by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Mar 13, 2019 | Blog, Community
This week we’ve got the bar manager from Rebellion joining us Behind Bars. Rebellion is an awesome southern-inspired restaurant with an amazing tap list that focuses on local Wilmington Breweries. If you haven’t bee there yet, we recommend you try the wings or the mac & cheese.
AT: What is your favorite thing about bartending?
AH: My favorite thing about bartending is the fast paced environment and the ability to meet so many different walks of life. I’m always on the go and interacting with different people, so to have a job that encompasses that is really rewarding. It’s not only the stories and the different life styles that is intriguing, It’s also how everyone has an eclectic taste for what they love to drink. I love talking guests through the menu and suggesting new and exciting things that they have never had. There is nothing better than finding people a new cocktail, or beer to fall in love with.
AT: Do you have any advice for current or future craft beer bartenders?
AH: My advice to upcoming craft bartenders would be to know what product you are selling and listen to your guests feedback. With the craft beer scene constantly changing and evolving, there are so many different breweries and beers to choose from. You have to appreciate what your guests preferences are and cater to that. Just because you might love a certain brew or style doesn’t mean the mass majority will too. Knowing exactly what you are selling and how people receive it will take you a long way in the craft beer world.
AT: If you were a beer, which one would you be and why?
AH: If I were a beer I would be Wicked Weed Brewing’s Milk and Cookies Stout. Very bold but still has a little hint of sweetness. Would make a great addition to any beer list. A beer for all kinds of taste.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Feb 27, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Community, Local Beer
This week joining us Behind Bars we’ve got Jarrod Howe, the taproom manager at Broomtail Craft Brewery. Broomtail is one of the very first craft breweries to emerge on the scene following Front Street and they’ve been knocking it out of the park ever since.
AT: What’s your favorite thing about bartending?
JH: I would definitely have to say my regulars. I’ve been hanging out with some of our customers for 3 years and consider many of them to be very good friends. We all look out for each other and it never really feels like work when you are hanging out with your friends (and lots of them bring me food). Also, lots of dogs. Dogs, food, friends, music, and beer. What could be better?
AT: Do you have any advice for current or future craft beer bartenders?
JH: The best advice I can give to any bartender (and I stress this to all of the new employees I’ve trained) is to get to know your regulars. Learn their names, learn their orders, just learn about them as people. I am consistently humbled by the kindness and generosity of our customers. Who knows, some of these people might become one of your friends, and who doesn’t want to tip their friends well?
AT: If you were a beer, which one would you be?
JH: I’m gonna go with our Moe-Beer Brown Ale. Simple, yet classic and delicious, you can never go wrong with our flagship Brown Ale, and as Broomtail’s longest working employee, the people that come to our taproom expect to see me (like it or not), just like they expect us to always have our Moe-Beer ready to pour.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Feb 20, 2019 | Blog, Bottle Shops, Community
Cheers to six years down and many, many more to our friends at Fermental!
The bottle shop on the north side of town will be celebrating their sixth anniversary on Saturday, March 2nd with a full day of music, food trucks, giveaways, and of course, delicious beer and wine.
We talked to Steve Gibbs, owner-operator of Fermental, and he’s thrilled to be six years in and looking ahead.
“It’s been quite a ride since 2013,” says Gibbs. “Pretty much non-stop every day since opening. Now, with one daughter soon to finish college and another about to enter preschool, my daily life is a hectic one. Coupled with consistent beer releases, an ever-growing wine selection, events, live music, and other such happenings, Fermental is definitely a laborious love and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
We also asked him how he feels about the ever-evolving nature of the beer industry and what he’s observed since opening his doors in 2013.
“The beer industry has changed drastically in six years. Most times for the best, sometimes not so much. I think this year we’ll see some big changes with local brewery expansions as well as larger brewery mergers and closings throughout the US as craft continues to grow. Beer styles will become more diverse and experimental while also returning to its roots as imbibers seek out the classics they once enjoyed.
2019 will be the year of hard seltzers. Watch out. But don’t worry, the hops aren’t going anywhere.”
Here’s the schedule for the day:
Food Trucks
CheeseSmith @ noon
2Bros Coastal Cuisine @ 5pm
Music
Roger Davis @ noon
Jason Ashby @ 2pm
The Blarney Brogues @ 5pm
Boba Funk @ 8pm
So let’s party, y’all!
Here’s a final message from Steve:
“Thanks again for everyone’s support over the past six years. This will be another challenging, mad-capped year at Fermental and we look forward to many more. Come celebrate with us, as we celebrate with you.”
For more information about this event visit the event Facebook page.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Jan 30, 2019 | Blog, Community
Photo Courtesy: John Calvano
The Behind Bars series focuses on those that serve us our favorite libations at craft beer-focused breweries, bottle shops, bars, and restaurants.
This week Cece Calvano from Cape Fear Wine & Beer joins us!
AT: What is your favorite thing about bartending?
CC: How dynamic it is! Every day is new and different and presents it’s own challenges. Every now and then I think about my old office job and my brain explodes with monotony.
AT: Do you have any advice for current or future bartenders?
CC: What I often see, especially when it gets busy, is a lack of patience for our customers. I’m guilty of it myself. But I try to remember, these people aren’t walking into a restaurant because they literally have to eat to live, they’re walking into a craft beer bar because they want to be there. They’re choosing to spend their increasingly rare free time with us, in our establishment. Reward them, not just with our beer, but our service as well.
AT: If you were a beer, which one would you be and why?
CC: Can I say sake? Cause you know…technically…
Or I could say a double IPA, which is like the mullet of beers, I’m all business, but I’m also ready to party.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Jan 23, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Community
Cheers to Makai Brewing in Ocean Isle on their one year anniversary!
Some people mistakenly think that our Brunswick County beaches completely shut down in the summer and there’s nothing to do. Not the case if you’re a fan of craft beer. You can visit Check Six in Southport, Red Hare in Shallotte, or Makai Brewing in Ocean Isle who just so happens to have a birthday this weekend.
Makai Brewing is throwing a big first anniversary party on Saturday, January 26th from noon until 9pm. Panacea will have the Booch Bus parked outside all day if you’re craving kombucha, and if you’re hungry you can snag a lobster roll from the Butcher of Brunswick or a snack from A&M’s Red Food Truck if you’re there later in the evening.
They’ll have live music going all day featuring Charles Richards, Jeff Thomas, Elliott Smith, and Jared Michael Cline.
You can also expect to see fresh batches of Carolina Tropical IPA, Fire Knife Imperial DIPA, and Nightingale Coffee Porter!
So snag a couple friends, travel south to Makai Brewing, and wish them a very hau’oli lā ho’omana’o.
by Joan Wilkerson Hoffmann | Jan 16, 2019 | Blog, Breweries, Community, Local Beer
Waterline Brewing Company, fondly regarded as the brewery under the bridge, is now hosting a movie night on Thursdays. Local blues legend, Randy McQuay, is the host. “He calls the new series a ‘passion project’ meant to feed his soul and yours,” according to taproom manager Maria Speaks.
It’s the building itself that brought McQuay to Waterline. He used to have a studio in the Art Factory, which shares a building with Waterline. “It’s a pretty magical building,” says Speaks.
Rob Robinson, owner-operator of Waterline Brewing, and McQuay have been in talks about this for quite some time. They thought it would be good to test out in the slower, cooler months when people are more keen on spending time inside.
McQuay is trying to keep it light-hearted, selecting fun movies like The Big Lebowski and Blues Brothers. “He’s trying to provide a fun evening for all demographics,” according to Speaks.
But don’t worry, McQuay isn’t giving up slinging tunes. You can still find him crooning in the taproom on a fairly regular basis.
Check out our Events Calendar for details on upcoming movie nights and other events.
