USA, VA: Dragon Hops Brewing Company eyeing June opening in Purcellville, VA

Purcellville will welcome its sixth brewery this spring as Dragon Hops Brewing Company announced they have leased the space at Purcellville Marketplace on Main Street, the Loudoun Times-Mirror reported on January 10.

For the past two years, Dragon Hops, a family- and veteran-owned farm, has been growing hops on their bines several miles outside of town.

The certified organic farm initially marketed their hops as “fresh, green hops,” but they found a demand for processing the hops to dehydrated pellets, so they decided to take their business a step further. They purchased equipment and developed a fully functioning processing facility at the farm.

“We have USDA certified organic hops processed and ready to sell,” said James Horris, co-owner of Dragon Hops.

Horris said after they invested in the production process, the logical next step was to open their own brewery.

After looking at several spaces around the area, they found “the perfect location” at the Purcellville Marketplace, which is “in the center of town, near the bike trail and near other attractions such as Catoctin Creek,” Horris said.

“The location couldn't be better. We will start brewing our own beer after we move in Feb. 1,” he said.

The next few months will be spent remodeling the 5,000 square foot space. He said they plan to create it as a “destination.”

Like at many local wineries and breweries, they will turn to independent food vendors to provide food for visitors to the brewery.

“We want to use local products as much as possible and support local businesses. We believe in supporting the local economy and we'd like to have this kind of reputation,” he said.

The target opening date is June 1.

12 January, 2017