Take a beer run at these 8 breweries in the Wilmington area
Ever since “hashing” started in 1938 and led to the creation of Hash House Harriers, who host runs that end with a beer, the partnering of breweries with exercise groups has become almost ubiquitous.
There are global groups, like the Harriers and those associated with Denmark-based brewery Mikkeller. But you can also find run/walk clubs around the country, including in the greater Wilmington area. Here are a few to check out.
Panacea Brewing Company
Founded in 2016, this brewery started selling kombucha at local farmers markets. Since then, they’ve grown to include products like hard kombuchas and beer, as well as a plant-based restaurant.
About the club: The Panacea Run Club, which was started in 2022, is self-paced, and both runners and walkers participate. The group uses the city’s trails, accessed behind the taproom, and after the run people can stay to enjoy a drink and a bite.
Details: 6 p.m. Thursdays at 4107 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
Hi-Wire Brewing
The Asheville-based Hi-Wire Brewing opened its Wilmington location in 2021 in downtown’s Soda Pop District.
About the club: Hosted with Fleet Feet Wilmington, and owner Michelle Fogle, this group meets for fun runs (or walks) in three- or five-mile options through downtown. There are also incentives in the form of T-shirts and gift cards when you complete a certain number of runs.
Details: 6 p.m. Mondays at 1020 Princess St., Wilmington
Brunswick Beer & Cider
Leland’s first brewery (and cidery) opened last year and is a sister business to Wrightsville Beach Brewery. It’s already a popular spot in the Brunswick Forest community.
About the club: This group is also hosted by Fleet Feet as well as Hamilton Realty Group. They have a four-mile community route mapped out, with social time planned after.
Details: 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at 1333 S. Dickinson Drive, Leland
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Outer Dunes Brewing
This “adult beer drinking oasis” features a brewery, taproom and beer garden near Porters Neck in Wilmington.
About the club: The Outer Dunes Brewing Walk and Run Club was founded by Joe Zarzycki, to build a community of people who enjoy beer and can encourage each other to get outside and exercise. There are one-, two- and three-mile options and incentives like T-shirts and gift cards for completing runs.
Details: 6 p.m. Tuesdays at 7976 Market St., Wilmington
Salty Turtle Beer Company
This Marine-founded business started with home brewing and became Pender County’s first brewery in 2017. It’s since become one of Surf City’s favorite gathering spots.
About the club: This group meets for a scenic run over the Surf City Bridge and back to the brewery for conversation and beer. Salty Turtle also has a cycling club that meets on Sunday morning and has started a running club at their Raleigh location.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 103 Triton Lane, Surf City
Waterline Brewing Co.
You can find this brewery in a renovated 1940s warehouse under the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. Look for a tap room, beer garden and a wide variety of events.
About the club: These meetings are hosted by the Wilmington Road Runners. Join them for runs of 3-5 miles, any pace.
Details: 6 p.m. Tuesdays at 721 Surry St., Wilmington
Waterman’s Brewing Company
This brewery near Wrightsville Beach was created with the ocean in mind, serving craft beer and coastal-inspired food.
About the club: This group typically meets for a mellow run around the beach, in distances from two to four-and-a-half miles, followed by brews and bites. In the summer season, they also offer a Surf-n-Turf, run-paddle combo. Details: 6 p.m. Wednesdays at 1610 Pavilion Place, Wilmington
Wilmington Brewing Company
This brewery was born from a home brew supply shop and is now one of Wilmington’s go-to spots for craft beer. (They also make what may be the area’s most popular beer, Tropical Lightning.)
About the club: As this club likes to say, they meet to run, walk, jog and drink beer in no particular order.
Details: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 824 S. Kerr Ave., Wilmington.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her ataballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Run clubs at breweries in Wilmington, NC
