Burial Beer in Virginia Beach

Casual Pint is probably the best bottle shop in VA Beach for interesting beer. The TW at Hilltop might be your second option. Huge but still a TW. I personally don't recall Triple Crossing or Burial beer ever being sold at either location. I have seen TC for growler fill at Earlybirds (Poquoson) and bottleBOX (Norfolk). Closest place I've gotten Burial is Corks n Kegs in RVA.

 

Unfortunately I think you are going to come up empty on Burial. From their Beer Finder page:

But New Hamsphire is one of the states they ship beer to:
https://shop.burialbeer.com/local-pick-up-and-delivery-information/

 

Not sure if they're still getting it, but Downtown Crown in MD has gotten numerous Burial shipments.

 

I'll be down there in a few weeks, regardless of Burial, what else around VA Beach is worth checking out? I see Commonwealth and Veil's spot in Norfolk, but not much else looks very interesting. Any suggestions for a decent bottle shop/store with a good selection around the Sandbridge area would be awesome.

 

Just had a thought... If you're in Sandbridge check out how far you are from Boonies in Moyock NC. Very good beer selection, obviously including NC breweries like Heist. The Food Lion next door also carries mainstays like NoDa. Edit... 45 minute ride, disregard.

As far as VB breweries, Commonwealth... May as well hit Pleasure House as it's close by. New Realm's spot is huge and good beer as well.

 

I visited Commonwealth about 4-5 years ago. I got a flight and thought everything was really good.

Decided to splurge on a case as I was going to be in the area for a few days. Every can was an oxidized mess. I sure hope this was either a one off situation (hard to believe since I purchased 4 different beers) or it was an issue they discovered and fixed. Worth a visit even just to hang in the taproom IMO.

 

Short of some weird one off drop we missed, you are not going to see Burial or TC cans in VB. There are kegs of TC around at bars/restaurants semi regularly.

Commonwealth has stepped their game up in the last few years IMO. They do put out a lot of beers (like Veil) so not everything is a home run, but they have come quite a ways since 4-5 years ago. Taproom is nice as well.

Sandbridge is kind of an island as far as beer super close by. If I were going there I would grab some things at Veil, Commonwealth, or Benchtop (Norfolk) and bring with me there. I guess New Realm is reasonably close too? It's fine. Reaver's VB spot is out that way too, which I personally enjoy.

 

Fairly certain you're going to be out of luck finding either of those in package form in VB. I believe Reverie Distribution has the rights to Burial in VA so unless it's a limited drop that doesn't show up regularly. And Triple Crossing also rarely sends any cans/bottles unless it's a rare drop.

That being said MAYBE you can find some Triple Crossing on draft. It's been probably 4-5 years since I was in VB but a quick look shows 1608 Crafthouse on the Northern side of VB may have Space Falcon on tap which you can get a pour or growler of. Good news is Commonwealth Brewing is very close by so you could easily hit both up. Look into Mellow Mushroom as well. They usually get some good stuff too. Looks they they currently have Veil - Master Shredder on tap

 

Yea picking up at Veil/Commonwealth on the way in is my plan. I went to the New Realm in Atlanta like 5-6 years ago and wasn't blown away, so doubt I'd make an effort for it.

 

More 2 cents... If you do hit New Realm... Reaver Beach, Young Vets, Thin Brew Line are all close by if you want to visit.

 

We have been to Sandbridge many times now and consider myself kind of an expert on the area (not going this year, BOOOO).
First off, if you’re going to Norfolk (about 35-40 minute drive from SB proper) you have to go to Benchtop. Their IPAs are good, but their lagers are stellar. They aren’t quite Suarez or Notch, but they aren’t far off. Picked up a case on my way to Myrtle Beach last month, and their beer is as good as ever. Veil is literally 5 minutes away (hopefully no freight trains in-between) so that should be a stop too.

I don’t know when you’re getting there but we leave NY 4ish am and stop once or twice, and I usually hit Commonwealth right off the bridge on my way to SB. If you haven’t been, you should go. I’ve stayed for a beer or 2 a few times, but they usually have a lot of cans, so it’s nice to load up for your rental. Sandbridge can be kind of isolated, which is exactly why we love it there, so (I’m guessing you’re going Saturday to Saturday) CW is a good stop off the bridge (they open at noon on Saturdays). I normally make the Norfolk trip on Tuesday once I’ve soaked in the sun, ocean and pool for a few days. The USS Wisconsin is a good excuse for the kids and family (was quite a sobering experience and I’m happy we went when we did) and the Elizabeth River trail is a cool excursion if it’s not blazing hot out.

Reaver Beach is decent, I have a kinship for Hoptopus, which you can buy in the supermarkets now. Not a lot of “great” breweries in VA Beach proper. Avoid the touristy downtown area.

Sandbridge proper: the Harris Teeter and Food Lion just outside town both have decent selections, the HT id say is great in a pinch (assuming you’re buying groceries for the house) and there’s a good liquor store (could be an ABC) right in the big strip mall across the street from the supermarkets. You have to go to Margie and Rays which you’re there. Authentic mid-Atlantic/southern food, real laid back. Breakfast and dinner are both great but it does get filled up sometimes, but you can grab a beer while you wait. Baja on the southern end of town is decent too, but I enjoy that as more of a hangout spot than a dinner spot. There’s only one general store right on the corner on your way into town, they have the essentials plus crappy beer and ice (which you will buy a lot of).

Hope you guys are bringing beach stuff (chairs, umbrellas, suntan lotion, etc) and if you’re on a canal, bring kayaks and fishing stuff too if you have them. The canals are fun to kayak. I know this is long, but I fuckin love it there, have a great time, and check the dolphins out in the morning and the sand bar about 50 yards off the beach that’s there until about noonish for me. The sandbar usually kicks off some good waves. If you have a paddle board, surf board or boogie board…bring them. It’s really a great place, hope you get great weather.

Oh…I don’t know if you golf, but there’s a decent golf course not even 10 minutes away. Hell’s Point.

 

Spot on with all of this, you're basically an adopted local.
I'm probably biased because I can walk there from home, but I wanted to re-iterate grabbing Benchtop's lagers if you come to nfk, especially the foeder ones. They are excellent for warm (beach) days.

 

Picked up a mixed case of the Polotmavy, Crispy Whip (foeder), Primo 12, Drench (the Grodziskie), Suh Bro and the barleywine when I popped in last month, and they were all great to excellent. The Primo 12 and the Drench were both spot on for style and the barleywine, amazing. I’m a big, big fan of theirs.

Gotta add, just the thought of us not doing our 7am dogwalks (always taking the dogs) alongside the ocean on a beautiful Sandbridge morning this year makes me sad.