2024 LKA™ Beverage Trail
Many visitors to the lake will be interested in the 2024-25 Lake Anna Beverage Trail that features locally made beer, wine, cider and whiskey at a variety of lakeside and lake region venues.
Tourists as well as residents will enjoy this tour around the lake region featuring seven family-owned businesses offering a pleasing variety of adult beverages. Add in the short drive to the Belmont Distillery just up Rt. 522, about 20 minutes away from the mid lake region and you can also sip some seriously crafted spirits.
Let’s start the tour at a truly beautiful winery approximately 20 minutes southwest from the mid lake region that offers a spectacular tasting facility with a number of award-winning wines to enjoy.
53rd Winery and Vineyard of Virginia was licensed as the 53rd Virginia Farm Winery in July of 1999. The facility is nestled among rolling hills in a traditional farming community.
The winery now consists of 103 acres with 22 acres planted to different varietals. The goal of owners, David and Susan Drillock, is to create quality wines that express their varietal character including Albarino, Cabernet Franc, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Vidal Blanc and Viognier. Future plantings will include Chamborcin and Vignoles.
The original “green” tasting room officially opened in 2011 and has earned a coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, LEED, Platinum certification. This is awarded only to projects that meet the highest-rated standards in green building technology
Everleigh Vineyards & Brewing Company is the newest addition to the trail. Lake visitors will want to put this one on their list and stop in for an afternoon of tasting wine, cider and beer at a truly amazing indoor and outdoor two-story venue overlooking the vineyard and stunning sunsets.
Everleigh wines are produced from 100% estate grown grapes and the talents of Michael Hen of Wineworks Extended. The frozen red wine slushee is another in-house specialty drink visitors to Everleigh will want to enjoy on hot afternoons.The family also brews a variety of beers on site.
Everleigh added a performance stage this year and hosts a number of musicians. The entire facility often hosts weddings and other special events.
As you return to the lake your next tour stop is Lake Anna Taphouse, featuring a large variety of beverages on 30+ taps and a cooler packed full of canned and bottled selections as well as mixed drinks. Focusing mostly on Virginia produced beers, wines, ciders, seltzer, and sangrias, Lake Anna Taphouse is the place to go to try almost anything and everything.
With a deck that overlooks the lake and a large turf “backyard” with seating and games, the view is as equally enjoyable as the beverages. There is a great “pub grub” menu to choose from or order take-out from a neighboring restaurant and enjoy the lake view. Owner Brian Gilbreth is often behind the bar to welcome your visit and suggest a flight of brews to taste.
Lake Anna Brewing Co. headquartered at Lake Anna Taphouse offers seasonally brewed beers ranging from porters to pilsners, ales to stouts. The popular Lake Anna Taphouse Mug Club offers Lake Anna Brewing Co. products to members prior to public release as well as complimentary beverages on birthdays.
Continue on to Coyote Hole Craft Brewing just off Rt. 208, a place well known for creating cider with apples sourced from the Blue Ridge Mountains. At any given time they have several seasonal and flagship ciders on tap, as well as their staple cider; Oma Smith, “a crisp semi-sweet cider that starts out with a blend of three apples and back-sweetened with fresh-pressed Granny Smith cider.”
Beer more your style? Don’t worry they have you coverd with several options brewed on site by Mineral Brewing Co.
Coyote Hole Craft Beverages began its newest venture, Mineral Brewing last winter. This exciting development for the lake comes as part of Coyote Hole’s commitment to expanding its portfolio of exceptional craft beverages. The new brewery and tasting room is conveniently housed within Coyote Hole’s main production and tasting room,
Mineral Brewing creates an innovative and diverse range of craft beers that tantalize the taste buds of beer enthusiasts and novices alike. With a dedication to sourcing only the finest ingredients and employing masterful brewing techniques, the brand seeks to craft beers that embody both quality and creativity.
The tasting room provides visitors with an immersive experience, allowing them to savor the unique flavors and aromas while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Lake Anna region.
“We are excited to introduce Mineral Brewing as an extension of our commitment to excellence in the craft beverage industry,” said Christopher Denkers, Founder and CEO of Coyote Hole Craft Beverages. “This new venture allows us to showcase our passion for crafting extraordinary beers while offering beer enthusiasts a delightful destination to enjoy our creations. We look forward to welcoming all visitors to our tasting room and sharing the distinct taste of Mineral Brewing with them.”
While you taste, enjoy yard games, picnic tables or kick around a ball in the field. Coyote Hole’s Kraft Kitchen also has a variety of menu options.
Located about 25 minutes north from mid lake on the way to Culpeper on Rt. 522 is Belmont Farm Distillery. Master Distiller and owner Chuck Miller is proud to farm the corn for his spirits and still relies on a 1933 vintage pot still for his famous Kopper Kettle Virginia Whiskey.
Belmont Farm consists of 195 acres of estate grown corn, wheat and barley.
Visitors can enjoy tours that feature a look at this throw-back method and of course, a little sippin’! Other spirits Miller produces include gin, vodka, bourbon and single malt.
Miller also has Tom Smith from the Discovery Channel’s Mooshiners show producing Climax Moonshine on site with a number of different varities to try like apple pie, butterscotch, peach and cherry.
Need transportation for a trail adventure? Contact Lake Anna Tours and have their 16-passenger tour bus at your service.
Pick up a free copy of the Lake Anna Illustrated Map at many area retailers for more information on the Lake Anna Beverage Tour or visit www.lakeannalife.com.
