From Front Royal to Beyond

In 2018, Front Royal Brewing Company opened, spearheaded by local businessman Jerry Welcome. More a business opportunity than a brewer’s dream, Front Royal Brewing Company was Welcome seeing a craft beer market in regional outdoor tourists (especially hikers of the Appalachian Trail). Even though Welcome saw more dollar signs than double IPAs, the beers put out by former homebrewer Tim Arndt won people over and were enough to let Front Royal grow.

By 2022, Front Royal had completed “Craft Brewery Phase Two,”* and now needed to expand. They set their eye further north in Winchester, and, with thoughts of future expansion, they thought a name change would be prudent.

Why Vibrissa? Vibrissa are any course hairs on a mammal that are sensory receptors (like eyelashes, nostril hairs, or, most famously, whiskers). So, again, why Vibrissa!?! We watched and read interviews. We still don’t understand it.

We do understand that their beer continues to be good. At least, it’s won us over. See for yourself this Thursday for a free walk-up tasting of Vibrissa beers!

*[Phase One: Successfully open. Phase Two: Gain a following.]
[Totally our made up phases. ;) ]