By the Beach Brewing, is a true passion project for Guy Gulutz and Kim Findley, who moved to Wilmington from Long Island about 12 years ago. The idea came about after receiving a homebrew kit and book for Christmas which led to experimentation in beer-making. 
 
The brewery recently opened at 104 Old Eastwood Road.
 
“Both respiratory therapists, we were just tired of the cold winters of the north; after vacationing here a few times, we fell in love with the beaches and the climate of the area,” Gulutz said. “Our goal was to make an environment where people could come and just relax and hang out. Kim works on the looks and the vibe of the brewery; she coordinates food trucks and entertainment while still working for Novant. I am the brewer. I am the one at the brewery working and taking care of the customers on the weekdays with Kim's help on the weekend.”
 
With a goal of having a lineup of 12 different beers, By the Beach Brewing currently offers an IPA, a coffee porter, a golden stout and a cream ale. 
 
“We plan to make an apricot wheat next, and we also offer a red wine, pinot grigio and a chardonnay, with prosecco on tap for a glass or a mimosa,” Gulutz said. “For nondrinkers, we have soft drinks and water available, and chips and dips.”
 
While the area has many options for IPA drinkers, Gulutz’s favorite is stout, so there might be some more options for fellow stout drinkers as the offerings expand.
 
The 4,000-square-foot space includes room for brewing in-house, offering a taproom where customers can relax as well as space for entertainment. 
 
“We also offer board games, cornhole, darts, a pool table and even a Nintendo Switch, where people can have a beer and interact with each other,” Gulutz said. 
 
In the future, Gulutz and Findley hope to incorporate a coffee shop at the location. 
 
“We are really happy to be open, but it does make me feel good when people take a drink of the beers and say ‘that’s good,’” Gulutz said. “We just want to offer an enjoyable place to be while drinking what you enjoy.”
 
By the Beach Brewing is open weekdays 2-9 p.m. (closed Tuesdays), Saturdays noon-9 p.m. and Sundays noon-8 p.m.