Wrightsville Beach Brewery

If you could design the perfect brewery experience for the Cape Fear coast, you might land on something pretty close to Wrightsville Beach Brewery. A brewpub and outdoor beer garden tucked just off Oleander Drive on the way to Wrightsville Beach, this is the rare brewery that has it all — house-brewed craft beer, fresh local oysters, scratch-made pizzas, a beautiful outdoor space shaded by mature trees, and a sustainability-first ethos that you can taste in everything they serve. 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 Brewery with a Real Story

Wrightsville Beach Brewery was founded in 2017 by Wilmington native Jud Watkins, along with his team, including general manager Keith. The brewery’s roots run deep into the local coast — Jud grew up oystering with his father and grandfather in the Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro marshes, and it was in those marshes that the three of them dreamed up the idea of a brewery and oyster house that would honor Wilmington’s coastal history, educate patrons about environmental preservation, and give back to the community.

That coastal-conservation vision shows up in everything WBB does. The restaurant is built around a sustainable, eco-minded footprint, sourcing as locally as possible — from the seafood on the menu to the produce in the kitchen. It’s one of those rare places where “local and sustainable” isn’t a marketing line; it’s the whole reason the brewery exists.

The Beer

WBB brews a wide-ranging lineup of approachable, well-crafted beers designed to pair beautifully with the food coming out of the kitchen. The variety means there’s almost always something on tap that fits whatever mood you walked in with — from crisp lagers and refreshing Kölsch-style ales to flavorful IPAs, easy-drinking pilsners, hearty stouts, and creative seasonal one-offs. The Kölsch Krush — with its slight orange and vanilla flavors — has earned its own loyal following, and the brewery’s Cape Fear Common Ale is the regular community-giving beer (with 11% of sales during specific months donated to local nonprofits).

The bartenders are knowledgeable and happy to walk you through the menu if you’re not sure where to start.

The Food

WBB isn’t just a brewery — it’s a full brewpub built around oysters, pizza, and local seafood, with a kitchen that has just as much pride as the brew side. Some of the standouts:

• Fresh local oysters — sourced from the same waters the founders grew up oystering in, with a rotating raw bar that’s a real draw
• Wood-fired pizzas — the menu’s signature, with creative options like the Po’ Boy pizza that frequently gets recommended by the bartenders
• Seafood stew — frequently called out by reviewers as excellent
• Tempura cauliflower with Thai chili — a creative vegetarian option that’s quietly a fan favorite
• Boneless chicken with Airlie BBQ sauce — a regular crowd pleaser
• Brunch on Saturday and Sunday — yes, both weekend days

The menu rotates seasonally, but the focus on fresh, local, and sustainable stays the same.

The Beer Garden

The outdoor beer garden is one of the best in Wilmington. Shaded by mature trees, full of picnic tables and casual seating, and regularly hosting live music on weekends, it’s a perfect spot to settle in for the afternoon. Bring the dog, bring the family, bring a few friends — there’s room for all of it.

Good to Know

• Family- and dog-friendly — both inside the brewpub and out in the beer garden.
• Live music is a regular fixture, especially on weekends — check ahead if you want to plan around something specific.
• Brunch on weekends (both Saturday and Sunday) — worth planning around if you’re a brunch person.
• Sustainable, eco-minded operation — local seafood, local sourcing, and a commitment to environmental preservation baked into the concept.
• Community-minded — the brewery regularly donates a portion of sales to local nonprofits through partnerships with beers like the Cape Fear Common Ale.
• Located at 6201 Oleander Drive, on the way from downtown Wilmington toward Wrightsville Beach.

A Wilmington Standout

Wrightsville Beach Brewery is the kind of place that elevates the entire Wilmington beer and food scene. The beer is well-made, the food is genuinely excellent, the setting is gorgeous, and the founders’ love of the local coast comes through in everything they do. Whether you’re a serious beer enthusiast, an oyster fan, a wood-fired pizza lover, or just looking for a great place to spend a few hours with friends, WBB delivers. If you’re putting together a Wilmington brewery day — or just looking for a memorable meal in town — leave plenty of room for this one.

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Resources

Wrightsville Beach Brewery Website

Wrightsville Beach Brewery Facebook

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