Hey craft beer fans and Virginia locals—cheers to Loudoun County’s thriving scene! 🍻 Route 7 Brewing just snagged the ultimate bragging rights, taking home the Loudoun Beer Cup for Best in Show at the 2nd Annual Loudoun Beer Awards on February 4, 2026. Their star performer? Cross Czech, a crisp, malty Czech-Style Dark Lager clocking in at 5.2% ABV—smooth, roasty, and perfectly balanced, it edged out the competition in a blind final tasting of all gold medal winners. Organized by the Loudoun County Brewers Association (LCBA), this sold-out bash celebrated under the theme “Brewing A Revolution” in honor of Virginia’s VA250 commemoration, drawing nearly 100 entries from 16 local breweries. With 22 BJCP-certified judges handling the blind judging back on January 11 at Harvest Gap Brewing, it was a true showcase of Loudoun’s growing craft prowess—now boasting 44 licensed breweries strong!
Route 7 Brewing dominated the night with three gold medals plus the big trophy, while Lost Rhino Brewing matched them with three golds (and a silver), Bear Chase Brewing grabbed two golds plus extras, and 13 out of 16 breweries walked away with hardware. Standouts included Route 7’s hazy crush Lucky 7 (gold in Hazy IPA) and Boho Breeze (gold in Old World/International), Lost Rhino’s Cold Front IPA and Final Glide wheat winner, Bear Chase’s wild berry sour gold, and more across 10 categories from IPAs to hard alternatives. Beyond the blind pours, the LCBA handed out heartfelt Brewers Choice Awards for community MVPs—like Lark Brewing as Community Service Champion, Roger Knoell (Barnhouse Brewery) as Brewer of the Year for his longtime mentoring, Sophia Salcido (Eleven Eleven) as GM of the Year, and Bear Chase’s hyper-local “Meet Virginia” (brewed with 100% Virginia ingredients) nabbing Best of Loudoun Beer. Special shoutout to Old Ox Brewery’s emotional “Last Call” event as Event of the Year. The Loudoun County Brewers Association keeps building this vibrant community through education, collaboration, advocacy, and responsible fun—proving Northern Virginia’s craft beer game is on fire.
About Route 7 Brewing
Route 7 Brewing burst onto the Loudoun County craft beer scene as a fresh, ambitious addition when co-founders Basabi Virmani and Ambar Sharma opened its doors on September 13, 2024, in Ashburn, Virginia. Named after the iconic Route 7 highway stretching from Winchester to Alexandria, the brewery became the passion project of the duo, who first connected in Winchester through community fundraisers before channeling their shared love for great beer and food into this venture. Basabi, armed with a Professional Brewing Certificate from the University of Richmond, teamed up with Ambar to transform a renovated 4,800–5,000-square-foot space into a welcoming spot blending traditional craft brews with innovative cocktails and a unique tapas-style menu featuring fusion small plates. After years of planning, delays, and challenges, the grand opening marked a bright spot amid some local brewery closures, quickly establishing Route 7 as a community hub for hangouts, business meetings, and flavorful experiences in the heart of Ashburn.
In its short but meteoric rise, Route 7 Brewing has already made waves in Loudoun’s vibrant beer community—hitting its first anniversary in September 2025 with celebrations and earning massive acclaim by February 2026. The brewery dominated the 2nd Annual Loudoun Beer Awards, clinching three gold medals and the prestigious Loudoun Beer Cup Best in Show for Cross Czech, their smooth 5.2% ABV Czech-Style Dark Lager—proving their commitment to quality lagers and ales shines through. With head brewer Eric Peterson helping steer the tanks, Route 7 continues to pour crowd-pleasers like the hazy Lucky 7, Boho Breeze, and more, while building a loyal following through events, trivia nights, and that perfect mix of solid beers and creative eats. As one of Loudoun County’s newer players (now part of a county with 44 licensed breweries), Route 7 embodies the fresh energy and resilience of Northern Virginia’s craft scene—turning a highway name into a destination worth the drive.
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