National IPA Day: 10 breweries and tap rooms in the Wilmington area to get a hoppy brew
It’s a style of beer made with lots of hops and alcohol, which was meant to preserve it on long voyages from Britain to India in the late 1700s. But India Pale Ale has not only withstood these trips, but it’s also withstood the test of time. It's now one of the most popular craft beer styles in the country.
There’s even a holiday to celebrate the many versions that have evolved from those first hoppy ales. National IPA Day, first observed in 2011, takes place on the first Thursday of August. If you’d like to celebrate, here are a few selections at breweries in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties to check out.
Lonerider at Oak Island: This Raleigh-based brewery has a Brunswick County location at 57th Place West that will be offering deals on IPAs on Aug. 3. Options could include Peacemaker, a juicy style with lemon and orange citrusy aromas, or the Hoppy Ki Yay, which is a rotating IPA.
New Anthem Beer Project: A recent report from the Stacker data company ranked the best rated IPAs in the state. This brewery with two Wilmington locations (and a new annex in the Raleigh area) placed highest among local brews. Their Neon God, a New England IPA, was No. 7 on the list. Other New Anthem IPAs (The Vapors, The Amen Break and Throwing Shade), also ranked on the list.
Wilmington Brewing Company: The only other local brewery on the Stacker list was this Wilmington favorite, located on Kerr Avenue. But it wasn’t their uber-popular flagship beer Tropical Lightning, a West Coast style IPA. No, their Kitten Biscuit New Englang style beer came in at No. 8, while Lemur Party, a Milkshake IPA, was No. 17.
Flytrap Brewing: In downtown Wilmington, this brewery produces a West Coast IPA that is a favorite at the StarNews. Look for a balanced bitterness with vibrant citrus and soft pine characteristics. You can also try the Hazy and Double Hazy IPA.
Salty Turtle Beer Company: In Surf City (and now Raleigh, too), this brewery makes a couple of IPAs that are highly rated on the Untappd beer site. Hey Zay is a juicy New England style that’s meant to convert even non-IPA lovers. And Surf City Sunrise, is brewed with lactose to prodcue a tropical IPA with aromatics of pineapple, mango and starfruit.
Leland Brewing: If you want to try something new, check out Shay Day IPA from this new spot in Leland's Gateway District. It sits on a five-acre site at 133 Old Fayetteville Road across the street from Founders Park and Leland Town Hall, also known as 2115 Ale Ave., and this beer in one of their latest.
Edward Teach Brewing: In Wilmington's Brooklyn Arts District, the Devil's Son IPA is one of this brewery's flagship beers. Well-balanced India Pale Ale that immediately hits you with aromas of tropical fruit, citrus and a subtle malty sweetness. A light bready malt character allows the resinous profile of the hops to shine through. Citra is used heavily in the whirlpool addition and this beer is double dry hopped with Falconers Flight and citra.
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Good Hops Brewing: In Carolina Beach, this brewery offers a couple of seasonal IPAs, including the Georgia on My Mind Peach Jalapeno Brut IPA in June and the Black Sky IPA in fall and winter. Other options include the Stanky Yankee, which is frequently on rotation, and the Flip Hop IPA, a Southern IPA with a subtle malt flavor.
Mad Mole Brewing: This environmentally friendly brewery on Bradley Creek near Wrightsville Beach also has a few flagship beers. Their Boston Mole Party is a juicy, hazy IPA that's refreshing brew that's highly rated among beer fans on Untappd and Beer Advocate. Also check out their Citra Mole Down IPA.
Outer Dunes Brewing Company: Another of our favorites can be found under the shady live oak in Porters Neck. We like their Hazy D New England style IPA, as well as their Carolina Convertible (a West Coast IPA) and their Nui Niu, a Coconut Hazy IPA.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington breweries serving up popular IPAs
