Back Bay Brewing Co | Virginia Beach
Located on Norfolk Avenue in Virginia Beach, Back Bay Brewery occupies a building rich with local history — once home to a lumber mill, the old Virginia Beach Ice House, and most famously, the original showroom for surf icons Wave Riding Vehicles.
Completed in Winter 2013/2014, the project is built entirely from Eastern Aromatic Red Cedar, sourced from local trees that fell during hurricanes throughout the Virginia Beach area. Every board carries the scent and story of the coast — a reminder that what nature gives, we can reclaim with purpose.
One of the space’s most distinctive features is the reclaimed metal wall installation, salvaged in Creeds, VA. The material once overlooked the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, the very place where the brewery’s founders conceived the idea for Back Bay Brewing while duck hunting. The wall now stands as both a visual focal point and a symbolic nod to their beginnings.
Custom pieces included:
Bartop, coffee table, dining tables, benches, barstools, drink rails, shelving, and tap handles — all handcrafted from reclaimed Eastern Aromatic Red Cedar
Wall accents — reclaimed metal roofing from Creeds, VA
Railings, sinks, and fixtures — salvaged from Norfolk, VA
Each element was designed to honor Back Bay’s connection to the local landscape — built from the same wood and metal that have weathered its storms, shaped its coastlines, and inspired its community. The result is a space that feels both timeless and deeply rooted in Virginia Beach’s heritage of craftsmanship and coastal life.
