The perfect stopover spot for visiting the Blue Ridge Tunnel or Skyline Drive. Basic City Beer has loads of outdoor seating, a broad array of craft brews, great pizza, and plenty of games for the kids. In warmer months, you can catch local bands on the weekend. This is a relaxed environment for locals and visitors alike.

Basic City Beer Company calls a historic industrial site its home, where Virginia Metalcrafters once thrived. The taproom features soaring ceilings, distinctive saw-tooth windows, and custom tables crafted from salvaged pipes and wood, echoing the foundry's heritage.

The tasting room and brewery are housed at the base of Afton Mountain in an old metal factory. The inside can get a bit noisy due to the acoustics, but the outdoor patio is the perfect place to relax after trekking in the woods.

Drinks

Fifteen to twenty beers are always on tap here, ranging from IPAs to bock and stouts. Standout brews are the Daily Pils (a standard on local restaurant menus), the Lore, an Imperial IPA, and Masala, a Chai Stout. If you’d like to taste a bit more than the standard 2 oz. tasting pour, you can order pours in 4, 8, or 16 ounces. For non-drinkers, there is local kombucha available.

Basic City Beer Co. harnesses the power of natural resources by leveraging a million-gallon natural spring. This abundant source of artesian water serves as a cornerstone for their brewing operations, ensuring that their beers are crafted with pure and fresh ingredients.

The water not only enhances the flavor profile of their beers but also supports sustainable brewing practices. Once brewed, patrons can enjoy these carefully crafted beers at the brewery's impressive indoor bar or relax outside on spacious picnic tables, taking in the natural surroundings that contribute to every sip.

This commitment to using local natural resources not only highlights their dedication to quality but also aligns with a broader initiative for environmentally responsible brewing.

Menu

The Basic City taproom is home to Lost Town Billy Pie Pizza, which specializes in wood-fired handmade pizzas with gourmet ingredients. Customize your pie ($13-15) with Calabrian chiles, mushrooms, sausage, prosciutto, or arugula. There are shareable side dishes as well. Marinated olives and lupini beans ($6) pair well with beer and will hold you over until the pizza arrives! BBQ and nachos are available, too.

Pros

Kid-friendly with lots of games, Excellent, affordable gourmet pizza

Cons

Casual vibe and lots of gravel

Alternatives

Blue Mountain Brewery, Brewing Tree

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the founders of Basic City Beer Co. and what is their vision for the brewery?

The founders of Basic City Beer Co. are brothers Bart, Chris, and Joe Lanman. They envision their brewery as a place that captures the essence of a bygone era. Housed in a historic industrial warehouse, their goal is to revive the lively and spirited atmosphere of the past within this unique setting.

Who is the head brewer at Basic Cit Beer Co.?

The head brewer at Basic City Beer Co. is Derek Hornig.

Where is the best place to stay near Basic City Beer Co.?

Afton Mountain Inn is a beautiful countryside specialty hotel, ideal for couples. For larger parties or a girls’ weekend away, take a peek at Afton Clubhouse (3 bedroom house) or Afton Farmhouse (4 bedroom house). Both properties are fully-renovated and are a short 15-minute drive to Basic City Beer Co., as well as dozens of other wineries, breweries, and other attractions along route 151.

Is Basic City Beer dog and family-friendly?

Yes, you’ll find that the patio is contained, making it safe for kids to run around and share yard games. Dogs are welcome in the taproom and on the patio.

Is Basic City far from other attractions in Nelson County?

Don’t let the Waynesboro location fool you - this is the closest pizza and beer you’ll find to the hiking trails. Head west down the mountain as you come off exit 99 for Skyline Drive, and you’ll be there before you can say “Appalachia”!