As if you need a reason to drink lots of good beer in the summertime, Ashburn’s Old Dominion Brewery is kind enough to offer one.
Old Dominion hosts its 3rd Annual Virginia Beer Festival this weekend, offering live music, amusements for kids, and the very best Virginia beers.
Ashburn is about two hours away, up Interstate 95 and out the 495 beltway. Call (703) 724-9100 for more information, or go to www.olddominion.com.
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Ashburn is outside the town of Sterling, near Dulles, so stay at the airport Marriott for $129 a night (703) 707-2017 or tone it down and try the Hampton Inn for $79, (703) 471-8300.
The festival runs Friday night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 7 p.m. There’s a $5 entry fee which includes a glass for your $1 tastings of Old Dominion, Legend, Mobjack, Capitol City and other beers. Under 21s get in free with an adult, and there’s a moonbounce, pony rides and other stuff to keep the youngsters happy. Lots of food and live rock, country, blues and bluegrass all weekend long, along with tons of local food. Squeeze in a brewery tour to get out of the sun, and be sure to try Old Dominion’s brand new hefe-weizen, a thirst-quenching quintessential summer brew.
If you need a longer break from the heat or the kids are getting antsy, go down the road to the Ashburn Icehouse, a mammoth skating rink that’s Ashburn’s claim to fame. Keep cool and supply your post-Stanley Cup fix on the ice, then head back for more