Colonial-Era Beer Comes to Life in Clarke County: Collaborative Brew Celebrates Virginia’s 250th Anniversary

Chilly Hollow Brewing Company collaborated with Dynasty Brewing, beer history group Lost Lagers, on a true-to-history brew to be featured at George Washington’s Mount Vernon

BERRYVILLE, VA – June 11, 2026: A unique collaboration between Chilly Hollow Brewing Company, Dynasty Brewing Company, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and Lost Lagers is bringing history to life in Virginia by way of beer.

Brewed in early May and canned at Chilly Hollow Brewing on June 9, this special pale ale dubbed “Common Country” was crafted using historically accurate techniques and a majority of Virginia-grown ingredients, honoring the ongoing VA250 celebration, which marks 250 years of American independence in 2026.

The brew combines modern brewing expertise with deep historical research. Lost Lagers, a group dedicated to uncovering and recreating historic beer styles, worked alongside nearby Mount Vernon—home of George Washington, himself a documented brewer—to develop a recipe rooted in 18th-century practices. Dynasty Brewing Company out of Leesburg partnered in production, with the beer brewed and packaged at Chilly Hollow Brewing Company’s farm brewery in Berryville.

The recipe for this brew was derived from a recipe for middling beer in Hannah Glasse’s The Art of Cookery, a copy of which was owned by Martha Washington.

Thoughtful adjustments were made to the recipe to bridge the gap between colonial-era brewing and 21st-century equipment and ingredients—from converting the “hogshead” unit of measurement to gallons, to halving the quantity of hops used to account for lower levels of alpha acid found in 18th-century hops.

The use of Virginia-sourced malt, yeast, and hops reflects both a nod to colonial brewing realities and a modern commitment to local agriculture. The result is a beer that bridges past and present, connecting drinkers to the region’s agricultural and cultural heritage.

“This beer is about way more than just flavor. It’s about storytelling,” said Chris Jacques, Head Brewer at Chilly Hollow Brewing. “We’re using Virginia ingredients and a historical recipe to give people a taste of what beer may have been like in colonial Virginia. And that allows us to connect to Americans 250 years ago...they enjoyed a good beer, just like us.”

“Common Country” will be available at Chilly Hollow Brewing, Dynasty Brewing, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon in limited-edition cans designed by Mount Vernon beginning Thursday, June 11, to kick off a summer’s worth of revolutionary enjoyment and celebration of Virginia’s 250th birthday.

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About Chilly Hollow Brewing Company

Opened in November of 2024, Chilly Hollow Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery located on the rolling hills of an operating cattle farm in Berryville, Virginia. Chilly Hollow Brewing Company’s mission is to nurture and preserve the value of farmland and community by offering quality craft beer and family-friendly open space. The farm brewery offers beer crafted onsite by a highly regarded Head Brewer, as well as wine, cider, bar food, and grass-fed beef raised in the brewhouse’s backyard. The cold beer and cool views are close by the Washington D.C. Metro area and Shenandoah Valley region—right off Route 7, right along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and right down the road from the Shenandoah River.

In a world where farming faces growing challenges, Chilly Hollow Brewing is dedicated to keeping farmland as farmland for as long as people come chill and drink beer. Establishing a farm brewery not only keeps the land productive, but also preserves the beauty and legacy of a family farm for future generations to enjoy. For over 25 years, our founders have raised cattle and children at this farm on Chilly Hollow Road, the brewery’s namesake and location in Clarke County. Chilly Hollow Brewing is not just a brewery, but a gathering place for the community in which it is deeply rooted.