This entry is part of a periodic series about the growing craft beer industry in Wilmington, N.C. The series is shared with our friends at the Port City Brew Bus. Check our blogs to stay updated on the series. We’ll profile a different brewery in each addition. We begin by looking at the history of Wilmington’s craft beer industry.
In 2012 Rich and Patricia Jones helped their son John Garcia, open Black Mountain’s Lookout Brewing. In 2013 they returned to their retirement home of Carolina Beach and spent the next six months opening Good Hops Brewing. With a craft beer boom in full swing the Jones’ felt the focus was on the I.P.A. style. So they decided to focus on less hoppy styles like their flagship brew Donna Golden Ale.
“We Love the Beach,” Jones said of the couple’s decision to open in Carolina Beach instead of Wilmington. After opening the doors in June of 2014 the brewery quickly became a community institution. Realtors are regular supporters says Jones, “they either bring clients by or pick up beer to have available.”
The brewery includes a family-friendly taproom and outdoor seating area, free of televisions, “I love the fact we don’t have T.V.s, it makes people entertain each other,” says Jones. The taproom’s intimate, community feel allows for conversations, often about the beer. Their reputation for helping local charities in the community has spread; in the first six months alone they donated 38 kegs for events and benefits.
Maintaining a strong relationship with Asheville breweries, specifically their son John at Lookout has helped the Wilmington scene grow in Patricia’s opinion, “we talk everyday with our son,” she says. Almost 70% of their clientele are new customers through word of mouth, often from other breweries. “We get customers that come in and say I just came from your son’s brewery or I just came from Wicked Weed,” says Patricia.
Distribution remains a priority with taproom sales a close second. Rich and Patricia believe quality is most important and have decided not to bottle or can for now. They don’t want the pressure of “filling shelves” to affect the quality, “It’s important that Wilmington continues to put out top quality beer.” When people ask why a style isn’t on tap Rich will often reply, “we’re waiting on the beer.”
