The New River Gorge Craft Beer Trail is a self-guided driving and walking route through the New River Gorge region of West Virginia, linking craft breweries and beer-forward dining establishments in and around Fayetteville. The trail is anchored by Bridge Brew Works at 642 E Wiseman Ave, one of West Virginia's pioneering craft breweries, and extends to stops including Pies & Pints, a local landmark pairing artisan wood-fired pizzas with a rotating selection of regional craft beers. Participants can download or collect a WV Craft Beer Trail passport at visitwv.com, which tracks visits across the state's full craft brewery network and qualifies participants for rewards after completing a set number of stops.
As a self-guided experience, the trail imposes no fixed group size, departure time, or guided leader, giving visitors full control over pace and duration. Driving distances between stops are short — most Fayetteville-area venues are within a few minutes of one another — and the route passes through the dramatic gorge scenery of the New River Gorge National Park corridor, making the drive itself part of the appeal. The New River Gorge was designated a national park in 2020, and Fayetteville serves as the region's main visitor hub, with a compact walkable town center that allows the final stops to be completed on foot.
Each brewery on the trail offers tasting flights of house-brewed beers spanning styles from hop-forward West Virginia IPAs and amber ales to seasonal small-batch releases. Food options skew toward Appalachian comfort fare and wood-fired preparations; Pies & Pints in particular draws consistent crowds for its thick-crust pizzas and locally sourced pub specials. The total spend per person ranges from approximately $30 to $60 depending on the number of stops and the size of food orders at each venue — there is no fixed ticket price. The trail operates year-round, with May through October representing the busiest period, coinciding with peak outdoor recreation season in the national park. Designated driver arrangements or an overnight stay in Fayetteville are advisable given the nature of the itinerary, and the town's accommodation and dining options make it a practical base for a full day's exploration of the craft beer and Appalachian food culture of southern West Virginia.
What is included
- Self-guided brewery visits
- WV Craft Beer Trail passport
- Tastings at each stop
Good to know
- Operator
- Self-guided; WV Craft Beer Trail passport available at visitwv.com; includes Bridge Brew Works (+1 304-574-3500), Pies & Pints (+1 304-574-2200), Fayetteville brewing spots
Location
Start at Bridge Brew Works, 642 E Wiseman Ave, Fayetteville, WV 25840
38.0535, -81.1037 View on map
Highlights
- Self-guided driving and walking route connecting Bridge Brew Works, Pies & Pints, and additional Fayetteville craft beer stops
- WV Craft Beer Trail passport program allowing visitors to track brewery visits and earn rewards statewide
- Wood-fired artisan pizzas and Appalachian pub food pairings at key stops along the route
- Scenic driving through the New River Gorge National Park corridor between brewery destinations
- Flexible four-to-six-hour format with no fixed group size, ticket price, or departure time
Tips for visiting
- Designate a driver or arrange an overnight stay in Fayetteville before undertaking the full four-to-six-hour trail.
- Download or pick up the WV Craft Beer Trail passport at visitwv.com before starting to qualify for statewide rewards.
- Starting at Bridge Brew Works on E Wiseman Ave provides a logical anchor and includes some of the most established pours on the trail.
- Pies & Pints is popular on weekend evenings; arriving at lunch or on a weekday afternoon significantly reduces wait times.
- Visit between May and October for the best combination of open hours, favorable driving conditions, and peak New River Gorge scenery.
Frequently asked questions
Is the New River Gorge Craft Beer Trail a ticketed guided tour?
No. The trail is entirely self-guided with no fixed ticket price or guide. Visitors follow the WV Craft Beer Trail passport route at their own pace, covering the four-to-six-hour itinerary across brewery and dining stops in and around Fayetteville.
How much should visitors budget per person?
The estimated spend is $30 to $60 per person, covering tasting flights and food across the stops. Actual costs vary depending on how many stops are visited and the size of food orders at each venue.
Does the trail operate year-round?
Yes, the trail is accessible year-round. May through October is the busiest period, aligning with peak outdoor recreation season in New River Gorge National Park. Some smaller stops may reduce hours during winter months.
What types of food are available along the trail?
Food along the trail leans toward Appalachian comfort fare and wood-fired pizza. Pies & Pints is the primary food destination, offering thick-crust pizzas and seasonal pub specials. Several other stops provide bar snacks and small plates using local and regional ingredients.
Is there parking near the start of the trail at Bridge Brew Works?
Street parking and small lots are available near Bridge Brew Works at 642 E Wiseman Ave in Fayetteville. The town center is compact and most stops are within a short drive or walk of one another, making it practical to park once and move between venues on foot.