Best Brewery
STORY BY JESSIE H. NUNERY P H OT O S B Y B R I A N L A N T Z
M
ichelle and John Savard
were
once just college
kids with a dream. The
Wilmington
natives
both went to the opposite end
Wilmington Brewing Company
of the state to attend UNC-
themselves
their
customers. There’s a giant Jenga
Asheville, but even with degrees
minds, perhaps they wouldn’t
set along with board games to
in hand — Michelle in mass
have been a success.
enjoy while you sip a beverage.
to
change
communications and John in
Tourism-type venues open
business administration — neither
all the time in their hometown.
and
was impressed with the job
Wilmington Brewing Company
“Everything
market upon returning home.
has not only survived since its
organically here. The beer is
inception, but Michelle says the
excellent, and that’s the No.
said.
business has been fortunate
1 priority. We’re very family-
learning and purchasing tools for
“We decided to go for it. We
enough to continually expand
friendly and pet-friendly. The
the trade.
took our savings and ordered
from its first days as just a
taproom is laid back.”
homebrewing supplies.”
homebrew store.
“There were really no jobs to
be
had,”
Michelle
Now, the married couple has
polished,”
very
shiny
Michelle
said.
happens
“We felt like one day we’d do
Wilmington became
pretty
Brewing
this,” Michelle said. “There has not
a
Company has 18 staff members
been a quiet moment. I feel like
homebrewer and learned from
and is in the process of expanding
years, their start-up, Wilmington
we’re riding the wave and hanging
some of Asheville’s professional
a lot next door into outdoor space
Brewing Company, has been
on. John made smart business
and
for public and private use.
named Carolina Brew Scene’s
decisions as far as business goes.
college, is now surrounded by a
2019 Best Brewery.
strong brew team that churns out
continuing to churn out a new
popular drinks including a Tropical
release every other week or so
Lightning IPA and Blair’s Breakfast
-- 15 beers stay in rotation — and
Stout.
showcasing their products at food
too long and possibly convinced
who
not
two children, and in just five
If the Savards had thought
John,
“We’re
homebrewers
Wilmington
while
in
doing
this
while
Brewing
truck events on the weekends.
Company is located in the heart
Their beer is also distributed
of the city, not far away from
throughout the city and to those
UNC-Wilmington. Michelle said
who drive down to purchase the
WBC attracts a wide variety of
products.
visitors — young, old, families.
18
They’re
The
couple’s
Wilmington
Music is played on a record player
Homebrew Supply is still going
donated by one of WBC’s first
strong for those interested in
He is the big picture guy, and I handle day-to-day. Wilmington keeps making spaces for different types of things, even though there are a lot of restaurants. I think breweries were needed, and I’m thankful we took a shot at it.” 2nd -New Village Brewing Company (Oriental, NC) 3rd - BrÜtopia (New Bern, NC)
