by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Jun 9, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Community, Local Beer
It’s not too late to pick something up for Dad, but you’re running out of time to get creative. Don’t worry. We’re here to help. Check out our Father’s Day gift guide to find the perfect gift for your Pops. (And just so you don’t have to Google it–Father’s Day is June 16th.)
1. New Anthem 4-pack: Get him something you *know* he wants–beer. New Anthem’s big IPAs are the perfect way to say “thanks for raising me right, Daddio.” If he’s more of a pilsner guy, try Dance Floor Heater. It’s light & crisp enough to be accessible for your old man, but hoppy enough that you shouldn’t be surprised when he converts to IPAs.
2. Late Lunch & a brewery tour at Front Street Brewery: When was the last time you & Dad had a nice, long lunch? Don’t answer–it’s been too long. Take him out to Front Street Brewery for a flight, some pulled chicken nachos, and a pretzel with queso. (Yes, spring for the queso. He deserves it.) Brewery tours are at 3:15p & 4:15p and include samples…so Mom can come too, but she’s driving.
3. Salty Turtle Dad Hat: Well, this one’s a no-brainer, but you should take him with you and let him pick the color. Grab some grub from Coastal Wing + Spirits and take your dad over to the Turtle for a pint. (Life hack: Coastal will even deliver to you!)
4. Homebrew Supplies from Wilmington Homebrew Supply and/or Amazing Grains: Has Daddio been hemming & hawing about whether or not to start making beer? Hem & haw no more, Dad! The extremely friendly and knowledgable staffs at both Wilmington Homebrew Supply and Amazing Grains will certainly help you get your dad the setup he needs.
5. Port City Brew Bus Tickets/ Gift Card: Y’know how you’ve been meaning to hang out with your dad more? Yeah, we do too. The Port City Brew Bus is a great way for you and your dad to experience Wilmington’s excellent beer scene together. On the fence? There’s a discount code--use code DADSDAY19 for $10 off tours and gift cards booked before Father’s Day.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Jun 6, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
Wilmington’s local music scene is just as prolific as the Wilmington craft beer scene, so we thought it would be fun to pick the brains of some of the city’s musicians to see what they’re sippin’ when they’re not singin’. Follow along as we feature this series of local tunes & brews.
“There are so many good Wilmington beers but my solid standby has always been Waterline Brewing’s Coffee and Cream Ale. Nutty, sweet but not too sweet, and obviously COFFEE, it tastes just like I like my lattes in winter. A very close second is New Anthem New Jack, a hazy, juice bomb that goes down way too easily. “
Photo Courtesy Callan Trippe
“I’m a sucker for dark, coffee-flavored beers and this double espresso porter is right up my alley.New Anthem’s The Illest is dynamite.”
Photo By Will Cooper
“There are so many excellent beers in Wilmington, it’s hard to pick just one. We really love the Session IPA Wrightsville Beach created for us. At 5% it’s an easy drinker that finishes clean, but the genius brewer’s at Wrightsville Beach Brewery were able to maintain a delicious hoppy flavor. Originally, we asked them to make a Habanero IPA, but thankfully they talked us down (Although, the brewery will do occasional special releases in both habanero and ghost pepper!). We’ve been fortunate that many of the venues we play throughout North Carolina now carry Signal Fire Session IPA so keep a lookout for it locally, and around our beautiful state!”
Photo Courtesy Signal Fire
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Jun 3, 2019 | Blog, Breweries
A weekly roundup of local and craft beer that can be found around the area on tap, in bottles, or in cans. These are not beer reviews and should be used for entertainment purposes only.
Kamanawanaleiya-Mango: 6.3% This brew is juicier than housewife gossip. It’s one frisky little Mandarina Bavaria dry-hopped, mango-conditioned hazy, juicy, delicious NE IPA!
Less is Mole: 3.6% A Session IPA perfect for porch sipping long into the evening.
Flying Sandals: 4.7% Brewed with blackberry & passion fruit. A bright, tart, fruit-forward gose for all of your summertime sipping!
New Fake Doors: 6.9% An updated version of Skytown fan favorite Real Fake Doors Saison. Now includes orange, lime, and grapefruit juices and has been conditioned on citrus peel.
Wheat Hot: 5.3% Cool off summer-camp style with this refreshingly nostalgic American wheat ale – Wheat HOT American Summer. The light and fluffy texture of wheat combines with the perfect touch of citrusy hops for a dry and thirst-quenching beer that’s easy to drink and hard to forget.
Dance Floor Heater: 5.3% A Motueka hopped pilsner with a light blended fruit background from late hop additions.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 27, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
A weekly roundup of local and craft beer that can be found around the area on tap, in bottles, or in cans. These are not beer reviews and should be used for entertainment purposes only.
Pilot: 9.4% This DIPA is packed with El Dorado & Simcoe hops, creating tropical notes of pineapple and mango! A little sweetness here, a hint of spice there, and a punch of hoppy bitterness on the finish provides a unique balance of flavors. Bar Pilot is sure to talk you on a wild ride.
Citrus Saison: 6.8% The Citrus Saison is a take on Flytrap’s house Saison aged with mounds of fresh citrus zest from grapefruit, lemons, and limes. Available in 500ml bottles and on draught.
Rosado: 5.5% Waterline’s annual Mother’s Day release, El Hefe Rosado, has a hefeweizen base with a healthy dose of raspberries and just a touch of sweetness. It’s sweet, it’s tart, it’s very very pink!
Beach Time: 5.4% The days are getting longer, so be prepared with Beach Time Session IPA, a Mosaic & El Dorado crusher: it goes down smooth, while keeping you upright. Session but still 5.4%
The Fog of Topsail: 5.1% An easy-drinking Session IPA double dry-hopped with Mosaic and Citra.
Blackberry BAM!: 6% This is a reboot of a fan favorite, where they doubled up on blackberries for an even bigger POP!
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 22, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
On Sunday June 23rd, join the fine folks at Broomtail Craft Brewery in celebrating their fifth anniversary. Broomtail was Wilmington’s second brewery after Front Street (FSB). For 19 years FSB held down the craft beer scene until Broomtail opened up in 2014, kick starting the Wilmington brewery boom.
Broomtail’s mission is simple–but don’t mistaken, simple doesn’t always mean easy. Broomtail seeks to find the art in science and the science in art to create delicious, unique beers of a premium quality.
Throughout their five years, Barry Owings and his team have been passionately proactive about harvesting local yeast cultures in order to make beers that are distinctly local.
You can drink these beers at Broomtail Craft Brewery (6404 Amsterdam Way in Dutch Square) or their second location, The Sour Barn (7211 Market Street in Ogden), as well as bars and bottle shops around town.
If you want to join in on the 5th anniversary fun, drop by the Dutch Square location for live music by the Beau Rikki’s, a parking lot grill out, and new, commemorative merchandise. There will also be an appearance by Charlie, the Picasso of Parrots, from the Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | May 20, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Local Beer
A weekly roundup of local and craft beer that can be found around the area on tap, in bottles, or in cans. These are not beer reviews and should be used for entertainment purposes only.
Scuttlebutt American IPA: 6.8% This new brew has been crafted highlighting columbus hops for bittering, citra for flavor, and amarillo to tie all the flavors together. Dank notes accompanied by tangerine citrus complement the earthy bitterness.
Yard Work: 4.9% Let’s face it–Wilmington is HOT. FSB brews this Session IPA to give locals and visitors something cold and refreshing for when the grass needs cutting. Cascade, citra, and amarillo hops create a dazzling pine and citrus snap to rejuvenate your afternoon, while the low ABV will keep you on your feet if you have a couple. And they think you will.
The Dog Haze of Summer: 7.5% A seasonal New England style IPA with heaps of Galaxy, Amarillo, Azacca, Citra, and Mosaic hops. Tropical notes of passionfruit, tangerine, mango, and grapefruit are dominant with little to no bitterness. This soft, juicy ale is the perfect remedy for those dog days of summer!
Strawberry LaBrewchacha: 5.0% A crisp, refreshing Mexican lager brewed with fresh strawberry purée from Lewis Farms.
Electra: 6.5% A bright IPA with notes of citrus and a clean finish. Now available in 16oz cans in the taproom and bottle shops near you!
