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    Cheers! 4 Outer Banks Breweries

    June 5, 2018

    Four Breweries on the Outer Banks

    From Corolla to Manteo and even to the mainland, Outer Banks brewmasters are taking on the time-honored tradition of seeking the perfect balance of hops, malt, and yeast.

    With the Northern Banks Brewing Company now open in Corolla, there are four microbreweries on the Outer Banks, and according to our palates they are turning out some really great beer.

    1. Weeping Radish

    Located in Jarvisburg, just a little bit north of the original Cotton Gin, Weeping Radish was the first of the Outer Banks breweries.

    Actually, when Uli Bennewitz opened the Weeping Radish in Manteo in 1986, it was the first in the state and one of the few microbreweries in the country.

    The beers are mostly German style beers, typically with a little bit of hoppy snap on the finish, although there are some brews that are a bit different.

    Weeping Radish also produces their own award winning sausage. And it is excellent. The site includes a restaurant that serves German style food.

    Courtesy of Weeping Radish Facebook

          2. Outer Banks Brewing Station

    OBBS is probably the best known of the Outer Banks microbreweries because of its location on the Bypass in Kill Devil Hills, the wind turbine in the back yard that produces for the building, and a well-deserved reputation for very well made beer.

    The Brewing Station is what has become associated with a modern brewpub—they brew their own beer, serve great upscale bar food, and offer live music at least a couple of nights a week.

            3. Lost Colony Brewery

    Unlike the other Outer Banks breweries, Lost Colony beers are only available at their Lost Colony Brewery and Cafe in Manteo—formerly Full Moon Cafe.

    As the website describes the beers and taste confirms, these are British and Irish style brews—a little heavier than the German style.

    During spring, summer and early fall, you can enjoy their outdoor sidewalk seating. One of the great pleasures of life is relaxing outside, sipping a beer while enjoying a very well-prepared meal and watching the world walk by.

    Courtesy of Lost Colony Brewery Facebook

            4. Northern Outer Banks Brewing

    The newest addition to the Outer Banks microbrew scene, Norther Outer Banks Brewing Company is the brainchild of lifelong Corolla resident Michael Cherry.

    Although there is a tasting room, food is not prepared on premises. However, Metropolis is right next door and will have food available after 5:00 p.m. or earlier in the day. Northern Outer Banks Brewing also recommends Cosmo’s Pizz,a which is right up the road and is very, very good.

    The company is so new, we have not had a chance to try all their beers, but judging from what we have tried, the beers will be well balanced and refreshing.

    Courtesy of Northern Outer Banks Brewery Facebook

    Some Tasting Notes

    Keep in mind that taste is very subjective, but we’ve offered a selection of tasting notes from the most popular beers from each brewery.

    Weeping Radish – Corolla Gold

    Recently reformulated, this version of Corolla Gold is a new and improved version of the original. 

    Now a Munich Helles style lager, the beer has a touch of sweetness in the body and a hint of hops on the finish, creating a well balanced and very drinkable beer.

    Outer Banks Brewing Station – Lemongrass Wheat Ale

    Probably the Brewing Station’s most popular beer, the Lemongrass Wheat Ale is a refreshing, easy-drinking ale, perfect for a hot summer day. The lemongrass gives it just hint of a citrus flavor that carries through to the finish. The finish is crisp and clean. It will go with almost anything, but is a perfect match for fresh seafood.

    Lost Colony Brewing – Hatteras Red

    A surprisingly smooth ale with a touch of hops on a lingering finish. Very much in the British Isles tradition, it is a full flavored, hearty beer, but very well balanced. There a little bit of sweetness for malt and a nice yeasty flavor. It would probably overwhelm a lightly flavored food—like a white fish—but put it with a hamburger and it would be a winner.

    Northern Outer Banks Brewing – Penny’s Hill IPA

    A very smooth well-rounded IPA. Unlike many of the IPA brews on the market right now, the Penny’s Hill is not a big hoppy ale that highlights a dry, almost bitter finish. A touch of honey is used in the recipe and there is a hint of sweetness that creates a well-rounded balanced flavor. Not a super heavy IPA, but certainly big and strong enough to hold its on with strongly flavored foods.