A Stone Brewery in Virginia?

According to Veer Magazine, three Virginia cities are on the short list of East Coast locations under consideration by Stone Brewing Company for a future brewery. Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke are all under consideration.

Stone Brewing Company President and Brewmaster Steve Wagner and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Tiernan visited Norfolk on Tuesday. 

Norfolk is one of 10 cities under consideration for Stone’s much coveted East Coast facility. Other finalist cities include Philadelphia, Charlotte, Roanoke and Richmond. While many speculated Asheville, NC might be a top tier choice, according to Wagner, Asheville was never a consideration. 

The Stone team visited O’Connor Brewing Company for lunch, enjoyed a helicopter tour of the region, cruised down the Elizabeth River aboard the American Rover schooner with Norfolk city officials, Smartmouth Brewing Company and O’Connor personnel, and then ventured to Olde Town Portsmouth’s Bier Garden for beers and Still for a late night dinner.

According to the report, Stone will narrow the list down to three cities in the coming days. Construction is planned to begin in January.

See "Norfolk a Finalist for Stone Brewery" for the complete report.