Brews & Brine

On Saturday, August 9th, Makers Meals partnered with The Birch to host Brews & Brine — an afternoon celebrating two of Virginia’s most iconic flavors: beer and oysters.

We cracked open a flight of thoughtfully brewed beers from Wheatland Spring Estate Brewery, Virginia’s first estate brewery, known for its farm-driven and sustainable approach to brewing. Each pour was paired with freshly shucked oysters from Matheson Oyster Co., a family-run farm deeply rooted in respect for our coastal ecosystems. Guests enjoyed these pairings alongside a beautifully prepared and styled grazing table by Faezeh Faiz of @fififoodstylist, which played on the concept of sea to field — beginning with mackerel dip and Spanish pintxos, then flowing into an abundant spread of meats, cheeses, and seasonal produce.

Both the owners of Wheatland Spring and Matheson Oyster Co. joined Malia M., Owner of The Birch Bar and 411 York in Norfolk for a panel discussion led by Amber Breitenberg, offering an inside look at the care, craft, and collaboration behind their work — and what it takes to bring these Virginia staples from field and water to table.

The featured tasting flight included:

Good Days to Come — Open-Fermented Citrus Wit, 4.9%
Du Champ — Open-Fermented, Mixed-Culture, Blended Grisette, 4.2%
Merveille (Batch Two) — Open-Fermented Farmhouse Ale, 6.3%

Guests also enjoyed draft pours of:

Adorn — Italian Pilsner, 5.3%
Streamline — American Pale Ale, 5.5% (brewed exclusively with Virginia grain and U.S. hops)

It was a true taste of Virginia — celebrating the craft of brewing, the work of our local oyster farmers, and the artistry of a grazing table designed to connect the sea and the field.