Mad Mole Brewing

Some breweries are built around a beer. Some are built around a vibe. Mad Mole Brewing is built around the sun — literally. As Wilmington’s first solar-powered brewery, this off-the-beaten-path craft house near Bradley Creek Marina has been brewing beer with sunshine since 2018, and quietly built a loyal local following along the way. With a clever, mole-themed identity, a friendly neighborhood feel, and some genuinely creative beer, it’s the kind of place that earns the “hidden gem” label honestly. Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for the place before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Brewed by the Sun

Mad Mole opened in 2018 and immediately distinguished itself as the first solar-powered brewery in Wilmington. The brewery operates on a seven-barrel electric system, and the entire brewing process — from mash to keg — is powered by solar panels installed on the building’s roof. Combined with the playful mole theme, the result is a brewery identity that’s both genuinely fun and genuinely committed to sustainability.

The brewery was founded by friends and co-workers Martin de Jongh, Ole Pederson, Chris Worden, and Thomas Varnum — with Martin and Ole bringing years of homebrewing experience to the operation. The name itself is part of the charm: “Mole” comes from combining the M in Martin and Ole, and “Mad” is a nod to the mad scientist energy of brewing — since, as the team puts it, brewing is a science more than a guessing game.

The Beer

Mad Mole’s lineup leans into the team’s love of Belgians, IPAs, and a wide-ranging cast of well-crafted beers across just about every style. Expect to find rotating IPAs, stouts, ales, kölsches, pilsners, ambers, wheats, and creative seasonal one-offs — with the punny mole-themed beer names being half the fun. The brewery has built a particularly strong reputation for IPAs, but the variety means there’s almost always something on tap that fits whatever mood you walked in with.

The bartenders are knowledgeable — Mad Mole is known for having some of the best-trained beer staff in town — and they’re genuinely happy to walk you through the menu if you’re not sure where to start. Flights are a great way to sample your way through.

The Space

The Mad Mole taproom is a comfortable, welcoming brew house with a friendly local feel. Inside, you’ll find an attractive bar, table seating, and walls decorated with the brewery’s signature mole-themed art that gives the space its quirky personality. Outside, there’s plenty of additional seating — a real plus on a nice afternoon, and a favorite spot for groups, dogs, and food truck nights.

Food trucks rotate through the brewery regularly, so there’s almost always something to eat alongside your beer. The taproom hosts new beer releases, special events, and weekly specials throughout the month — making it just as fun for regulars as it is for first-timers.

Good to Know

• Wilmington’s first solar-powered brewery — a real sustainability commitment baked into every pour.
• Wine is available alongside the beer, so non-beer drinkers in your group have an option too.
• Food trucks rotate at the brewery regularly — check ahead if you want to time your visit around a specific one.
• Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating — a friendly, welcoming neighborhood feel.
• Located at 6309 Boathouse Road, just off Military Cutoff near Bradley Creek Marina — a little off the beaten path, but easy to combine with a trip to Wrightsville Beach.
• Weekly specials are worth checking ahead for, with rotating deals on pints, wine, and select beers throughout the week.

A Hidden Wilmington Standout

Mad Mole Brewing is one of those Wilmington breweries that flies just under the radar — and absolutely rewards anyone who makes the trip. The beer is creative and well-crafted, the people are friendly, the solar-powered sustainability angle is genuinely cool, and the whole place has the feel of a true neighborhood brewery built around a love of the craft. If you’re putting together a Wilmington brewery day — or just looking for an excuse to explore a different part of town — Mad Mole is well worth the stop.

---

---

Resources

Mad Mole Brewing Website

Mad Mole Brewing Facebook

---

Location

---

Social Media

---

---