The address at 257 Sunset Park Drive in Herndon carries more brewing history than most people realize. This is the same space where Aslin Beer Company got its start, before outgrowing the location and relocating to a larger, well-loved home in downtown Herndon, where it continues to thrive today. It’s also where Juicy Brewing had its run, before ultimately closing its doors. Two very different outcomes, one address with serious craft beer DNA.
Now a new story is being written here, and based on everything we saw at the grand opening, Hawkley Brewing is off to a genuinely exciting start.
The Story Behind Hawkley
Hawkley Brewing is the project of owner Monte Hawkins, who spent years working in the federal government before deciding to follow his passion for craft beer into a second career. That kind of leap takes real conviction, and it’s evident from the way Hawkley operates that Monte has thought carefully about what he wants this brewery to be.
His goal isn’t just to occupy a well-known address. It’s to honor the brewing legacy that came before it while carving out something distinct: a commitment to a diverse, high-quality lineup of beers and a level of production control that goes all the way down to milling their own grain in-house. It’s a serious approach, and it shows.
On the brewing side, Monte brought in Mike, a head brewer with experience at respected breweries in Ithaca and Brooklyn. That kind of background matters, and it’s showing up clearly in the pint glass.
The Beers
We got our first taste of Hawkley’s lineup during a preview visit before the doors opened, and the grand opening confirmed what we suspected: Mike is dialing things in beautifully. On opening day, Hawkley had 10 beers on tap, and the consistent refrain from everyone around us was the same: these are really good.
The black lager arrived with a beautiful fluffy foam and a smooth, approachable character. A Hefeweizen brought warm notes of allspice and clove with a subtle banana quality that made it genuinely hard to put down. The Helles Lager was creamy and satisfying, and the West Coast IPA delivered exactly the right amount of bite. The approach here isn’t to chase trends or pile on adjuncts. It’s to make beers that are genuinely excellent and accessible to a wide range of drinkers. They’re hitting that mark.
The Grand Opening
We weren’t entirely sure what to expect walking in on opening night. What we found was a full house, and then some. The taproom was packed, with people spilling out into the outdoor space, and the energy felt less like a business opening and more like a neighborhood celebration. Every conversation we overheard about the beer came back to the same thing: people were impressed.
Food is part of the Hawkley experience too. They’ll be rotating food trucks through on a regular basis, which keeps the offering fresh and supports other local small businesses in the process. For something quick to nibble between pours, they’re also stocking Nordic Knots, the pretzel company born right here in Reston. It’s a small touch that feels very intentional, and very local.
One of the highlights of the night for us was meeting so many of you in person. We ran into a number of people who follow us on Instagram, traded recommendations, and had exactly the kind of evening that reminds you why living in this area is special.
Plan Your Visit
Hawkley Brewing is located at 257 Sunset Park Drive in Herndon. Their current hours are listed below. We always recommend checking their website before you go, as hours can shift, especially in the early weeks of a new opening.
Taproom Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
If you want a little more breathing room to enjoy the space, a weekday evening is a smart call. But honestly, whether it’s packed or quiet, it’s worth the trip.
A Brewery Scene That’s Still Growing
Hawkley arrives into a Northern Virginia craft beer landscape that’s been building quietly but steadily. Lake Anne Brew House has been a fixture in Reston for years, a community-minded spot with a loyal following and a great patio overlooking Lake Anne. Bike Lane Brewing has carved out its own niche right on the W&OD Trail, drawing in cyclists and beer lovers alike with a laid-back vibe and a solid rotating tap list.
And the Herndon scene isn’t done expanding. Voodoo Brewing is targeting a spring opening at Makers Rise, bringing its Pennsylvania-born brand and award-winning lineup to the area for the first time. NH 44 Brewing is also on the way, planning to open at Arrowbrook Centre with a brewpub concept that pairs craft beer with Indian fusion food. With Hawkley already open and two more on the horizon, Herndon is quietly becoming one of the more interesting craft beer corridors in Northern Virginia.
For people who care about local businesses, neighborhood character, and the kind of amenities that make a community worth putting down roots in, that’s a genuinely exciting development. And we’ll be watching all of it closely.
