Discover Brewery 99 - The Sociable Adventurer

For one of the most beloved craft beverage stops in New Bern, NC, Brewery 99 is a real treasure. Set at 1030 Pollock Street in Craven County’s county seat, just a short distance down the road from the historic Tryon Palace complex, this beloved nano-brewery has been a cornerstone of the community since its founding in 2015, when it became the first brewery in Craven County and the 99th in North Carolina (the source of its memorable name). With a 2,500-square-foot expanded taproom, more than 30 beers on tap, an on-site bakery, and a remarkable community-driven atmosphere, Brewery 99 has grown into one of the most rewarding craft beverage destinations in the broader region. Click on the pictures below to get a feel for Brewery 99 before you go — or to relive the visit after.

First in Craven County, 99th in North Carolina

The story of Brewery 99 begins with a small, humble cinder-block building in downtown New Bern, where owner Pete Frey opened the brewery in 2015. The name reflects two milestones — Brewery 99 was both the first brewery to open in Craven County and the 99th brewery to operate in North Carolina. In the early days, the brewery operated as a true nano-operation, open only on Friday and Saturday, with just a handful of beers on tap and a small, devoted community of regulars.

That intimate, community-driven character has carried through to the modern era. In 2021, Pete took over a new 2,500-square-foot taproom just across the parking lot from the original location, dramatically expanding the brewery’s space while preserving the warm, welcoming atmosphere that had become its signature. Today, the brewery, bakery, and taproom share that thoughtfully designed space at 1030 Pollock Street — a location that makes Brewery 99 an ideal stop for visitors exploring downtown New Bern and the nearby Tryon Palace complex.

Signature Beers and Local Ingredients

Brewery 99 is renowned for crafting high-quality beers with local ingredients, with a diverse range of unique flavors that have built a loyal regional following. Among the brewery’s most beloved offerings:

Confignorant Pale Ale — a classic, hop-forward American pale ale
XXX Belgian Tripel — a strong, golden Belgian-style ale with rich, complex character
Lunatic Gruit — a fascinating hop-less ale brewed with herbs, drawing on a centuries-old European brewing tradition that predates the modern use of hops

The lineup typically includes more than 30 beers on tap at any given time — from familiar crowd-pleasers to inventive seasonal releases and barrel-aged specialties. Flight options in 4-ounce pours make it easy for visitors to sample widely, and branded “99 Growlers” (in 32-ounce and 64-ounce sizes) make it easy to take favorites home.

A Bakery Right Next to the Taps

One of the most distinctive features of Brewery 99 is its on-site bakery, which sets the brewery apart from virtually every other craft beer destination in the region. The bakery produces fresh-baked goods daily, including:

Fresh cinnamon rolls
Pepperoni rolls — a wonderfully unexpected addition to the lineup
Muffins, loaf bread, and other rotating baked goods

The bakery also serves hot coffee and tea, making Brewery 99 a versatile stop throughout the day. Whether you’re in for a morning coffee with a fresh cinnamon roll or an evening pint with a pepperoni roll on the side, the menu meets you wherever you are.

Community at the Heart of the Brewery

What truly sets Brewery 99 apart is its deeply community-driven character. The brewery hosts a constantly rotating calendar of events that includes:

Live music — from bluegrass and acoustic performances to a variety of local and regional acts
Weekly trivia
Farmers markets
Fitness clubs and community gatherings

The taproom is genuinely dog-friendly and family-friendly, with an outdoor patio featuring a fire pit that makes the space welcoming on cooler evenings. Owner Pete Frey is often personally on hand, greeting visitors and sharing the story of each beer — the kind of warm, hands-on hospitality that’s become the brewery’s signature.

The Brew-Grass Music Festival, book release celebrations, art shows, and special beer release events all happen at the taproom throughout the year, making Brewery 99 a genuine gathering hub for the broader New Bern community.

Good to Know

Established: 2015 (first brewery in Craven County, 99th in NC)
Owner: Pete Frey
Address: 1030 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC — just a short distance from the Tryon Palace complex
Taproom size: 2,500 square feet (current expanded location)
Beers on tap: More than 30 at any given time
Signature beers: Confignorant Pale Ale, XXX Belgian Tripel, Lunatic Gruit (hop-less ale brewed with herbs)
Bakery items: Fresh cinnamon rolls, pepperoni rolls, muffins, loaf bread, plus coffee and tea
Take-home options: 4-ounce beer flights, 32-ounce and 64-ounce “99 Growlers”
Atmosphere: Cozy indoor taproom, outdoor patio with fire pit, dog- and family-friendly
Community events: Live music, weekly trivia, farmers markets, fitness clubs, beer releases, book launches, special festivals
Best for: Craft beer enthusiasts, families, dog owners, visitors looking for a community-driven experience
Pair with: A morning at the Tryon Palace complex right down the road, a visit to Freshwater Beer Company, or a stop at Bear City Fudge Company
Located at 1030 Pollock Street in New Bern, NC

A New Bern Highlight

Brewery 99 is the kind of stop that genuinely defines what makes New Bern’s craft beverage scene so rewarding. The “first in Craven County, 99th in NC” naming heritage, the more than 30 beers on tap at any time, the wonderfully unusual on-site bakery, the welcoming community-driven events, the hospitable touch of having owner Pete Frey often present in the taproom, the warm, dog- and family-friendly atmosphere, and the easy proximity to Tryon Palace and the broader downtown all add up to one of the most consistently rewarding brewery experiences anywhere in Craven County. Whether you’re settling in with a flight to sample widely, picking up a 64-ounce growler of the Belgian Tripel, taking in a bluegrass set on the patio, or just stopping in for a cinnamon roll and a coffee after a Tryon Palace visit, this is one of the most rewarding craft beverage stops you can make in eastern North Carolina.