‘National Beer Day’ marked at Virginia Beer Museum April 7

There are a few micro breweries dotted around the county and nearby, but where better to celebrate “National Beer Day” on Friday, April 7, than at Front Royal’s own Virginia Beer Museum on historic Chester Street?

Front Royal’s Virginia Beer Museum is NEPO for business on April 7, National Beer Day – it says OPEN from inside the museum. Photo/Susan O’Kelley

Governor Terence R. McAuliffe made it official recently when he proclaimed the day and the date, stating, “Virginia is for craft beer lovers” – a play on the commonwealth’s motto.  The beer museum proprietor is David Downes, who brings generations of family history to the equally historic Board House.  That house and museum now includes the popular Helltown Saloon, where any one of 18 Virginia craft beers are served on request, free of charge.

But you do pay for the glass!

Downes, a Front Royal attorney for 30 years, tells of great grandfathers, and great, great grandfathers going back to the early 1800s, who operated a pub called the “Dog & Duck” in a London, England suburb (a “Dog & Duck” is still on the site).  And he appears to regard with affection Richmond resident Justin Smith, who is credited by our governor and others with having April 7 set aside for National Beer Day in 2009.  Smith is now known as the godfather of craft beer in the commonwealth.

From left, proprietor David Downes, author Malcolm Barr, Sr. and museum beer ‘curator’ Michael Williams. Photos/ Roger Bianchini

One of Downes’ staff of volunteer guides and servers, Michael Williams, boasts of pubs in the British arm of his family dating back to 1385 in Ipswich, England.  Other volunteer staff and “curators” include Mrs. Downes, known as Reds, Dawn and Dwayne Folley, Rebecca Bare and Nathan Stalvey.  They all share a common interest in the brewing of craft beers and the history behind the industry.

The TPT crew prepares for Friday’s celebration of National Beer Day as proclaimed for the Commonwealth by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Our governor’s proclamation will be posted at the museum on April 7.  Downes calls the proclamation a “significant recognition of Virginia’s love of craft beer.”  There are 180 licensed craft beer breweries in the state; and Governor McAuliffe points to the industry as a stimulus for economic growth in Virginia through its support of farmers of grains, barley and hops.

Beer curator Michael Williams prepares a little history lesson for patrons.

The celebratory hours on Friday will be the usual ones, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.  Po Green’s will be catering with Ribs and more from 4 p.m. on, Friday, as well as Saturday afternoon and evening from 4 p.m. on.  There is ample parking both on the street and adjacent parking lots to the side and rear of the building.

The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays except for special tours, mostly to accommodate tourists.  While now open, some interior renovations of the century-old building continue on several rooms, upstairs and down.  Also, visitors benefiting from the turn from winter to spring and eventually summer may sit outside on the attractive front porch or in the back “picnic” area with their children and dogs.

If the spring weather holds you can study the history of beer in the commonwealth on either the front porch, pictured, or the backyard ‘picnic’ area.

As for “National Beer Day” on April 7, perhaps the appropriate word to close with is, “Cheers!”