Best Atmosphere
BY JENNY WHITE P H OT O S B Y C O R Y B U R T O N
A
aron Avery said he used to see the
cabin-like
building next to Neuse Sports Shop in Kinston when he worked at the big outdoor outfitter store
Big Game Brewing
when he was in high school. “I always thought it was a cool-looking building,” Avery said.
New Bern Road in Kinston, has 15 craft brews on tap.
Today, that cool building is
Avery, Peterman and Houston
site of Brew Scene’s Top Flights
brew their craft beer at a facility
2019 Best Atmosphere winner,
in Trenton. They currently brew
Big Game Brewing — and Aaron
about 10 recipes for their label, in
Avery is one of the owners of the bustling winning taproom. Avery
and
his
partners
Hampton Peterman and David Houston opened the taproom in March. “It’s pretty interesting that after admiring the building for so long — here I am,” Avery said with a laugh. The taproom, located at 225 E.
addition to numerous brews they manufacture for other labels. While Avery, Houston and
“But the outdoor Beer Garden
atmosphere at the taproom is
and outdoor deck is what really
probably because most of the
to the many people who choose
makes this place special. There’s
taproom space is outside.
their taproom as a favorite
a beautiful lake out back with all
gathering locale, they believe
kinds of wildlife and room for
the rustic, mountain lodge like
everyone to find a great spot and
atmosphere
enjoy a brew — and the view.”
Peterman believe Big Game Brewing craft beers are a big draw
at
the
Kinston
taproom attracts people as well. “The
building
itself
is
beautiful with the cedar plank
14
he said. “It’s beautiful.” The taproom is open from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through
In addition to the view, there
Thursday and from noon to 10
are fire pits, horse-shoe pits,
p.m. Friday and Saturday. The
cornhole equipment, a pergola
taproom has 15 beers on tap; ten
and lush vegetation.
are Big Game Brewing varieties,
walls, exposed beams and
While the taproom doesn’t
rustic floors,” Avery said. “It
serve food, Avery said they try to
makes you feel like you’re
have some kind of food service
tucked into a mountain cabin,
available,
but you’re in the middle of
weekends.
Kinston.
“You just can’t beat it out here,”
Avery
especially said
the
on
the
winning
five are guest brews. They also serve wine. 2nd -Crooked Lotus (Snead’s Ferry, NC) 3rd - Eleven Lakes Brewing (Cornelius, NC)
