At It Again: Passing Through Virginia Beach

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by Nole_Brew, Dec 22, 2014.

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  1. Nole_Brew

    Nole_Brew Initiate (0) Mar 11, 2014 Florida

    We are headed home from New York, we are stopping at Dogfish Head on the way down, planning on spending the night in Virginia Beach, I am looking for a place to grab a good beer and have a good meal. Anything help!

    Thanks in advance!
    Nick
     
  2. Nole_Brew

    Nole_Brew Initiate (0) Mar 11, 2014 Florida

    Also Norfolk is an option depending on what yall recommend
     
  3. beernuts

    beernuts Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2014 Virginia

    The Birch in Norfolk is a great beer bar.
     
  4. MistaRyte

    MistaRyte Pooh-Bah (2,681) Jan 14, 2008 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    As far as Norfolk goes, the Birch is top of the line. No real food menu though, mostly cheeseboards. Smartmouth Brewing is right around the corner from here. The previous co-owner of the Birch opened up a place on Colley Ave. called Eva's within the past year that also has a similar selection.

    Cogan's (pizza/bar food) on Colonial Ave. has a good selection of taps. There's also a trio of restaurants all owned by the same guy (Tortilla West, Aw Shucks, Chow) that has smaller but still good tap selection as well as a great bottle list.
     
  5. rightcoast7

    rightcoast7 Maven (1,330) Apr 2, 2011 Maine
    Trader

    The Public House on Colley Ave. in Norfolk is awesome. The beer list is (I believe) exclusively Virginia beers, so while not the best taps you've seen, there are some good ones there that you won't see elsewhere. And the food is phenomenal. It's a gastropub, so tons of great takes on classic bar food (think homemade pretzels with cheese sauce, wings, tater tots, sandwiches, lots of tasty things with bacon, etc.)

    EDIT: So checking their beer menu online, apparently I lied about the all local thing. Just now, there were actually very few locals, although I remember there being a ton when I was there last. Based on the online menu, I think they are only listing bottles, and I have a feeling the tap list may be mostly locals. Either way, the food is worth stopping for anyway IMO.
     
    #5 rightcoast7, Dec 23, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2014
  6. Iamjeff6

    Iamjeff6 Initiate (0) Sep 9, 2013 Virginia

    I wanted to check out Birch when I spent a couple days in Norfolk/VA beach earlier this year, but the gf (at the time) didnt want to since she didnt like beer. Needless to say we arent dating anymore lol.
     
  7. montman

    montman Maven (1,444) Mar 10, 2009 Virginia
    Trader

    Agree with what has been mentioned above, Public House has good food/solid drafts, also fyi Chow in Norfolk a few mins down the road had BCBS on tap Saturday when I was there, and definetly do not skip Birch.
    Also since you are in VB, I recommend stopping by Grape and Gourmet for bottles to take home, by far the best selection in the area.
     
  8. Raucey

    Raucey Initiate (0) Nov 26, 2013 Virginia

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  9. gopens44

    gopens44 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,560) Aug 9, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you are in or near Norfolk, stop by O'Connor's Brewery. Dismal is a solid black IPA.
     
  10. Nole_Brew

    Nole_Brew Initiate (0) Mar 11, 2014 Florida

    We ended up saying in Virginia Beach, which is dead this time of yea, worked out better for out trip home. Thanks for the recommendations, I will have to check them out next time we pass through.

    Here is my recommendation for you, if you are ever in Virginia Beach, DO NOT go to the 'Beach Pub' that place is terrible
     
  11. rightcoast7

    rightcoast7 Maven (1,330) Apr 2, 2011 Maine
    Trader

    Is that the half assed "craft beer bar" at the beach?
     
  12. montman

    montman Maven (1,444) Mar 10, 2009 Virginia
    Trader

    VB is large but If it was at the oceanfront we would not be surprised, most places are not at all craft focused. It's improving with spots like Home Republic but has a ways to go.
     
  13. rongcsc

    rongcsc Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2012 South Carolina
    Trader

    I second the recommendation on Dismal. Had it last time through Va. and it was a great surprise.
     
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