Broomtail Craft Brewery

Broomtail Craft Brewery is the kind of place where the bartender remembers your name, the beer is genuinely well-crafted, and you’ll probably make friends with somebody’s dog before the night is over. Tucked into the Dutch Square Industrial Park just off Market Street, this laid-back, neighborhood-pub-style brewery has been quietly turning out some of Wilmington’s best beer since 2014. Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for the place before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Husband-and-Wife Beer Story

Broomtail was founded in 2014 by Barry and Lisa Owings — a husband-and-wife team who built the brewery around a great combination of her artistic eye and his scientific expertise. Barry is a water chemist and formulator by profession, and he’s been home brewing since 1990, refining his understanding of the process — mechanically, chemically, and biologically — to develop beer that’s not just delicious but reliably consistent batch after batch.

That mix of art and science is part of what makes Broomtail what it is. The brewery is woman-owned, family-run, and very deliberately rooted in the community. The result is a taproom that feels closer to your favorite local pub than a corporate beer destination — and a lineup of beers that hits the marks they’re aiming for every time.

The Beer

Broomtail focuses on true-to-style brews, which is part of why they’ve earned such a loyal following. Some of the most popular pours include:

• Galloping Gose — a bestselling traditional German-style sour with a refreshing salt-and-coriander finish
• King Tide Kölsch — a clean, easy-drinking German-style ale that’s quietly become a Wilmington favorite
• Acerbic Ecstasy IPA — a flavorful, well-balanced IPA that drinks like the kind of beer made by someone who actually knows what they’re doing

Beyond the flagships, the brewery rotates through seasonals, collaborations, and experimental small-batch brews — so there’s always a new tap worth trying. The bartenders are knowledgeable and genuinely happy to walk you through the menu if you’re not sure where to start.

More Than Just Beer

Broomtail is one of those Wilmington spots that has quietly expanded into something much bigger than a brewery without losing what made it special in the first place. The same space now also houses:

• Broomtail Coffee — fresh, locally roasted craft coffee served seven days a week from the same building, perfect for early-morning work sessions, casual meetups, or just a quieter start to the day before the taproom opens.
• A homebrew shop — connected to the brewery, fully stocked with ingredients, equipment, and the kind of expert advice you can only get from a brewer who’s been doing this since 1990.

It’s a setup you don’t see often: a true neighborhood spot that serves you coffee in the morning, helps you brew your own beer in the afternoon, and pours you a pint at night.

Good to Know

• Dog and people friendly — Broomtail is genuinely welcoming to both, and you’ll often find a friendly resident pup wandering around the taproom.
• Food trucks rotate at the brewery regularly, so there’s almost always something to eat alongside your beer.
• Cozy, “Cheers-like” vibe — small, comfortable, and the kind of place where you’ll start to recognize the regulars.
• Tucked away in the Dutch Square Industrial Park, so it’s worth a closer look on the map before your first visit.

A Quiet Wilmington Standout

Broomtail Craft Brewery isn’t trying to be the biggest or the flashiest brewery in Wilmington — and that’s exactly what makes it so good. The beer is consistently excellent, the people are genuinely kind, and the whole place has the feel of a real neighborhood spot that just happens to make great beer. If you’re putting together a Wilmington brewery day, this one is non-negotiable.

---

---

Resources

Broomtail Craft Brewery Website

Broomtail Craft Brewery Facebook

---

Location

---

Social Media

---

---