Loco Lion Brewery & Winery
A British-American farm brewery with a full kitchen, mountain views and a genuine welcome for families, dogs and digital nomads.
Crave Locally’s Take
- Family-Friendly
- Dog-Friendly
- Remote Work-Friendly
- Foodie Favorite
We recommend Loco Lion for an afternoon that brings the whole household together: children are welcome, and leashed dogs can join you inside the tasting room as well as outdoors. Laura Starego and Nigel Rourke’s American and British backgrounds give this 26-acre farm brewery its character, combining the feel of an English pub with a relaxed Virginia countryside setting. Mountain views, open lawn space and a covered deck make it easy to settle in rather than hurry through a flight.
The food deserves a place in your plans. Loco Lion has a full kitchen, with Peter Halikas bringing experience as executive chef at the Estate at Yountville in Napa Valley. Brewer Jose Ayala brings nearly 40 years of experience, including his time at Boston Beer Co. We especially like the connection between the owners’ backgrounds and what ends up on the table and in the glass: British-inspired pub dishes alongside beer brewed on site, with wine sourced from local vineyards.
The apiary adds another layer to the working-farm setting. For families and dog owners, this is a welcoming shared space rather than simply a venue that permits you to bring them along. Couples can enjoy the views and a meal too, though there is no separate adults-only retreat. It also welcomes digital nomads, making it an option for a change of scenery during the working day.
Multi-stop Experiences
A relaxed, family-friendly day: guided vineyard tasting, scenic brewery stop, and a private farm animal encounter.
A boutique winery tour with barrel tasting and charcuterie, then a brewer-led production tour with four beers and four food pairings.
A private full day for groups of 4+: boutique winery tour with barrel tasting, lunch in a restored historic mill, and a brewer-led brewery pairing. Transportation, taxes and gratuity included.
Standalone Experiences
About the Owners
Laura Starego, an American-born Penn State alumna, and Nigel Rourke, who is British, brought their two backgrounds together to create Loco Lion. Their combined heritage shapes the Anglo-American countryside-pub concept, from the feel of the tasting room to what's on the menu.
Both came to the venue from business and project-management backgrounds before building their own farm brewery in Loudoun County.
History of the Venue
Loco Lion opened in 2025, but the farm's story goes back further. In the 1980s, two rescued lion siblings, Justin and Jezebel, lived on the property; today they are remembered with a memorial on the farm.
The name honors them, and also nods to Nigel's British heritage, Laura's Penn State connection and Loudoun County itself.
Business Philosophy
Loco Lion pairs modern craft with traditional methods. Brewer Jose Ayala's long experience guides the beer, which is brewed on site, while the food and drink draw on the owners' British and American roots.
Wine is sourced from local vineyards rather than produced on the property.
What’s on Tap
The beer is brewed on site, across lighter, malt-forward and hop-led styles. Penn Stout, Roaring Red Ale and Cross-Eyed Kölsch Lite are examples from the brewery's own range; what's pouring changes, so check with the venue on the day.
Lighter styles
- Kölsch
- Wheat beer
- Pilsner
- Lager
Malt-forward & hop-led
- Brown ale
- Red ale
- Stout
- Hazy IPA
- Session IPA
Also poured
- Wine from local vineyards
- Cider
- Seltzer
Who This Place Actually Suits
Families
Welcome throughout the venue, not just allowed.
- Stroller access and changing tables
- Table activities for children
- No playground or dedicated kids' menu
- A working farm — keep children supervised
Dogs
Leashed dogs welcome indoors and outdoors.
- Dogs on leash in the tasting room and outside
- Water bowls available
Adults & couples
Scenic views and a shared, social atmosphere.
- Good for a meal, a flight and the views
- No separate adults-only retreat
Foodies
A full kitchen worth planning around.
- British-inspired pub dishes
- Chef Peter Halikas, formerly executive chef at the Estate at Yountville in Napa Valley
Digital nomads
Welcoming for a change of working scenery.
- Indoor and outdoor seating to settle in for part of the working day
Eating Here
Loco Lion's full kitchen serves British-inspired pub food, led by chef Peter Halikas, formerly executive chef at the Estate at Yountville in Napa Valley.
Examples from the menu include sausage rolls, a steak-and-ale Cornish pasty, toasties and wings. The menu changes, so dishes aren't guaranteed on any given day.
- Dietary
- Gluten-free choices available. Ask about ingredients and allergies.
- Bringing your own
- Outside food is not permitted, except birthday or celebration cakes. Outside non-alcoholic drinks are not permitted.
Amenities
- Covered deck
- Outdoor seating
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Outdoor chairs
- Mature trees
- Open lawn
- Accessible entrance and interior
- Changing tables
- Apiary