LELAND — From home brewer in Pennsylvania to brewery owner in North Carolina, Jeremy Mann will be launching his first business in Leland by the end of the month.
Mannkind Brewing — to be operated with his wife, Cassie — is the third brewery in the last year to open in Brunswick County’s fastest-growing town. Located at 9600 Ploof Road #7, the couple has been building the 5,000-square-foot space from the ground up since last summer.
Half of the square footage will house a 10-barrel system, allowing for 310 gallons of beer brewed per batch. There will be a 1,400-square-foot taproom and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden featuring food trucks and outdoor entertainment.
The team is planning its grand launch on Aug. 25 with 12 taps. Four or five will pour Mannkind beers — a pale ale, IPA, Belgian-style ale and a light lager.
“We’re trying to focus on lagers since there’s an older demographic over here — a good amount of retirees,” Mann said. “We want to do traditional styles first.”
In November last year, the Manns hired head brewer Alexis Scrivani to create the sippers. Initially, Mann hoped to be the head brew master after years spent home brewing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
“During that time, we came up with the name Mannkind just because every home brewer has to have a name for their project, and it trickled over and seemed to gain some traction,” Mann said.
The Army vet has a bachelor’s degree in business and works as a project manager for Duke Energy. While the job allows him a flexible schedule, Mann came to realize there were not enough hours in the day to oversee the business side of Mannkind and create its beers while holding a full-time job.
“I already work about 18 to 20 hours as is — not something I recommend,” he said with a laugh.
His wife is a dental hygienist and the two moved to Leland to be closer to family. They had visited for years and loved the coastal atmosphere.
“We relocated about two-and-a-half years ago and noticed there was a vacuum of breweries here,” Mann said. “Zero when we arrived, whereas Wilmington had a great established community.”
Mann said they have started off with recipes from the head brew master. A graduate of Appalachian State’s fermentation science program, Scrivani has worked for Waterman’s Brewing Company in Wilmington. She is joined by assistant brewer Jake Stevens.
The alcohol by volume percentage of beers will be between 5% and 8%. Down the line Mann said they’ll be introducing more “fun beers,” like sours, stouts and other IPAs.
“We want to get folks engaged first and ease them into craft beer here,” he said.
Mann’s beer preference, a Belgian style, also will be featured at the brewery’s opening. He said it’s created with a different kind of yeast adding to its flavor profile.
“You can really taste the ingredients,” Mann said.
Mannkind also will offer a housemade seltzer on tap. It will have one flavor — raspberry-lime — at opening but the goal is to add more to the fold.
“They’re very crushable,” Mann said, referring to the low ABV. He described Mannkind’s as more fruity than alcohol-forward and without containing aspartame or other faux sweeteners.
“We haven’t seen too many seltzers on tap around here,” he added. “Our’s has more color and more depth. A lot of the ones that are canned are crystal clear because they’re filtered and use imitation flavors. We’re actually using real fruit.”
Food trucks will be parked at the opening and live music will be performed by Josh Lewis. The plan is to bring in live entertainment frequently — comedians and trivia included — and trucks and vendors to provide food options.
By the end of September, Mann hopes to have all 12 taps full of Mannkind one-of-a-kind brews. Plus, there is room to grow.
“We can double our capacity and go up to 24,” he said.
By Oct. 1, an Oktoberfest brew will be ready to serve as well.
Within six months, limited distribution will come. Kegs of the beer will be available to local accounts with canning also coming down the pipe.
Mannkind Brewing is family- and dog-friendly, and hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday, until 10 p.m. on Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
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