Topsail Beach, NC in October

Discussion in 'South Atlantic' started by TheFunGuy, Aug 14, 2013.

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  1. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    Long ago I was stationed on Cherry Point. Back then the best we could get was some German beers, and some Korean beers in Jacksonville.

    Going to a vacation condo at Topsail Beach in mid October. What are the best places to buy great beer and drink good-great beer?
     
    #1 TheFunGuy, Aug 14, 2013
  2. GreysonDaniels

    GreysonDaniels Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2012 North Carolina

    There are no good bars on the island with a good beer selection. There are no good bottle shops, there is a Harris Teeter & Food Lion before you get on island. Living in VA I would just bring what you plan to drink.
     
    #2 GreysonDaniels, Aug 14, 2013
  3. SaCkErZ9

    SaCkErZ9 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,057) Feb 27, 2005 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    The best you are going to get is going to be some German beers (Becks) and some Korean beers (no idea). OBX is not a great beer destination.
     
    #3 SaCkErZ9, Aug 14, 2013
  4. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    FYI --- topsail is not considered part of the OBX. In addition, there some good beer stores in the OBX. Check this website for some recommendations.

    Per what Daniels said above, grocery is all you have at topsail. Your best bet is to hit something on your drive down. Where are you coming from?
     
    #4 brstls4drmrs, Aug 14, 2013
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  5. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    We are coming down from Alexandria/DC. I can bring some cases down, but I was hoping to have fun and good places around the area.

    Unless Jacksonville has completely turned around I will not be taking my wife there. She doesn't need to see dive bars, strip joints, and pawn shops.
     
    #5 TheFunGuy, Aug 14, 2013
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  6. drrobbieb

    drrobbieb Initiate (0) Dec 13, 2011 Florida

    Best bet is going into Wilmington, there is already a recent thread on it somewhere in here. I have some buddies in Hampstead, I'll ask them if there is something there besides the same grocery stores you will find in Topsail/Surf City.
     
    #6 drrobbieb, Aug 14, 2013
  7. karzar5

    karzar5 Initiate (0) Aug 28, 2005 North Carolina

    A new beer store opened up half way in between Hampstead and Wilmington called Fermental. I haven't been but have heard really great things so far. May be worth a trip?
     
    #7 karzar5, Aug 14, 2013
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  8. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    Per the responses above, Wilmington may be your best bet. Unless you want to go through New Bern and hit the Beer Army.
     
    #8 brstls4drmrs, Aug 14, 2013
  9. hellhammermario

    hellhammermario Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2012 North Carolina

    Fermental, Cape Fear Wine And Beer, Front Street Brewery in Wilmington for sure! Also, if you're interested... Would like to set something up for some DC Brau brews.
     
    #9 hellhammermario, Aug 14, 2013
  10. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    New Bern was a ghetto when I was there. Are there safe and good beer areas there now?


    A swap? Sure, let's set up when we get closer. Right now people are grabbing DC Brau cans like crazy due to beer week. Even the Total Wine pallets are low.
     
    #10 TheFunGuy, Aug 14, 2013
  11. hellhammermario

    hellhammermario Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2012 North Carolina

    I know the craft beer boom is growing in New Bern and surrounding areas. Beer Army Combat Brewery, though I've never been, is growing and is an already well established beer store.
     
    #11 hellhammermario, Aug 14, 2013
  12. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    Guess you were in the wrong part of NB. Don't get me wrong....its not the most happening place. There could be worse........like Lumberton. Check out Beer Army. The guy that runs it is a former Marine.
     
    #12 brstls4drmrs, Aug 15, 2013
  13. lupercmda

    lupercmda Pooh-Bah (2,176) Jul 21, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Beer Army in New Bern brews their beer in Trenton. They have a tap room in New Bern (actually James City) and they make some good beer. The IPA is outstanding. One of the best I have every had.
     
    #13 lupercmda, Oct 9, 2013
  14. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    Okay, I got furloughed yesterday, so we are coming down Sat.

    Other than the area near the historic governor house, and the mall, and the other side of the river, New Bern was really bad when I was there. Glad to hear it turned around.

    Havelock was a standard base town, only with less strip joints and tattoo places. Atlantic Beach was okay.
     
    #14 TheFunGuy, Oct 9, 2013
  15. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    Ate at Ricks, the food was goodish and the selection was okay (poor by Alexandria, VA standards but light years better than what was available down here 20 years ago). Sat on the deck overlooking the ocean and had way too many IPAs.

    NC 172 is closed going through Lejeune. Boo!

    Going down to Surf City at noon.
     
    #15 TheFunGuy, Oct 13, 2013
  16. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    I would have paid half my (small) paycheck for the selection at Swingbridge back when I was a coolie in 1990. Now it is okayish. However, great staff and friendly growler fills.

    Everyone here is nice, with one exception. I have drank way too much on the beach, after witnessing the world's lamest surf contest from the deck of an okay restaurant (not joking, one foot waves). The selections here are small but decent.

    I have been doing the Denver shuffle (one beer, one water) which is why I can still type.
     
    #16 TheFunGuy, Oct 13, 2013
  17. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    Okay, still alive. There is a 'local beer tasting' tonight in Surf City. I will report after.
     
    #17 TheFunGuy, Oct 14, 2013
  18. TheFunGuy

    TheFunGuy Initiate (0) Dec 27, 2011 Virginia

    Very interesting, the Dist Rep running it was pimping the heck out of Mother Earth because they are LEED, but the beers were pretty good on their own (Those who know me know I could, somehow, care less about eco nonsense)

    Also interestingly, the Rep was one of the few non-****ty dressed ones there, the waitrons and most of the female attendees were dressed to catch a man. Nice change up from the usual uniform for that job.

    All in all, pretty good local beers.
     
    #18 TheFunGuy, Oct 15, 2013
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