The national broadcaster analyzed all craft brewery Yelp reviews across the U.S. and listed the top brewery in each state. The list considered the beer of each establishment and the ambiance and service of each brewery.
The four-year-old brewery has a legion of fans online and an even more dedicated crew of regulars who line up at the brewery at 15 Tech Parkway, just off Route 610 in North Stafford. According to founder Barry Boyd and members of his family who sat down for an interview with Potomac Local News, the establishment’s success is built on service.
“When we opened Barley Naked, I didn’t want anyone to get up to go get a beer,” said Boyd. Now as many as 25, Brewery employees kept the pints coming both inside the corner brewery and, eventually, to an expanded covered patio outside.
Barley Naked set up tables and free-standing heaters in the parking lot. Those, combined with food trucks rotating daily, continued to bring in crowds. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, regulars didn’t stop coming, either.
Since its opening, the brewery doubled its brewing capacity allowing head brewer Brady Fox to make up to two types of beer per week, filing as many as six kegs or two barrels full.
Some of the most popular brews are a signature cream ale, a Deja Vu apricot witbier, and a honey churro amber ale, loaded with cinnamon and 24 boxes of graham crackers per batch.
“It really tastes like a churro,” said Fox.
In 2020, Barley Naked’s Irish Prenup was awarded a medal in the Sweet Stout or Cream Stout category from the Great American Beer Festival.
Their success has also spawned multiple festivals each year, beginning with St. Patricks Day. In March, over 1,000 people came to the Irish-themed block party outside the brewery. Other outdoor festivals at the brewery include Independence Day and an Octoberfest in the fall.
Boyd said the brewery, a family affair between him, Missy, his wife had company merchandiser, and Bri, their daughter, and social media guru, are also trying to keep up with demand. Barley Naked plans an expansion of its current facility and a possible second location in the next 12 to 18 months.
“We want to be a place for people to come to forget about all the noise out there, sit down and drink, and talk. People have a lot more in common than what divides them,” said Boyd.
Barley Naked is open Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 8 p.m. The brewery is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
