Virginia Beach Beer Recommendations

VA beach is a fairly big area so it kind of depends where you will be. In VA beach proper Commonwealth is the local consensus best, probably followed by Reaver Beach and New Realm.
However if you staying at the Oceanfront area and don't want to drive, there are a few very close by: Smartmouth pilot house, Vibrant Shores & Back bay. Those are all fine, but nothing that will blow you away.
If you happen to make it out to Norfolk, that is where the two best (IMO) breweries in the area are: The Veil and Benchtop.
Eat at Esoteric in VB, excellent food and one of the best tap lists around. Bottlecraft is a solid beer shop also.

 

@montman absolutely nailed this on the head. With that said, definitely make it a priority to drive the 20 or so minutes to Norfolk and stop by The Veil and Benchtop.

 

We’re making our usual Sandbridge week this year, thank God, so things haven’t changed much in the last 2 years, other than a Veil outpost in Norfolk now? I know the Grape and Gourmet is closed now which is a real bummer. But, planning on hitting Commonwealth on my way in over the bridge and definitely making a mid-week Benchtop trip. Last time we turned that into a trip to the USS Wisconsin which kinda blew us away, just the size of the ship alone and it’s history.

I guess the only thing I would like to know is a trip to the Veil that important? How’s their beer been lately and is the quality the same as the Richmond location? Might have to get a 4-pack of Hoptopus from Reaver just for the nostalgic factor. How’s their beer been lately?

 

The Veil's Norfolk location is really nice, definitely worth the stop. Same quality as the RVA location because they are the ones suppling the NFK taproom. They don't do any brewing in Norfolk. Can't speak on the quality at Reaver, never really been a big fan of their beers.

 

I mean, I always take beer-interested people to the Veil when they visit, but I can walk there so it works. Just depends on if you feel like driving to Norfolk from Sandbridge. But if you plan to visit Benchtop they are very close.

Here's a bonus if you are interested in Reaver, one thing that has changed this year is now they also have a second location in Norfolk, about a mile from the Veil. As for the quality, I am of the opinion they are very consistent in what they still do make, however they used to make some good wilds and now have really cut back on those. The IPA's should be how you remember them.
As an aside I think Commonwealth has improved their hoppy beers I've had in the last year, I just don't get over that way often enough to sample them regularly.

 

I mentioned Reaver Beach simply because of how close it is to Sandbridge. I mean, not gonna lie, the Harris Teeter on Sandbridge Rd actually had a decent selection for beach beer. Thanks for heads up guys, I’m like 99% going to Benchtop so I guess a Veil stop is in the cards. I went last time on a Tuesday and it was nice and quiet. It’s hard to believe it’s been 6 years now (excluding last year due to covid) since we first visited there. Love the area, we’ve kind of adopted it as our own at this point and the beer scene there is awesome. I mean, I still remember my first Hoptopus. Crazy how much has changed since then.

I said it in an old thread, but I used to look forward to the trip because of your distribution but now I truly look forward to VA beer. And, of course, that beach

 

Aslin four packs have even popped up in that Harris Teeter, granted their quality has fallen way off from what it was.

If you do look for a Bottle Shop, the best in the area since Grape and Gourmet closed are Bottlecraft in Hilltop near the Oceanfront area, Bottlebox in Norfolk, and Casual Pint in the Princess Anne-ish area.

Also (unrelated to beer) I highly recommend Sawdust Road in Pungo for breakfast or lunch and coffee.

 

Aslin is also in Wegman's so check there as well but since they do not date their cans I vow not to buy anything from them unless I know it's somewhat fresh. I'll take a quick peek at IG or FB to see which ones they have released recently and can hold good confidence they are fresh'ish.