October 18, 2023
A good weekend getaway gives you something to discover and enough room to enjoy it. In Roanoke and Franklin County, that might mean a mountain overlook in the morning, a conversation with a distiller in the afternoon and dinner somewhere you’ve never been.
Exploring this corner of Virginia through its distilleries offers a closer look at the people and traditions that shape it. You’ll find brothers building a business in their hometown, makers carrying forward generations of distilling knowledge and family recipes finding new expressions.
Before you go, download the Virginia Spirits app to discover nearby distilleries and build your own trail. With the Virginia Spirits Passport built into the app, you can check in during your visits, earn points and redeem rewards as you explore.
Use this guide to build a weekend around a few memorable stops, with time for the scenery, food and local stories along the way.
Brady’s Distillery began with three brothers and a shared connection to Roanoke. Founded in 2020 by Tim, Brian and Andy Brady, the distillery blends and ages a range of spirits, including bourbon, whiskey, gin, vodka and rum.
That variety makes it a welcoming stop for a group with different tastes. Explore the lineup through a tasting or order a cocktail to discover how a spirit’s character comes through in the glass. Curious about a particular bottle? Ask what went into its blend or why the team chose a certain barrel treatment.
With a patio and live music on the calendar, Brady’s also offers a reason to settle in and spend some time together. Check the upcoming lineup when planning your visit.
Make it part of your trip: Spend the morning exploring Roanoke, then make Brady’s your afternoon distillery stop.
To understand Franklin County’s spirits, start with the people who have preserved its distilling traditions.
At family-owned Twin Creeks Distillery in Rocky Mount, owner and head distiller Chris Prillaman brings generations of family knowledge to his work. Age-old methods and locally sourced ingredients connect the spirits to the surrounding hills and the people who have called them home.
The lineup includes corn whiskey, fruit brandies and sweet mash rye, offering different ways to explore the family’s approach. Ask about the differences between the spirits and the traditions behind them. A visit becomes an opportunity to understand how those methods continue to shape what’s made today.
Make it part of your trip: Pair your stop with a meal and some time exploring Rocky Mount.
Roosters Rise-N-Shine began with a moonshine recipe from Franklin County native Ronald “Rooster” Hodges. Today, that family foundation continues through a lineup that includes traditional and flavored moonshines, whiskey and vodka.
Flavors such as apple pie, blackberry, pecan and root beer offer a starting point for visitors curious about the range of moonshine styles. At the tasting room in Bridgewater Plaza in Moneta, you can sample the offerings or explore the cocktail menu to see how those flavors work in a mixed drink.
Make it part of your trip: Build this stop into a Smith Mountain Lake outing, leaving time for a meal and a look around the area.
Let your interests guide the route. You might spend one day in Roanoke and another in Franklin County, or choose a single distillery and give yourself more time to explore its surroundings.
Start with a view from the Roanoke Star on Mill Mountain. Overlooking the valley and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers a sense of the landscape you’ll be exploring.
Leave time for lunch and a walk around downtown before heading to Brady’s Distillery. Choose a tasting if you’d like to get to know the lineup or a cocktail if you’re looking for a relaxed afternoon stop. If there’s live music scheduled, plan your evening around it.
For dinner, browse Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge’s restaurant guide and choose something that suits your plans.
Make Rocky Mount your starting point for a day focused on local traditions. Visit Twin Creeks Distillery, then continue the conversation over lunch at Rocky Mount Burger Company. For an evening out, check the schedule at the Harvester Performance Center.
If you’re drawn to the lake, make Moneta and Roosters Rise-N-Shine the focus of your day instead. You can also extend your stay to enjoy both areas without rushing between them.
Want more context for the spirits you’ve encountered? The Blue Ridge Institute & Farm Museum in Ferrum offers an opportunity to explore Franklin County’s moonshine history. Its online exhibit also lets you begin learning before your trip.
Think about how you want to spend the time between distillery visits.
Roanoke works well for a weekend centered on restaurants, city exploring and mountain views. For a bed-and-breakfast option, consider Black Lantern Inn.
Rocky Mount is worth considering if Twin Creeks, local history and a show at the Harvester are central to your plans.
Smith Mountain Lake gives you a base for a lake-focused getaway with a stop at Roosters in Moneta.
Browse regional lodging options to find a stay that fits your route.
Check each distillery’s current hours, tasting options and reservation requirements before setting out. Plan transportation in advance, choose a designated driver and leave plenty of time for meals and exploring.
Use the Virginia Spirits app to discover nearby distilleries and build your own trail. Whether you’re curious about a family recipe, a new style of whiskey or the story behind a bottle, start with a stop that interests you and see where it takes you.
