I am travelling for a conference to Virginia Beach next month. I've been here twice before, and am familiar with the area, but I am wondering if anyone has recommendations on what to do on the way down. I need to arrive for the conference on a Sunday morning, so I am thinking of travelling on Saturday and staying somewhere perhaps at the halfway or 3/4 point. Richmond seems like the obvious choice for many good reasons, but I am just wondering if I'm missing anything else in the Virginia or Maryland area? Hotel, brewery, bar, restaurant, etc. advice is welcomed. Thanks for any suggestions!
I don't think you're missing anything, Richmond would be the best place to stop by far. I'm not aware of any hidden gems in the interstate 95/64 area of VA. There's not much on the eastern shore either, which is really the only other way to get there.
Richmond for sure, as there are multiple great places to hit up. And if you haven't been here to VB recently, there have been a few positive changes locally as well (Commonwealth, Benchtop, etc).
I do this trek regularly. Outside of Richmond, I usually stop by Aslin in Chantilly, VA if they are having a release. In Richmond, I do Triple Crossing, Veil, and dinner at Answer.
Stopping off in Fredericksburg could be an option. I think there are 6 or 7 breweries in the immediate area. It's been a while since I was up there but Strangeways is the latest to open up there I believe. RVA would be my suggestion too though. Always sure to get good stuff in town. Triple Crossing, The Answer, Final Gravity and The Veil would be my top 4 breweries in town. Also head around to the front of the building where The Answer is and check out Mekong. It's often mentioned as one of the country's best beer bars. And the Pho is awesome too. If you want to keep it walkable then Scott's Addition is where you could easily walk to several breweries, a meadery, cidery, restaurants, etc...
If his route is coming down 95 and hitting 64 both of those would be over an hour outside the trek. Starr Hill would be close to 90 minutes away. If he is coming down 81 then hitting 64 then those would be fairly convenient.
Considering proximity to Virginia Beach, I would also recommend a stop in Norfolk at Benchtop, a new brewery making some great beer.....maybe on the way from Richmond to Virginia Beach.
For Virginia, it's going to be 95 down. My other route is the eastern shore if I went the Delaware/Maryland route, which I've done plenty of times. Richmond sounds like a fun, new experience.
What are some recommended beer-centric restaurants (most important for dinners!), bars and breweries around Virginia Beach? So far on this trip I have done; - Home Republic - Tapped Gastropub - Bottlecraft - Catch 31 I'm doing Commonwealth and Reaver again on this trip as they were my two favorites. On a previous trip last year, I have already done Back Bay, Young Veterans, Wasserhund, Lynnhaven. I also did go out to Norfolk to do The Birch. I read through some of the Virginia Beach "Places", but I know that's a small sample size of people who actually take the time to write reviews. I am right by Neptune's Park, but obviously do not mind driving, though walking distance recommendations are very welcomed. Cheers!
Give Esoteric a try in virginia beach. I think they still had bissell brothers substance on tap yesterday.
@ShanePB If you are like ok I guess at shops give Grape & Gourmet a try. My favorite shop in Va Beach.
As posted above, Esoteric is the correct answer, the food is excellent and the beer list is consistently one the best in the area. Hearth is nearby and is pretty decent as well. Also, look into 1608 Crafthouse, it may not be near where you are going, but if you get away from the oceanfront, they have a smaller but very solid draft list and the food is good. Not beer related, but go to Bay Local for brunch. If you do make it to Norfolk, check out Benchtop brewing (by the Birch), imo they are now Norfolk's best. Spot on with Reaver and Commonwealth in VB.
@montman @Grieves757 Great suggestion on Esoteric. I went last night for dinner. Beer list was stellar. I did not expect to be drinking Bissell down here, that's for sure. Food was great as well. I may have to just keep going back each night! I'll definitely look into 1608, thanks!
Lots of great suggestions here . The Porch at Whole Foods is worth checking out . Some great beers on tap and in the cold case . Good food too . It's across the street from Wasserhund . Commonwealth has really stepped it up in the last year . They probably have the best DIPA's in the area . Big Papi and the newer one Rainbowe are real tasty . They have a new sour ( collab with Bottlecraft ) but haven't tried it yet . On the way to Commonwealth is Lynnhaven Pub . It's a dive but a fun place with great beers . Most beers in the cold case are available to go for 20 % off . And now they have a bottleshop called Next Door . Prairie beers showed up in Virginia Beach recently . The Pub has several including Bomb! , Christmas Bomb! , 'Merica and Phantasmagoria .
Whole Foods has been my lunch spot the past few days. Food is good, and I've been grabbing a can of Commonwealth, too! I actually stopped in at Bottlecraft and they had their collaboration "Tapestry" on-tap which they did together. It was quite good.
