Boat & Brew – Abolitionist Ale Brewery Tour
Paddle a canoe or kayak on the mellow Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry, then head to the craft brewery for beer tasting fun!
Shenandoah River Kayaking & Canoeing & Craft Brewery!
River & Trail Outfitters has teamed up with Abolitionist Ale, in Charles Town, WV to craft a fun, festive and flavorful day where participants paddle the mellow, wilderness-surrounded Shenandoah River and then enjoy a craft beer tasting along with a personal artisan pizza.
The splash and spirit day kicks off with a guided 3-to-7-mile mellow kayak or canoe tour – depending on water levels – down the winding tree-lined Shenandoah River. Nestled in lush wilderness of the picturesque Shenandoah Valley, the river is encircled by the sprawling Blue Ridge Mountains. Deer, otters and beaver are often spotted along and beyond the shoreline, while there are plenty of Blue Herons, Egrets and Osprey on the water – and an occasional Bald Eagle overhead.
Trip Info
- Dates: Memorial Day May 31, Sunday Sep 12, Saturday Oct 23 (Groups of 10 or more may request custom dates)
- Duration: 6 hours
- Price: $92
- Includes: Guide, Equipment, Shuttle, Beer Tasting, Artisan Pizza
- Location: Charles Town, WV
At Abolitionist Ale Works
Started by brothers Josh and Michael Vance, the brewery name reflects the history of the area and the site of abolitionist John Brown’s trial and hanging which started the Civil War. But it also reflects the desire to abolish the status quo of beer culture. Specializing in flavorful, creative craft beers with natural ingredients, the brothers like to come out with different creative varieties of beer every week. Abolitionist Ale Works beer cannot be found on shelves at the grocery store or on tap at your local watering hole. The brews are only available at the company’s brewpub, nestled in historic Charles Town.
Trip Details
Pricing:
$92
Add 6% sales tax + a $2.50 user fee/person
Includes:
- Choice of tandem canoe, tandem kayak or single kayak
- Life vest and paddle
- Shuttle service
- Personal artisan pizza
- Craft beer tasting
Group discounts for groups of 25 or more available
Tour Dates
- Memorial Day Monday, May 31
- Sunday, September 12
- Saturday, October 23
Less than 1 days notice? Call 301-834-9950
Spaces fill fast!
Groups of 10 or more call to book your private trip
Canoe/Kayak on the Shenandoah Trip Itinerary
- 10:45 am Check in at our Harpers Ferry headquarters location
- 11:15-11:30 am Depart for river put-in
- 3:00-4:00 pm Take off the water, shuttle back to your car, change, and then head to brewery.
- Drive your car to the brewery 7 minutes away. Parking available on the street outside.
- At the brewery, kick back and enjoy a craft beer tasting and pizza
*Trip length may vary according to current water levels. Please plan accordingly.
What to bring
For the river trip: Be sure and bring a sack lunch/snack in a waterproof, compressible bag, and plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated
adventure Add-ONs

Brunswick family campground
Relax at our riverfront campground beside the Potomac River and the C&O Canal Towpath, just 15 minutes from Harpers Ferry. Tent, RV and cabins available. Bike, canoe, kayak and tube rentals onsite. Playground, pavilions, bath house, camp store. Campers get 10% discount on select River & Trail activities.

Rafting
Stay with us another day and add a whitewater rafting trip to your itinerary. Save $10/person on your boat & brew and raft trip combo when you book them on consecutive days. Check-in for rafting is at the same location. Please call us at 301-834-9950 to book this adventure combination.

CANOE & KAYAK RENTALs
Double your paddling fun! Join us for a relaxing canoe or kayak rental on the Potomac River or join us for a Saturday Sunset Kayak Trip featuring some wavy, rapid fun. Save $10/person when you book your Boat & Brew trip and paddling trip on consecutive days. Call us at 301-834-9950 to reserve double the fun!