Why Craft Beer Matters to the Roanoke Region

The Roanoke Region now has 14 craft breweries – from micro to nano – within an hour’s drive, and with the announcement that Blue 5 Restaurant will soon be brewing it’s own beer on-site, that number is poised to rise to 15. Obviously, this is great news for beer aficionados, buy local advocates, and casual beer drinkers alike. What is not immediately apparent, however, is this brewery expansion’s affect on the greater community and the economic development of the region.

Roanoke Regional Partnership Executive Director Beth Doughty recently spoke with the Roanoke Times about the rise of the craft beer movement and what it means for the continued growth of the region. It is no secret that Roanoke has been in the running for two major brewery expansions in the past few years, making it to the final rounds to land Sierra Nevada and Stone breweries. While projects like these have major economic impacts on communities, building home-grown breweries is equally important from an economic development standpoint.

The craft beer industry makes an estimated $622 million impact on Virginia’s economy, and is on the rise, but the social impact is just as large. Having a solid, community supported, local craft beer industry improves the “coolness” factor of Roanoke, increases tourism, and improves the already-high quality of life Roanoke is known for. 

The editors of the Roanoke Times certainly agree with this. 

Check out the editorial in the Roanoke Times titled, Our View: Why Craft Beer Matters >>>