The first hot take … in local brewery news, Armed Forces Brewing Co. closed today officially. The CVBA gets its second brewery closing in Norfolk (Reaver Beach at Milan Station). The public word is the woke mob, which is a true story on the state of business in Norfolk. If you don’t do what Andrew Coplon wants, he will summon friend and family (corruption into the Commonwealth Attorney’s office) to level lies and political punishment on you. It’s been a thing for a while, that’s what I learned in my Brewer’s Class… it’s my experienced opinion. I think the CVBA is a joke of an organization … they just voted(?) Josh Evans of Afterglow as President, and he’s the worst brewer in Norfolk. I know for fact he’s sold spoiled beer on purpose by adding syrup. Seriously, the best part of his brewing comes out of a plastic bag.
But what people don’t understand is that Armed Forces Brewing Co. died last summer. It’s been a slow death, but when you can’t get the beer into the store and lose the guy who got you there, it’s kind of a done deal. I think overall, it had nothing to do with the local shenanigans. That’s just my hot take on the matter thought.
In this whole soap opera, the one person I’ve felt bad for the most is Dale. He’s a righteous man, who make great beer. He’s a talented musician, a drummer. He’s got a family. I’ve got enough back yard space to offer to store his car here.
Anyhow, maybe Norfolk can get its (unpaid) tax money, and the Monument Company out of Richmond can finally buy the building to re-fit into the rest of the Peanut Gallery, or whatever they call it.
Again, hot take, and pure opinion on my experience.