Freshwater Beer Company

For one of the most genuinely welcoming craft beverage stops in New Bern, NC, Freshwater Beer Company is a real treasure. Set on Pollock Street in Craven County’s county seat — just a few blocks from the historic Tryon Palace complex — this beloved community-focused brewery has been delighting locals and visitors alike since opening in 2021. Founded by Tia and Brandon, who relocated to New Bern with a vision of building a truly inclusive gathering space, Freshwater Beer Co. is known for its small-batch craft beers, an extensive selection of guest taps you won’t find anywhere else in eastern North Carolina, and one of the most thoughtfully welcoming atmospheres in the region. Click on the pictures below to get a feel for Freshwater Beer Company before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Tia and Brandon’s Vision for New Bern

The story of Freshwater Beer Company begins with Tia and Brandon, the founding owners whose vision for the brewery extends well beyond serving great beer. Though originally transplants to New Bern, the couple quickly became some of the most active and beloved members of the local community — and their genuine commitment to inclusivity has shaped every part of the brewery’s character.

Tia is especially renowned for curating beer selections that visitors simply won’t find anywhere else in eastern North Carolina — a constantly rotating roster of guest taps that brings rare regional, national, and international brews to New Bern. Brandon’s hospitality and engagement with regulars and newcomers alike round out the genuinely warm experience that has made Freshwater a community anchor.

Small-Batch Brews and a Constantly Rotating Selection

Freshwater Beer Co. brews its own small-batch craft beers under its in-house Freshwater Brewing Company label, with a regularly evolving lineup that includes:

Makahlaka — a rotating fan favorite
This Blonde’s 4U — an approachable blonde ale
Shuck Ya — a clever, locally inspired brew
Iron Man — a robust signature beer
Me So Hazy — for fans of the modern hazy IPA style
Freshwater Summer Kraken — a seasonal release that draws repeat visits
Plus in-house hard seltzers and other rotating releases

Beyond its in-house beers, Freshwater is known for its extensive selection of guest craft beers on tap — IPAs, porters, lagers, ciders, and inventive seasonal releases from breweries across the region and beyond. Wines are also available, making the brewery a flexible option for groups with mixed tastes.

Tasty Thirsty Thursdays, Live Music, and Community Events

Freshwater Beer Co. has built a remarkable calendar of community-focused events that have become signature parts of the New Bern social scene:

Tasty Thirsty Thursdays — running meetups in partnership with local businesses, paired with food trucks that bring fresh, varied options to the brewery
Live music on weekends — a steady rotation of local and regional acts
The annual New Bern Beer Mile — a fun and challenging community race in partnership with Coastal Sole Performance Footwear, with proceeds supporting meaningful local and regional causes
Frequent visiting food trucks — including local favorites like BokaNinas — that pair perfectly with a flight of beers

The events calendar gives the brewery a genuinely lived-in, community-driven character — and the wide variety means there’s almost always something interesting happening when you visit.

Welcome to All — Veteran, Military, Dog, and ADA-Friendly

What truly sets Freshwater Beer Company apart from many craft beer destinations is its deep commitment to inclusivity. The brewery is proudly:

Veteran-friendly and military-friendly — reflecting the broader Craven County community that’s home to MCAS Cherry Point
Dog-friendly — leashed pets welcome
Family-friendly — making it a flexible option for parents with kids
ADA-friendly — one of the few fully accessible establishments in the county

The space itself features rustic industrial decor with both indoor and outdoor seating, giving visitors plenty of flexibility depending on the day. The cozy atmosphere, the genuine welcome, and the thoughtfully diverse beer selection all add up to a brewery that’s authentically built for everyone.

Good to Know

Opened: 2021
Founders: Tia and Brandon
Address: 904 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC 28562 — just a few blocks from Tryon Palace and a short walk from Brewery 99
In-house brewing label: Freshwater Brewing Company
Signature beers: Makahlaka, This Blonde’s 4U, Shuck Ya, Iron Man, Me So Hazy, Freshwater Summer Kraken, plus in-house hard seltzers
Guest taps: Extensive selection of craft beers, ciders, and seasonal releases sourced from across the region and beyond
Other beverages: Wines available
Community events: Tasty Thirsty Thursdays, weekend live music, annual New Bern Beer Mile, regular food truck visits
Atmosphere: Rustic industrial decor with both indoor and outdoor seating
Welcoming policies: Veteran-friendly, military-friendly, family-friendly, dog-friendly, and ADA-friendly
Best for: Craft beer enthusiasts, families, dog owners, veterans and military members, and visitors looking for a genuinely inclusive community-driven experience
Pair with: A morning at Tryon Palace right down the road, a brewery double-header with Brewery 99, or a stop at Bear City Fudge Company
Located on Pollock Street in downtown New Bern, NC

A New Bern Highlight

Freshwater Beer Company is the kind of stop that genuinely captures everything that makes a great neighborhood brewery special. Tia and Brandon’s vision for a deeply inclusive gathering space, the curated rotating selection of guest beers you won’t find anywhere else in eastern North Carolina, the small-batch in-house brews like Iron Man and Me So Hazy, the steady calendar of community events like Tasty Thirsty Thursdays and the annual Beer Mile, the genuine welcome extended to veterans, military families, dogs, kids, and visitors of all ability levels, and the easy proximity to Tryon Palace and the broader downtown all add up to one of the most rewarding craft beverage experiences anywhere in Craven County. Whether you’re settling in for an evening with friends, exploring the rotating guest tap selection, joining a Thursday running club, or pairing a beer with a food truck stop, this is one of the most consistently rewarding craft beverage stops you can make in eastern New Bern.