You may or may not know, but Holly Springs is the home to two micro breweries. Though they have very different stories, when deciding a new way to explore Holly Springs, they both came up on the map. You don’t have to drink or even like beer to attend one of the free brewery tours…but it doesn’t hurt..
Carolina Brewing Company
In 1993, two brothers, John and Greg Shuck, and a friend, Joe Zonin chose Holly Springs as the place they would open Carolina Brewing Company.
After traveling throughout the South East to find a location, they decided on Wake County. The Holly Springs Business Park was brand new and gave them the opportunity to design the building for the brewery from the ground up.
On July 3rd, 1995 the first kegs of Carolina Pale Ale rolled out of the brewery. They have been rolling out ever since. In the 19 years the brewery has been in operation they have produced many styles of beer including year round staples Nut Brown Ale and India Pale Ale, seasonal favorites Spring Bock and Oktoberfest, and many others but Carolina Pale Ale, or CPA as it is known to the locals, is still the crowd favorite.
The now famous brewery tour happens every Saturday at 1pm and there have been very few Saturdays over the 19 years that it did not happen. When the tour started all those years ago guests were told they were welcome to return for the tour as many times as they liked but were asked to bring someone new to the brewery each time they returned. This tradition is driven by our loyal fans now and we see new faces every week on the tour.
In 2011 John Shuck decided to leave CBC. Greg and Joe wanted to ensure that whoever took John’s place would work and care for the brewery the way John had. They didn’t have to look far. Mark Heath and Van Smith were long time fans of CBC and had been volunteering at the brewery for years. In August 2011, they joined Joe and Greg as partners in CBC. They have added new energy, new ideas and a determination to grow the CBC brand beyond the Triangle.
Tour is every Saturday at 1pm. There is one tour. It is free, samples are free, and no reservations required. You must be an adult at least 21 years of age to attend the tour.
140 Thomas Mill Rd
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 557-2337
Bombshell Beer Company
For three local ladies, brewing is a labor of love. In 2011, Ellen Joyner, who had been home-brewing for over a decade, joined forces with Michelle Miniutti, and a plan began for Bombshell Beer Company.
In 2012, Jackie Hudspeth joined the couple to create a trio. When you ask the girls about brewing, they will tell you:
“History tells us that brewing beer was traditionally a woman’s job. In fact, the creation of beer is credited to women! The goddess, Ninkasi is recognized for creating the oldest beer recipe in existence, dating back some 3900 years. Until Medieval times, it was the woman’s job to brew beer for the household and laws of that time stated that the tools of brewing were solely the woman’s property. The role of men in brewing began to grow with the rise of monasteries during the Middle Ages.”
The ladies have found their niche here in Holly Springs. They offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights, but also offer an array of different happenings on the days they are open, which are Thursday-Sunday.
They also offer a Tap Room. This pub-style was designed with guests in mind. They wanted a place where people could stop by on their way home from work and unwind. No need to look for a born-on date on your beer. This is as fresh as it gets. Sit, enjoy a pint, and enjoy the view right into the tap room, or outside on a sunny day, as they roll up the door.
Tours are available most days that they’re open, and can be booked online through the website.
Currently available are:
- Polished Pilsner
- Perception Pale Ale
- Lost My Way IPA
- Pick-up Line Porter
- Dirty Secret Stout – Coconut Batch
- Hey! Honey! Hefeweizen!
120 Quantum Drive
Holly Springs, NC 27540
(919) 823-1933
