The best places for good drinks, good vibes, and good times.
written by Kaitlyn Eichelberger, Adrian Kiger & Devin Lacy
photographed by Carla Witt Ford & Nikki Bowman Mills
As hard as we try, no one knows our West Virginia communities better than the people living in them: our dedicated WV Living readers. That’s why, each year, we ask you to nominate and vote on your favorite people, places, businesses, and more! You’ve done the work—now see the results as we proudly announce the 2024 Best of West Virginia.
BREWERY
GOLD
IT’S A TIE!
BIG TIMBER BREWING COMPANY
Nestled between the Mountain State’s panhandles grow the forests of Elkins—the big timber from which Big Timber Brewing harvested its name. Tributes to the wild don’t end there, though, as many of the taphouse’s staple brews pay homage to the state’s outdoor hallmarks in taste and unmistakable branding. Find which style delights your palate among the brewery’s rotating selection of homey flavors featuring pine, chocolate, and fruit, available at the taphouse or select retailers. 2 Davis Avenue, Elkins, bigtimberbrewing.com, @bigtimberbrewing on FB
MOUNTAIN STATE BREWING CO.
Although Mountain State Brewing Co.’s beers range from wheat blonde to coal black, its first Best Of title since 2017 is golden. The brewery offers four flagship ales year ‘round and eight seasonal varieties, available on tap and in artful, West Virginia–themed cans. These beers pair perfectly with the kitchen’s fan-favorite flatbreads. After nearly 20 years, MSBC knows exactly what its customers crave. 1 Nelson Bouleveard, Thomas; 740 Genesis Boulevard, Bridgeport; 54 Clay Street, Morgantown; 3505 Monongahela Boulevard, Morgantown; mountainstatebrewing.com, @mountainstatebrewing on FB
SILVER
WEATHERED GROUND BREWERY
2027 Flat Top Road, Cool Ridge, weatheredgroundbrewery.com, @weatheredgroundbrewery on FB
BRONZE
ABOLITIONIST ALE WORKS
129 West Washington Street, Charles Town, abolitionistaleworks.com, @abolitionistaleworks on FB
CIDERY OR MEADERY
GOLD
HAWK KNOB APPALACHIAN HARD CIDER
Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider has made a return for the sparkling gold—and we’re not talking about its hard ciders. More than a seasonal treat, hard cider is an Appalachian relic of the Prohibition era. Hawk Knob aspires to keep this history alive and bubbling with its curated selection of palatable, innovative, and traditional ciders, handcrafted with West Virginia-grown apples. Find its spirits at the Lewisburg cidery and vendors across the state. 2245 Blue Sulphur Pike, Lewisburg, hawkknob.com, @hawkknob on FB
SILVER
OLD WORLD LIBATIONS
3493 Greenville Road, Union, oldworldwv.com, @oldworldwv on FB
BRONZE
SWILLED DOG
28 Industrial Park Road, Upper Tract, swilleddog.com, @swilleddog on FB
COFFEE ROASTER
GOLD
BLACK DOG COFFEE COMPANY
Although Appalachian folklore denotes black dogs as specters of doom, Black Dog Coffee has seen nothing but omens of high-quality roasts and loyal canines since its opening in 2006. Founded from a desire to provide wholesome alternatives to low-grade beans found at grocery stores and coffee chains, this roastery emphasizes fine craftsmanship. While the coffeehouse’s blends can be found online, visiting in-person offers a look at a longstanding roaster in action. 8001 Charles Town Road, Shenandoah Junction, blackdogcoffee.net, @blackdogcoffeewv on FB
SILVER
MOUNTAIN FOLK COFFEE
Lewisburg, mountainfolkcoffee.com, @mountainfolkcoffee on FB
BRONZE
ROMNEY BREW STATION
43 West Main Street, Romney, romneybrewstation.com, @romneybrewstation on FB
COFFEE SHOP
GOLD
JOAN + JOE COFFEE
Lattes, cold brews, and mochas, oh my! Joan + Joe Coffee is more than just a play on words, inspired by the owners’ patron saints, Joan of Arc and Saint Joseph. This cozy Charles Town coffeehouse aspires to bring folks together to share wholesome coffee and good conversation. It promises to serve up your ideal organic coffee experience—yes, even the order so elaborate you’ve scripted it in your notes app. Be sure to check out its seasonal specialties, too. 14826 Charles Town Road, Charles Town, joanandjoecoffee.com, @joanjoecoffee on FB
SILVER
LOST RIVER GENERAL STORE & CAFÉ
7015 State Road 259, Lost River, innatlostriver.com/lost-river-general-store, @theinnatlostriverandgeneralstore on FB
BRONZE
BARISTAS CAFE AND PUB
326 North Main Street, New Martinsville, @baristascafepub on FB
DISTILLERY
GOLD
DEVIL’S DUE DISTILLERY
Voters decided Devil’s Due Distillery was due for a second consecutive win, and it’s no surprise. Emphasizing local grains from Jefferson County’s rolling fields of gold, this Kearneysville distillery offers irresistible flavors like cinnamon, apple pie, blackberry, maple, cherry, and more in its signature spirits. Since the distillery’s opening in 2021, daily tours, tastings, and genuine Appalachian craftsmanship have put this distillery on the map. 315 James Burr Boulevard, Kearneysville, @devilsduedistillery on FB
This profile has been edited from the print version to correctly refer to Devil’s Due as a distillery.
SILVER
STILL HOLLOW SPIRITS
128 Stink Run Road, Harman, stillhollowspirits.com, @stillhollowspirits on FB
BRONZE
SMOOTH AMBLER SPIRITS
745 Industrial Park Road, Maxwelton, smoothambler.com, @smoothambler on FB
LIBATIONS TRAIL
GOLD
JEFFERSON COUNTY LIBATIONS LOVERS TRAIL
“Discover the things you love,” the Jefferson County CVB encourages. And if you love libations, there’s no better place to discover them than the Jefferson County Libations Lovers Trail. Launched with the goal of spotlighting more than a dozen of Jefferson County’s best spots for slowing down and savoring local spirits, the digital trail encourages tourists and locals alike to support small businesses and broaden their horizons at featured locations. wherealmostheavenbegins.com
SILVER
BREWERS ROW IN CHARLESTON
BRONZE
BERKELEY COUNTY SPIRITS & BREWS TRAIL
LOCAL WATERING HOLE
GOLD
FAIRPLAIN YACHT CLUB
A great place to unwind with friends and enjoy a few cold ones, Fairplain Yacht Club in Ripley has everything you need for a good time, with specialty drinks that are known to feature the occasional West Virginia-made spirit and 25 ice-cold beers on tap. Award—winning baby back ribs, burgers, and brisket are just a few of the satisfying eats on the menu for those looking for a bite, too. 3869 Cedar Lakes Drive, Ripley, fairplainyachtclub.com, @fairplainyachtclub on FB
SILVER
BARISTAS CAFE AND PUB
326 North Main Street, New Martinsville, @baristascafepub on FB
BRONZE
MECKLENBURG INN
128 East German Street, Shepherdstown, “Mecklenburg Inn” on FB
PLACE TO STOCK YOUR BAR
GOLD
THE WINE & CHEESE SHOP AT CAPITOL MARKET
While The Wine & Cheese Shop also features glassware, cheese, and more, its main event is all the ways you can prepare for thirsty guests—or just yourself, we won’t judge. Masterfully curated beer and wines fill 1,200 square feet of wall-to-wall inventory, the culmination of nearly 30 years serving visitors to Capitol Market. Shoppers can find something for the most special of celebrations or casual of dinners among the shop’s wide selection. 800 Smith Street, Charleston, capitolmarket.net/the-wine-cheese-shop, @thewineshop on FB
SILVER
ASHEBROOKE LIQUOR OUTLET
300 Beechurst Avenue, Morgantown, @ashebrookeliquoroutlet on FB
BRONZE
POUR CHOICES
130 West Washington Street, Charles Town, “Pour Choices Wine” on FB
WINERY
GOLD
CHESTNUT RIDGE WINERY
This woman-owned winery doesn’t just know the recipe for great wine—it’s also perfected the recipe for a good time. Surrounded by the picture-perfect views of Spencer and situated at the head of a biking and hiking trail, Chestnut Ridge Winery offers more than 30 semi-sweet to dry wines. For a one-of-a-kind experience, try its exclusive seasonal wines during limited availability. 15 Chestnut Ridge, Spencer, chestnutridgewinery.com, @chestnutridgewinery on FB
SILVER
OLD WORLD LIBATIONS
3493 Greenville Road, Union, oldworldwv.com, @oldworldwv on FB
BRONZE
KIRKWOOD WINERY
45 Winery Lane, Summersville, kirkwoodwinery.com, @kirkwoodwinerywv on FB
READ MORE ARTICLES FROM WV LIVING’S WINTER 2024 ISSUE
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