Beer Matters

Photo courtesy of Swells'a Brewing

Best Beach Breweries

BY JAMIE DOOM

BEACH SEASON IS UPON US and one of my favorite things about spending time on the N.C. coast is getting to enjoy the best breweries out there. Every year it seems like there are new ones, so I thought I would make a short brewery travel guide for you as you head east this summer! Please note that this is a partial list, and if you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Swells’a Brewing, Kill Devil Hills. This is one of two breweries I’m recommending from the Outer Banks. It’s also the newest brewery on this list. It’s one row back in this absolutely gorgeous, surfer-themed wood and glass structure with a fireplace for the winter. They have a large outdoor space with a cornhole section and some of the most knowledgeable beertenders I’ve experienced at any brewery.

Also, puns are an integral part of the craft brewing industry, and when you make your brewery name a chef’s kiss name, I’m impressed. The beer is great too. I particularly liked Smokin’ Toobies Pale Ale which made me think of Sierra Nevada and the Beane Jumper Coffee Stout.

1718 Brewing, Ocracoke. This is the only brewery that requires a ferry, but it’s worth the trip. They came out of the gate making great beer from day one, which isn’t something you can say about all breweries. They are constantly brewing new beer, so every trip is a treat.

Their brewery and taproom is near some great restaurants, and they won’t mind if you bring in food while you drink. The beer that put them on the map is their Mexican Chocolate Stout which has the right mix of heat and chocolate. It’s a treat drinking a stout that has that much body at 4.9%. Last time I was there they had two different types of saisons which are probably my favorite style of beer.

New Village Brewery and Taproom,

Oriental. I first visited this place several years ago, and I fell in love with the vibe and the beer immediately. Frank and

Lili have created a beautiful community and a legendary watering hole for all the sailors docking the at N.C. Sailing Capital. Located in a historic house built in 1910, this nano brewery is also the smallest on the list, clocking in at one barrel.

They have a beautiful beer garden with some great old trees and a front porch. Who knew that all the coastal breweries brewed such great stouts? Their Lili’s Breakfast Stout was voted by Carolina Brew Scene as the “Best Beer in N.C.” in 2019, and they tend to keep it on tap. They also have rotating breweries from across the state keeping their guest taps fresh and interesting.

Fishtowne Brew House, Beaufort.

Down the coast a little farther in historic Beaufort is a wonderful little downtown brew house. This is another beautiful space that has been built using recycled old heart pine from the original interior as a ceiling for the front door patio, table tops, their back bar top and in various accent pieces around the taproom.

The beer is absolutely fantastic too! I couldn’t drink enough of their New England Style IPA called Munden Fog. It’s brewed with Mosaic and Azacca Hops, so there’s lots of tropical fruits going on mid-palate, but I like the fact there is some actual bitterness and dryness on the back end. The Sand Bar Hoppin’ IPA is also very nice, and their Konundrum Kolsch is perfect for a hot, sunny day.

Salty Turtle Beer Company, Surf City. I just spent a week on vacation in Surf City, and I am sure they got tired of seeing me. Their friendly staff and general vibe make this a very popular spot in Surf City. They are located right before you get to the bridge going over to Topsail Island.

Their Mexican Lager, La Surfeza, is the absolute perfect beach beer! The Surf City Sunrise New England IPA is really good, and their most popular beer is probably the Hey Zay New England IPA, which is an absolute juice bomb with little to no perceived bitterness. They will have you driving across the bridge more than once!

Crystal Coast Brewing, Atlantic Beach.

This is one of the larger breweries on this list, and they’ve built a good reputation on the coast for making quality, consistent beer, so you can find them in most of the bars on the Crystal Coast. They have a spacious taproom and beer garden right in Atlantic Beach, so stop in for a pint before, during and after your day in the sun.

Their Crystal Coast IPA is a very balanced American IPA that is also very drinkable. And making drinkable, crushable beers is where they really shine. The Atlantic Beach Blonde Lager, the Crystal Kolsch, and the Crystal Clear Japanese Rice Lager will all do you right during that aforementioned day in the sand.

Wilmington. Unfortunately, I do not have enough space here to write about all the amazing Wilmington breweries, but I really like Mad Mole, Waterline, Wilmington Brewing, Wrightsville Beach Brewing, New Anthem, Flying Machine, Bills and many others that I’m forgetting. Check those out when you’re around Wilmington.

SP

PROVIDING EXPERT CARE

FOR YOUR AUTO AND YOUR INDIVIDUAL AUTO NEEDS IS OUR SPECIALTY!

Your Convenient Impor t Exper tsYour Convenient Auto Experts

COMPLETE SERVICE DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS

AAA and Military Discounts 910-295-5888 • 2036 Juniper Lake Road

Minutes from the Traffic Circle autowerksnc.com

LEARN TO EARN

Fascinating Programs Outstanding Salaries Outstanding Salaries

sandhills.edu/fall22 910.692.6185 • Pinehurst, NC

Fall $emester Begins August 15 (full semester and fi rst 8-week session)