Did you know that Stafford and Fredericksburg are home to some amazing spots to grab a beer and a bite?
In this episode of #giveworkplay my fellow agent, Melissa, and I are going to take you on a unique beer tour of some of Melissa’s favorite places to grab a brew. We’ll visit three local breweries and find out what makes each of them so special.
STOP 1: Barley Naked Brewing Co.
Do you like beer? I sure do. One of my favorite places to get a pint is Barley Naked, a local Stafford brewhouse and taproom. The name Barley Naked originated from a dream owner Barry Boyd had back in 2008. He woke up and thought it was a great name for a brewery, making the dream happen ten years later on October 12, 2018.
Beers On Tap
Barley Naked keeps nine beers on tap, mixing in the seasonal beers throughout. They brew one beer at a time, such as their best-seller, the Cream Ale. While this smooth and delicious beer is a favorite, you can also find something special on their secret menu. The bartenders will ask you what kind of beer you like, and if there’s not something on tap that suits you, they’ll create a unique blend.
For example, Toes In The Sand is a secret menu brew that consists mostly of Barley Naked’s hefeweizen, a German wheat beer, with a bit of lemon shandy. This gives it a lemony summer taste that reminds you of a relaxing day at the beach.
Another great choice is the Oktoberfest, a beer made from all German malts, hops, and yeast. The only thing that's native to America in Oktoberfest is the water. It’s as authentic a beer as you can get within the German purity laws.
Fun & Food Trucks
Last year they held their first Oktoberfest, and this will be their second annual event. On Friday & Saturday nights you can find socially distant patrons under the outdoor tents, enjoying brews and bites from local food trucks. They typically have a different truck each day with their own special cuisine.
Barley Naked is open Wednesday through Sunday, opening at 2:00 pm each day. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday have closing hours at 8:00 pm, while doors close at 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. You can find out all the information you need, including upcoming events, at Barley Naked’s website.
STOP 2: 6 Bears & A Goat
The next stop on our beer tour is 6 Bears & A Goat in Fredericksburg, Virginia. As owner Mark Fowler tells us, the unique name of this brewing company came from the seven owners. Six of them are retired Coast Guard officers, with the bear as their mascot. The seventh owner, a retired naval officer, is the goat—representing the Navy mascot.
The team started a government contracting company in 2005, and they were looking for a second business line. At that point, Mark had been home brewing for seven to eight years, so they decide to open the brewing company. Now known for their plentiful outdoor space, 6 Bears & A Goat is a great spot to grab a beer and relax on four acres of beautiful surroundings.
Green Space And Golf
At the start of COVID, 6 Bears & A Goat took advantage of their plentiful outdoor space to offer a socially distant place for people to safely enjoy a drink. With over 130 seats outside, two patios, and provisions for enclosed, heated outdoor space in the winter, the team makes sure to take all necessary precautions. Additionally, every Friday and Saturday during October, they have live music from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. And if we have an Indian summer, they’ll push it into November.
Patrons can also take advantage of 6 Bears & A Goat’s 9-hole, par 2 disc golf course. Much like putt-putt golf, it only takes about 15 or 20 minutes to go through the woods and play the nine holes. On Tuesdays, they have a disc golf league, with the winners of the 9-ball receiving a prize.
Popular Brews
6 Bears & A Goat’s brews include O’Dark Thirty Irish Stout, one of their flagship beers, with coffee and chocolate notes. Their most popular beer is their Mae West Blonde Ale, a light and easy drink that’s perfect for those just starting to get into the craft beer scene. Another favorite is the Eagle IPA, an American IPA that has some nice bitterness with floral and citrus notes.
Right now, you can find 18 different beers on tap including Melissa's favorite, strong Scotch ale. 6 Bears & A Goat offers to-go beer in 16 oz growlers as well as four packs of different styles. Mae West and Eagle IPA come in six-packs, and they also sell kegs—from half-barrel to 1/6 barrel in size.
Great Food
Another great part about 6 Bears & A Goat is the food. When Mark put the business model together, they wanted to do something different than most breweries. While the warehouse feel and food truck offerings are great, they wanted to provide great beer, great food, and a great atmosphere in one setting.
To accomplish this goal, they have amazing chefs crafting food from a full menu including burgers, salmon, poutine, wings, Bavarian pretzels, and more. There’s also a fish special every Friday that you don’t want to miss.
To enjoy everything they have to offer, visit 6 Bears & A Goat off of Route 17. You can grab a brew, eat an amazing meal, and even rent out a room to enjoy a private event—all on the brewery's beautiful four acres.
STOP 3: Spencer Devon Brewing
The last spot on our tour you’ve got to check out is Spencer Devon Brewery in downtown Fredericksburg. It’s one of Melissa’s favorites and has been open since April 25, 2015. The name comes from owners Shawn and Lisa, who both decided when they were having children that Shawn would name any boys and Lisa would name the girls. They had two daughters—Tiffany and Ashley—but had one more child to name: their new business. The pair call it their most expensive child, with Spencer Devon as its name.
Shawn is a retired Marine, though his shaggy beard and burly vibe today look much different than his former clean-cut appearance. Using the qualities he acquired from his military background, Shawn is committed to serving the best quality beers to Fredericksburg patrons.
What’s Brewing
Spencer Devon’s head brewer, Aiden is constantly brewing almost every day. The brewery typically runs 10-12 beers on tap, including a few flagship brews that are always available, like their 3-4-5 Pilsner, Sunken Road Belgian Blonde, and Lauck’s Island IPA. The other varieties are rotated in and out as new brews are introduced.
Mondays typically see a new beer released, which is when Mug Club Mondays happen. Members of the club can get an advanced sample of the beer’s release before it’s available to the public. There are always openings, so make sure to join the club for exclusive tastings.
From The Farm
Another great part of Spencer Devon is the food. The kitchen staff is run by an amazing kitchen manager and chef, Colton. He and his team serve up delicious food, much of which is locally sourced from nearby farms. Sean and Lisa are both passionate about supporting local agriculture, which also makes for fresh, quality ingredients in every dish.
The menu is varied and features everything from crispy brussels sprouts and wings to unique burgers. The Sunday Brunch is also not to be missed, including classic favorites like French toast to the Waffle Bomber—brown sugar-glazed fried chicken, bacon, and cinnamon cream cheese sandwiched between two waffles. It’s a great way to cap off the weekend while enjoying a Mimosa or Bloody Mary.
Take The Tour
We hope you enjoyed our beer tour in Stafford and Fredericksburg. Each of these options offers unique brews, amazing food, and great atmospheres for enjoying a pint. If you’d like to learn more about any of these breweries, feel free to reach out to us and we’d be happy to guide you.
And remember, if you’d like to live near any of these amazing hot spots, we’ll be happy to guide you in finding your place in the community. We look forward to hearing from you, and stay tuned to the next episode of Give, Work, Play to see what I feature next!
