Herndon’s Craft-Beer Moment 🍺
Ask any hop-head around Northern Virginia and they’ll tell you: 2025 is the year Herndon finally earns full “beer-belt” status. The town already hosts fan-favorites Aslin Beer Company and the small-but-mighty Juicy Brewing. By next summer, three more taprooms—Ornery Beer Company, Voodoo Brewing Co. and NH 44 Brewing (working title)—will pour their first pints, giving Herndon residents five breweries within a three-mile loop.
Factor in Reston neighbors Lake Anne Brew House and Bike Lane Brewing & Café. Add the Silver Line’s new stations, and you’ve got a walk-, bike-, and rail-friendly ale trail that rivals any in the Commonwealth.
Quick stat: Fairfax County granted five new brewery special-use permits between 2022 and 2024—the biggest three-year jump in its history.
Why Here, Why Now?
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Thirsty demographics. Herndon’s median age (36) sits squarely in craft-beer’s sweet spot.
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Silver Line Metrorail. Phase 2 opened in 2022, unlocking mixed-use districts tailor-made for brewpub life.
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Streamlined zoning. Fairfax County’s 2020 code update shaved months off brewery approvals.
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Post-COVID “third places.” Breweries double as office-free hangouts, and developers know it.
For homeowners, extra breweries can boost property values and add nightly entertainment within strolling distance—an angle the best Reston agent or best Herndon agent will happily spotlight.
Meet the Newcomers 👋
1. Ornery Beer Company — Woodland Park Crossing
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Where: 12960 Highland Crossing Dr. (glass-walled corner next to Harris Teeter)
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Size: ~4,500 sq ft plus patio
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Opens: Late Summer 2025
Bristow-born Ornery Beer Company is bringing its Detroit-style pizzas, “Light of Cologne” Kölsch, and pub trivia nights to Woodland Park Crossing on Sunrise Valley Drive—just a two-minute stroll from the future Herndon Metro parking garage.
Local tip: Grab a pie to go, then hop on the W&OD spur behind the plaza for sunset views toward Reston Town Center.
2. Voodoo Brewing Co. — Makers Rise @ Dulles Station
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Where: 2230 Dulles Station Blvd. (ground floor of Makers Rise)
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Size: ~3,750 sq ft
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Opens: Fall 2025
Pittsburgh’s Voodoo Brewing plants its D.C.-area flag across the crosswalk from Innovation Center Metro. Expect cult-favorite Good Vibes hazy IPA, pierogi tots, and graffiti-splashed walls that beg for Instagram. Garage parking is free for two hours with validation.
3. NH 44 Brewing — Arrowbrook Centre
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Where: 2300 Centreville Rd. (between the turf fields and retail strip in Arrowbrook Centre)
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Size: ~2,100 sq ft
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Opens: Winter 2025 (tentative)
Site plans call this spot “nano-brewery,” but insiders say it will debut as NH 44 Brewing—a nod to New Hampshire Ave. in D.C.’s beer scene. Rumors point to vinyl-spun release nights and saison collaborations on a two-barrel system.
Real-estate angle: Arrowbrook’s condos may list below new Reston Town Center towers—perfect if you crave a “beer-garden backyard” without the 20191 price tag.
Existing Taproom Trail: Aslin & Juicy
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Aslin Beer Company returned to Elden Street in 2023 with a rooftop bar, coffee program, and experimental pastry stouts (try Velvet Orchestra).
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Juicy Brewing brightened Sunset Park Dr. in 2024 with fruit-forward sours, smoothie IPAs, and live-music Sundays.
With the three newcomers, Herndon’s taproom count jumps to five—all in bike-able range.
Reston Neighbors Round Out the “Beer Belt”
Pedal the W&OD Trail east and you’ll hit two more gems:
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Lake Anne Brew House in historic Lake Anne Plaza pours 3.5-barrel classics lakeside.
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Bike Lane Brewing & Café pairs espresso, bikes, and lagers two blocks from Wiehle-Reston East Metro.
Seven breweries in under five miles—no wonder Reston-Herndon is becoming Northern Virginia’s craft-beer capital.
Metro, Breweries & Real Estate Values
When the Silver Line pushed past Dulles Airport, it unlocked zoning for mixed-use hubs like Woodland Park, Makers Rise, and Arrowbrook—each now getting a brewery. A 2024 Brewers Association study found homes within ½-mile of an independent brewery appreciated 4.3 percentage points faster than the regional baseline over five years. That’s powerful data for anyone eyeing Reston real estate or Herndon real estate near the taps.
Plan Your 2025 Herndon Brewery Crawl 🍻🚲
| Stop | Distance | Must-Sip Beer | Snack Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| NH 44 Brewing | Start | Collab saison | Charcuterie from Arrowbrook Farmers Market |
| Voodoo Brewing | 0.8 mi | Good Vibes IPA | Pierogi tots |
| Ornery Beer Co. | 0.7 mi | Light of Cologne Kölsch | Detroit-style pizza |
| Aslin Beer Co. | 1.9 mi | Velvet Orchestra stout | Smashburger |
| Juicy Brewing | 0.6 mi | Berry Blast sour | Food-truck churros |
Distances are by bike—bring a lock and a thirst.
FAQ
Kids allowed? Most taprooms welcome minors until 8 p.m.; confirm online.
Dog friendly? Aslin, Bike Lane, and Lake Anne allow leashed pups on patios.
Gluten-free options? Voodoo will pour seltzers; Ornery plans guest ciders.
Parking? Surface lots at Woodland Park & Arrowbrook; validated garage at Makers Rise.
Final Pour
With three new breweries opening in 2025, Herndon levels up from beer-lover’s detour to full-blown destination. Add Reston’s stalwarts, the Silver Line’s convenience, and you’ve got a craft-beer corridor that rivals any in the Mid-Atlantic. Bookmark this guide, plan your crawl, and—when you’re ready to plant roots near the action—team up with the best realtors in Reston, VA or the best Herndon agent to make your move. Cheers! 🍻
