Wilmington, NC Local Breweries

Solar-Powered Sips

At Mad Mole Brewing, Wilmington's first solar-powered brewery, enjoy a beer that benefits the environment. The brewery utilizes solar panels on its roof to power its seven-barrel system, harnessing the sun's rays. Sip on signature beverages such as the I.L.M. (I Love Moles), Molesonboro Island or Fire in the Mole while relaxing in the brewery's outdoor, dog-friendly beer garden.

Cheers to the Venus Flytrap

Flytrap Brewing pays tribute to the Venus flytrap, a carnivorous plant native to a 60-mile radius of Wilmington. (See the Venus flytrap growing in the wild at Carolina Beach State Park or Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden!) Order from the brewery’s constantly rotating draft list of American- and Belgian-style ales. In addition, Flytrap Brewing educates visitors about the Venus flytrap, its shrinking habitats and ways to protect the plant from extinction. Located in Wilmington's Brooklyn Arts District, Flytrap is not just a brewery: it’s a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Enjoy art displays and live music every weekend and grab a bite from the food trucks regularly parked outside the brewery.

Wilmington’s Oldest Brewery

Founded in 1995, Front Street Brewery is Wilmington’s original brewery and restaurant, serving favorites like the Amberjack English Ale, If You Got It Braggot, Black River Oatmeal Stout, Dram Tree Scottish and Port City IPA. Swing by for an afternoon brew or stop in for a late-night snack and craft-beer nightcap – the restaurant serves a full menu until midnight.

Look for Blackbeard's Flag

Located in Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District, Edward Teach Brewing is housed inside a historic firehouse that is more than a century old. Take a seat at the brewery’s two-story ship-shaped bar with eight craft beers on tap, including the Teaches Peaches Peach Wheat, Black Spot Black Lager, Pistol Proof German Lager and Devil’s Son IPA. The brewery’s moniker plays homage to the infamous pirate Blackbeard, who frequented the shores and shallows of North Carolina. Find Edward Teach Brewing by looking for the flag Blackbeard flew over the Queen Anne’s Revenge at the entrance.

Brews with Waterviews

Sip and soak in the view at Waterline Brewing Co.’s beer garden – all with Wilmington’s iconic Cape Fear Memorial Bridge as your backdrop. Try a variety of unique brews, such as the Waterline Kolsch, classic IPA, Oatmeal Stout and Tripel, while challenging your friends to outdoor games. Check the calendar for seasonal on-site yoga sessions.

A Hole in One

Stop by Carolina Beach’s Good Hops Brewing, a family-owned and small-batch brewery that welcomes dogs and families. Good Hops is dedicated to brewing quality beer with seven-barrel and 10-barrel fermenters and serves styles ranging from golden ales to IPAs. Be sure to try their Boardwalk Brown Ale, Flip Hop IPA, Donna Golden Ale or the classic Good Hops Pale Ale. After sipping your craft brews, play a friendly game of disc golf at Trinity Disc Golf Course, located on-site behind the brewery.

Suds & Seafood

Named one of the “Six Breweries with Meals that Rival Their Beers” by Our State magazine, Wrightsville Beach Brewery’s taproom and restaurant is equally celebrated for its brews and fresh local seafood. Grab a table and sip on a variety of craft beer options, such as the Airlie Amber Ale, Oysterman Stout, Wilmywood Wit and Waterway IPA, while savoring locally caught oysters and signature items like Carolina Shrimp Stack and Local Shrimp Tacos. The brewery often hosts live music events in its beer garden, as well as brewery tours, tastings and cask tappings.

Festivals & Events

Throughout the year, Wilmington hosts several craft beer-centric events. In the spring, prost on the coast at Cape Fear Craft & Cuisine where local breweries pair with area restaurants to offer small plates and samples. In October, pair your brews with bites and live music during the Voracious Rare Beer Festival and the Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival, both held at the Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park. Visit our events calendar to find additional beer and foodie events.

These are just a sampling of our breweries. When in Wilmington, any beer lover will appreciate the handcrafted, distinctive twist the below area breweries add to draft selections, along with unique environments. Find more information on our food and brew tours to plan your brewcation.