Roanoke, VA – October 2014 – Roanoke Food Tours, in partnership with local breweries, launched the Roanoke Craft Beer Tour. Offering both public and private excursions (groups to 14), the Roanoke Craft Beer Tour is designed for fun and to ignite appreciation for this ancient craft.
“We started with the downtown walking food tours about a year ago,” said Larry Landolt, Founder and President of Roanoke Food Tours and Roanoke Craft Beer Tour. “The response has been quite encouraging. People consistently rate us as one of the top attractions regionally. With the growth of the craft beer industry, this seemed like the perfect time to start this new tour.”
Each tour visits three breweries and guests go behind the scenes to explore brewing facilities, learn the basics of brewing beer, examine traditional ingredients, and discover the roots of the national and local craft beer movement.
“People have really enjoyed the initial tours,” said Landolt. “There is great fun, education, and a new appreciation for the burgeoning craft brewery scene.”
Craft beer microbreweries have transformed the way people experience beer. In the Blue Ridge Region of Virginia, eight breweries now operate, with more planned. SB604 was passed in Virginia in 2012. The law allows breweries to sell beer on their premises without having an on-site restaurant. It’s widely responsible for triggering the boom in the microbrewery industry.
“Whether guests are a craft beer newcomer or an expert, they’re sure to enjoy the adventure of the local microbreweries, lively beer conversation, and the opportunity to sample the work of our local brew masters,” said Landolt.
Tastings and round trip transportation (via the customized Roanoke Food Tours bus – “Half Pint”) are included in the tour. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit www.roanokefoodtours.com Â
Craft Beer Industry Quick Facts*:
- There are more breweries now in the United States than anytime over the past 125 years.
- In 2013, craft beer sales grew by 17% nationwide, while overall sales of craft beer in the United States represent just under 8% of the beer consumed.
- Currently, there are 93 active breweries in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Virginia’s craft brewers produced 129,100 barrels of beer in 2013 – more than double the 61,440 barrels brewed in 2011.
- In 2012, prior to the opening of the latest breweries, craft brewing had a $622 million impact on Virginia’s economy.
*Sources: Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, 2014. Brewers Association, 2013.
