Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Cape Fear Beer Tracker: This week in craft beer September 30 – October 6

Beer Picture of the Week: Flytrap Brewing's Mosaic Red is back on tap. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Flytrap Brewing)
Beer Picture of the Week: Flytrap Brewing’s Mosaic Red is back on tap. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Flytrap Brewing)

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, September 30 – Sunday, October 6

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

Draft Release (Thursday, Oct. 3): their Oktoberfest beer, a Black Forest Marzen Lager.

Broomtail Craft Brewery | 6404 Amsterdam Way, King’s Grant area of Wilmington

Draft Release (sometime this week): Broomtail Märzen (sounds like MAER-tzen, not MAR-zen). “Our Octoberfest beer starts with smooth, complex maltiness,” Broomtail owner Barry Owings said of the beer. “As soon as the delicious malty sweetness dissipates, slight hop bitterness moves in, and a clean, crispy lager bite leaves your mouth anticipating the next swallow.”

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

Recent Draft Release (Sep. 27): Gun Powder Lager (5.3%). “This is our Black Spot Lager that is aged with cold brew coffee and cacao nibs,” the description reads. “Dark in color and similar to a stout, however, you will find this beer has a refreshing finish without astringent roast or cloying sweetness. The aroma has an extra boost of smooth coffee and rich chocolate, while the overall easy-drinking nature of this lager is still maintained.”

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

Flying Machine will be releasing limited edition bottles of Sub-Atomic Storm Clouds, an oak-fermented Norwegian Pale Ale. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Flying Machine Brewing Co.)
Flying Machine will be releasing limited edition bottles of Sub-Atomic Storm Clouds, an oak-fermented Norwegian Pale Ale. (Port City Daily photo/Courtesy Flying Machine Brewing Co.)

Limited Edition Bottle Release (sometime this week): Sub-Atomic Storm Clouds (6% ABV), an oak-fermented Norwegian Pale Ale with passion fruit and mosaic hops (only available in the taproom).

  • 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

Tap Release (Monday, Sep. 30): Mosaic Red is back on tap, a hoppy take on their Rehder’s Red.

Front Street Brewery | 9 N. Front Street in downtown Wilmington

Draft Release (Saturday, Sep. 28): Barrel Soured Tomb Rocker, winner of a gold medal at the NC Brewer’s Cup in the Wood Aged category. This is a Flanders Red Ale brewed at 8.7% ABV and aged on Hungarian oak.

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

Recent Re-Release (Sep. 26): Marilyn MonMole, a Belgian Blonde Ale.

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

Tap Release (Saturday, Sep. 28): Oktoberfest Marzen, a traditional German Marzen, followed by a re-release of the Carolina Tropical IPA.

  • 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

Red Hare 34 North Experiment Station 4802 Main St in Shallotte

Sour Batch Bottle Release (Oct. 26): three sours bottled with waxed tops; release party starts at noon with music at 1 pm.

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

Draft Release (sometime this week): Bourbon Barrel Aged Barnacle Bills Brown Ale, aged for six months. “A malt-lover’s dream, this beer is roasty and toasty with a delicate nuttiness,” co-owner Dan Callender said of the beer.

  • 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

4th Annual Oktoberfest Under The Bridge (Saturday, Oct. 5): Their annual Oktoberfest party will include an Oom-pah band, a Stein-holding competition, a “Most Festively Dressed” competition, food trucks, and the release of their Oktoberfest beer.

  • 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

Wilmington Brewing Co. | 824 Kerr Avenue in midtown Wilmington

Recent Release (Oct. 26): Pretty Pumpkin Ale, brewed with 100 pumpkin pies from their neighbors at Apple Annie’s Bakeshop.

  • 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

Recent Release (Sep. 20): Oktoberfest, the brewery’s third rendition of a traditional Marzen beer was released on the first day of the official Oktoberfest in Munich.


 

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