Brewery Profile

Benchtop Brewing Company

In Norfolk’s beer scene, Benchtop Brewing Company stands out less as a fixed-style destination than as a place built around process, variation, and technical curiosity. A visitor walking in should expect the taproom experience to revolve around what is pouring that day from its twelve taps, rather than a permanent lineup of flagship beers. The brewery’s identity is tied to scientific innovation, fresh ingredients, and a willingness to test new brewing techniques. That can mean unfamiliar flavor combinations alongside more recognizable styles, with the tap list changing as new batches move through production. The result is a stop where the beer itself is the main point of orientation: read the current pours, ask what has recently changed, and expect a range that reflects experimentation as much as consistency.

Travelers exploring breweries in Norfolk and the wider region often look for taprooms that add something different to a local itinerary, especially when they have already tried familiar versions of pale ales, lagers, stouts, or sour beers elsewhere. Benchtop fits that kind of visit because its production schedule includes both experimental creations and technical reinterpretations of traditional beer. Quick Pickle Gose is an example of the brewery’s more unconventional side, while foeder-conditioned lagers show how older forms can be approached with a different fermentation or aging method. For visitors who enjoy comparing how breweries handle acidity, texture, yeast character, ingredient choices, or lager conditioning, this is the type of stop where the distinctions are part of the appeal. It is not necessary to arrive with deep brewing knowledge, but curiosity helps.

Practical planning should stay flexible because the rotating selection is central to the experience. The taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours, including which experimental beers, lagers, or other styles are currently available across the twelve taps. Specific amenities such as food service, outdoor seating, events, or package availability are not established here, so visitors should verify current details directly before making the trip if those factors matter. The safest expectation is a beer-focused visit centered on sampling what is fresh and available at that moment. For anyone building a Norfolk brewery route, Benchtop is best treated as a stop for changing flavors, technical risk-taking, and a tap list that may look different from one visit to the next.

Benchtop Brewing Company, located in Norfolk, Virginia, emphasizes a foundation of scientific innovation in its approach to craft brewing. The brewery focuses on utilizing new techniques and fresh ingredients to develop its rotating selection of beers. Benchtop maintains twelve taps featuring a diverse array of styles, often including experimental creations such as the Quick Pickle Gose. Beyond novelty, the production schedule incorporates innovative takes on traditional styles, including foeder-conditioned lagers. This methodology centers on the exploration of varied flavor profiles and continuous technical risk-taking within the brewing process.

Website available

1129 Boissevain Ave, Norfolk, Virginia, 23507-1401

Phone: 1 (804) 658-3953

Website: http://www.benchtopbrewing.com

Hours: Norfolk Tasting Room: Monday 3pm – 9pm, Tuesday 3pm – 9pm, Wednesday 3pm – 9pm, Thursday 3pm – 9pm, Friday 12pm – 10pm, Saturday 12pm – 10pm, Sunday 12pm – 7pm. Richmond Tasting Room: Monday closed, Tuesday 4pm – 9pm, Wednesday 4pm – 9pm, Thursday 4pm – 9pm, Friday 4pm – 10pm, Saturday 12pm – 10pm, Sunday 12pm – 7pm.

Popular Beers

A quick look at notable pours currently tied to Benchtop Brewing Company.

Beer Styles at Benchtop Brewing Company

Benchtop Brewing Company brews across a range of styles. The current lineup includes Gose. Specific pours rotate over time — check the taproom board on the day of your visit for what is currently available on tap.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming public events currently attached to this brewery.

  • 4th of July – RVA

    Jul 4, 2026

    Fourth of July event at Benchtop Brewing Company's Richmond Tasting Room. Date is listed, but no specific time or additional details are provided.

  • RVA | Trivia Night

    Jul 7, 2026

    Join us for a fun trivia night at the Richmond Tasting Room. Challenge your friends and win prizes while enjoying great beer.

  • Manchester Alliance Meeting

    Jul 8, 2026

    Manchester Alliance meeting at Benchtop Brewing Company's Richmond Tasting Room. Date is listed, but no specific time or additional details are provided.

  • RVA | BINGO Night

    Jul 8, 2026

    Enjoy an exciting Bingo night at the Richmond Tasting Room. Win prizes and enjoy curated beers in a vibrant atmosphere.

  • Bookish at Benchtop

    Jul 12, 2026

    A literary gathering for poets, prose lovers, writers, and readers to share favorite poems, passages, current reads, and conversation. Full draft lineup plus cocktails, slushies,…

  • Open Mic Poetry Night with River City Poets RVA

    Jul 14, 2026

    Open mic poetry night with River City Poets RVA at Benchtop Brewing Company's Richmond Tasting Room. Date is listed, but no specific time is provided.

  • Girl I Need This Happy Hour Hang

    Jul 17, 2026

    Benchtop Brewing is partnering with Girl I Needed This for a happy hour hang at the Richmond tasting room. The event features draft beer, boozy slushies, cocktails, gourmet glizzi…

  • Jacoozy LIVE in Norfolk

    Jul 18, 2026

    Live performance by Jacoozy at Benchtop Brewing Company's Norfolk Tasting Room. Date is listed, but no specific time is provided.

  • Bookish at Benchtop

    Jul 26, 2026

    A literary gathering for poets, prose lovers, writers, and readers to share favorite poems, passages, current reads, or conversation around the written word. Full draft lineup plu…

  • One Flew Over the Comics Nest: Open Mic Comedy Night

    Jul 28, 2026

    This open mic comedy night at Benchtop Brewing RVA happens every 4th Tuesday, from 7–9 pm, hosted by Kade Wonders. Free to join or watch, with a full food & drink menu available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Benchtop Brewing Company located?
Benchtop Brewing Company is located at 1129 Boissevain Ave, Norfolk, Virginia, 23507-1401. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your visit.
What are Benchtop Brewing Company's hours?
Current hours are: Norfolk Tasting Room: Monday 3pm – 9pm, Tuesday 3pm – 9pm, Wednesday 3pm – 9pm, Thursday 3pm – 9pm, Friday 12pm – 10pm, Saturday 12pm – 10pm, Sunday 12pm – 7pm. Richmond Tasting Room: Monday closed, Tuesday 4pm – 9pm, Wednesday 4pm – 9pm, Thursday 4pm – 9pm, Friday 4pm – 10pm, Saturday 12pm – 10pm, Sunday 12pm – 7pm.. Hours can change on holidays and during private events — call ahead if your visit is time-sensitive.
How can I learn more about Benchtop Brewing Company?
Visit http://www.benchtopbrewing.com for the brewery's own information about beers, events, and operations. Beer.Social aggregates public data and visitor-facing details to help with planning a stop.