Porters Neck resident Stephen Henson has opened The Brewer’s Kettle, a bottle shop and bar featuring beer, wine and cigars from around the world.

Henson leased the 1,600-square-foot building at 4718 Oleander Drive in January of this year. With renovations now complete, the former Watson’s Esso Servicecenter is now home to more than 500 beers and 120 wines by the bottle.

“Everything can be carried out or enjoyed on premises,” Henson said.

The Brewer’s Kettle also has ten beers on tap and 18 wines available by the glass.

The retro-industrial interior features several black high top tables with stools as well as colorful padded window seats. The mix of cinder block and pallet-covered walls and warehouse-style lighting are a nod to the building's roots.

There is plenty of outdoor seating as well, and Henson will soon be installing large sail-type canopies to provide shade for the area in the rear of the building. The establishment is dog-friendly.

This is the third Brewer’s Kettle to open in North Carolina. Henson’s friend David Armstrong opened the first shop in High Point, followed by a Kernersville location run by Andy Kennedy. When Henson told his friends of his idea to open a bottle shop in Wilmington they urged him to follow the Brewer’s Kettle model.

“It just seemed natural to follow what was working so well for them,” Henson said. “We’re not a chain or franchise, but Brewer’s Kettle has gained name recognition over the years and a lot of people from those areas vacation down here so it just makes sense.”

Henson says he will have food trucks on site most weekends and plans to schedule events with food and live music regularly. A grand opening celebration is planned for next month.

Brewer’s Kettle is located at 4718 Oleander Drive and is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

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