Brewery Profile

Parkway Brewing

In Salem’s craft beer landscape, this brewery is one of the established local stops rather than a new arrival. Founded in 2012, Parkway Brewing operates an active tasting room that gives visitors a direct look at a production-focused brewery serving its home market. The name points to the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, tying the business to the regional geography without requiring a long drive into the mountains to visit. Inside, the draw is the taproom itself: a place to sample the brewery’s year-round and rotating output, check what pilot batches are available, and take part in community programming when scheduled. Trivia nights, live music performances, and annual gatherings such as an Oyster Roast and a Pig Pickin’ have been part of its public calendar, making it a social venue as well as a brewery stop.

Travelers moving through the Roanoke Valley and Blue Ridge region often look for breweries that reflect both local production and a casual gathering atmosphere. Parkway fits that pattern through scale and variety. Its 30-barrel, four-vessel brewhouse and 3.5-barrel pilot system allow for regular distribution as well as smaller taproom-only releases. The brewery produces approximately 22 distinct beer styles over the course of a year, so the experience can vary depending on the season and the day’s lineup. Since 2017, its distribution has extended beyond Virginia into North Carolina and West Virginia, but the Salem taproom remains the place to encounter limited pilot batches that may not appear in wider circulation. For visitors combining scenic drives, regional beer stops, and local events, it offers a straightforward way to include a Salem brewery in the itinerary.

Practical planning should center on the taproom schedule and the current draft list, since exact pours and event timing can change. The tasting room is the best place to confirm what is available that day, including any pilot batches or taproom-only offerings. Visitors interested in events should check ahead for trivia, live music, or larger annual gatherings, as those are not everyday features. The brewery also has a local philanthropic role, including food and clothing drives and its “Pints with a Purpose” program, which donates a portion of sales. Amenities beyond the known tasting room and event programming should not be assumed, so anyone needing details such as food availability, seating arrangements, or group accommodations should verify directly before arriving.

Parkway Brewing Company maintains an active on-site tasting room in Salem, Virginia, which hosts a variety of community events including trivia nights, live music performances, and annual gatherings such as an Oyster Roast and a Pig Pickin'. Established in 2012, the brewery operates near the Blue Ridge Parkway, a geographic feature referenced in its name. Production utilizes a 30-barrel, four-vessel brewhouse alongside a 3.5-barrel pilot system, allowing the facility to produce up to 17,000 barrels annually. Parkway distributes approximately 22 distinct beer styles throughout the year, with additional pilot batches available exclusively within the taproom. Since 2017, distribution has expanded beyond Virginia into North Carolina and West Virginia. The company engages in local philanthropic efforts, including hosting food and clothing drives and donating a portion of sales through its "Pints with a Purpose" program.

Website available

739 Kessler Mill Rd, Salem, Virginia, 24153-3035

Phone: 540-404-9810

Website: http://www.parkwaybrewing.com

Hours: Monday – 2pm to 8pm, Tuesday – 2pm to 8pm, Wednesday – 2pm to 9pm, Thursday – 2pm to 9pm, Friday – 12pm to 9pm, Saturday – 12pm to 9pm, Sunday – 12pm to 8pm. Holiday Closures: Christmas Day, New Years Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day