Wilmington Brewing Company

If you’re looking for a Wilmington brewery that pairs well-crafted beer with one of the most expansive, family-friendly taproom setups in town, Wilmington Brewing Company is hard to beat. Located right in the middle of Wilmington off South Kerr Avenue, WBC has grown from a small homebrew shop into a full 11,800-square-foot brewery, taproom, beer garden, and event venue — all serving the city’s tastiest beer straight from the tank to the glass. Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for the place before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Homegrown from a Homebrew Shop

WBC’s story is a genuinely homegrown one. The brewery started small — a tiny homebrew shop with a love for the craft and the city it called home — and has grown over the years into one of Wilmington’s largest and most beloved breweries. Today, the operation includes both a 3-barrel and a 25-barrel brewing system, an attached homebrew supply store, two outdoor beer gardens, an original taproom, and a newly constructed 3,000-square-foot expansion called The Venue that doubles as a private event space.

The “homebrew shop” roots still show. WBC sells brewing ingredients and equipment alongside their beer, so it’s just as easy to drop in for a pint as it is to pick up everything you need to brew a batch at home.

The Beer

Wilmington Brewing Company keeps 15 original rotating drafts on at the taproom, with a steady mix of flagships and seasonals that keep things interesting visit after visit. A few of the standouts:

• Tropical Lightning IPA — WBC’s most popular pour, and the beer that’s earned the brewery its reputation. A hazy, hop-forward IPA that nicely blends hops and citrus flavors.
• Blair’s Breakfast Stout — frequently cited as one of the best stouts available anywhere in the area.
• Horchata-Style Blair’s Stout — a creative riff on the breakfast stout that’s earned its own loyal following.
• West Coast Chillz — a crisp, refreshing West Coast pilsner.
• Taco Life — a smooth, easy-drinking Mexican lager.
• A wide-ranging IPA lineup — including American, hazy, double, and New England styles to suit every taste.
• Pretty Pumpkin — a fall seasonal worth chasing down.

Beyond the IPAs and stouts, the rotation regularly includes Kölsch, gose, Saison, and other styles for those looking for something different. The bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to walk you through the menu.

The Spaces

What really sets WBC apart is just how much space the brewery has to offer. The setup includes:

• The original taproom — a laid-back, family- and dog-friendly tasting room
• The Venue — a 3,000-square-foot newly constructed taproom and event space right next door, filled with family-friendly games and seating
• Two outdoor beer gardens — comfortable spots to settle in on a nice day

The whole property has a relaxed, “great beer and a laid-back atmosphere full of fun for the whole crew” energy — and the variety of spaces means you can pretty much always find a spot that suits your mood.

Take Some Home

Whether you’ve found a new favorite or just want to take some beer home for the weekend, WBC makes it easy. The taproom sells 4-packs, cans, and crowlers to go, plus 5-gallon kegs are available for purchase — great for bigger parties, with optional pump and ice tub rentals.

Events and Community

WBC has built a real community calendar over the years. The Wilmington Brewing Run Club meets every Tuesday at 6:30 PM, rain or shine — a nice low-pressure way to combine a jog with a cold beer. The Venue regularly hosts private events, and the taproom rotates through live music, beer releases, food trucks, and special events throughout the year.

Good to Know

• Family- and dog-friendly — both the indoor taproom and outdoor beer gardens welcome kids and leashed dogs.
• Homebrew supply store on-site — a real plus if you’re into making your own beer.
• Two outdoor beer gardens — plenty of room to spread out on a nice day.
• Run Club every Tuesday at 6:30 PM — a fun way to earn that post-run pint.
• Food trucks and live music rotate at the brewery — check ahead if you want to plan around something specific.
• Located at 800 S Kerr Avenue, just minutes from downtown Wilmington and UNCW.

A Wilmington Standout

Wilmington Brewing Company is the kind of place that has something for everyone — serious craft beer fans, families looking for a laid-back afternoon, homebrewers searching for their next batch of ingredients, dog owners hoping for a relaxed beer-garden hang. The beer is genuinely well-made, the staff is friendly, and the variety of spaces makes it just as easy to bring a crowd as it is to stop in solo. If you’re putting together a Wilmington brewery day, this is one to add to your list.

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Resources

Wilmington Brewing Company Website

Wilmington Brewing Company Facebook

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