For years this little ‘burg 45 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., had one solid selling point: history.
With a legitimate historic district, some well-stocked museums, and nearly two dozen battlefields, it was long considered that Fredericksburg’s best days were in a literal sense, behind it. But now the city, wedged between Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, has a burgeoning craft beer scene that proves it’s more than just a rest stop off Interstate 95.
It doesn't get the love of a Richmond, Charlottesville or Hampton Roads, but in the past five years the region has become home to nearly a dozen breweries, as well as other beer-centric businesses, like brew tours and growler-fill shops. And the beer they produce is good enough that five of them won medals in the latest round of state craft beer awards.
