WV brewery operations updates

The current situation ever changes as our breweries adapt to the changing business environment. Here is our mid-April update.

For the latest update on all WV brewery operations use this link.

Who has expanded operations

Several breweries have expanded their operations, adding or increasing either canning and/or distribution. With brewery taprooms overstocked on draft, they need to find additional outlets for their beer. That could mean selling it canned or adding distribution to growler-filling accounts around the state. Here are the highlights:

• Abolitionist Ale Works, Charles Town. Now distributing in Eastern panhandle and a few other locations. Canning many beers in small batches of 16-oz. cans.
• Big Timber Brewing, Elkins. New cans and labels on order allowing greatly increased canning activity to begin. Will package many new beers in cans.
• Morgantown Brewing, Morgantown. Greatly increased canning activity. 16-oz. cans.
• Chestnut Brew Works, Morgantown. Greatly increased canning activity. 16-oz. cans.
• Weathered Ground, Cool Ridge. Greatly increased canning activity. 16-oz. cans.
• Bad Shepherd Beer Company, Charleston. While the taproom is still closed, the brewery is currently upping its canning operation and has some cans now in distribution in the Huntington-Charleston and North Central markets. It has new 4-head canning equipment and supplies on order, which will greatly increase their canning capacity. They are also installing an online ordering system. Once installed, expect Bad Shepherd taproom to reopen and sell canned beer and food at the taproom again.
• The Peddler, Huntington. While currently closed, the brewery has canner/seamer on order. Once installed, expect to see The Peddler cans sold at the brewpub for carryout.
• High Ground Brewing, Terra Alta. The brewery is doing a whole lot of manual canning. Expect an announcement soon on their purchase of some seriously upgraded canning equipment.
• Freefolk Brewery, Fayetteville, is installing canning equipment and will soon be offering canned beer.

Who is delivering

Several breweries are offering local deliveries. They include:

• Bavarian Brothers Brewing, Shepherdstown
• Berkeley Springs Brewing, Berkeley Springs
• Abolitionist Ale Works, Charles Town
• Big Timber Brewing, Elkins
• Chestnut Brew Works, Morgantown
• Morgantown Brewing, Morgantown
• Parkersburg Brewing, Parkersburg

Who is still closed

The breweries hit the hardest in this environment are the ones who ran taprooms but did not package their beer in cans or bottles and who had little distribution business. Still, only a handful of brewery taprooms are currently closed for carryout beer sales (though some should re-open shortly). These include:

• Bridge Brew Works, Fayetteville
• Freefolk Brewery, Fayetteville
• Bad Shepherd Beer Company, Charleston
• The Peddler, Huntington – Beer sales restarted 04/17
• Brewstel, Elkins

Who is open for what hours

Check Brilliant Stream’s updated WV brewery operations guide with hours and services offered by every brewery with a taproom open for carryout sales. Almost all of the breweries are operating with limited sales hours. Most have curbside service. Some are only filling new growlers and will not refill your growler. Some require online ordering and payment. Always check their current social media or call them to double-check policies and hours before venturing out to make a purchase.