Now on Tap: Lorton's Forge Brew Works

The tasting room at Lorton’s Forge Brew Works is now open. 

“It’s the culmination of two years worth of work,” said co-owner Matt Rose.

Husband and wife team Matt and Kerri Rose opened up the brewery earlier this year after navigating the labyrinth of legal requirements and raising $22,000 through a Kickstarter campaign.  

Their brewery is located in an industrial park, so it only makes sense that their attached taproom would also have a minimalist style.

“It’s clean and gives you a decent amount of space,” Matt Rose said. 

Beer lovers can sample six different beer styles at Forge (see the list below), but expect that list to change. The owners want to switch up the lineup every two weeks or so with fresh concoctions.

“We want a seasonal and an experimental beer on tap at all times,” Matt Rose said.

For Halloween, they hope to introduce the Elder God Ale, a Belgian-style beer with treacle, raspberries, and 11 percent alcohol content.

“It’s a very big beer,” Matt Rose said.

In addition to the tasting room, the brewery hope to distribute their beers at Lorton, Alexandria, and Arlington-area bars.

“We will have fairly limited distribution to start,” Matt Rose said.

The brew house is located at 8532 Terminal Road, Suite L. The taproom is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. They occasionally expand their hours for special events, so keep up with them on their Facebook page. 

Beers on tap at Forge Brew Works as of Oct. 24 (descriptions via the Forge Brew Works website):

India Pale Ale (7% ABV) – A single hop IPA brewed with 2-row barley and Galaxy Hops, this IPA is balanced with notes of Mango and Pineapple

Belgian Pale Ale (5.4% ABV) – Styled after the traditional Belgian ales, this Pale Ale is lightly hopped with spicy Saaz and Tettenang with a light finish.

Roggenbier (5.2% ABV) – An old German recipe, this is a Hefewiezen without the wheat.  Instead, we use Rye to provide a spicy note along with the traditional clove and banana flavors.

Abbey Ale (9% ABV) – A traditional Belgian abbey ale, the sweetness with a gentle finish masks the powerful punch it packs.

Petite Saison (3.3% ABV) – Originally brewed in the Belgian farmhouses for farmhands who needed something refreshing and nourishing during the hot summer days, this light beer has a complex flavor and aroma due to its yeast.  Floral with a dry finish, this is a fantastic session beer.

Oatmeal Stout (5.5% ABV) – Thick, sweet, and with a roasted coffee finish, this stout is a fine drink for a chilly night.