Shallotte locals share 'farewell beer' as brewery has its final weekend

Around a dozen people were gathered inside Red Hare Brewing Company Saturday afternoon, the taproom doors opened to let in the nice September weather.

Some customers chatted with the bartender while others stopped by to claim mementos from the Shallotte brewery. Throughout the building, the mood was bittersweet as locals learned of the closing of one of Brunswick County’s only breweries.

“I think it’s a great place to come and chill, get a tangerine beer you can’t get anywhere else,” said Judy Howie, a Shallotte resident, as she sipped a beer Saturday afternoon. “It’s a great place to hang out.”

Prior coverage: Shallotte brewery to close this weekend after four years in the Brunswick beer scene

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Howie said she learned of the brewery’s closing just a few hours before when her sister-in-law, Carol Williams, called her with the news. They met soon after at Red Hare to share a “farewell beer.”

The brewery announced Friday that Labor Day weekend would be its Shallotte location’s final days in business before closing for good Sunday. The taproom at 4802 Main St. has been part of Brunswick County’s beer scene since it opened in 2017.

It's one of just three operating breweries in the county, accompanied by Makai Brewing Company in Ocean Isle Beach and Lonerider in Oak Island.

Red Hare Brewing originated in Marietta, Georgia, and expanded to Shallotte to produce a new line of sours, wild-fermented and barrel-aged beers, along with growing its flagship lineup of suds.

Now, the company plans to refocus its energy on distilling in Marietta.

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"Over the past four years, our Red Hare Team has had the pleasure of becoming a part of the wonderful Shallotte community," the brewery shared on its Facebook Page. "We cannot express how thankful we are for your support & the relationships we have made throughout the years."

Williams said she’s been going to Red Hare since it opened in Shallotte, and when Howie moved to town in December 2020, they began getting together for a beer at the local taproom. Now, she said, it’s sad to see a unique piece of Shallotte close its doors.

“We want to see a small town thrive,” Williams said.

Brewery scene: Despite Red Hare closing, Brunswick County’s brewery scene is getting ready to explode. Here’s what we know.

A lineup of new breweries are in the works across Brunswick County, including several in Leland, Southport, Bald Head Island and Oak Island. But Shallotte locals said it’s not the same as having their own taproom right in town.

Thomas Lucas, who works at Red Hare, said customers have been very upset about the news that the brewery will close after this weekend. He said for many locals, it’s one of their favorite places to go for a drink with friends.

Lucas said he hopes the building will soon host a new business that the Shallotte community can enjoy.

“Hopefully the next people that come in here will be able to do something that’s great for the community,” he said. “We have awesome people here."

Contact reporter Sydney Hoover at shoover@gannett.com or on Twitter @sydneymhoover.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Shallotte locals share 'farewell beer' as brewery closes its doors