Photos by Matt de Simone
A Few Old Goats Brewing (AFOG) in Buchanan has unveiled its own interpretation of the iconic “LOVE” sign, now standing proudly outside the brewery’s Main Street location, drawing inspiration from the diverse passions and deep-rooted history of Botetourt County and the Roanoke Valley. Members of Virginia Tourism and Virginia’s Blue Ridge were on hand as the sign’s designer, Kara Reed, introduced the artwork alongside her father and co-owner of AFOG, Curtis, who crafted the sign.
In a release issued last Thursday by the brewery, each letter reveals a piece of local heritage woven into its design.
The “L” honors the region’s community of craft beer lovers. Built from stainless steel kegs used during A Few Old Goats’ earliest home-brewing days in Roanoke, it pays tribute to the home brewers who helped shape Virginia’s thriving beer scene. The brewery’s founders described the letter as “a nod to where it all began”—a recognition of both the state’s grassroots brewing culture and the spirit of experimentation that continues to define it.
Next to it, the “O” carries a striking mix of history and artistry. At its center rests a large bone button, a reference to the Hafleigh & Company Bone Button Factory that operated in the same building from 1930 through the early 1960s. The addition of goat horns and a beard transforms the piece into a bridge between eras—linking the factory’s industrial past with the brewery’s present-day creativity.
The “V” celebrates the region’s outdoor lovers with a kayak at its core. The tribute highlights Buchanan’s connection to the James River, once a vital trade route and now a hub for recreation along the Upper James Water Trail. For locals, the design also honors Twin River Outfitters, the long-standing outfitter that has introduced generations of visitors to the area’s natural beauty.
Rounding out the sculpture, the “E” represents train lovers and the railroads that shaped the Roanoke Valley’s growth. Constructed from authentic railroad ties, the letter underscores the ongoing importance of the railway lines that still pass behind the brewery and along the James River, carrying echoes of the region’s industrial past into its modern landscape.
As the sculpture was unveiled, community members snapped photos beside the letters. The installation not only connects A Few Old Goats Brewing to Virginia’s statewide “LOVEworks” tourism campaign through the Virginia Tourism Corporation, but also firmly anchors it in the story of the town itself.
~ Fincastle Herald staff report
