the birch bar

the apple falls far from the tree. as a west ghent resident, i wish i could provide a more positive review. the west ghent neighborhood enjoys the benefits of its location, which is near some very cool and eclectic offerings ranging from very trendy and varied eateries (tortilla west to bardo to press 626 to donut dinette) to a variety of artistic offerings (naro to boutiques to pottery) to a full range of nightlife activities (hooka lounges, etc.). what makes all of this work is the acceptance for diversity among the area's residents. although the birch is one of those offerings that is perfect for the west ghent environs and one that the neighborhood would love to have succeed, the birch is so attitudinal that they make their guests uncomfortable. the beer is varied and intriguing but offered at a high price and served with a sneer. unless the attitude of the owner and his staff embrace a more welcoming approach, this little gem will join a growing pile of good ideas that have been poorly executed.

having traveled the globe i find the birch a very unique beer experience to be in norfolk. this type selection/depth is only found in larger areas. to replicate rare beers, the varieties that are offered there is very special and comes with great effort. my friends and i had not found this experience in va. til the birch got there. its all about the beer. many restaurants serve beer, very few bars and rest. have the strength of character to stand by its beer alone, at the birch the "suds does", ( cheese trays,limited sand. and snacks).truly a craft beer bar venue its constant rotation of drafts keeps the drinking experience new and exciting. i also use the birch as a social gathering spot to meet friends at. with conversation and no tv its a sporting event within itself. cheers !!

awesome!. this is the best place ever. the beer selections out of this world. our service was great. staff was very knowledgeable and gave several suggestions so that we all had beers that we would enjoy. we are all planning on coming back.

just beer, no wine, no soda (except rootbeer). went once a few months ago and won't be back unless things change. i'm a wino, the birch does not even have a token wine for the one or two people in a large group that don't drink beer. and then to not have any other types of drinks (like a diet coke) or any kind of real food. there's no draw for me. they should consider changing this. my husband is a beer snob and loves the place but he won't go since he knows i don't drink beer.

the birch - craft beer and conversation. the birch made me smile and reminisce.
ben and malia and their hardworking team have achieved an unusual feat: a menu and atmosphere that is about two things: great craft beer and an atmosphere that fosters conversation. much like pubs in ireland and the 1920s speakeasies of nyc, the focus and delivery is really about two things: delicious beer and conversation, plain and simple. the whole experience centers on a beyond huge and comprehensive craft beer selection, great knowledge about the beers and an atmosphere that invokes a good talk and laugh with friends and neighbors. no posing necessary. come as you are. how refreshing and delicious and simple - but by no means simple to achieve. congratulations to to the owners who had a singular vision and their hard-working staff who help realize it every day. a wonderful and pure experience.
go and enjoy!!!!

the birch is the best beer bar in tidewater - without exception. the selection of beers is not only vast, but carefully selected by the owners to provide a quality drinking experience. the atmosphere and lighting is warm and low-key. both ties and t-shirts are welcome and can be seen on any given night. while i am not inclined to post restaurant and bar reviews, i signed up for urbanspoon in order to provide my take on the birch.

i usually go by the bar a couple of times a week and have come to know the owners, ben and malea. i have also come to know the rest of the staff - kate, jordan and mary. i consider them friends. not many young couples have had the courage, particularly in these economic times, to forge ahead and take the chances that ben and malea have undertaken in opening this superlative bar. kate and jordan are friends of the couple and mary is malea's mother. ben's dad can often be found sipping a beer at the end of the bar. i find this setup comfortable and reassuring in a time when most bars are owned and run by faceless people or companies who rarely, if ever, can be found on the premises and typically employ short-timers who direct you to a laminated beer list of seven selections. if you're hell bent on a budweiser, every other bar in town can take care of you. if you're up for something more adventurous, give the birch a try. if you're up for something adventurous but want something like a budweiser, tell one of the staff that you typically drink bud or miller and they'll recommend something that will likely surprise you. my dad falls into this last category. and if it's too crowded and you don't have time to wait, go next door or down the street to one of the other ghent locations and drop in another time.

the world is already full of appleby's, tgif, flingers etc. and, in many cities, they continue to sprout up like weeds next to beige condominiums and parking lots. in norfolk, the birch tells me that the 'local tavern' is off of life-support and willing to offer something better to those who want it.

twenty minutes after arriving and seating ourselves, a stupid waiter with a pretentious wanna-be hipster beard strolls up to our table and says he can't serve us because we're sitting at an outdoor table. ok, so we're thinking to ourselves it's the middle if winter, the tables are inside, what difference does it make if it's an outdoor table or not. anyways, after 5 minutes of an awkward back and forth and him proclaiming he can't serve us for whatever bs reason, we leave.

do yourselves a favor - go to total wine and get the same beer for none of the upsell. the staff there know what they're talking about and have legit beards.

!!!. the best!

my husband and i have been a few times and it has always been great!!! awesome beer selection and the cheese plate is mouth watering!!! fun atmosphere and good service! nice place to hang out with friends!

agree with the previous reviews. sketch neighborhood if you're from out of town -- but don't let that put you off. beer selection will impress.

i finally found a bar i like. this is one of those fantastically hidden away gems that has only been around for a year or so, so if you're like me and feel like you've been missing out, you're not too far behind the curve. these guys serve high class craft beers that are unlike any beer from the mainstream distributors. i had an absolutely amazing imperial stout, german wild porter, and fortified cider while i was there, and every single beer had a unique flavor and was more than worth the small draft price.

as far as food goes, they have a cheese selection, which comes with good crackers, and for a small cost, also comes with honey, black and green olives, and delicious sausage. each cheese is delicious.

the bartender is extremely knowledgeable and i essentially took his recommedations for all three beers and my choice of cheese, and can honestly say it was worth the price.

no live music when i went (wed evening) but quality jazz music playing to match the diamond-in-the-rough atmosphere. if you're not a beer snob, this place will make you one. my only shame is that i found them so late in my time in norfolk, and am leaving the area soon. easily the best bar i've found in the whole 7 cities area.

fantastic beer bar. this place is not for the following:
people who want dinner
people who want to drink cocktails while one person has a bud
people who want cheap beer

this is a beer bar.

go to the birch to experience beer. it is a small establishment with limited seating and an awesome, i repeat, awesome beer menu. there is always light music playing that you can actually talk over. if you do not like craft beers it may not be a spot you want to visit. this is not a restaurant. there is food but don't go hungry thinking you are going to eat dinner. think of pretzels to cleanse between beers. my favorite part is that they keep the kitchen light off unless someone orders something.

the staff has always been great when we have been, always asking if we need another beer and offering suggestions for our next.

what a beer!. i first heard about birch bar in the oct. veer mag. i live in norfolk, and was surprised to hear about an all beer bar-had to try it. walked in and immediately appreciated the missing tvs!! :) the lighting is subdued, and the atmosphere very comfortable.
ben, the owner, came over, and was very open and forthcoming with an offer to assist in the decision-making process-which is a good thing given that the bottled beer list is 3 pages long. :) there's a floor-to-almost-ceiling board listing the beers available on tap, and a list of eats available as well-although that list is modest in comparison to the other two. but it is all about the beer!
with a little assistance from ben, i settled on the ola dubh 18, and was absolutely smitten. i'm not an 'educated' drinker of beer, although i will always take the smaller, batch-made brews over anything mass-produced, but the od 18 was amazing. now there's only one problem....and it's quite serious....i have been thoroughly and unequivocally spoiled--all my other beer 'favorites' have turned to water in comparison....i've been back once so far....and have yet to get beyond........ola dubh!! :)

a jewel. i love this place. one of my favorite places in all of tidewater. most of the beers served here are not served anywhere else in the area and are exquisite. and the atmosphere is simple and well done.

the owner is actually quite personable and helpful--as are the others, though i don't doubt that he'll try to make space for paying customers over those just tagging along for conversation.

as to food, this is not a restaurant. it is a beer bar. yes, they'll make you a sandwich, but that's not their raison d'etre. the best food is the cheese board. they have a phenomenal cheese board (i recommend stilton, cocoa cadonna & shepherd's blend).

not sure i understand the comment about no music. there is always music--good music--but i guess they keep the volume at a level that does not interfere with conversation.

don't go there with 12 people; go with 3 or 4 friends, talk with the staff about the beers, and the people next to you.

over the top. this place is our newest favorite place! we live downtown and have started going here at least 2-3 times a week because of the staff and the great beer. the cheese board is spectacular and the beer, unbelievable! our only complaint...we wish the birch was downtown. if you are not a beer lover, go here, you will be converted and find yourself a regular birchgoer very quickly.