(Beer and pizza is the perfect combination at Wasserhund. Photo by Diane Catanzaro.)

By Diane Catanzaro and Chris Jones

Yes, Norfolk’s Historic Railroad District has officially gone to the dogs! Earlier this year Wasserhund Brewing Company opened its third location, Wasserhund NFK, at the corner of Granby and E 25^th Street. We sat down at the new location for a chat with co-owner and top dog Aaron Holley, who together with his wife Christine opened the original Wasserhund in Virginia Beach ten years ago. 

We asked Aaron what he wanted people to know about Wasserhund Brewing. One thing he wants to share is that Wasserhund is a “mom-and-pop shop” even though they now have three locations. They are a family business inspired by a love of beer, adventures in homebrewing, engineering backgrounds, and a trip to Germany. They are also very into dogs. But, rest assured, they welcome everyone here, even feline fanatics, ferret fanciers, and bird besties. 

We were most familiar with the original Virginia Beach location, just across from the Whole Foods on Laskin Road, that houses their original fifteen-barrel brewhouse and restaurant. It’s a great spot to gather for a beer and a nosh before a show at Elevation 27 or after a day of shopping at Hilltop. We have also visited the Chesapeake location, in the trendy Summit Pointe development where they share a block with upscale neighbors Luce Secondo and Cork & Bull Chophouse. So why open a third location while some breweries are scaling back or shutting down entirely in an industry that has increasingly become dog-eat-dog?

Basically, they wanted a location convenient to those who live or work in Norfolk, and the circa 1920 building on Granby Street, recently vacated by District Apizza, was too good an opportunity to pass up. We agree that the location is excellent. The historic building boasts a brick exterior and interior, a cool old-timey tile floor, and large storefront windows to let in the light. There is ample bar and table seating. Murals of mutts adorn the walls and there are large-screen televisions for watching the game or perhaps the AKC finals. It has a small parking lot and backs up to a revitalized commercial district that features warehouses converted into loft apartments, restaurants, and local businesses. Wasserhund NFK will have beers fermenting and barrel-aging on site, overseen by their long-time brewer Christina Whipple.

One difference between Wasserhund and most breweries in the region is that Wasserhund is actually a brewery-restaurant that serves beer they brew, called a brewpub. They have a restaurant menu with items like their popular wood-fired customizable pizzas with tons of topping choices  (pepperoni, bacon, anchovies, pineapple, feta, and more), burgers, bratwurst (traditional and vegan), salads, Brussels sprouts, mini Stromboli, chicken sandwiches and wings. They also have a “puppy menu’ for small human critters. And, (drum roll please) table service! So this is a brewpub, which is a different breed than the typical brewery tasting room where food is not served, although you might find a food truck. In addition to their beer they serve wine, a few house-made cocktails, canned non-alcoholic beers, and THC drinks.  Wasserhund does not stray from what has made them successful at the first two locations. 

They have ‘loyal brews’ like the Doggy Paddle West Coast IPA, German Shepheweizen Wheat Beer, Unleashed Boysenberry Gose, and Pick of the Litter American Lager. Rotating seasonal releases include Haagen Dog Ice Cream Stout, Big Dog Energy Juicy Double IPA, and Haywire Husky Coffee Lager (a favorite of ours). Earlier this year, Ear Perker Flanders Red Ale was a welcome surprise. We are fans of this Belgian style, exemplified by the original Duchesse of Bourgogne and Rodenbach beers. This is a barrel-aged mixed fermentation beer, typically a blend of young and longer-aged barrels, that is challenging to brew well. Wasserhund has done a very credible version with Ear Perker. Dark ruby red, with complex sour notes of red currants, cherry, and balsamic, and little to no detectable hops or malt flavor, this unique style is seldom attempted by American craft breweries, and rarely brewed well. This dog will hunt!

Seth Caddell, who co-owns and operates Coastal Fermentory in Newport News, recently acquired Rip Rap Brewing in Norfolk. For Caddell, building and neutering a sense of camaraderie within the independent craft beer community is important. 

“With Wasserhund half a block from Rip Rap, we absolutely love having them as neighbors and are looking forward to lots of collaborative opportunities in the coming years,” Caddell said. 

Wasserhund Brewing, too, is all about community and supports local charities. One night per week at each location they donate 25% of revenue to a local nonprofit that provides direct support to those in our region. They assist the charity partner with a theme party, raffle, and social media to help with this effort. Sounds like a great fundraising and team-building opportunity for local 501c(3) charities. Wasserhund puts its money where its muzzle is and has donated well over a quarter-million dollars to local charities since opening their doors ten years ago! 

Because they are a restaurant, city codes in all three locations do not allow dogs (or cats, peacocks, ponies, trash pandas, or javelinas) inside, with the exception of bona fide service dogs. Dogs are welcome on the patios in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake (assuming they are good boys and girls).

As for new releases, Wasserhund will unveil its Oktoberfest Lager on Saturday, August 1 at all locations featuring accordion music by Miles Hoyle (11 am to 2 pm in Norfolk, 6 to 9 pm in Virginia Beach) as well as bratwurst and pretzel specials. Prost!

The NFK location will also present Fantasy Fest on July 25 with butter beer on tap and live Dungeons & Dragons games hosted by Rogue Game Masters.  

Wasserhund NFK is located at 2411 Granby Street. Phone is 757-904-3217. Open Sunday-Thursday until 10 pm; Friday and Saturday until 11 pm.  https://wasserhundbrewing.com.