Harrisonburg’s Friendly Fermenter likes to say they specialize in “beer like your Momma used to make … if your Mom made beer.” This is the city’s only nanobrewery, which means it’s a small-scale operation that produces a limited run of barrels each year. “The very small scale not only allows for an almost limitless ability to craft the beer, but also ensures customers are getting very fresh products,” says owner Shawn Gatesman. “Our typical batch only lasts two to three weeks, from release to all sold.” The cozy subterranean space, open since 2017, has a continuously rotating selection of brews like the Brehfuss Blonde Coffee Stout and the Big Bear Hug Imperial Stout. Beyond beer, the brewery has a small menu with German soft pretzels, flatbread pizza, and $1 hot dogs on “Weiner Wednesdays.” In the evenings, things stay lively with regular events including trivia, karaoke, and live music ranging from bluegrass and country to classic rock. FriendlyFermenter.com
Featured photo courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corp. This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.
