Brewery Profile

Waterline Brewing Co.

In Wilmington’s craft beer scene, Waterline Brewing Co. is best understood as a taproom-centered production brewery serving its local market. A visitor walking in should expect the public side of the brewery to be the main way to experience its beers, rather than a separate restaurant or widely distributed brand story. The lineup is built around handcrafted ales with a range of familiar styles. Year-round offerings include Waterline Kolsch, Neil’s IPA, and an Oatmeal Stout, giving first-time visitors a straightforward way to sample the brewery’s core approach: a lighter, crisp option, a hop-forward beer, and a darker malt-driven pour. The taproom also functions as the place where the brewery’s rotating and seasonal ideas appear, so the experience can vary depending on timing.

Travelers spending time in coastal North Carolina often look for beers that suit warm weather, casual schedules, and a mix of tastes within a group. A stop here fits that pattern because the menu is not limited to one lane. Someone looking for an easy-drinking beer may start with the Kolsch or a traditional lager when available, such as an Oktoberfest Marzen in season. IPA drinkers have Neil’s IPA as a core choice, along with other interpretations of the style when they are on rotation. The brewery also makes room for less standard selections, including flavored goses and a Holiday Chai Gruit, which can appeal to visitors who like tart, spiced, or specialty beers. For those who prefer something darker, the Oatmeal Stout provides a year-round alternative to the lighter and hoppier side of the list.

For planning purposes, the taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours and any current seasonal releases. Details such as food service, events, outdoor seating, reservations, or package availability should be checked directly with the brewery, since those amenities are not established here. Visitors who want a specific beer should also verify before going, especially with rotating offerings like goses, specialty gruits, seasonal lagers, or limited IPA variations. The most reliable expectation is a Wilmington brewery visit focused on the taproom and the beers being produced for the local market, with the current draft board determining the shape of the stop.

Waterline Brewing Co. maintains a focus on handcrafted ales produced for their local Wilmington, North Carolina, market. The brewery emphasizes a diverse portfolio of styles, including year-round offerings such as the Waterline Kolsch, Neil's IPA, and an Oatmeal Stout. Seasonal and rotating selections expand the menu with traditional lagers like an Oktoberfest Marzen, specialty beers such as a Holiday Chai Gruit and various flavored goses, and several interpretations of the IPA style. Operations center around the taproom, which serves as the primary outlet for the production facility.

Website available

721 Surrey St, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401-5043

Phone: 910-777-5599

Website: https://www.waterlinebrewing.com/

Upcoming Events

Upcoming public events currently attached to this brewery.

  • Freedom Fest

    Jul 4, 2026

    Come celebrate the 4th of July with us under the bridge at Waterline Brewing. We are throwing a 4th of July block party style with live music, food trucks, a water balloon fight,…

  • Dirty Bingo

    Jul 7, 2026

  • Botanical Market Collective

    Jul 7, 2026

  • Family Feud Trivia

    Jul 8, 2026

  • Pint Night Fundraiser at Wilmington Brewing Co.

    Jul 28, 2026

    Join us at Wilmington Brewing Co. in Wilmington, NC for a pint night fundraiser benefiting our mission and work at Feast Down East. Stop by and show your support on July 28, 2026.

  • Parrot Heads and Pints, a Jimmy Buffet Luau

    Aug 30, 2026

    Break out the flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts because it's 5 o’clock somewhere, and we’re turning Waterline into a Margaritaville-style oasis! Expect live music, curated cocktails,…

  • Bourbon, Bluegrass and Brews Festival

    Sep 12, 2026

    Join us at Waterline Brewing Co. for an afternoon packed with live music, smooth bourbon, ice-cold craft beer, delicious BBQ, and local vendors! Happening on Saturday, September 1…

  • Oktoberfest

    Oct 3, 2026

    Get ready to raise your steins and prost with us at our 11th annual Oktoberfest! Enjoy German-style eats, food trucks, fresh-baked pretzels, lawn games, contests, a Best Dressed C…

  • Mardi Gras

    Feb 9, 2027

    Celebrate Mardi Gras with live music from Port City Players at Waterline Brewing Co.! Bring your friends and enjoy great music, cold beer, and a traditional Second Line march unde…

  • HOOLEY, 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

    Feb 27, 2027

    Join us Saturday, February 27, 2027 for the 10th Annual Cape Fear Hooley Under the Bridge. Enjoy a full day of Irish music, dancing, and riverfront fun to celebrate Irish-American…

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Waterline Brewing Co. located?
Waterline Brewing Co. is located at 721 Surrey St, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28401-5043. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your visit.
What are Waterline Brewing Co.'s hours?
Taproom hours are not posted to Beer.Social. Call 910-777-5599 to confirm before visiting.
How can I learn more about Waterline Brewing Co.?
Visit https://www.waterlinebrewing.com/ for the brewery's own information about beers, events, and operations. Beer.Social aggregates public data and visitor-facing details to help with planning a stop.