Front Street Brewery (FSB), a staple on the brewing scene since well before Wilmington’s craft beer boom, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The brewery, 9 N. Front St., has had a number of owners over the years, but has been owned by Tom Harris since 2008. Marketing manager Ellie Craig joined the brewery in 2008 as well, and she said it has been exciting to see how the craft beer industry has blossomed in the Port City.

“When I started here, we were just starting to see the rise of the craft beer industry in North Carolina,” Ellie Craig said. “I think we were the seventh brewery in the state to open. Now North Carolina has between 300 to 400. There has been a huge amount of growth but we have held fast.”

FSB was recently named to a Buzzfeed list titled, "16 Places That Prove Wilmington, North Carolina, Belongs On Your US Bucket List."

“It really excites us as a team to be a part of visitor’s experiences here in Wilmington,” Craig said. 

As Wilmington’s brewing scene has grown, Craig said FSB is proud to have fostered close relationships with area breweries and to have worked to form the Cape Fear Craft Beer Alliance, which aims to increase awareness and visibility of craft beer in the Cape Fear Region through education and participation in community events.

Also celebrating 25 years in business is FSB’s longtime Front Street neighbor, Port City Java (PCJ). In celebration, the two have joined forces to create a monthly small batch collaboration beer featuring a different PCJ coffee each month throughout 2020.

“It’s a wonderful celebration of two local small businesses that have grown up together,” Craig said.

FSB will host is 25th Anniversary Celebration Oyster Roast at Alcove Beer Garden at the Cargo District on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include all-you-can-eat oysters and pulled chicken nachos.  

The Alcove tap takeover will include Front Street Brewery and NoDa Brewing Co.’s collaboration -- Mother Shucker Oyster Stout, as well as other FSB beers. The first 200 ticketholders will receive a commemorative 25th Anniversary FSB Oyster Shucker. Tickets are available online.

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