Craft Malt Converts: Bear Chase Brewing Company
We’re back, with another iteration of our Craft Malt Converts series. This one zooms in on our friends at Bear Chase Brewing in Virginia. Meet them and their beers made with Riverbend malt below.
From Farm to Foam in the Heart of Virginia
For Bear Chase Brewing Company, nestled in the rolling, wooded hills west of Loudoun, Virginia, the path to craft brewing started out as just a crazy idea hatched by five close friends in the middle of 2017. Initially, the intention was to turn their historic homestead property into a premier bed and breakfast lodge. That part of the equation came together quickly, but they knew the property had more potential.
Today, the Bear Chase farm brewery and luxury bed and breakfast sit on 35 gorgeous acres. The brewery has a newly remodeled “Brew Barn” and a hops farm, and plans are underway to plant an orchard of fruit trees soon.
Why the switch to craft malt?
It all started with a chef’s love for local ingredients. We caught up with Bear Chase’s head brewer, Ken Wilson, to talk about sourcing, why Riverbend Malt rose to the top, and how this brewery is creating beers that are unmistakably tied to place.
“For me, it’s always been about location,” says Wilson. “I’ve spent most of my life in Virginia, and long before I brewed beer, I was a chef who believed in sourcing as close to home as possible. That mindset stuck.” While it was easy to find Virginia-grown tomatoes, corn, or Chesapeake seafood for his dishes, sourcing local beer ingredients proved much more challenging. Still, Ken was determined. First came yeast from Sterling-based Jasper Yeast Labs. Then, hops from Saint Moor Hop Yards in Monroe, who now grow exclusively for Bear Chase. Finally, he met Brent at a brewing convention. “It took some trial and error,” Wilson says, “but we landed on something that really works — both in terms of flavor and quality.”
Beer With Terroir
Bear Chase currently brews three flagship beers using Riverbend malt, each with its own story and its own standout grain bill. First is the Appalachian Trail Hefeweizen – featuring Riverbend wheat and barley, next is the Honey Badger Amber Lager – brewed with Riverbend’s Chesapeake Pilsner malt, and lastly the Meet Virginia Rye Pale Ale – built on a blend of Riverbend rye, barley, and caramel malts. “These malts don’t just give us flavor — they give us identity,” Wilson explains. “Each one helps us tell a story of place, of local farming, and of who we are as a brewery.”
Partnering for the Long Haul
For Bear Chase, Riverbend Malt House is so much more than just a name on the sack— we’re a partner they’re proud to work with, and vice versa. “Brent is super responsive. Deliveries are quick and seamless. And most importantly, the quality is consistent,” says Wilson.
As Wilson and his team continue to expand their lineup of beers made with craft malt, and deepen its roots in Virginia soil, Riverbend is proud to be along for the ride. “We’ve come a long way from test batches. I’m excited to see where we go next.”
Learn more about Bear Chase Brewery and their Virginia pride at Bear Chase Brew.
