Cotton House Brings Beer and History to Downtown Cary
Story originally appeared on FoodCary.
Cary, NC – Cotton House Craft Brewers is opening this year along Academy Street in Downtown Cary, with a focus both on Cary’s past while also looking to the future with beer made from new, experimental hops.
Craft Brewing Tap House
Cotton House Craft Brewers is a new North Carolina brewery, with its tap house opening on S Academy Street this Autumn. Owner Brent Webb said the Downtown Cary location will have their beers (plus wine, cider and non-alcoholic options) as well as food and live entertainment.
While Cary is the brand location and some small batch brewing and small barrel aging will be done at the downtown location, the main brewing is happening in Fayetteville currently with plans to relocate soon.
“We intended to buy the brewery and then open the taproom but we found the retail location first,” Webb said. “This house is on the National Historic Registry and we don’t want to disrupt it. The floors and ceilings are original and we’ll keep the original character of the house as much as we can.”
In the backyard of Cotton House, Webb said there will be a deck and stage for social gatherings and performances. Webb said they will partner with the Mayton Inn for entertainment and food, as well as partnerships with other local restaurants. The large stump in front of the business will also be carved by a local artist with help from the Cary Arts Center.
In addition to the small batch brewing, Webb said they have a variety of mainstream core beers planned: a pilsner, a stout, a Belgian pale ale and several types of IPAs. Additionally, Webb has bought a hops farm in North Carolina to use in their beers.
“We’re working with the NC State agriculture department and we’ll have both standard hops and experimental hops. We’ll have beer made from hops no one else will have,” Webb said. “We’ll continue to develop hops and work with the state Department of Agriculture to make hops an emergent crop for North Carolina.”
Webb also said he is happy to have Jamie McMillan as their master brewer, pointing to his record with early brewing in the area from Raleigh Brewing, Aviator and more, as well as his training in Europe.
“He also teaches brewing at Wake Tech and has taught many of the brewers in town,” Webb said.
Webb said the goal is for the tap house to open in time for Downtown Cary’s September events.
Cotton House Craft Brewers is located at 307 S Academy St.
To see the full story, go to FoodCary.com.
Story by Michael Papich. Photos courtesy of Cotton House Craft Brewers.
Coverage on CaryCitizen is sponsored in part by Thai Spices & Sushi.
I really dig your concept Brent Webb, bringing in hops from your own farm and encouraging the growth of Hop farming in NC, as well as seeing the value of history in your storefront location. It would be awesome to see the majority of the hop farms using non-GMO seeds, and wonder if you are doing the same, or plan to in the future. Let’s face it, most people love a good beer, and it would be fantastic if that beer were good for you…….or at least as organic as possible. All the best and we are looking forward to having another local brew spot!
I hope Cotton House maintains the historic integrity of this important historic property.
I suggest that planting a noble hardwood tree near the carving to replace the magnificent tree that had to be taken down would be an elegant way to mark the opening of the new establishment. As the business grows, so also would grow the tree – and conversely.
Hopefully the ultimate balance won’t be skewed in the direction. I don’t disagree with you…at least a push towards restaurants w/bars along with other non-alcohol type businesses.
Entir Downtown Cary is turning into a bar. Not good for our town.
I thought that when I saw that stump…it could be carved into something cool!