Beer Artisans of the Outer Banks

It’s time to redefine an Outer Banks daytrip. Sure, a trip to Ocracoke is nice, or maybe Edenton, which is a pretty little town on the Inner Banks. But there is an alternative, and it doubles as a great way to explore the northern OBX.

There are five microbreweries on the Outer Banks. Well, six if 1718 Brewery on Ocracoke is included, but since Ocracoke is a day trip in itself, to keep things manageable, there are five.

Weeping Radish
6810 Caratoke Hwy, Grandy
(252) 491-5205
WeepingRadish.com
The Weeping Radish is in Grandy which, technically, isn’t the Outer Banks but it’s close enough and the history of the brewery is so closely tied to Manteo and the beach that in fairness it should be included.

Opening in 1986 in Manteo on Roanoke Island, The Radish was the first microbrewery in North Carolina. In fact, original owner Uli Bennewitz had to get some laws changed to open his doors.

Eventually Weeping Radish outgrew its Manteo space and moved to Grandy, just north of The Cotton Gin and Sanctuary Vineyards in 2005. The larger space includes a restaurant, butchery where they make their own sausage and a tasting room. They serve mostly German style beers. If the IPA is available, it’s not quite as hoppy as most.

Weeping Radish beers, canned and on tap are available for purchase at several local eateries and establishments. While currently closed for renovations, the legendary microbrewery hopes to reopen soon, reigniting their German-inspired, farm-to-table pub experience.

Lost Colony Brewery
7531 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head
(844) 629-2337
TheLostColonyBrewery.com
Brew master and co-owner Paul Charron loves English style of beer, and he does a great job with it. Of course, he brews a few other styles as well. His Kill Devil Hills Scotch Ale is an excellent example of the style—a bit dry on the finish but full flavored and strong. His IPAs are quite good as well.

They have a tasting room in Nags Head, on the causeway overlooking Roanoke Sound…a very pleasant place to sip some beer. The beer is brewed in Stumpy Point, where they also have a tasting room. Occasionally tours are available at this location, about 35 minutes down US 264 on the way to Swan Quarter.

Lost Colony Brewery co-owner & brew master, Paul Charron shown leading a tour at the Stumpy Point Production Facility, opened in 2016. New in 2022, Lost Colony Brewery’s Waterfront Beer Garden overlooking the Roanoke Sound in Nags Head, featuring a tasting room and scenic back deck with dozens of tables.

Outer Banks Brewing Station
600 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-2739
OBBrewing.com
Located in the heart to Kill Devil Hills, the Outer Banks Brewing Station is probably the best known of OBX brewpubs. With the wind turbine in the backyard and distinctive architectural look, it can’t be missed. Out back there is a great seating area that features live music when the weather warms a bit.

But it’s not all location and appearance; the Brewing Station has a well-deserved reputation for crafting drinkable, very good beer. The Ölsch and Lemon Grass Wheat Ale are staples and for good reason—easy drinking and very tasty. From there a whole gamut of styles including Belgian wheat ales and powerful stouts are on tap.

What really sets the Brewing Station apart though, is the pub food. A visit just for the food is a worthwhile use of time. For kids—check out their home-brewed root beer and ginger beer.

One of the area’s most popular gathering spots, the Outer Banks Brewing Station opened in 2021. Local architect, Ben Cahoon modeled his design after a historic lifesaving station with the bar representing a lifesaving boat, pointed east and ready to be launched down the tracks to the ocean.

Swells’a Brewing
1802 S Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 715-3044
SwellsABrewing.com
The latest entry into the local microbrewery scene, Swells’a Brewing has a lot going for it. Fifteen beers and hard seltzers on tap, most of them their own although, they always include a couple of interesting entries from other breweries as well. The real capper though, is what might be the best outdoor seating area around. Perched on top of the downstairs bar area, the outdoor seating overlooks the Beach Road.

The brew master comes out with a lot of choices so it’s hard to point to any one style, so just sit back and sip a few and decide what’s best. There’s no kitchen. A few snacks are available, but the staff encourages bringing in outside food.

Northern Outer Banks Brewing Company
520 Old Stoney Rd, Corolla
(252) 207-1890
NorthernOBXBrewing.com
The tasting room is small—maybe even intimate. And there’s a very good chance the tasting will be hosted by either brew master and co-owner Michael Cherry or his wife Kathleen McCubbins.

There is a nice little seating area just outside the tasting room, so take the flight of beer out there and enjoy the day.

The beers are very approachable—no multi-syllable hops or flavorings. Just well-made brews that are easy sipping. Snacks only—there’s no kitchen although food can certainly be a part of the outdoor experience.

Author: Kip Tabb