Virginia Beach - beers

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by antlerwrestler19, Oct 20, 2015.

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  1. antlerwrestler19

    antlerwrestler19 Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2010 Nebraska

    Spoke with a fella who I do business with on a semi-regular basis and we happened to start discussing beer and homebrewing. He doesn't brew beer himself but asked if I'd like to swap some beers - I send him some homebrew and some local stuff/distribution he can't get and he sends me some local stuff/distribution I can't get. He works in Chesapeake but said he lives in Virginia Beach. Are there any good local beers or anything specific in regards to distribution I should ask him to keep an eye out for? He seems pretty knowledgeable but wouldn't hurt to have an idea of the must-have/must-try type stuff.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Maltytasker

    Maltytasker Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2007 Virginia

    The tread here from this summer has some good info . http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/va-beach-craft-beer.301719/

    The best stores are Grape and Gourmet , Total Wine , Whole Foods and Mix it Up . A few things out now are Alewerks BBPorter , Bells 30th and there might be some BA Narwal left . Smartmouth started canning Notch 9 IIPA so that should be around .
     
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  3. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,096) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Reaver Beach - Hoptopus is an awesome DIPA and available year round. Distributed in 16oz cans (4pk). The brewery is located in Va Beach. They also have a strong sour game and release a lot of 750s.

    Alewerks is in Williamsburg and has a lot of good stuff. Their stuff is available in Va Beach. Their Pumpkin Ale is probably the state's best pumpkin beer. Also Cafe Royale by them is great and fresh bottles were just released this past weekend. Jubilee as well.

    There's a lot of good local stuff really! Any specific style you lean to this time of year? Agree with the Smartmouth Notch 9 DIPA too. The brewery recently started distribution where I am in Central Va and I really enjoyed that one.
     
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  4. Maltytasker

    Maltytasker Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2007 Virginia

    Forgot about the Alewerks Pumpkin Ale . It's one of the best . Saturday they are releasing the new BA Imperial Pumpkin . Tap room only and very limited . I can't make it but someone in our tasting group is getting some . Looking forward to it .
     
  5. LeeEvolved

    LeeEvolved Initiate (0) Oct 12, 2010 Virginia

    Alewerks bombers and Reaver Beach IPAs. Can't go wrong with either of those.
     
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  6. MistaRyte

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

    (points up) Agrees with all the above. Still looking around for any Smartmouth Notch 9 and Cowcatcher Milk Stout in the can.
     
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  7. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,096) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's been several weeks since Smartmouth announced those coming out in cans but I do not think they have hit distro yet. Once would think the announcement would have been made soon before the cans actually hit but I guess that's not the case. Hop to see it soon though.
     
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  8. oldn00b

    oldn00b Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2015 Virginia

    I always go here when looking at another state's distro - not perfect but incredibly helpful: http://seekabrew.com/distro/compare.html

    National standouts that jump out at me we get in VA that NE doesn't - Avery, Ballast Point, Bells, Brooklyn, Dogfish Head, Firestone Walker, Maine, Perennial, Sixpoint and The Bruery.

    As far as the state, we have some great things going on like most states. I think it really depends what you're looking for. BB stuff - Hardywood and Alewerks have the best "limited" offerings as others have noted - BB porter and Cafe Royale are out now. I like Blue Mountain Barrel House's Dark Hollow - best readily available BA stout from VA, imho.

    I haven't seen them yet either but now that Notch 9 is canned it'll edge out Hoptopus for my favorite readily available VA DIPA.

    I agree with this - just want to qualify that that I feel like Alewerks DIPAs in bottles have a pretty short shelf life. I feel like Secret Admirer on shelves now is well past its prime. Again, just my opinion, but I'd keep an eye on bottle dates for their IPAs. Reaver's Hoptopus in cans holds up crazy well imo.
     
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