NORFOLK, Va. — The Armed Forces Brewing Company will soon take over the O'Connor Brewery and now some are questioning tweets and other posts made by the company and its leadership.
This week, former Navy Seal Robert O'Neill, who is listed as a director for the brewery, tweeted a response to a news article where some questioned his views by saying, "I simply don't do business with pedophiles."
He previously posted a Tweet critical of the Navy and a drag queen.
A promotional video also features him shooting guns.
The comments and others have raised eyebrows as the brewery prepares to come to Norfolk.
"His comments about pedophilia and pedophiles and such just show his true self and what he truly thinks about the LGBT community," said Stacie Walls, the CEO of the LGBT Life Center.
Last week in a press release, Gov. Youngkin announced the brewery would be coming to Norfolk and taking over the brewery on 24th Street.
O'Connor Brewing Co. announced it's closing its physical location after more than a decade.
Norfolk
O’Connor Brewing Company sells Norfolk location to outside brewery
The governor's press release included a quote from Del. Jackie Glass (D-Norfolk) welcoming Armed Forces Brewing to the city, but shifted gears this week when she learned about what she called "divisive" values.
On Wednesday night, she held a town hall meeting with members of the community to discuss the brewery.
"My values don't align with the leadership of Armed Forces Brewing, my personal values," Glass said in a video posted on Facebook earlier this week.
On Facebook, Norfolk City Council member Andria McClellan posted that she didn't learn of the brewery until the governor's press release.
McClellan said normally new businesses reach out to the city council members, but in this case that didn't happen.
She does note it is a private transaction.
The company will be able to take over from O'Connor and operate for 120 days before going to the city and requesting a conditional use permit, which council would have to approve if they want to have a tap room.
A spokesperson for ABC said they are waiting for an application for a continuation of operations permit from the brewery.
"I would wonder why they want to be in Ghent because that's not actually the vibe of the community. It's not even the vibe of Norfolk, quite frankly. I mean the majority of Norfolk citizens seem to be incredibly accepting and inclusive," said Walls.
In response, Alan Beal, the CEO of Armed Forces Brewing Company, released the following statement:
“I’m rather disappointed that Delegate Glass didn't contact me to discuss any of her concerns. As a resident of Norfolk, she is my representative, as well as Armed Forces Brewing Company’s. If she had spoken to me directly, she'd know that Armed Forces Brewing Company respects and embraces all of the military, veteran, first responder and patriotic community— that includes my undying respect and gratitude for Delegate Glass's military service to our country. These heroes make up a VERY diverse group of Americans. Our AFBC Veteran's Foundation raises money to help veterans and their families, regardless of their gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, race, religious or political beliefs. We love them all. There is no hate emanating from this organization. For her to raise concerns as to safety issues surrounding Armed Forces Brewing Company operating in Norfolk is absolutely irresponsible and nothing but theater and fear mongering. On the contrary, our entire mission is about brewing great beer that tributes American military service and to use our success to help veterans. Threatening Armed Forces Brewing Company threatens the 47 mostly-veteran jobs we’re bringing to Norfolk. I'm not sure why a legislator would want to block jobs for our beloved Veteran community based on unfounded assumptions about our organization."
