Carolina Brewery—the North Carolina, craft beer institution and a pioneer for brewing throughout the country—is celebrating 22 years this summer with an update to its original Chapel Hill brewpub. The brewery opened in 1995 as the first in the Triangle Area and fifth in North Carolina. A grand opening tapping party will launch the revamped space and menu on Thursday, August 10th with $1 pints of Franklin Street Lager available for purchase.
Once renovations are complete next month, visitors to Carolina Brewery can enjoy handcrafted beer in an updated, bright atmosphere that nods to the brewery’s rich, Chapel Hill heritage. Design
features will include a renovated first-floor patio; functional, garage-style, glass doors opening onto Chapel Hill’s bustling and historic Franklin Street; new lighting, décor and wall art; private dining accommodations for up to 100 guests; larger, relaxed booth seating and communal tables; and more.
The brewpub is also launching a new food menu on July 31st, featuring Carolina-inspired dishes and simple, authentic flavors from pint to plate. Ingredients will be sourced from local farmers and purveyors, like sustainably raised, grassfed beef from Lilly Den Farms, small-batch cheese from Chapel Hill Creamery, and fresh, locally caught seafood.
“As a longtime resident of Chapel Hill, I’m excited to move Carolina Brewery into its next chapter while honoring its decades-plus history,” said Cofounder Robert Poitras, who originally conceived of Carolina Brewery as a business plan while a third-generation student at the University of North Carolina. “These renovations will contribute to a larger trend in the revitalization of historic Franklin Street, and we look forward to welcoming neighbors and visitors alike for simple, local food and handcrafted beer in our revamped space.”
These renovations follow Carolina Brewery’s half-million-dollar investment earlier this year to update brewery operations, including the installation of an in-house canning line. Since Carolina Brewery opened in 1995, the number of craft breweries in the region has exploded, with over 160 in the state alone. Carolina Brewery’s strength is rooted in its rich history, and its mission remains the same: to brew the highest quality, honest beer, made using only the best ingredients and techniques.
For a full list of Carolina Brewery’s handcrafted beers, all of which are brewed in-house, please visit the website.
About Carolina Brewery
Cofounded in 1995 by Robert Poitras, Carolina Brewery is a North Carolina institution with two brewpub locations in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. The brewery is the fifth oldest in the state and a pioneer for craft brewing throughout the country. Carolina Brewery has received numerous accolades in the press and at respected beer festivals throughout the world, including the gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, over a dozen medals at the World Beer Championships, and many more. A graduate of the Siebel Institute of Technology & World Brewing Academy in Chicago, Jon Connolly has served as Carolina Brewery’s Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations for 20 years. Carolina Brewery’s beers are available at restaurants, bars, and shops offering craft beer throughout the Carolinas and eastern Tennessee.
460 West Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919-942-1800
120 Lowes Drive, Suite 100 Pittsboro, NC 27312 919-545-2330
Facebook: @CarolinaBrewery Twitter: @CarolinaBrewery Instagram: @CarolinaBrewery Untappd
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