Did you know?
Some f un facts about the origins
of imbibing in America.
One of the first “help wanted” ads put
out by the Jamestown settlers was in
1609 for a brew master to make beer. It
turns out the water at Jamestown could kill
you so beer was the way to go, and go on.
Brewing beer and politics go hand
in hand in Jamestown. The first
“commercial” brew houses appear
in the colony the same time the First
Representative Assembly (i.e. government)
convenes. Some things never change.
You think we have some crazy
laws today? Back in 1619 the first
Representative Assembly at Jamestown
Island passed a series of new laws; one
stated if you were coming to America it
was the law that you plant grape vines
to produce wine. It was called the “12th
Acte”. It also makes you wonder what the
first 11 Acts were.
The word “whiskey” comes from the
Gaelic for “water of life”—uisgebeatha
or whiskybae. In Europe it was made from
barley, in American it was made from corn.
Regardless, American settlers learned to
brew it early on because it literally was
better for early colonists than water.
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Visit Greater Williamsburg and experience the
fun of the Williamsburg Tasting Trail. Indulge your
curiosity by trying something new, relax with
friends with a refreshing glass full of your favorite
From award-winning wine and micro-brewed beer to
beverage or pick up a bottle (or two) to bring
distilled spirits and mead made from historic recipes
home. As always, please drink responsibly and
with a modern twist, experience the best of handcrafted
have a designated driver.
alcoholic beverages in Greater Williamsburg.
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Alewerks Brewing Company
189 Ewell Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-220- 3670 | alewerks.com
Alewerks has been brewing award-winning beers in Williamsburg since 2006. Weekend tours and
guided tastings are offered in its taproom and outdoor biergarten, with up to 16 beers on tap and
cask ale served weekly.
Brass Cannon Brewing Co.
5476 Mooretown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
757-566- 0001 | brasscannonbrewing.com
Brass Cannon Brewing offers kegs, growlers and draft selections in its brand new location on
Mooretown Road. In addition to five year-round brews, enjoy four rotating seasonal selections
and a quickly rotating line of langrage beers in its tasting room and outdoor patio.
Colonial Virginia Wine Trail
5800 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-229- 0999 | williamsburgwinery.com/colonial-wine-trail
Colonial Wine Trail features four of Virginia’s best wineries, including the Williamsburg Winery, and
all within a one-hour drive of Williamsburg.
Copper Fox Distillery
901 Capitol Landing Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-903- 2076 | copperfox.biz
Copper Fox opened its Williamsburg distillery on July 9, 2016. It produces craft whiskies and gin
from hand-malted locally grown barley, smoked and aged with American fruitwoods. This location
plans to feature new additions to the current line of spirits. Silver Hand Meadery
224 Monticello Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-378- 2225 | silverhandmeadery.com
The area’s first meadery opened in 2015 and offers this ancient honey-based fermented drink,
entirely produced on the premises. Silver Hand Meadery offers both mead and honey tastings to
fully experience the deliciousness of mead.
The Virginia Beer Company
401 Second Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-378- 2903 | virginiabeerco.com
Virginia Beer Co. is a new craft brewery featuring a family-friendly taproom &
outdoor beer garden. VBC offers a rotating lineup of year round and limited edition
beers, and hosts live entertainment and a variety of food trucks weekly. Williamsburg Distillery
7218 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-378- 2456 | williamsburg-distillery.com
This craft micro-distillery hand crafts its award-winning spirits using 18th Century recipes and
techniques. Williamsburg Distillery’s Rum and Gin are made of Virginia grains and grade-A
molasses. Check online for tours and tasting times.
The Williamsburg Winery, Ltd.
5800 Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-229- 0999 | williamsburgwinery.com
The largest winery in Virginia, the Williamsburg Winery offers tours and tastings of its awardwinning wines, a vineyard on its 300 acres and two excellent dining venues, the Gabriel Archer
Tavern and Café Provençal.