising Silo Brewery and Farm, one of southwest Virginia’s farm-based breweries? Located on Glade Road Growing, at Rising Silo you’ll find beers brewed with exclusively organic malts and water from the farm’s well. Brew master Greg Zielske also sources produce from other local farms to develop creative seasonal options. Additionally, the brewery utilizes green energy through the power of 113 solar panels that provide 31 kW of solar energy, as well as a solar hot water system.

While you’re there, pull up a stool (or chair) at Tabula Rasa on Glade, the farm kitchen at Glade Road Growing. You can’t get more farm-to-table than when the table’s actually on the farm! Featuring produce, meat, poultry and eggs from right there at Glade Road Growing, Tabula Rasa also sources nearly all or their grains, cheese and oils from Southern Appalachia farms and mills that prioritize organic growing.

At Eastern Divide, treat yourself to an array of different beer styles and flavors for all seasons and occasions. Eastern Divide brews with all Virginia grains provided by Murphy and Rude Malting, lending an authentically local taste to all their brews, and supporting local Virginia agriculture in the process. Eastern Divide also has begun fermenting beers in oak barrels previously used for products like bourbon, wine and maple syrup, adding a greater variety of flavor. When you get hungry, Feast & Company, local to the New River Valley, has its own kitchen at Eastern Divide to feed the brewery’s visitors. serving farm inspired cuisine combining both rustic and refined flavors with the best local ingredients.

Another local favorite, Moon Hollow Brewing Company, boasts an inviting venue where people from all walks of life can connect over fresh, local brews. Named for the small plot of land behind the brewery space, the brewery treats patrons to a variety of locally influenced flavors, from a grapefruit ginger sour to a traditional Hefeweizen. While Moon Hollow does not have its own kitchen (yet), local food trucks are often on site in case you get the munchies.

Next, head to Christiansburg to enjoy Iron Tree Brewing’s wide variety of beers. The tasting room has an industrial feel with a relaxing atmosphere. With a beer for everyone’s taste buds, plenty of seating and in-house board games, Iron Tree is the perfect place to enjoy good company and good brews! Hankering for some food to pair with your beer? Iron Tree hosts a variety of local food trucks on different days of the week to satisfy those cravings.  

New You & the New River Valley

As we enjoy the mild weather of the spring – the season of renewal – more consumers than ever are making wellness a focal point of their leisure trips. While many think wellness is all about health and fitness, sometimes it’s just setting yourself up to feel better inside and out. If you haven’t yet decided on your own definition of wellness, here are a few ideas, along with ways you can get started during a visit to the New River Valley.

Expand Your Food Palate

With the rich agricultural heritage of the New River Valley, there are plenty of ways to treat the palate to new and exciting flavors in Montgomery County. Plan a long weekend sipping and savoring through menus that delight even the pickiest eaters in your family. Check out Buffalo and More and try a bison burger, which has been described as the way beef used to taste: slightly sweet and lean, but full of flavor. If you’d like to branch out and learn more about wines, stop by the Blacksburg Wine Lab. Owners John Boyer and Katie Pritchard have created Blacksburg Wine Lab to treat wine amateurs and connoisseurs alike to an experience of tasting high-quality, lesser-known wines with a focus on educating clients on the science and flavors of wines. Check out the “Food and Beverage” section of our website to learn more about the culinary bounty that awaits you in Montgomery County.

Enjoy More Time with Family

Certainly the past year has been challenging for many reasons, least among them needing to sideline one of the most common ways families enjoy time together – vacationing. But as we optimistically look ahead in 2021, short leisure trips with your main squad is one way we can start to re-embrace normal. And the New River Valley is the perfect destination for a safe, socially distanced family road trip. Check out our blog post on 4-Day Family Vacation for trip ideas to start planning your next visit to Montgomery County.

Challenge Yourself

The spring season in the New River Valley offers plenty of ways to push yourself during your visit. The Huckleberry Trail connects the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg and is part of the nation’s rail-to-trail system, making the 14-mile trek perfect for a hike or bike ride to get the blood pumping. 

Top Outdoor Adventures for Spring

Outdoor recreation is as popular as ever here in the New River Valley. So if you’re one of those travelers looking for a quick getaway to the great outdoors without venturing too far from home, here are some of the top adventures that await you this spring in Montgomery County. 

Jefferson National Forest is one of two forests that stretch across the entire state of Virginia, watched over by the beautiful Appalachians that provide the year-round scenic views for which the region is known. Two thousand miles of hiking trails set among the forest are perfect for spring adventures like hiking and mountain biking. Additionally, 330 miles of the internationally famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail, along with 160 miles of National Recreation Trails, call the two forests home. 

Some of the best mountain biking in the New River Valley can be found in the Pandapas Pond area, also located in Jefferson National Forest. Claimed as some of the best trails on the East Coast, mountain bikers can kick up mud over 19 trails and more than 30 miles of terrain. Trails are suitable for all skill levels from greenhorns to shredders, while rough rock gardens, switchbacks and grueling vertical climbs await all visitors.