Neighbors Concerned About New Brewery in Loudoun County

It's craft beer month in Virginia, but one of the newest hops growers in Loudoun County is facing some push-back over his plans.

The B Chord Brewery hopes to be filling growlers in the Bluemont area by October, but some of its rural neighbors hope to halt or slow those plans.

Owner Marty Dougherty is planning a 20-barrel, fully automated brew house with a tasting room and gift shop on Foggy Bottom Road.

Earlier this week, some of the neighbors got together to discuss concerns – chiefly traffic on the gravel road, noise and impact on the water supply.

Rick Sutermeister, who lives on the 20 acres next door, said the dirt road, many houses and horse farms make it a bad site for the brewery.

A new state law makes it much easier for hops growers to add craft breweries. There are 14 operating now in Loudoun County, including two that opened after the legislation . Two more are in the pipeline, and four more are in planning stages.

Some neighbors may lobby the state to try to get B Chord’s ABC license rejected, but Dougherty said he can put some of their worries to rest. He said they aren’t planning any “crazy stuff” like playing loud music at 2 a.m.

Local

Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information

GMU cricket stadium proposal scrapped

Nationals place Stephen Strasburg on 60-day injured list

Sutermeister would like to reach some kind of settlement that would limit hours of operation.

Contact Us