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ouse of Hops blurs the
boundaries among taproom, bottle shop and community gathering space, boasting 24 rotating taps and hundreds more options lining its shelves at the Mosaic at Chatham Park location. As the name implies, devoted hop heads have no shortage of selections thanks to a handful of ever-present IPAs and pale ales on draft. Taps also feature sours, ciders and more, and nonalcoholic options are available in the fridge. Recurring events like run club, music bingo, trivia night and live music make House of Hops an ideal place to hang with friends on weeknights – plus, it’s within walking distance of a variety of restaurants (see page 62 for more ideas on how to spend a day at Mosaic.)
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GRAB A PINT AT THESE READERS’ FAVORITE BREWERIES AND BOTTLE SHOPS BY MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
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hirsty Skull Brewing was founded in 2018 on Second Avenue in Siler City, and a second taproom opened in Pittsboro on West Street in 2022. Fatherson duo Steve Russell and Brandon Russell teamed up with brewmaster Eric Stevens and operations guru Christopher Hackney
with a vision to create a haven for those who appreciate fresh, unique, high-quality beers. Many ingredients are locally sourced, and Thirsty Skull thrives in the hazy, pale and citrus arena. They also know a good thing when they have it; though experimental brews often rotate through the taps, the team takes the time to perfect – and punch up – their standbys. The “Pittsboro Pilsner,” for instance, comes in both a regular and limeinfused version, and the “Pressure Drop” IPA is available as both a standard New Englandstyle ale, or fruited with juicy mango. Enjoy a pint outside the Pittsboro location, where regular events include live music, yoga and meetups of four-legged friends.
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CHATHAM MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023