USA, VA: Bold Mariner Brewing Co. opening second brewery in Ocean View

Bold Mariner Brewing Co. is opening a second brewery in Ocean View later this year, said owner Michael Stacks.

"There are no other craft breweries in Ocean View right now, so we figured it's a great place to be for a craft brewery," he was quoted as saying by the Virginian-Pilot.

Stacks had originally considered Ocean View for Bold Mariner's first location, which he opened in Lambert's Point in 2016, but he couldn't find a building big enough. This time, the search was easier because he didn't need such a large building, he said.

Bold Mariner was the third brewery to open in Norfolk, and since then several others have planted flags in the city.

This brewery will have a smaller brewhouse, about a third of the size of Bold Mariner's current system. It will make smaller batches of more specialized beers, using whiskey and wine barrels plus sour beers. Stacks said they won't just use the barrels to age beers, but also to ferment.

It'll be located in the old Bank of the Commonwealth building at 1901 E. Ocean View Ave. The plan is to open sometime in the fall or winter, Stacks said.

The tasting room staff will be split between the current brewery and the new one, as will the production staff, but Stacks expects to hire new people for the second brewery as well.

Ocean View has been the target of recent development in Norfolk. In his State of the City speech last month, Mayor Kenny Alexander announced that the city would buy the properties where Greenies and Oceanview Diner are located to make room for more beach access. Alexander described the area, in his speech, as "being transformed into a vibrant neighborhood."

Stacks said he sees the area as Norfolk's waterfront and thinks it will be a great place for restaurants and people to enjoy the beach. The brewery will be across the street from beach access.

He said Ocean View has a reputation for not having chain restaurants and supporting local businesses, and people who live there are proud of that.

"That's what the craft movement is all about," he said. "We want to come in and be part of the Ocean View community as it grows."

03 April, 2018