As the weather starts turning, it’s time to check out the adult hard cider scene in the Hampton Roads area. Grab your friends and family members (over the age of 21!) and enjoy these locations. They are great for celebrating a special occasion like a birthday – just getting together after a long week.
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The Birch
The Birch is known in Norfolk for its craft brew, cider, and grilled cheese bar. This fun location allows you to indulge in a favorite meal from childhood with an adult twist. They have five different ciders rotating on tap. Salt and Sand, from Newburgh, New York, is a good choice for those who prefer traditional ciders. If you like dry ciders, they have two from Virginia: The Orchard Potluck: Spitzenburg from Blue Bee Cider in Richmond and Sidra from Potter’s Craft Cider in Charlottesville.
Pair your favorite drink with a grilled cheese sandwich. They offer a traditional sandwich with house fontina or cheddar. If you are looking for something less traditional, consider My Blueberry Nightmare which combines smoked buffalo mozzarella, fontina, prosciutto, and blueberry balsamic.
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Sly Clyde Ciderworks
Take a trip to Hampton to visit Sly Clyde Ciderworks. They’re open six days a week, closed on Monday. Ten different ciders are offered for you to enjoy by the glass. The five-ounce tasters are $3 while a flight of four is $10.
Traditional cider fans enjoy the Swinging Compass with habanero and rosemary. Another classic choice is the Cut and Run, fermented with fresh ginger and finished with a hint of lemon. If you enjoy a sweet cider, try the Brakelight Ride with a fresh apple aroma. The Inkjet is a blackberry mojito-inspired cider that combines sweet, savory, and tart flavors. Dry cider fans enjoy Idun’s Apples fermented with Norwegian farmhouse yeast which has notes of citrus. The Winesap is aged eight months and made from Winesap apples from Silver Creek Orchard in Tyro, Virginia.
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Back Bay’s Farmhouse Brewing Co.
Make the short trip to Virginia Beach to enjoy Back Bay’s Farmhouse Brewing Company on Kempsville Road, open seven days a week. They offer a cherry cider that packs a pinch at 6.7 percent alcohol by volume. Pair the cherry cider with something off of the mouthwatering menu. The choices change depending on what the food truck is offering that day!
Bring your dog to Back Bay and enjoy a drink outside with them on the patio. If you’re celebrating a birthday, bring a cake to round out your celebration! On the weekends, you can take a one hour tour of the brewery and property. The tour costs $25 and focuses on the history of the house and property, but you’ll be given a chance to check out the 1.5-acre farm and their brewing system.
Before you indulge, make sure you have a safe ride home prepared. As you check out all three locations, make a note of what you like so you can spread the word to other friends and family members – or take a trip there together!
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