2026 Loudoun Beer Awards
2nd annual, "Brewing a Revolution," February 4, 2026 at Lark Brewing Co., Aldie
New for 2026: the third award in each category is an honorable mention, replacing the bronze medal given in 2025.
Community Service Champion Lark Brewing Company
Since opening only a few years ago, this brewery has run a quarterly charity program called Sip with a Purpose. Every quarter they partner with a different local nonprofit, create a custom brew and donate from every pint sold. In less than two years they have raised over $40,000 for Loudoun County organizations, including Friends of Homeless Animals, the Max Pound Foundation, the Loudoun Free Clinic and the Dulles South Food Pantry. They also open their property for community events, nonprofit fundraisers and gatherings, just as they set out to be "a community hub, a place where you can go with your friends and family and make memories."
Brewer of the Year Roger Knoell
Barnhouse Brewery
Roger started homebrewing over 30 years ago, in his garage in Loudoun, before Virginia had farm brewery laws and before social media, spreading the word by word of mouth. When he brews a German beer he uses German malt, German hops and German yeast, with no shortcuts. Just as important is what he gives back: per a 2013 Loudoun Times-Mirror article, when Jake Endres was launching Crooked Run Fermentation he called Roger "the person who really helped me out the most," and that story has repeated itself across the county. He brews for the craft, for the community, and for what he calls "laid back beers for laid back people."
General Manager of the Year Sophia Salcido
Eleven Eleven Brewing Company
Sophia runs the entire front-of-house operation at one of Loudoun's downtown breweries: staff scheduling, communication, service flow and guest experience. She plans all of the brewery's event programming, from Thursday night trivia that packs the house to live music, rotating specials and seasonal celebrations, and her holiday decorations make the space feel welcoming and fun. Above all, she is the glue that holds the team together, bridging the brewhouse and the front of house and setting the tone for a well-run, community-driven taproom.
Label Designer of the Year Logan Martin
Lost Rhino Brewing Company
Logan is the in-house graphic designer for one of the county's most recognizable brands, and his work reaches beyond his own brewery. He designed the labels for the LCBA's annual charity collaboration beers, including the Hops for Hope Hazy IPA. When the association brews for a cause, his artwork gives that effort a face.
Event of the Year "Last Call"
Old Ox Brewery and the Burns family
On April 5, 2025, the Loudoun craft beer community gathered to say goodbye to Old Ox Brewery after 11 years. Hundreds came for live music, a slideshow of memories and one last toast. Old Ox's president helped found the LoCo Brewers Association in January 2017 and became its first Chairman, saying at that first meeting: "Loudoun County is DC's wine country, but there's absolutely no reason on earth we shouldn't be DC's beer country." With 44 breweries licensed in Loudoun County today, he was right.
Beertender of the Year Connor Mackey
Harvest Gap Brewing
Connor remembers your name and your usual, and puts people at ease the moment they walk in. He takes the time to understand each guest's taste and offers thoughtful recommendations, and he shares deep knowledge of styles and brewing in an approachable way. He doesn't just serve great beer; he elevates the entire experience.
Best of Loudoun Beer Meet Virginia
Bear Chase Brewing Company
Meet Virginia is brewed from 100% Virginia-grown and Virginia-produced ingredients: yeast from Loudoun, hops from Virginia growers and malt from Virginia grain. Rather than locking in one recipe, the brew team lets the beer change with the seasons based on what is available, making each batch a snapshot of Virginia's brewing supply chain at that moment.
