The craft beer scene in Wilmington NC is growing rapidly, with new breweries popping up every year. With so many options it can be hard to decide which ones are worth visiting. We researched the top 10 best breweries in Wilmington NC to bring you an overview of the local craft beer scene and why it’s worth exploring.
Our expertise in the craft beer industry has allowed us to compile a list of the best breweries that provide unique flavor profiles and great tours and tastings. One interesting finding is that Ironclad Brewing is known for its seasonal craft beers, including their popular Watermelon Wheat Ale which has been awarded bronze at the Great American Beer Festival.
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Whether you’re looking for a great tour or just want to sample some local brews, Wilmington Breweries have something for everyone to enjoy!
- Broomtail Brewing
- Edward Teach Brewing
- Catawba Brewing Company
- Flytrap Brewing
- Flying Machine Brewing Company
- Ironclad Brewing
- Hi-Wire Brewing
- Bill’s Brewing
- Front Street Brewery
- Waterline Brewing Company
The Top 10 Breweries In Wilmington NC
Wilmington, North Carolina is home to a vibrant community of breweries and craft beer lovers. With an ever-growing demand for locally brewed craft beer, Wilmington has become one of the top beer destinations in the country. From award-winning IPAs to complex sours and barrel-aged specialties, it’s no wonder that Wilmington’s brewery scene has been thriving. Here are the top 10 breweries that you must visit when in Wilmington:
1. Broomtail Brewing
Broomtail Craft Brewery is a family-owned microbrewery located in Wilmington, NC. Established in 2011, the brewery specializes in handcrafted beers with unique flavor profiles. Their offerings range from traditional ales to specialty sours and barrel-aged beers.
Broomtail has won several awards, including a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its Lemongrass Wheat Ale. The brewery also features seasonals such as its popular Watermelon Wheat Ale and Coconut Porter. In addition to their delicious beer, Broomtail offers live music events and food trucks on weekends.
2. Edward Teach Brewing
Edward Teach Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery located in Wilmington, NC that was founded in 2014 by husband and wife team Chas and Anne Zena. Named for the infamous pirate Blackbeard, Edward Teach’s taproom serves up a variety of award-winning beers including their flagship IPA, Scotch Ale, and Pilsner. In addition to their traditional styles, they also offer rotating seasonal and limited-release beers. Edward Teach has received several awards, including a gold medal at the North Carolina Brewers Cup in 2018.
3. Catawba Brewing Company
Catawba Brewing Company was founded in 1999 by two brothers, Scott, and Brian Pyatt. Located in the historic Biltmore Village of Asheville, NC, Catawba Brewing is now one of the largest craft breweries in North Carolina and produces a wide variety of award-winning beers. Their flagship beers include White Zombie Belgian Witbier, Firewater IPA, Peanut Butter Jelly Time Brown Ale, and Farmer Ted’s Cream Ale. They also have several seasonal releases such as their popular Pumpkin Pie Porter and Peach Cobbler Ale. Catawba has won numerous awards for their beer including gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival for their King Don’s Pumpkin Ale and Sticky Bun Brown Ale.
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4. Flytrap Brewing
Flytrap Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery located in Wilmington, NC that was founded in 2013 by brothers John and Patrick McCain. Named after the carnivorous plant native to the area, Flytrap specializes in session ales, IPAs, and barrel-aged beers.
Their flagship beers include the Flytrap IPA and the Flytrap Porter. In addition to their regular offerings, they also have a rotating selection of seasonal beers such as their popular Summer Ale. Flytrap Brewing has won several awards including a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for their Belgian Dubbel in 2018.
5. Flying Machine Brewing Company
Flying Machine Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery located in Wilmington, NC that was founded in 2014. They specialize in hop-forward ales and Belgian styles, as well as barrel-aged beers. Their flagship beers include the Flying Machine IPA and the Saison de la Paix Belgian Ale. In addition to their regular offerings, they also feature rotating seasonal beers such as their popular Peach Gose Ale. Flying Machine has won several awards including a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival for their Belgian Dubbel in 2016.
6. Ironclad Brewing
Ironclad Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery located in Wilmington, NC that was founded in 2013. Named after the Ironclad warship, they specialize in English and American ales. Their flagship beers include the Ironclad IPA and the Oatmeal Stout. In addition to their regular offerings, they also feature rotating seasonal beers such as their popular Pumpkin Ale. Ironclad has won several awards including a gold medal at the North Carolina Brewers Cup in 2017 for their English Pale Ale.
7. Hi-Wire Brewing
It is a family-owned craft brewery located in downtown Asheville, NC that was founded in 2012 by husband and wife team Chris Frosaker and Adam Charnack. Hi-Wire specializes in unique beers such as their signature Lager, IPA, Sour Ale, and Stout.
They also feature several rotating seasonal releases such as their popular Gose Ale. Hi-Wire has won numerous awards for their beer including bronze medals at the Great American Beer Festival for their Brown Ale and Rye Pale Ale.
8. Bill’s Brewing
This is a family-owned craft brewery located in Wilmington, NC that was founded in 2017. Bill’s Brewing specializes in American-style ales and lagers with a focus on balanced flavors and drinkability. Their flagship beers include their signature Bill’s Cream Ale and Bill’s Pale Ale. In addition to their regular offerings, they also feature rotating seasonal beers such as their popular Oktoberfest Lager. Bill’s Brewing has won several awards including a gold medal at the North Carolina Brewers Cup for their Oatmeal Stout.
9. Front Street Brewery
Front Street Brewery is a family-owned craft brewery located in downtown Wilmington, NC that was founded in 1995. They specialize in English and Belgian-style ales, lagers, and wheat beers. Their flagship beers include their award-winning Nut Brown Ale, Kölsch Lager, and Tripel Belgian-style ale. In addition to their regular offerings, they also feature rotating seasonal releases such as their popular Pumpkin Ale. Front Street has won numerous awards for their beer including gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival for their English Bitter and Belgian Strong Pale Ale.
10. Waterline Brewing Company
Waterline Brewing Company is a family-owned craft Wilmington brewery that was founded in 2016. They specialize in American-style ales and lagers with a focus on balanced flavors and drinkability. Their flagship beers include the Waterline Pale Ale, IPA, and Kölsch.
In addition to their regular offerings, they also feature rotating seasonal releases such as their popular Berliner Weisse Sour Ale. Waterline has won several awards including a bronze medal at the North Carolina Brewers Cup for their Double IPA in 2019.
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Brewery Tours And Tastings In Wilmington NC
If you’re looking for a unique way to explore the city of Wilmington, North Carolina, and to enjoy the entire brewing process then look no further than taking a brewery tour and tasting!
- Flying Machine Brewing Company offers public tours on Saturdays at 1 PM and 3 PM for $10 per person. The tour includes samples of their beers and a souvenir glass. They also host special events such as beer dinners, beer release parties, barrel-aged beer tastings, and more throughout the year.
- Ironclad Brewing offers public tours on Saturdays at 2:30 PM for $12 per person. The tour includes samples of their beers and a souvenir glass. They also offer private tours for groups of 10 or more people with advanced reservations.
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- On Saturdays, Hi-Wire Brewing offers public tours at 11 AM and 3 PM for $10 per person. The tour includes samples of their beers and a souvenir glass. They also host special events such as yoga classes, beer dinners, music festivals, holiday celebrations, and more throughout the year.
- Bill’s Brewing offers public tours on Fridays at 6 PM and Saturdays at 4 PM for $8 per person. The tour includes samples of their beers and a souvenir glass.
- Front Street Brewery offers free public tours on Friday nights from 5:30 – 7:30 PM (no reservations needed). The tour includes samples of their beers and a souvenir glass (for purchase). They also host special events such as beer dinners, live music performances, art shows, trivia nights, karaoke nights, paint & sip classes, movie screenings, open mic nights, food truck invasions, charity fundraisers, and more throughout the year!
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- Waterline Brewing Company offers free public tours on Friday evenings from 6 – 8 PM (no reservations needed). The tour includes samples of their beers and a souvenir glass (for purchase).
Conclusion
After analyzing the top 10 breweries in Wilmington, NC, it’s clear that the city has a vibrant beer scene. Whether you’re looking for locally crafted IPAs, sours, lagers, or Belgian-style ales, you’ll find what you’re looking for. The breweries offer something for everyone and provide a great opportunity to explore the local culture and try new beers.
