Article by Kyle Kovachik with photos by Fitz
(Lead photo: Halloween decorated Wasserhund entranceway)
Hampton Roads has become a serious place for craft beer breweries and drinkers. The extra competition has forced brew masters to offer up something more along with their newest brew. With the combination of fresh baked pizza and German style craft beer, Wasserhund could become a powerhouse in the local brewpub game.
“Moon Doggy Pizza” emerging from the oven/ Employee Brittany Robertson
Tucked behind Conte’s Bike Shop on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach, Wasserhund offers a relaxed atmosphere amidst wood and surf accents. Local couple Aaron and Christine Holley dreamt up the idea for a bierhaus-style brewery following a trip to Germany where they fell in love with the culture and of course, the beer. In case you’re wondering, Wasserhund is German for water dog, which ties in nicely with their logo and overall motif.
I started off with their Hoppin’ Honey Ale as I looked over the menu. Self-described as a beer for the craft beer lover, I was immediately intrigued. Sitting in my glass was a rich amber colored beer with intense floral aromas. Usually, I’m not one to be drawn to overly hoppy beers but the mixture of the citrus and floral flavors with a slightly bitter taste creates an easy to drink beer that would be perfect as part of a craft beer lovers regular rotation.
Über Schwarz IPA
Going through the brew list, I saw that porters and stouts were absent. Those happen to be my favorite. I look for them wherever I go. They would be better served by including these in their beer offerings to serve a wider audience. However, I saw them serve a flight to another patron and noticed a dark beer among the golden beers. I asked the bartender for one of whatever that was. It happened to be their Über Schwarz IPA. Again, stouts and porters are in my wheelhouse and I never really caught on to the IPA craze that seems to be never-ending. Too late now though, the beer is poured. This IPA provides a smooth malty flavor without the classic extreme bitterness found in most IPAs. Coming in at a whopping 8.1%, you’ll definitely feel it. Overall, it was a good beer but not one I’ll repeat due to my personal tastes.
“Moon Doggy” pizza with Edwards Ham
As part of my visit, I had to try one of their pizzas. It’s not enough that the fresh baked pizza smell engulfs the sitting area, but if you sit at the bar, you are face to face with the stone bottomed pizza oven… just try coming here and not getting a pizza. I must admit that I went a little on the safe side of their pizza offerings with The Italian Greyhound (Italian sausage, pepperoni, and roma tomato slices), but if you are feeling adventurous, they offer everything from ham and pineapple to bratwurst with sauerkraut. From top to bottom, this pizza is amazing. As a past dough slinger in my younger days, I appreciate that they have a slightly sweet sauce. The sauce can either make or break a pizza as a whole and too many times pizza places will not put in the effort into crafting a good sauce recipe. The other great highlight with the pizza is the butter crust that was cooked to a crispy/chewy perfection. Bottom line, I love this pizza and I wish I lived closer but I can see myself making the trip from Portsmouth for this pizza treat.
Interior of Wasserhund
Wasserhund is a labor of love from the owners and it shows. The beer is well brewed and I enjoyed the food. It has understandably already gained a following with the locals who advise coming in early on the weekends as it fills up quickly with a fun loving crowd. Make this brewpub part of your adventures and you won’t be disappointed.
For more on Wasserhund visit them online HERE
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