Our Top Six Beer Picks for Spring Sipping
The heat index is rising, the skies are sunny, and the birdies are chirping, so exchange big-malty-boozy-brews for our favorite Cape Fear crafted spring beers. Here are our Top 6 picks to sip along to your favorite tunes overlooking the Intercoastal, picnics on the beach and cookouts with friends.
Wilmington, NC
The Backstory
604 N 4th Street was built in 1907 by architect H. L. Bonitz and builder R. H. Brady and was initially used as a fire engine house. Since then, it's been used as a boxing gym, a police station, and housed a special effects film company hosted by Legion Films. Most recently, the historic building has been renovated and turned into a beautiful, new brewery in the heart of Wilmington. Edward Teach Brewery carries the name of the infamous pirate, Blackbeard. A theme that is carried throughout the 10,000-sq foot facility. The downstairs bar is built to look like the front of a pirate ship, just like the "Queen Anne's Revenge," with curved lines, large windows, and hanging lights, giving guests a feeling at sea. The brewery offers a 20-barrel, three-vessel system, giving plenty of space to brew. Edward Teach Brewery has 14 taps, with 5 Flagship beers kept all year, and the remaining taps hold one-offs (brewed only once) and re-releases.
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The Beer: Know the Ropes, Czech-Style Pilsner
The beer's name stays true to the history of sailors & pirates who, like brewers, have a fundamental understanding of their job. The beer is fermented low and slow at lagering temperatures, and all ingredients are sourced from the Czech Republic, other than the water. Unfiltered and golden straw in color, this Pilsner which uses traditional Czech Malt & Saaz hops, has bright floral and cracked peppercorn characteristics. At the same time, the body is light and balanced with a crisp finish. This beer is the perfect guide to show you the ropes of a traditional Czech-style pilsner.
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The Pairing
Pilsners pair well with chicken, pork, and even pasta with a bit of spice or richness. This particular beer adds a spicy hop complement to hot sauces or chiles and has enough bready, buttery, honey sweetness to pair well with fried chicken.
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The Place Best Place to Sip
On a patio, the deck of a boat, the beach or pretty much anywhere on a warm day.
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The Song on Roatation
The Backstory
Flying Machine Brewing Company is a local Wilmington brewery that opened its doors in November 2018. After years of being involved in the Denver craft beer scene, co-founders Grant Steadman and David Sweigart wanted to create an exciting brand that would be an asset and contribution to their local community here on the East Coast. After 3 years of growth, Flying Machine Brewing now has two locations (the flagship Randall Parkway brewery and taproom and the new Wrightsville Beach kitchen and taproom), currently employing more than 70 individuals. The goal is to cast a wide net for their customer base. It could be an offering from the hyper-focused lager program (check out their annual Lager Mountain Fest with breweries from all over the East Coast). Or a popular seasonal fruited cream ale, Electronic Fog hazy IPA to heavily fruited sours (they even offer slushee beers). All thanks to Director of Brewing Operations Erik Peterson, Head Brewer Matty Snyder, and the rest of the talented production team. Flying Machine continues pushing the envelope and offering quality beers and an experience that leaves you smiling.
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The Beer: Boat Soda Key Lime Cream Ale
The intention of this beer is presented simply through its name, Boat Soda. So many in the Cape Fear region enjoy spending time on or around the water and Flying Machine Brewing wanted to give them the perfect beer for these occasions. Boat Soda is light, effervescent and presents a natural tartness from the key lime. Sitting at 5.0% abv, this beer is perfect for the Spring and Summer months.
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The Pairing
Sunshine
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The Place Best Place to Sip
Anywhere there is water.
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The Song on Roatation
Wilmington, NC
The Backstory
Hi-Wire Brewing’s journey began in the summer of 2013 at their 2,700 sq. ft. South Slope Brewery located in the heart of Asheville’s South Slope Brewery District. Co-owners Chris Frosaker and Adam Charnack met as college roommates but pursued different careers after graduation. With a passion for home brewing beer, they had always talked about starting their own business though, so when an Asheville brewery closed and was selling its old equipment, Frosaker and Charnack leapt at the opportunity. Hi-Wire's circus-themed name depicts the company's fun and community-focused vibe as well as their commitment to brewing balanced, approachable beers with plenty of traditional and experimental styles in the lineup. Since opening their doors in 2013, Hi-Wire Brewing has expanded distribution to nine states, opened a total of seven locations with four more under construction, and has won countless awards including three Great American Beer Festival gold medals.
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The Beer: Mountain Water Citrus Splash
Mountain Water Citrus Splash is an easy drinking ale to share with your seltzer friends. The seltzer market is so popular right now, but Hi-Wire decided to stick with what they know best and brew a beer that's super light, easy drinking, extra flavorful, and unlike anything else on the market. Crafted with the mountains of western North Carolina in mind, the can art symbolizes where they come from and where Mountain Water adventures can take you.
Mountain Water is an ale brewed ultra-light and refreshingly dry. At just 110 calories per 12 oz. serving, it's brewed with a combination of light ingredients to keep the calories low and allow the lemon-lime flavors to stand out. Mountain Water is also brewed with an enzyme that reduces overall gluten content, though it is not a gluten-free beer.
At a crushable 4.5% ABV, Hi-Wire’s newest year-round flagship comes off bright and citrus-forward from additions of lemon and lime with an energizing crispness.
The Pairing
Sunny days and good times with friends. As for food, Mountain Water would be great alongside some blackened mahi-mahi, oysters, or a nice low country boil.
The Best Place To Sip?
Hiking, hanging, and adventuring outdoors, plus it's the perfect refreshing beer for beach days and cookouts.
Song on Rotation
Surf City, NC
The Backstory
Salty Turtle Beer Company has proudly been serving up suds as Pender County’s first brewery since 2017. Offering beer styles both bold and classic. Founded by former US Marines, Daniel Callender and Dean Kelley, who actually met at a fated neighborhood garage sale where Daniel was serving up his homebrew in 2016. Fast forward a few years, add North Carolina-native business partner Zack White, factor in many pints of Coastline Kölsch, and you’ve got what Salty Turtle Beer Company is today. Salty Turtle is also committed to serving the Surf City and greater Topsail community. With quarterly donations to the Karen Beasley Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation center as well as regular events raising funds for everyone ranging from vets to pets, Salty Turtle understands and embraces that without community, they’re just a few friendly folks who love to brew beer.
The Beer: Coastline Kölsch
A take on the traditional German style, this golden brew is the perfect gateway for beer drinkers who want to get a little craftier. Fresh grassy and floral hop aromas, with slightly more body than the American lager and a firmer bitterness on the finish, it’s a perfect refreshing ale for spring sipping.
The Pairing
This beer pairs with almost anything, but a nice hand pressed burger would go well with this crisp Kölsch.
The Place Best Place to Sip
On the beach or a view of the intracoastal waterway.
The Song on Roatation
Wilmington, NC
The Backstory
TRU Colors Brewing is a for-profit brewery founded by an entrepreneur and rival gang members who came together to stop street violence, build a business, and lift their communities. Believing that ‘better’ starts with an uncomfortable conversation about what’s real, and that inclusion and opportunity are the key to ending enduring social problems like violence, racism and poverty. TRU Colors directly employs rival gang members as part of their team who actively run the business, brew the beer and work in the community.
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The Beer: TRU Light
An American Light Lager that is an easy-drinking, low-carb, low-calorie beer. A Low-temperature lager yeast helps produce a clean, crisp, and crushable beer. The purest water for perfect H20 chemistry provides refreshment with every sip. This perfect spring sipper, with its floral aromas comes in at 4.2% Alcohol, 90 calories and just 2.6 carbs. TRU Light Combines two speciality, two-row malts creates subtle flavors of baked bread and caramel sweetness that leaves you wanting more.
The Pairing
TRU Light goes great with savory, flavorful dishes from pizza and burgers to spicy wings and tacos.
Best Place to Sip?
At home during game night, backyard get-togethers, or at the many local bars and restaurants where TRU Light is on tap.
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The Song on Rotation
The TRU Brewery host one of the best recording studios in the state and has been working with 1090 Triigga. We would definitely choose something off of his upcoming project. His hype flow and storytelling talents go great with this spring brew.
Wilmington, NC
The Backstory
The founders of Waterline Brewing are Rob and Eve Robinson, and Brian Bell. Brian and Rob are both retired from the US Air Force. Eve is a federal government employee working for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Together they've traveled the world tasting beer. One night while on a security assessment at a Navy Base, Rob and Brian talked and said, "Hey, it sure would be fun to open a brewery when we retire!" So began the Waterline adventure. The three owners have spent a year and a half renovating and rejuvenation the historic 1940s Jacobi Hardware Warehouse to create a unique craft beer space.
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The Beer: Waterline Kolsch
A light, crisp easy drinkin' beer and also Waterline's best selling beer. Waterline Kolsch was originally made as a homebrew by Rob and Brian waaaaaaaayyy back in the day. When Waterline first opened, the owners thought the Red Ale would end up being their flagship beer but Waterline Kolsch took off faster than they ever thought. Light bodied and refreshing, the Kolsch is a mild German ale with subdued hop character, a touch of toasty maltiness and a hint of floral or fruity esters.
The Pairing
Lends itself perfectly with seafood.
Best Place to Sip?
In the beautiful Waterline beer garden with a river view.
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The Song on Rotation