Four miles down Route 11 from Applewood Cottage, , sits one of the areas hidden gems. Great Valley Farm Brewery is just .8 miles off US-11, up Broad Creek Church Road. This fairly recent addition to Natural Bridge and Fancy Hill attractions sits upon a knoll with fabulous views. Owners Nathan and Irma Bailey purchased the property in 2008 and opened the brewery in 2016 with plans to expand with a winery in the near future.
We first visited the newly opened Great Valley Farm Brewery a few years ago with a visiting cousin. We ordered a flight of beer and took it outside to sit on their lounge chairs to enjoy the view, which truly is one of the nicest in the area. While sipping our beer, we took a pair of available binoculars and happily watched some of the animals in the Virginia Safari Park on the adjoining property.
At the time of that visit, we sampled a somewhat limited array of brews. Now, however, the brewery offers a nice variety ranging from Belgian style, English, American IPA and German Lager. Unlike many breweries, they grow the ingredients right here on their 27ac farm. As a result, visitors to Applewood Cottage and Natural Bridge may now enjoy this hidden gem to the fullest. This Natural Bridge-Fancy Hill attraction has every right to boast “Amazing Views, Fantastic Brews”.
