After doing my best to enjoy a “brew-hike thru-hike” along the Oregon Coast Trail last June, I was curious to see whether I could replicate this experience on my inaugural bikepacking adventure on the C&O Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage.
Rather than dedicating the spring months researching the locations of various bike shops along the route (in case I needed any repairs), I was scouring the deep recesses of internet to discover something far more important. Namely, which microbreweries sat within close proximity of my route.
As it turns out, the mid-Atlantic region doesn’t have the same density of microbreweries that you’ll find along the Oregon Coast or in the Pacific Northwest. But, I did manage to locate more than a dozen breweries within just a mile or two from my 335-mile cycling route.
If you’re a beer aficionado like me and looking to pair these two hobbies, then look no further. Here’s a comprehensive list of the trail’s microbreweries, which city/milepost they are closest too, their distance from the trail, and whether they serve food.
Scroll down below to see which breweries I visited and what beers I enjoyed during my 2022 adventure.
Microbreweries on the C&O and GAP
| BREWERY | CITY | MILE | DISTANCE FROM TRAIL | FOOD |
| Smoketown Brewing Co. | Brunswick, MD | C&O mile 55 | 0.3 miles | Appetizers |
| Harpers Ferry Brewing | Harpers Ferry, WV | C&O mile 62 | 0.8 miles | Taco Truck (Fri-Sun) |
| Cushwa Brewing Co. | Williamsport, MD | C&O mile 99 | 1.9 miles | Pizza |
| Homaide Brewing | Williamsport, MD | C&O mile 99 | 1.7 miles | |
| Dig Deep Brewing Co. | Cumberland, MD | C&O mile 185/ GAP mile 0 | 0.1 miles | Food Truck (Fri-Sat) |
| Route 40 Brewing & Distilling Co. | Frostburg, MD | GAP mile 15 | 0.9 miles | Full menu |
| Trailhead Brewing Co. | Rockwood, PA | GAP mile 44 | 0.2 miles | |
| Yough River Brewing Co. | Connellsville, PA | GAP mile 88 | 0.9 miles | |
| Bloom Brew | West Newton, PA | GAP mile 115 | 0.3 miles | |
| Tube City Brew Works | Versailles, PA | GAP mile 127 | 1.2 miles | Full menu |
| Voodoo Brewing Co. | Homestead, PA | GAP mile 138 | 0.5 miles | Full menu |
| Southern Tier Brewery | Pittsburgh, PA | GAP Mile 149 | 0.6 miles | Full menu |
| Allegheny City Brewing | Pittsburgh, PA | GAP Mile 149 | 1.6 miles | Food trucks |
| Four Points Brewing | Pittsburgh, PA | GAP Mile 149 | 1.5 miles | Full menu |
My experience along the C&O and GAP
I would have loved to stop and ordered a flight of beer at every single one the breweries on this list, but that lofty goal wasn’t possible. Many of these breweries are only open during part of the week – often closing Mondays, Tuesdays, and/or Wednesdays.
Nonetheless, I did get the opportunity to patronize four of the establishments during my short 9-day bikepacking trip on the C&O and GAP, and here’s a quick roll up about what I loved about each of them.
Smoketown Brewing Co.
Smoketown Brewing Co. (C&O mile 55) was the first of the local microbreweries I sampled on my trip and it was probably my favorite one. The brewery sits inside a former fire station, and that theme runs deep – from the brewery’s name, to the firefighting memorabilia on the red brick interior, to the names of their beers. With 24 beers on tap, it was difficult to choose, so I sampled two beers before ultimately deciding on a pint of the Fire Station Keeper IPA. The brewery opens at noon (Wednesday thru Sunday), and serves a limited menu of appetizer foods. I ordered a giant pretzel during my visit, and it was scrumptious. The fresh-baked pretzel’s exterior was firm and crusty, while the inside was piping hot and soft. The brewery has indoor air-conditioned seating as well as outdoor picnic tables in both shaded and full-sun seating areas. It’s evident that the proprietors thought of pretty much every detail here, and they pulled it all off without looking too kitschy. Two giant thumbs up for this microbrewery.
Dig Deep Brewing Co.
My second brewery visit on this adventure took place in Cumberland, Maryland (C&O mile 184.5), at the junction of the C&O and GAP trails. I’d just finished the first of these trails and was extremely eager to celebrate my accomplishment with a tasty libation. Dig Deep Brewing Co. is located literally feet from the trail at Canal Place. Like many microbreweries, it boasts a minimalist, industrial theme with concrete floors, giant windows, and lots of polished steel. With 12 beers on tap (plus a rotating cider and hard seltzer), I decided to treat myself to a flight, and I selected the Leftist IPA, the Headdress Session IPA, and a raspberry cider. All three choices were delicious, and my only regret is they didn’t serve any food (or have a nearby food truck), because I absolutely would have stayed for lunch and a second round, if that had been an option. The brewery has both indoor and outdoor seating, but doesn’t open until 4 pm on weekdays and 1 pm on weekends.
Trailhead Brewing Co.
Next up was my visit to Trailhead Brewing Co. in Rockwood, Pennsylvania (GAP mile 44). This new microbrewery was established in 2021 it’s located less than a quarter mile from the GAP’s Rockwood Trailhead. The cozy interior includes both bar and table seating, and there’s several more patio tables (with shade umbrellas) available for outdoor seating. Each of their six brews on tap boasts a name with a unique story related to the local area. I chose the Trail Creep IPA, which was super hoppy and fermented using Kveik Norwegian yeast -a brewing yeast originated from traditional Norwegian farmhouse breweries. Although this brewery is fairly new on the scene, there are several pleasant perks every visitor should know about. First off, the brewery is located downstairs from the town’s laundromat – so you can enjoy your beer while waiting for your cycling clothes to get clean. Second, they offer a discount to first responders, nurses, and military veterans. And finally, the proprietors set up multiple bike racks outdoors so cyclists have plenty of room to park while enjoying a pint. The brewery opens at 4 pm on the weekdays (Tuesday thru Friday) and 1 pm on weekends. When I visited mid-week, their food menu was limited to a charcuterie board, but they often host live music and food trucks on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer.
Bloom Brew
As I made my way through West Newton, Pennsylvania, on the GAP, I’d already written off any hopes of sampling the 14 craft beers from Bloom Brew. That’s because I was arriving in town early in the week, and the brewery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Yet this microbrewery is 100% dedicated to making sure no cyclist ever misses out. Each summer they set up a pop-up brewery directly off the GAP in a small “draft wagon,” which is open daily from noon to 7 pm!! The tap list is limited to just three beers – a blonde, an IPA, and a sour – plus one hard cider. I’d normally go straight for the IPA, but I opted for a glass of crisp cider on that extremely hot, humid afternoon, and I enjoyed every single refreshing drop. So, whether you get the opportunity to visit the main taproom located 0.3 miles over the Youghigheny River or the draft wagon right next to the trail, thank the beer gods for blessing the GAP with this delightful treat.
Final Thoughts
Overall, my visits to each of these breweries enhanced my overall experience riding on the C&O Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage. This extra down time provided an opportunity to relax with other cyclists and really enjoy the local atmosphere and people. But, when have I ever needed an excuse to try some new local beers?
If you’re looking to read about some of my other hop-based adventures, check out these other posts: