To Ed and Anna Shore, founders of Solstice Farm Brewery in Catawba, their brewing post nestled in the Roanoke Valley amid scenic peaks and woodlands is more than a spot for drink; it’s a community organization.
“I call it an indigenous brewery,” Anna says. “We use things from the area to make our beer, but we also support and promote the very people that live in our area.”
Solstice Farm has about 40 beers rotating through their taps, many drawing flavors from the surrounding environment—like the Forager Berry Wheat Ale, using wild berries Anna foraged, or Tapio Maple Spruce Wheatwine, infused with local maple sap. And it’s situated ideally for day hikers, cyclists, and other outdoor explorers to stop by for a pint and a warm welcome, as the brewery’s games, acoustic music, food trucks, and friendly regulars provide respite and relaxation.
As she tends the bar, Anna says, “I see this bigger picture of humanity through beer.” SolsticeFarmBrewery.com
Ed and Anna Shore celebrate Oktoberfest 2023 at Solstice Farm Brewery. Photos courtesy of Solstice Farm
This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue.
