Best Live Music
N
ew Bern’s BrÜtopia takes
home
the
award for Best Live Music. The brewery, which will celebrate its fourth anniversary next February,
BrÜtopia
is at the center of a burgeoning beer community in Eastern North Carolina. BrÜtopia
co-owner
and
brewer Tim Dryden explains that the growth of the craft beer industry in North Carolina is dependent on brewers “bringing something different to the table.” He
cites
other
like-minded
local outfits such as Brewery 99, Crystal Coast, Fishtown, Mill Whistle, Shortway and Tight Lines as helping craft beer flourish: “Put us all in the same space and you truly will have a great experience.” In
BrÜtopia’s
experience
is
case,
predicated
that on
patrons not only enjoying a finely-crafted the
beer,
environment
but
also
and
the
BY KEVIN FLINN
entertainment. Bringing in that entertainment, however, might not be as easy as it is in a larger community. “Charlotte,
that
entertainment.”
Going to a distributor to buy beer
BrÜtopia
began
as
a
homebrew store in early 2016, and
and Dryden notes that he and
Wilmington all have their own
co-owner/brewer Bryan Conway
beer cultures due to the size of
quickly added a bottle shop and
their populations,” Dryden says.
then the bar.
one-on-one
experience.
that was brewed on the other side of the country and then served by a person that doesn’t know beer” isn’t an authentic experience. Dryden foresees even further
“We really hope to grow (New
“After two years of buying
growth for BrÜtopia and for the
Bern’s beer culture) with events
other peoples’ beer, we decided
brewing industry in the eastern
and local festivals. We strive to
to try our hand at brewing our
part of the state.
support local musicians the best
own,” Dryden says.
we can.”
BrÜtopia put out its first beer
While Carolina Brew Scene readers
10
Raleigh
You need both music and other
clearly
on tap in February 2018 and
appreciate
produced 112bbls that first year.
BrÜtopia’s live music offerings,
This year, BrÜtopia is on pace to
Dryden points out that it’s not
brew between 130 and 150bbls
just a music venue.
of 25 different beers.
“Our industry services a
Part of this variety — both
very large age group. What
in beer and entertainment — is
our 24-35 year old patrons
due to New Bern’s location and
like our 55-65 year old group
BrÜtopia’s clientele. People want
may not. We try to add several
local, emphasizes Dryden.
things (like trivia) to our week
“They want to talk with
to support everyone’s desires.
brewers,” he says. “They look for
“I think we’re on the right path,” he says. “The state is making changes and the industry is growing. We love how (BrÜtopia’s events) build friendships and make our little spot feel like home.” 2nd - Highland Brewing Company (Asheville NC) 3rd - Pisgah Brewing (Black Mountain, NC)
