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Smartmouth Brewing Company
1309 Raleigh Ave
Ste 300
Norfolk, Virginia, 23507-1367
United States
(757) 624-3939 | map
smartmouthbrewing.com
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by crwrunner:
Reviewed by crwrunner from Virginia
3.85/5 rDev -9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
3.85/5 rDev -9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
Update 03/29/14
My first visit to Smartmouth was an enjoyable one. Since then I have gone back many times only for it to be better and better. They have come out with many different styles of beers and change them up on a regular basis. They occasionally have a food truck which is great. And the beers are good. Smartmouth is definitely one of my favorite places to visit on the weekends.
The atmosphere was very relaxed and the staff was very friendly. The tour was informative and it was great that they did one every hour. The beers were pretty solid and I enjoyed the double ipa and the Saison the best. They had a good selection of styles on tap and was happy to see that they planned on brewing a lot more different styles. The hefeweizen was probably my least favorite.
The prices for the flight and the beers I thought were very reasonable. The place had a few board games and other things that made it very relaxed and fun. The chalk board wall was a nice touch as well.
Where I think they could improve is maybe a few more things to eat. All they had to snack on i think were some pretzels which i didn't try. Perhaps they could try selling some cheese or other light foods that go with the beers they are brewing. It got pretty crowded at one point and there wasn't quite enough room for everyone to sit. I think this could be fixed by improving on the outdoor patio area. There were only two tables outside that you had to stand at. At one point people were sitting on concrete because there was just no more room at the two tables everyone was sharing. Maybe they just didn't put the tables out that day but they had plenty of room to put a couple more out there.
Overall I enjoyed my experience here and will be going back to try some of the upcoming brews they have planned. I'm excited to see how this place will grow as more people find out about it and as they brew more.
May 28, 2013My first visit to Smartmouth was an enjoyable one. Since then I have gone back many times only for it to be better and better. They have come out with many different styles of beers and change them up on a regular basis. They occasionally have a food truck which is great. And the beers are good. Smartmouth is definitely one of my favorite places to visit on the weekends.
The atmosphere was very relaxed and the staff was very friendly. The tour was informative and it was great that they did one every hour. The beers were pretty solid and I enjoyed the double ipa and the Saison the best. They had a good selection of styles on tap and was happy to see that they planned on brewing a lot more different styles. The hefeweizen was probably my least favorite.
The prices for the flight and the beers I thought were very reasonable. The place had a few board games and other things that made it very relaxed and fun. The chalk board wall was a nice touch as well.
Where I think they could improve is maybe a few more things to eat. All they had to snack on i think were some pretzels which i didn't try. Perhaps they could try selling some cheese or other light foods that go with the beers they are brewing. It got pretty crowded at one point and there wasn't quite enough room for everyone to sit. I think this could be fixed by improving on the outdoor patio area. There were only two tables outside that you had to stand at. At one point people were sitting on concrete because there was just no more room at the two tables everyone was sharing. Maybe they just didn't put the tables out that day but they had plenty of room to put a couple more out there.
Overall I enjoyed my experience here and will be going back to try some of the upcoming brews they have planned. I'm excited to see how this place will grow as more people find out about it and as they brew more.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by WoodBrew from Ohio
4.74/5 rDev +12.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
4.74/5 rDev +12.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
The brewery is situated amongst warehousing like buildings....inside is a neat murals and glass wall exposing the brewery. The wait staff was helpful and friendly. Community tables and outdoor deck available for seating. There is 10 beers on tap and all seem quite nice. Worth a visit.....yeah man!
Nov 10, 2017Reviewed by ShechrisNeikirk from Virginia
5/5 rDev +18.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
5/5 rDev +18.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Smartmouth beers are top notch - always offer a good variety of IPAs and other non-hoppy varieties. Alter Ego Saison is delicious and such an approachable beer. Their tasting room and staff are welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable.
Apr 01, 2017Reviewed by breardon1776 from New York
4.44/5 rDev +5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Off the beaten path but a great place. In town on business and stopped by. Large tables indoors for a communal feel. Lots of beers on tap. There were 8. Mixed crowd and polos and dockers and thirst and jeans. And had some really good beers for a brewery only 3 years running. They are doing something right.
Oct 23, 2015Reviewed by msvitak from Colorado
4.67/5 rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
4.67/5 rDev +10.4%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
Great place. Beers are spot on. Only complaint is they close at 8pm on Fri./Sat. The place had over 100 people at it at closing time. Should stay open a few more hours.
Aug 22, 2015Reviewed by oldn00b from Virginia
3.94/5 rDev -6.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
3.94/5 rDev -6.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75
I really like Smartmouth brews but this place gets packed fast. Used to be able to sit on the patio with the dog but it looks more like the picture at the listing more and more these days. Not a place you can comfortably grab a flight of all the beers but good for in and out growler fills or a quick pint of Alter Ego or Notch 9.
The beer, most importantly, is quite solid and the people are friendly and helpful.
Jul 07, 2015The beer, most importantly, is quite solid and the people are friendly and helpful.
Rated by Jevans2354
5/5 rDev +18.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
5/5 rDev +18.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
My favorite Hampton roads brewery. Great beer super nice people
Mar 05, 2015Reviewed by Csikic93 from Virginia
3.21/5 rDev -24.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.75
3.21/5 rDev -24.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.75
This place was small and loud. The beers were pretty good. I did like their murphys law Amber ale and rule G. Some of their beers were trying to be too complicated, but overall not a ruining experience. I liked the beer not the atmosphere.
Mar 01, 2015Reviewed by BradC from Pennsylvania
3.79/5 rDev -10.4%
3.79/5 rDev -10.4%
Quick stop while in Norfolk area, beers were all pretty good, nothing stood out as stellar, but good nonetheless. Nice, clean tasting room, friendly staff. Could use some more food choices, but their soft pretzels are pretty tasty. All in all, would recommend if in the area.
Sep 29, 2014Reviewed by racingkenny14 from New Jersey
3.75/5 rDev -11.3%
3.75/5 rDev -11.3%
In Norfolk for a few days. Took a cab from downtown to Smarthmouth Brewery. Only 10 with tip. Tasting room was kind of small. 4 large picnic type tables. and a ledge with seats facing the Brewery. Also outside tables. I got a flight of 7 - 5 oz pours. nothing really stood out. but all beers were good. Service was good. only food was soft pretzels.
Aug 30, 2014Reviewed by dmcgourty from Virginia
3.53/5 rDev -16.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -16.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
Enjoyable tasting room with the occasional food truck on site. Each of their beers shows that these folks care about the details. No cookie cutter batches here, complex flavorful brews of several varieties. Staff can be snappy, which may be linked to the size of the facility and number of customers because it is often busy with lines around the perimeter of the room. Go for the growler power hour (Sat 12-2) and fill for $5 off normal price. Notch 9 should be their flagship, not Alter Ego.
Jun 04, 2014Reviewed by Hanzo from Virginia
4.11/5 rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
4.11/5 rDev -2.8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
Been to this brewery a few times and my beer club has events here from time to time. It isn't really fair to judge this place against the other local breweries because it is new, fresh and clean. But it is a very very nice looking brewery/tap room. Plenty of space, nice natural light and a very friendly staff.
Since they started out they have certainly improved on their lineup, my only knock on them right now is they do not make an imperial stout, one of my favorite styles, but they'll get there.
The just won bronze at GABF for their Notch 9 DIPA, which is pretty impressive, and it is a great beer, I just hope they continue improving as it seems they have the most potential of the Hampton Roads breweries, but that may change when O'Connor and Beach get new facilities.
Oct 18, 2013Since they started out they have certainly improved on their lineup, my only knock on them right now is they do not make an imperial stout, one of my favorite styles, but they'll get there.
The just won bronze at GABF for their Notch 9 DIPA, which is pretty impressive, and it is a great beer, I just hope they continue improving as it seems they have the most potential of the Hampton Roads breweries, but that may change when O'Connor and Beach get new facilities.
Reviewed by BoilerUpNavy from Wisconsin
3.9/5 rDev -7.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.25
3.9/5 rDev -7.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.25
A great new brewery in the Ghent area of Norfolk. Recently went to the tasting room for a flight of their beers and to get a growler fill (Growler Happy Hour is a great deal.) Also took the quick, interesting tour. They are very proud of making good beer and eager on growth in the near future. Conveniently located to stop at The Birch and O'Connors on the same day.
Sep 02, 2013Reviewed by Cubatobaco from Virginia
4.6/5 rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5
4.6/5 rDev +8.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.5
I stumbled across this gem while trying to find directions to O'Connor's Brewing Company yesterday. My friend and I were looking to tour the local breweries and had no idea that this one existed. The greatest perk was finding out that it was about 2 minutes drive to my favorite craft beer bar.
The atmosphere is really nice, albeit a bit loud. As you walk into the front door, you enter a large tasting room that overlooks the brewing equipment from behind a glass wall. Giant chalkboard are on either side of the tasting room; one with the beers on tap and a price list of items to purchase, the other is a drawing that resembles what they stand for.
I took the tour of the brewery, which was hosted by Noel (funny and quick-witted) and learned a lot about the brewery, including the investors behind the it all. Accompanying me on the tour was a fresh pour of Notch 9, their signature DIPA which was outstanding (left with a growler full)!
Everyone was very personable and never too busy to answer your questions or help you. My hat is off to the staff and look forward to visiting more often. You guys have a great thing going!
Jul 28, 2013The atmosphere is really nice, albeit a bit loud. As you walk into the front door, you enter a large tasting room that overlooks the brewing equipment from behind a glass wall. Giant chalkboard are on either side of the tasting room; one with the beers on tap and a price list of items to purchase, the other is a drawing that resembles what they stand for.
I took the tour of the brewery, which was hosted by Noel (funny and quick-witted) and learned a lot about the brewery, including the investors behind the it all. Accompanying me on the tour was a fresh pour of Notch 9, their signature DIPA which was outstanding (left with a growler full)!
Everyone was very personable and never too busy to answer your questions or help you. My hat is off to the staff and look forward to visiting more often. You guys have a great thing going!
Reviewed by Maltyduo from Florida
3.73/5 rDev -11.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.25
3.73/5 rDev -11.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.25
Went during off hours for a brief visit and tasting with the owner so my review isn't fully executed. But I can say the beers we're delicious 4 on tap at the time. Room somewhat smaller than most breweries. Overall, nice staff, tasty beers, good prices and very clean (its new so it better be!) Will return next time I'm in Norfolk.
Jun 16, 2013
Smartmouth Brewing Company in Norfolk, VA
Brewery rating:
3.79 out of
5 with
819 ratings
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