Within the borders of Loudoun County, this is the oldest and farthest northwestern brewery you can find. Old 690 is tucked away off Hillsboro Rd, technically with a Purcellville address but actually in disincorporated Hillsboro. Old 690 is a farm brewery, family owned and operated by Tami, Darren, Mark, Bob, and Rhonda.

Getting There:

Old690

15670 Ashbury Church Rd Purcellville, VA 20132

Old 690 is a short 5-10 minute drive off of Rte 7 through beautiful Northern Purcellville. When you make the turn onto Ashbury Church Rd (Dirt) approximately one mile down on the North side of the road you’ll see the Old 690 Brewery appear at the front of 12 acres. You really can’t miss it! Coming from West Virginia it’s an easy shot off Rte. 9 after passing through downtown Hillsboro.

When you arrive, there is parking along the side of the building and in back. Try not to park along the dirt road, its pretty narrow.

The Brewery

Exterior Old 690 Brewing

Exterior Old 690 Brewing

When I arrived at Old 690 the minimalist exterior looked to me like a cross between a farm market and Cracker Barrel. The shaded seating, rocking chairs and tables out front are a welcome start to my visit. Inside was a store-width standing bar, taps behind it and several folks waiting to pour. To the right of the taps, there is a window that allows visitors to see into the business end of the building, with many empty growlers on the sill waiting to be filled. Stools were reserved for the bar top tables uniquely made from recycled oil barrels and a heavily lacquered circular wood surface. Additional decor items include two flat screen TVs, a merchandise wall and two adjoined traditional tables.

The Beer

Co-owner Darren Gryniuk served me up a sampler of 8 and I cannot say that I disliked a single one. Here is the rundown ordered left to right, top to bottom:

Old 690 Sampler

Old 690 Sampler

  1. Old 690 - Blonde Ale ABV 4.8 IBU 20 SRM 4: Two row and a bit of wheat and carmel malt, with American hops.
  2. Angry Neighbor - Pale Ale ABV 5.6 IBU 38 SRM 8: Two row malt with a touch of carmel malt, hopped with centennial, cascade and Williamette.
  3. Old 690 - IPA ABV 6.9 IBU 100 SRM 10: Complex malt bill blasted with American hops then dry hopped with 2 lbs of hops per barrel.
  4. Old 690 - Brown Ale ABV 5.4 IBU 36 SRM 29: A clean American brown ale brewed with six different American malts and hops.
  5. Roadside - Peach Wheat ABV 4.6 IBU 18 SRM 4: Nicely flavored peach beer using two row and white wheat malt.
  6. Roadside - Raspberry Wheat ABV 4.6 IBU 18 SRM 4: Raspberry goodness using Hallertau hops and two kinds of malt.
  7. Old 690 - Pumpkin Ale ABV 5 IBU 21.3 SRM 14.7: Pumpkin blended with spices and malts to create a fantastic fall beer.
  8. Brewer’s Choice - An Old 690 Blend

Summary

Old 690 is a great addition to Loudoun’s growing roster of breweries and a good place to begin or end your beer trail depending which direction you are coming from. I plan to return this fall to take in a football game and some more of the excellent Old 690 IPA or perhaps some of the surprisingly tasty raspberry wheat ale!

Check old690.com for more information.