USA, VA: Hammer & Forge Brewing Co. becomes Boones Mill’s first brewery

Hammer & Forge Brewing Co. in Boones Mill is the first brewery in town. It's in the former Medicine Shoppe space at 70 Main St., right off U.S. 220.

Owner Caleb Williamson opened the doors for the first time on February 11. It had just a few taps going in its first days, but more beers are coming. A grand opening is planned for March 4. The tasting room is set to have 10 taps featuring house-made IPAs, a Russian imperial stout, American amber, Irish red ale and more.

The space is about 2,000 square feet and has 65 seats inside, as well as a small stage for live music and a TV. It's a small brewery, comparable to Big Lick Brewing Co.'s current spot in downtown Roanoke and Twin Creeks Brewing in Vinton. As with the owners of those breweries, Williamson was also a homebrewer who decided to turn his hobby into a profession. He brewed at home for about three years before reaching out to professional brewers for assistance on how he could open his own tasting room. The owners of Big Lick showed him their operation and gave him some tips on how it's done.

Turning the old pharmacy into a modern brewery with a tasting room took several months.

Williamson began working on the space in June and did much of the construction himself to give it a sleek industrial look. Outdoor seating is planned for the summer months.

The brewery is open Thursday and Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. It may extend hours in the future.

15 February, 2017