Brunswick Beer & Cider Company is now under construction in Brunswick Forest.

Jud Watkins, owner of Wrightsville Beach Brewery, announced plans for the Leland brewery and cidery last year.

“There’s been a lot of interest already just in announcing that we were planning to expand in the area over a year ago. A lot of folks have come into Wrightsville Beach Brewery asking about it,” Watkins said Thursday. “Personally, I feel like it's an underserved community for restaurants and bars.”

While Wilmington is growing, Leland is growing even faster, he said.

A groundbreaking celebration for the 12,000-square-foot brewery and cidery is expected to be held at noon Friday at 1313 S. Dickinson Drive in Leland. The development site is next to the New Hanover Regional Medical Center facility in Brunswick Forest.

The pandemic has been challenging for both Wrightsville Beach Brewery, which Watkins founded in 2017, and the new facility, Watkins said.

“As we reopened and went back to masks, it's been a roller coaster ride, but with a 10- to 12-month build-out, we feel relatively confident now that by the time we complete the project, hopefully the worst is behind us,” Watkins said. 

Watkins’ partner in the endeavor is Will Cameron. The general contractor is Wilmington-based McKinley Building Corp.

“Jud and his team have been a pleasure to work with and we are thrilled to be a part of this great project that will be a significant economic investment in Leland, as well as provide a great amenity to the Brunswick Forest and Leland communities,” said Andrew Cooke, business development director for McKinley Building, in an email. “The restaurant and service industries have faced numerous challenges as a result of COVID and we at McKinley have enjoyed helping Jud, the Brunswick Beer & Cider team, Intracoastal Engineering and Design Elements navigate these so that Brunswick Beer & Cider can be open mid-summer of 2022.”