"Norfolk Council Approves Controversial Military-Themed Brewery Despite Opposition"

Norfolk City Council has approved a conditional use permit for Armed Forces Brewing Company, a military-themed brewery, to operate a taproom and sell beer in Norfolk. The decision comes after months of pushback from the local community, who criticized the company's messaging as divisive and bigoted. Despite concerns about the brewery's operations and messaging, council members framed the vote as a land use issue and emphasized that brewing by right is not subject to debate. The lone dissenting vote cited concerns about the increase in intensity of the business and recent violations. The brewery plans to open in January.