Behind the Scenes: Brewer Experience & Pairing.
Step inside a working Loudoun brewery for an exclusive brewer-led experience combining craft beer, hands-on discovery, and four thoughtfully selected food pairings.
When booked through Crave Locally, enjoy a special photo opportunity with the makers — an experience available exclusively to Crave Locally guests.
Go beyond the taproom.
Discover what actually goes into the beer in your glass. Led by Loco Lion's brewer, Jose, this intimate experience takes place inside the brewery's production area, where you'll get an up-close look at the brewing process from ingredients to finished beer.
See the equipment used to produce each batch, touch and explore the ingredients that create different flavors and styles, and learn directly from the brewer about the decisions behind each beer.
Then comes the tasting: four Loco Lion craft beers, each paired with a carefully selected bite designed to complement or contrast the flavors in your glass. It's part brewery tour, part guided tasting, and part food-and-beer pairing — all in a setting most brewery visitors never get to experience.
Meet the brewer.
Step inside Loco Lion's production area for a guided introduction to the craft of brewing. You'll explore the equipment, ingredients, and techniques behind the beer before sitting down to taste four distinctly different styles alongside their accompanying food pairings.
Along the way, you'll discover not only how each beer is made, but why certain flavors work so beautifully together.
Four beers, four bites.
- 1Pairing 1
Cross-Eyed Kölsch Lite
Paired with a Caprese SkewerCherry tomato, mozzarella, fresh basil, and balsamic drizzle.Crisp carbonation cuts beautifully through the creamy mozzarella, while the beer's subtle grain character complements the freshness of the tomato and basil.
- 2Pairing 2
Just Citrus Wheat
Paired with a Spicy Shrimp & Avocado BiteServed on a tortilla chip.Bright citrus and wheat notes provide a refreshing contrast to the spice of the shrimp while complementing the cool freshness of avocado.
- 3Pairing 3
Roaring Red Ale
Paired with a Mini Pulled Pork SliderFinished with a sweet BBQ glaze.Caramel and toasted malt notes echo the sweet, smoky character of the barbecue, creating a rich and satisfying pairing.
- 4Pairing 4
Penn Stout
Paired with a Sea-Salted Brownie BiteDark chocolate with a touch of flaked sea salt.Roasted barley brings out an espresso-like depth alongside dark chocolate, while a touch of sea salt heightens the richness of both the stout and brownie.
Everything taken care of.
- Exclusive access to the brewery's production area
- Brewer-led introduction to the brewing process
- Up-close look at professional equipment and a hands-on exploration of brewing ingredients
- Guided tasting of four Loco Lion craft beers with four thoughtfully matched food pairings
- Reservation arranged for you
- Taxes included
- Gratuity included
Plus an opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from the brewer.
A few things to note.
- Transportation (self-drive experience)
- Additional beers, food, or merchandise beyond the curated tasting
Before you book.
This experience takes place inside an active brewery production area and offers access beyond the traditional taproom experience.
Available in August and September, Wednesdays through Sundays between Noon and 6pm. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or food allergies when booking. Advance reservations are required and availability is subject to the brewer's schedule.
Made for the curious.
- Craft beer lovers who want to go beyond the taproom
- Small groups of friends, four or more
- Corporate outings and team gatherings
- Curious guests who love learning directly from a maker
A tasting you understand.
There's a big difference between ordering a flight of beer and understanding what went into creating it.
This experience gives you something most brewery visits don't: direct access to the brewer and the production process, followed by a tasting that connects what you've just learned with what you can actually taste in the glass.
The four food pairings turn the experience into something even more memorable — showing how the character of a beer can change when paired with the right flavors. It's personal, interactive, delicious, and a wonderful way to experience Loudoun's craft beverage scene from the inside.
We don’t just tell you where to go. We know where we’re sending you.
Every place we recommend has been personally vetted, every experience is developed with our local partners, and every itinerary is designed around the people actually taking the trip.
200+ data points per venue — visited, verified, never scraped.
Co-designed with our partners, with something you won't find elsewhere.
A Field Guide of local stops, makers, and stories along your route.
We coordinate with every partner so you arrive expected and welcomed.
Good to know.
Still have questions? Our concierge is happy to help arrange your date.
Contact conciergeReservations, changes, cancellations, weather, and partner changes — all in one place.
Taste it from the inside.
Offered on select Saturdays and by special request — tell us your preferred dates and we'll coordinate with the brewer.