Lost Rhino Brewing Company was founded by Matt Hagerman and Favio Garcia, two former brewers from Old Dominion Brewing Company in Loudoun County.[2] The company name comes from a surfing term, "rhino chaser," which is defined as "someone out to find the best waves, the biggest waves—an adventurer."[3]
In May 2011, Lost Rhino opened, with their products using locally sourced ingredients from Virginia farms.
In 2013, using malt and hops grown in state, local water and yeast cultured at the brewery, Garcia and Jasper Akerboom brewed "Native Son". It was described by local media as one of the first beers in modern times to use entirely in-state ingredients.[4] Using techniques for isolating ancient yeast strains in an academic setting, the brewers have developed several beers from wild yeasts with interesting fermentation properties.[5]