Beer Run

bburghart

Virginia

4.09/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4.75 | food: 1.5 | $$

Definitely the best place to find rare beers in Central VA. They always bring in exotic kegs from around the world and change their taps weekly. Atmosphere is best in the summer, otherwise very cramped and service can sometimes get backed up. Not a fan of their food at all - just stick with the nachos and beer and it'll count as a meal. Wouldn't mind seeing them move to a different, more open location. Feels like you're in a gas station.

01-27-2013 16:15:47 | More by bburghart

TomCat11

4.4/5  rDev +4.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$

By far, the best place for the widest selection of beer in Charlottesville. if you sit at the bar, you will find just about everyone is very knowledgeable about beer. They selection is so wide and they change beers (drafts) weekly so if you're not sure of some of their beers just tell them what kind of beer you like and they will get something you will enjoy about 95% of the time. Like many places, they offer a "taster" for you to try before ordering.

Free Beer Tastings on Wednesday starting at 6. a great opportunity to try new beers you probably are not familiar with. Tastings are just about always different and it is really great that oftentimes, someone from the feature brewery is on site giving the tasting and telling a great story with each beer.

The place is unassuming if you don't know where to go but if you are in Charlottesville, definitely ask how to get to Beer Run. you will not regret the stop!

11-04-2012 02:27:28 | More by TomCat11

Lantern

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +7.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Stopped here on my way to a concert at John Paul Jones Arena. I wasn't sure what to expect, my only knowledge of the place coming from their web site the day before. 

Driving up from the back, you'll swear you took a wrong turn. Trust me. Then you see it, and you're like, 'Really?'  I imagine you'd feel better about it if you came in from the main road.

Approaching the entrance, you see tables to the right of the door for outside seating. Once inside, it simply looks like a beer store with a few (and I mean few) tables and a small bar.  The atmosphere is nice and cozy, however. 

Craft beer lovers (like myself) will be in heaven when they see the amazing number of beers available at Beer Run. I could see myself spending a lot of time checking out all they have to offer. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option this time around. 

I was promptly seated, menu in hand, but there was no beer list. As it turned out, the coolers were the beer list. Huge, huge selection!!

Food: The nachos were amazing!!!  There was a giant heap of them on my plate, smothered in cheese and toppings. I highly recommend them!  My friend had a buffalo burger, and said it was good as well. 

After the nachos, the Mad Elf, the Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale and Trappiste Rochefort 10, I was good to go! Well, all except what I needed to take home with me...  

Beer Run is small, but the beer selection huge. If I'm ever in Charlottesville again, I WILL be stopping in.

01-23-2012 18:07:43 | More by Lantern

beer2day

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

First time I've stopped here in many trips to Charlottesville. Won't miss this place on my next trip.

For the area, a great selection. Evolution and some rare Victory were good finds today. Also, some nice DuClaw pickups. Putting a nice room in the back for import beer with custom built wood shelves.

Not much cold stock, but enough to keep you in immediate beer. By C-ville standards, the selection is large and the quality was very good. Open very early to accommodate those pre-game beer runs!

Talked to the beer guy (Roger?) and he was quite knowledgeable about his product and fun to talk to.

I'll hit here again on my next trip through.

12-08-2011 02:28:30 | More by beer2day

Pharkle

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +11.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is my favorite place for beer in Charlottesville. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly, and will always let me try samples of what is on tap (many handles, usually at least couple of locals, even a beer engine cask) until I find something I want in a full pint. The food is good, and not expensive compared to other places in the area.

Carry out selection is exceptional, and I always find something new to try. The beers are arranged by state/region/country rather than style, which is helpful in finding beer one may have tried somewhere while traveling.

Don't pass this place up if you are in the Charlottesville area.

09-27-2011 13:00:35 | More by Pharkle

nandemo1

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Stopped in yesterday as part of a brewery hopping tour.

Selection was outstanding, had all of the local breweries available (those that package) as well as a huge number of others sorted by region. Had items that we don't get or have not yet seen in Richmond.

Staff seemed knowledgeable about product. We sampled some of the stuff on tap and the beertender spent a good amount of time telling us about it. They had maybe seven or eight taps.

Seating inside was sparse but outdoor patio seemed nice. Will try food next time.

08-14-2011 14:32:16 | More by nandemo1

DoctorB2B

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +17.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is one of my favorite places to visit in VA outside of where I live. Pulling up to the front, it doesn't appear to be too much, but then you walk in. There you have a nice 7-8 person bar with 9-10 taps and a beer always on cask. Yesterday I had a Gulpener Mestreechs Aajt and an Epic Sour Apple Saison on tape. With 10 oz, 16oz and 20 oz options, you choose how much or how little you want.

There is also ample seating inside and outside on the patio as well. The food is top notch. They make their own lager bread which is quite tasty. I've had the Hogwaller each time that I've gone because it's so good.

The best part is the beer selection; one of the better selections in VA from what I've seen and the prices are quite reasonable. FW Parabola was $15.99 for instance. Quality selection of belgians and domestics alike. Very clean ... the people running this joint obviously take pride in their product. I mean a guy was dusting the beer bottles as we were perusing the selection.

I'll come here everytime I visit Charlottesville!

06-26-2011 04:55:07 | More by DoctorB2B

PreacherBrewer

Virginia

4.03/5  rDev -4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

Atmosphere is ok. A bit gray and unattractive. They working on it.

Quality is good. Everything is solid and consistent.

Service is great. Knowledgeable and friendly. There are times when it's slower that you might sit for a little while and not get checked on, but when it's busy, you'll be checked up on often.

Beer selection is superb. Both the take home and draft selections. Lots of stuff to try and they are great about ordering stuff if it's available. They even have a firkin for their casks!

Food is unique, good, and consistent.

Value is equal with quality.

02-04-2011 03:57:10 | More by PreacherBrewer

Wilson27

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +4.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

I wish my town had a place like a Beer Run. Great food, great selection of brews, great service. It was pretty crowded when we got there, and we eneded up sitting outside - no problem - except for the sun was beaming down right onto us. It was harsh. As soon as another table opened the staff quickly cleaned it and got us under an umbrella.

Lager bread and quality meats = amazing sandwiches. Their homemade potatoe and pasta salads were great too, something different than the standard chips with a sandwich.

Great selection of regional micro brews and internationals. Overall, two thumbs up. Next time I'm in the area I will stop in again.

11-22-2010 13:53:04 | More by Wilson27

ABVfreak

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev 0%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 5 | food: 3 | $$$

Researched this place upon a recent trip to Charlottesville and it did not disappoint! One of the best beer selections I have seen in quite a while. They had local Meads to Scaldis to Croton! They also serve food which is less than memorable and some decent beers on tap (FYI, if you buy and drink a bottled beer onsite, there is a "capping fee" so I recommend to buy your beer and RUN) but there is no reason to go here other than to browse and buy their amazing selection of craft beers!! Next time you are in the Charlottesville area, make sure you carve out some time to go to Beer Run (in spite of the the ridiculous name) and pick up some rarities and some classics.

09-26-2010 00:43:30 | More by ABVfreak