WILMINGTON — As the Wilmington area continues to grow its reputation as an “Asheville East” of craft breweries — there are now 17 in the region — we’ll be here to keep you in the loop.
The craft beer tracker is a place to keep up with scheduled beer releases, festivals, special casks, and more for the week ahead. We’ll publish every Sunday and update throughout the week as information comes along.
Remember, because schedules can fluctuate inside the brewhouse, check the breweries’ links for updates on their Facebook pages. Brewers, taproom managers, and owners — keep us informed at pcd@localvoicemedia.com.
This week in craft beer Monday, Dec. 10 – Sunday, Dec. 16
In the News | Local breweries take part in nationwide collaboration brew for Camp Fire victims
New Anthem Beer Project, Good Hops Brewing, and Makai Brewing Co. are joining nearly 1,400 breweries across the U.S. in brewing the Resilience IPA in collaboration with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Now, for the new beers out this week:
Bill’s Brewing Co. | 4238 Market Street in midtown Wilmington
One of their flagships, the Roundabout ESB — an English-style ale with notes of nuttiness and caramel — returns to the taproom on Thursday, Dec. 13.
- Brewing Philosophy: “We strive to create beer that everyone can enjoy, from the craft beer connoisseur to individuals new to the craft beer scene.”
- Brewers’ Top 3: Dog Haze of Summer NEIPA, Schwarzbier, and Wave Break IPA
- Founded: June 2016
Broomtail Craft Brewery | 6404 Amsterdam Way, King’s Grant area of Wilmington
They’re releasing the “The Evening” on Friday, Dec. 14, only available in the taproom. “Based on the ancient Gruit style using herbs in place of hops for the majority of the bittering.” This is a small batch flavored and bittered using locally found herbs.
Their Coastal Love New England IPA was re-released on Saturday, Dec. 7, with all proceeds going to the Foundation for the Carolinas in support of their Florence relief fund.
- Coming Soon: A “major release” to be tapped Dec. 21 during their Christmas party. “Get ready to experience the true taste of our local terroir.”
- Brewing Philosophy: “To enrich the world by using scientific art coupled with the natural resources and living organisms provided by Mother Nature developing unique, high quality beer for all to enjoy.”
- Brewers’ Top 3: Galloping Gose’ – series of light sours using natural lactobacillus and brewers yeast in fermentation to develop smooth, refreshing, true to style Gose’; Acerbic Ecstasy – flagship IPA, a hybrid English / West Coast IPA; Moe Beer – signature brown ale, highly crushable and pairs well with almost any dish.
- Founded: 2014
Keep up with their souring/barrel aging facility and taproom in Ogden, The Sour Barn (7211 Market Street).
Check Six Brewing Co. | 5130 Southport-Supply Road in Southport
Coming back this week is the Tanker Coffee Porter and Flight School Citra IPA (with grapefruit). Stay tuned on their Facebook page, link above.
- Coming Soon: Handley Page Scottish Ale (14.5 percent ABV)
- Brewing Philosophy: “Make the finest ales and lagers possible, using local ingredients whenever possible.”
- Brewers’ Top 3: Harley Pope Vanilla Porter, Aerial Aggression Double IPA, B-17 Bock
- Founded: June 2016
Edward Teach Brewery | 604 N 4th Street in downtown Wilmington
Check their Facebook page (above) for any updates.
- About:: “Set in a historic firehouse in Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District, we craft beers for everyone. Try our German or Black Lagers, Peach Wheat Ale, and IPAs.”
- Founded: December 2017
Flying Machine Brewing Co. | 3130 Randall Parkway in midtown Wilmington
Starting last Friday, limited crowlers — the new brewery’s first hand packaged release — of their Polar Byrd Winter Warmer Ale only available in the taproom. “Inspired by the Yule Teas of old, this 7.4% English style Old Ale is brewed with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and cardamom.”
- About: The new 16,600-square-foot building has a 10,000-square-foot brewhouse, taproom, two-story outside patio, and inside and outside bars.
- Founded: June 2016
Flytrap Brewing | Located at 319 Walnut Street in downtown Wilmington
Beers here are named after the style and main ingredients, simple as that. A Friday, Dec. 7 release of the Sour Blond aged on 50 pounds of whole strawberries. Available on draft and crowlers to-go.
- Brewing Style: “A neighborhood brewery specializing in small batch American and Belgian style ales that are guaranteed to be at the peak of freshness.”
- Brewers’ Top 3: Our Saisons, our Rotating House IPA, and our Kettle Sour Ales
- Founded: October 2014
Front Street Brewery | 9 N. Front Street in downtown Wilmington
Wort Shop Small Batch Beer comes out on Thursday. This is a variation of Tiny Tim’s Christmas Ale, an American imperial porter with a cheery 8 percent ABV.
- Brewing Style: “Specializing in American and Belgian style ales and small batch brews.”
- Brewers’ Top 3: Amberjack ESB, Napoleon Rye-namite, Tiny Tim’s Christmas Ale
- Founded: 1995
Good Hops Brewing | 811 Harper Ave in Carolina Beach
On Friday, Dec. 15 they’ll release their Resilience IPA to support Californians affected by the deadliest wildfire in California history. Returning this past weekend was their Bravehop Scotch Ale.
- Mission: “To make and drink damn tasty beer, offer a comfortable neighborhood gathering place and support all things local.”
- Flagships: Donna Golden Ale, Flip Hop IPA, Stanky Yankee Hazy IPA
- Founded: 2014
Ironclad Brewery | 115 N. 2nd Street in downtown Wilmington
Check their Facebook page (above) for any updates.
Mad Mole Brewing | 6309 Boathouse Road near Bradley Creek in Wilmington
Last week they re-released their crowd favorite Raspberry Molay, a Kölsch. Stay tuned to their Facebook page (link above) for what’s new this week.
- About: “Wilmington’s first solar powered brewery. Spun off from a local software company, Mad Mole combines technology and art to brew better beer.”
- Founded: June 2018
Makai Brewing Co. | 5850 Ocean Highway W. Unit 1 in Ocean Isle Beach
Their first Belgian Quadrupel went on tap last Thursday. On Dec. 22 they’ll be serving the Resilience IPA, a collaboration beer spearheaded by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. to support California wildfire victims.
- Brewing Philosophy: “Extending the reach of North Carolina craft beer ‘toward the sea’ with consistent flagships and diverse small-batches inspired by the Hawaiian Islands, the Carolina Coast, and our local community.”
- Brewers’ Choice: Carolina Tropical IPA, Nightingale Coffee Porter, Fire Knife DIPA
- Founded: 2017
New Anthem Beer Project | 116 Dock Street in downtown Wilmington
On Friday, Dec. 14, they’ll have a can-release of a trio of American IPAs: the Steez, So Desu Ne, and Five Thieves; plus a draft release of the Roadside Prophet Stout.
- Brewing Style: “Diverse and recognizable hoppy beers with a side car of barrel-aged dark beers and traditional styles from the UK and Belgium.”
- Brewers’ Choice: Rusty Cage, Five Thieves, Hillbilly Prophet
- Founded: 2016
Salty Turtle Beer Co. | 103 Triton Lane in Surf City
Next week they’ll release their Christmas Ale, brewed with local honey from a farm in Burgaw, plus cinnamon and sugar. This is an ode to their production manager’s midwest roots. “When Christmas came around every year, Great Lakes Brewing has this Christmas ale that people just go crazy over,” owner Dan Callender said.
- About: “Veteran owned brewery located in Surf City, consisting of 10 rotating taps and a family friendly taproom featuring food trucks and live music. “
- Brewers’ Choice: Coastline Kölsch, Hey Zay NEIPA, Swingbridge Breakfast Stout
- Founded: Dec. 2017
Read about the brewery’s plans to expand.
Waterline Brewing Co. | 721 Surry Street in downtown Wilmington
Last week they released their Holiday Spiced Gruit, brewed without hops. Gruit is an herb mixture used for bittering and flavoring beer — once a popular brewing ingredient before the modern hop bonanza.
- Brewing Philosophy: “Brewed Under the Bridge with a focus on traditional, easy drinking beer styles with the occasional twist.”
- Brewers’ Choice: Our top-selling Kolsch, awarding-winning Coffee and Cream Pale Ale, and the annual release of our Whiskey Barrel Aged Tennessee Tripel.
- Founded: 2014
Waterman’s Brewing | 1610 Pavilion Place near the Wrightsville bridge
Stay tuned for a new release this week: the Makin’ Me Hazy 2.0. “The second Waterman’s interpretation of the Hazy IPA style. El Dorado, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops bridge the gap between earthy, tropical, and danky notes.”
- Brewing Philosophy: “Love your liquid!”
- Brewers’ Choice: Abundant Sunshine IPA, Knothead ESB, Makin’ Me Hazy IPA
- Opened: July 2017
Wilmington Brewing Co. | 824 Kerr Avenue in midtown Wilmington
New can-release of their collaboration New England Double IPA with Weldwerks Brewing near Fort Collins, Colorado. And on-tap they just released a brand new chocolate milk stout.
- About: “Homegrown from a small home-brew shop to an 11,800 square-foot facility. WBC includes a 3bbl and 25bbl brewery, tasting room, and a home-brew supply store.”
- Brewers’ Choice: Tropical Lightning IPA, Blair’s Breakfast Stout, Jalapeño Saison
- Opened brewery/taproom: 2014
Listen to owners Michelle and John Savard discuss milkshake IPAs and the rise of women in the American taproom.
Wrightsville Beach Brewery | 6201 Oleander Drive near Bradley Creek, Wilmington
Keep your eyes on their Tap-It-Tuesday, where they take a keg of one of their flagships and turn it into a specialty one-off beer.
- Brewing Style: “Wide variety perfect for sipping on the beach, including a year-around selection of lagers.”
- Brewers’ Choice: Carolina Harvest Ale, Raspberry Berlinerweisse, bourbon barrel-aged Masonbarrel Barleywine
- Founded: 2016
