Less than five miles from Downtown Blacksburg sits Montgomery County’s most unique craft beverage destination. Rising Silo Brewery was founded as a part of Glade Road Growing in the fall of 2014. Spearheaded by brewer and farm friend Greg Zielske, Rising Silo is currently Southwest Virginia’s only farm brewery, producing stellar stouts, IPAs and more from the farm’s on-site 3-barrel brewing system.
The barn-style brewery is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers spectacular views of the state’s sprawling countryside. While the tasting room and side patio are currently enclosed by a mosaic of antique window panes, distressed doors and vinyl patio curtains, the brewery strives to bring elements of the outdoors inside. During the warmer months, the tasting room stands exposed, save a few structural beams, so that visitors and their canine companions may move easily between the bar, playing frisbee on the front lawn to warming up by the brewery’s communal fire pit.
Inside, Rising Silo is rustic and inviting. The sense of community found in a small town such as a Blacksburg is evident in the brewery’s design, as the tasting room is equipped with several long, communal tables, encouraging brewery guests to mingle with one another. To further support a shared space, the brewery provides visitors with stacks of cards and popular board games in a wooden box that hangs to the right of the bar.
Mounted above the bar are the brewery’s characteristic chalkboard menus, whose lists of beers and all-natural fare change with the seasons. Both Rising Silo and Glade Road Growing’s farm kitchen, Tabula Rasa, are proud to create a dynamic menu derived from organic and naturally sourced ingredients. When it comes to beer making, Rising Silo tries to incorporate regionally-grown wheat as well as homegrown hops.
Currently on tap are 11 craft beers as well as a selection of non-alcoholic beverages known as Farm Fizz, which include kombucha, ginger beer and soda. Among the most popular Farm Brews are the light Leggy Blonde Ale, the citrusy and hop-forward Tree Rider IPA and the rich, oatmeal and coffee flavored Thunder Snow Stout. Rising Silo’s seasonal Beet Drop Saison boasts a stunning red hue and exceptionally earthy flavors that are perfect for the winter months.
To better enjoy your pint or flight of beer, Tabula Rasa serves a variety of farm-to-table platters such as hummus and pita, salad, soups and specialty pizzas made in the barn’s wood-fired brick oven. Like the brewery, the kitchen is open until 9 p.m., so guests can dine later in the evening, or simply indulge in the kitchen’s one-of-a-kind desserts while enjoying live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Rising Silo Brewery is located at 2351 Glade Rd., Blacksburg and is open Thursday through Saturday during select hours. Visit Rising Silo Brewery’s website or Facebook page to find out more about hours, special events, the live music schedule and more.
Author: Grace Silipigni
