Brewery Hop with Dad on Father’s Day

Father’s Day is quickly approaching — what plans do you have for the special man in your life? For beer enthusiasts, take dad to Norfolk, Virginia, for the ultimate brewery-hopping destination.

Start your brew tour off at The Birch for craft beers from around the world. As Norfolk’s first craft beer bar, this spot is a beer lover’s dream, with 21 beers and five cider and mead options on draft. The extended list showcases beers from France, Japan, the United States and Belgium. To accompany the beer, opt for a light snack of meats and cheeses or one of the beer-inspired grilled cheeses on the menu.

Next, walk around the corner to Benchtop Craft Brewing Company. A former food scientist who spent years in research, quality control and consumer insights runs the brewery. The head brewer and his wife concocted many unique flavors over the years, with ingredients like carrots, beets and grasshoppers. These beers can be enjoyed inside the taproom or at one of the many tables outside.

A few blocks from Benchtop is Smartmouth Brewing, famed for its Lucky Charms-inspired brew that makes an appearance around St. Patrick’s Day. With fun names like Safety Dance, Game On and Umbrella Head, dad is sure to have a relaxing time sipping on one of the many beers on draft. Smartmouth regularly has rotating food trucks for guests to enjoy a pint and bite. On Wednesdays, join the brewery in trivia starting at 6 p.m.

Take a quick ride over to O’Connor Brewing Co for a special treat of live music, beer, firepits and food trucks. Known for its El Guapo Agave IPA, O’Connor Brewing has a wide variety of beers every dad will enjoy. The brewery is also dog-friendly with its outside seating area. Guests can request a large dog bowl of water so Fido can sip alongside you while you enjoy the Virginia weather.