Flying Dog Brewery isn’t betting the farm. Rather, it’s placing its bets on the farm.
The Frederick-based craft brewer is getting ready to open an experimental brewery on a hop farm in Loudoun County.
Farmworks Brewery will be a 5-acre, “unique farm brewery destination” featuring a 15-barrel brewhouse, tasting room and hospitality area. For you true beer nerds out there, it will also feature a coolship, an extensive barrel-aging and sour beer facility.
The new operation will be located on Shadow Farm, a 53-acre farm purchased by Jonathan Staples of James River Distillery fame. Staples wants to grow hops and other distillery ingredients.
The chance to innovate is a key driver to the farm project, says brewmaster Matt Brophy. “Agriculture is such an important part of brewing, and having access to the resources at Shadow Farm will allow us the freedom to experiment and innovate with a whole new collection of beer styles,” Brophy says on the brewer’s blog. “It’s a unique setting, and we plan on brewing some pretty unique beers.”
Flying Dog has had a busy past few months. The brewer recently bought the Frederick building it’s occupied since 2006 for $8 million, with an eye toward expansion.
Flying Dog plans to open Farmworks next summer.
