best Atmosphere

BY JENNY WHITE PHOTOS BY CORY BURTON

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 when he was in high school. “I always thought it was a cool-looking building,” Avery said. Today, that cool building is site of Brew Scene’s Top Flights 2019 Best Atmosphere winner, Big Game Brewing — and Aaron 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. New Bern Road in Kinston, has 15

craft brews on tap. Avery, Peterman and Houston brew their craft beer at a facility in Trenton. They currently brew about 10 recipes for their label, in addition to numerous brews they manufacture for other labels.

While Avery, Houston and Peterman believe Big Game Brewing craft beers are a big draw to the many people who choose their taproom as a favorite gathering locale, they believe the rustic, mountain lodge like atmosphere at the Kinston taproom attracts people as well.

“The building itself is beautiful with the cedar plank walls, exposed beams and rustic floors,” Avery said. “It makes you feel like you’re tucked into a mountain cabin,

but you’re in the middle of Kinston. “But the outdoor Beer Garden

and outdoor deck is what really makes this place special. There’s a beautiful lake out back with all

kinds of wildlife and room for

everyone to find a great spot and enjoy a brew — and the view.” In addition to the view, there

are fire pits, horse-shoe pits, cornhole equipment, a pergola and lush vegetation. While the taproom doesn’t serve food, Avery said they try to have some kind of food service

available, especially on the weekends.

Avery said the winning atmosphere at the taproom is probably because most of the taproom space is outside. “You just can’t beat it out here,” he said. “It’s beautiful.”

The taproom is open from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The taproom has 15 beers on tap; ten are Big Game Brewing varieties, five are guest brews. They also serve wine.

Big Game Brewing

2nd -Crooked Lotus (Snead’s Ferry, NC) 3rd - Eleven Lakes Brewing (Cornelius, NC)

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