The Cape Fear Craft Beer Alliance (CFCBA) has launched a campaign to promote the area’s growing brewing scene beyond the Cape Fear region.

Craft on the Coast is an initiative that will promote the dozens of beer-based businesses that call Southeastern North Carolina home.

“We want to let people beyond our city limits know exactly the type of beer culture we’re building here in the greater Wilmington region,” said Jeremy Tomlinson, president of CFCBA. “To date, there really hasn’t been a unified push focused on encouraging out-of-towners and day trippers to experience our craft community. This Craft on the Coast campaign will allow us to do just that.”

The CFCBA has been working with local firm Bon’s Eye Marketing to develop the name, logo, website, social media campaign and other marketing assets.

The initiative’s website is now live, and social media ads will soon targeting Raleigh, Charlotte, Richmond, Virginia, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Future plans include an online store with merchandise supporting Craft on the Coast and local breweries. 

“Beer-based businesses have become an economic driver around here,” Tomlinson said. “At the same time, craft is a national movement strong enough to get enthusiasts hopping from city to city to try different tastes. Locally, we’ve got enough going on at this point that we can leverage the draw of both our beer innovation and coastal lifestyle.”

With the growing popularity of  CFCBA events such as the annual Cape Fear Craft Beer Week and Cape Fear Craft & Cuisine, the alliance believes it’s the perfect time to position the Port City as a prime destination for hops adventurists. 

“We’re looking to tap into beer tourism, which is a proven revenue generator in other places,” Tomlinson said. “Who wouldn’t want to come to our historic downtown or beach communities and throw back some one-of-a-kind beers. It’s an experience that’s uniquely ours.” 

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