NORFOLK, Va. — A controversial local brewery announced it is planning to relocate.

Armed Forces Brewing Company (AFBC) opened in Norfolk in 2024.

In a statement, the brewery told us it is closing its Norfolk location and “we had chosen Norfolk because of the large military and veteran community … unfortunately our ability to profitably operate in Norfolk was severely impacted by a local woke mob.”

The location used to house O’Connor Brewing before it closed in 2023. AFBC announced it would take over the space and have it be home to their headquarters and inaugural brewing facility.

However, multiple local civic leagues came out against the brewery’s request for a conditional use permit due to AFBC shareholder and veteran Robert O’Neill sharing anti-LGBTQ rhetoric online, including calling members of the LGBTQ community “pedophiles.”

Despite the opposition, Norfolk City Council ultimately approved the permits, allowing AFBC to operate.

In its statement announcing its relocation, AFBC CEO Alan Beal said the business was “severely affected” from “a few individuals” who “spread outright lies about our company, our employees, and our shareholders before we even opened our doors.”

Beal said it created a “toxic environment” and that they would relocate to a “more pro-small business social and economic climate.”

Beal also said, “In our situation, these actions have been so egregious that we plan to file criminal complaints in Virginia against some of the perpetrators and intend to assist with prosecuting them.”

There is no word yet on where the brewery is considering relocating.