Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cape Fear Beer Tracker: This week in craft beer July 29 – Aug 4

Our craft beer tracker is a place to keep up with scheduled beer releases, festivals, special casks, and more for the week ahead.

Beer Picture of the Week: Makai Brewing Company's Fire Knife Imperial IPA, named for Hawaii's Fire Knife Dance. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Makai Brewing Co.)
Beer Picture of the Week: Makai Brewing Company’s Fire Knife Imperial IPA, named for Hawaii’s Fire Knife Dance. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Makai Brewing Co.)

WILMINGTON — The Wilmington area continues to grow its reputation as an “Asheville East” of craft breweries — there are now 18 in the region — and we’ll be here to keep you in the loop. Our 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 week and update as information comes along.

Schedules can fluctuate inside the brewhouse, so check the breweries’ links for updates on their Facebook pages. Brewers and taproom managers: keep us informed at pcd@localvoicemedia.com.

This week in craft beer Monday, July 29 – Sunday, August 4

Bill’s Brewing Co. | 4238 Market Street in midtown Wilmington

American Palate Awards: their Merganser won Bronze in the Schwarzbier category, Dog Haze won Silver in the New England IPA category, and Wave Break won Gold in the American IPA category.

Recent Releases: Lunch Box Session IPA (4.6% ABV) brewed with Simcoe, Amarillo, and El Dorado hops; and Profusion 3.0, a juicy New England IPA with large additions of Galaxy, Mosaic, Citra, and Lemondrop hops. 

  • 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

Latest Release: Fruity Loopy Galloping Gose.

  • 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

And keep up with their souring/barrel-aging facility and taproom in Ogden, The Sour Barn (7211 Market Street).

Edward Teach Brewery | 604 N 4th Street in downtown Wilmington

Limited Release (Saturday, Aug. 3): Tram’s Trippy Mango Wheat, in collaboration with a book release from local author Todd Sherman. According to taproom manager Amy Walker, Sherman wrote two-thirds of his book, “Toxic Night Jars,” at the brewery.

  • Brewing Philosophy: We focus on balance within each beer style we make & enjoy brewing everything from Lagers to IPAs.
  • Founded: December 2017

Flying Machine Brewing Co. | 3130 Randall Parkway in midtown Wilmington

New Collaboration Release (July 14): Aussie Hop (an “Australian Sparkling Ale), brewed in collaboration with Zillicoah Beer Co. out of Woodfin, NC.

  • Brewing Philosophy: We want to mix new age ideas with old school techniques to bring a new era of innovation to the marketplace.”
  • Brewers’ Top 3: Vimana (a Kölsch), Hollow Bones (a Roggenbier), and Hollow Wolf Lord (a double New England IPA)
  • Founded: June 2016

Flytrap Brewing | Located at 319 Walnut Street in downtown Wilmington

A sneak peak at some of the hundreds of cherries that were pitted and prepped at Flytrap Brewing for an upcoming Gose beer. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Flytrap Brewing)
A sneak peek at some of the hundreds of cherries that were pitted and prepped at Flytrap Brewing for an upcoming Gose beer. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Flytrap Brewing)

Upcoming Releases: a cucumber Berliner and cherry Gose (stay tuned on their Facebook page, link above).

  • 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

Stay tuned for any releases on their Facebook page (link above).

  • 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

Recent Release (July 12): Tangerine IPA.

  • 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

Ironclad's just released the Southern Cross IPA, an annual IPA batch that donates a dollar from every pint to the MARSOC Foundation. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Ironclad Brewery)
Ironclad’s just released the Southern Cross IPA, an annual IPA batch that donates a dollar from every pint to the MARSOC Foundation. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Ironclad Brewery)

Newest Release: Cukes of Hazard (5.3% ABV), a Belgian Witbier brewed with zest and conditioned on fresh cucumbers and mint.

Recent Release: Southern Cross 2019 (7% ABV), a hazy IPA with Citra and Motueka hops in the kettle and dry hop, brewed annually in honor of special ops members of the Marine Raider Regiment. A dollar of every pint will be donated to the MARSOC Foundation, on tap while it lasts (last year’s batch sold out in two weeks).

“Never above you, never below you, always beside you,” head brewer Laren Avery said of the annual beer.

  • Brewing Philosophy: We strive to provide each beer enthusiast with a unique experience by infusing traditional styles with unexpected ingredients: Fermentation of the Imagination!”
  • Brewers’ Top 3: Smoked Honey Lager, Cukes of Hazard, and Navigator Double Bock
  • Founded: 2015

Mad Mole Brewing | 6309 Boathouse Road near Bradley Creek in Wilmington

First Ever Collaboration Batch (July 24): a double IPA brewed alongside Wilmington’s Skytown Beer Company.

First Ever Can Release (July 18): 4-packs available of the Boston Mole Party New England IPA.

  • 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
Mad Mole's first collaboration batch of a double IPA was brewed with Wilmington's Skytown Beer Company. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Mad Mole Brewing)
Mad Mole’s first collaboration batch of a double IPA was brewed with Wilmington’s Skytown Beer Company. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Mad Mole Brewing)

Makai Brewing Co. | 5850 Ocean Highway W. Unit 1 in Ocean Isle Beach

Releases: one of their core beers, Fire Knife Imperial IPA, is back on tap (picture at top of article) as well as the Falls Cream Ale. Stay tuned with several more beers coming out in the next two weeks.

  • 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

New Anthem's release of the Hot July Moon, a Berliner brewed with strawberry and blueberry puree. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy New Anthem Beer Project)
New Anthem’s release of the Hot July Moon, a Berliner brewed with strawberry and blueberry purée. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy New Anthem Beer Project)

New Draft Release: Hot July Moon, a Berliner brewed with strawberry and blueberry purée and pea flower.

  • Brewers’ Choice: Rusty Cage, Five Thieves, Hillbilly Prophet
  • Founded: 2016

Red Hare 34 North Experiment Station 4802 Main St in Shallotte

Draft and Can Release: Orange Creamsic-ale, brewed with orange and vanilla (5.5% ABV) and drinks with a smooth, creamy texture.

  • Brewing Style: “Our style is fun, approachable beers. Specialize in lagers and crushable IPA’s to experiment wilds and sours, all usually with a classical and historically accurate base but with our innovative spin.”
  • Brewers’ Top 3: Soft J IPA, SPF 50/50 Tangerine, and Putin’s Paradise Russian Imperial Stout
  • Founded: 2012 (Shallotte location opened April 2018)

Salty Turtle Beer Co. | 103 Triton Lane in Surf City

Latest Releases: Surfizz Cucumber Lime (4.5%), a low-calorie hard seltzer with, the “first locally made hard seltzer in the region! Perfect for the coastal community,” co-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

Waterline Brewing Co. | 721 Surry Street in Downtown Wilmington

Read about the brewery’s expansion of its Kölsch production in response to growing local demand in a Wilmington market dominated by hoppy ales.

  • 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

View their most recent beer list here.

  • 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

One of Wilmington Brewing's three can releases over the weekend, 8 Minute Song New England IPA. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Wilmington Brewing Co.)
One of Wilmington Brewing’s three can releases over the weekend, 8 Minute Song New England IPA. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Wilmington Brewing Co.)

Can Releases (July 27): 8 Minute Song (Double Dry Hopped New England IPA), Grapefruit Gose (Sour Ale), and Same Same (IPA).

  • 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

Wrightsville Beach Brewery | 6201 Oleander Drive near Bradley Creek

New Release (July 26): Mindboggler 2.0, a double dry hopped Belgian IPA brewed at a strong 9.5% ABV. “A big Belgian nose with citrusy flavor notes throughout,” owner Judd Watkins described his newest release.

American Palate Awards: their Waterway IPA won Bronze in the American IPA category and their Puppy Drum Pale Ale won Gold in the American Pale Ale category.

  • Brewing Style: “Wide variety perfect for sipping on the beach, including a year-round selection of lagers.”
  • Brewers’ Choice: Carolina Harvest Ale, Raspberry Berlinerweisse, bourbon barrel-aged Masonbarrel Barleywine
  • Founded: 2016

 

Related Articles