Fullsteam Brewery Review and Tour

On Saturday, July 12th, 2014 I had the opportunity to take a tour of Fullsteam Brewery in the “DIY District” of downtown Durham, North Carolina. I had heard great things about this place but, admittedly, I am not a beer drinker. That does not mean I do not have respect and appreciation for a business that is knocking it out of the park with the service they offer. Fullsteam is doing just that. My friend Joe and I arrived around 6:00 pm on a steamy Saturday evening. Even though it was over 90 degrees there were still dozens of families and groups enjoying the outdoor seating at Fullsteam. One of the first things I noticed about Fullsteam upon entering was the eclectic feel.

The Feel of Fullsteam

It looks and feels like a warehouse or aircraft carrier as you enter the establishment. On this particular afternoon there was a 10 foot tall fan blowing into the building. I later found out that most of the warehouse seating is not air conditioned, hence the reason for the large fan. My friend Joe and I went to the bar to speak with the owner Sean Wilson. Unfortunately, Sean was unable to meet us but the manager on duty, I assume, Elliot was more than understanding of the importance of our visit. In fact, he gave us a few drinks and took the extra effort to contact Sean to confirm the situation.

After Elliot was informed Sean could not make it he asked if there was anything he could do to help us out. We subsequently asked for a tour of the facility. Something I always ask business owners and managers is “What makes you different?” Well, there are a lot of things that make Fullsteam Brewery different. The first thing we found out is Fullsteam works with local farmers and businesses to create the freshest ingredients for their alcohol. Staying local and working within the state of North Carolina is very important to both Sean Wilson and Fullsteam Brewery. For much more on how Sean works with local businesses check out this article and Google Hangout video on Craft Beverage Jobs. Also here are a few of the collaborations Fullsteam has with some of the south’s best entrepreneurs and businesses.

Elliot took us to the back to show us the freezers and coolers with fresh ingredients such as ginger. Once again, remember that I am not a beer drinker but one thing I do know is that fresh ingredients make any food or beverage consumed much better. There were also a few unique aspects about bottling and canning that Fullsteam is doing with Cackalacky that were housed in this section of the facility. If you are even in the state of North Carolina you must try both Cackalacky and Cheerwine. Fullsteam Brewery has both.

Great for Kids and the Family

After touring the back of the facility we walked out to the “viewing area” of the brewery. The area in which the large 10 foot fan is blowing is a viewing area in where you can see how the beer is made. There is a huge glass wall that looks into the brewery. Most of the families and patrons were enjoying great conversation and some board games. In fact, I am quite certain there wasn’t an upset customer in the house; well, warehouse.

Something that caught my attention was the number of “underage” patrons at an establishment that sells mostly alcohol. Fullsteam Brewery has made this location very kid and family friendly. Almost every group had kids or teenagers that were enjoying the atmosphere. Some were playing ping pong while others were battling it out at Connect Four. There were a plethora of board games that are available to all.

This opportunity is not available in most “alcohol situations”. In fact, Chapel Hill is a perfect example of the young and the old not being able to mesh well. Bars and restaurants card or ID at the door and only those over 21 can get in. Well, there are a lot of 18, 19 and 20 year olds on the UNC campus. Unfortunately, if you happen to be a junior that is 20 years old you cannot go to most of the bars. An opportunity to enjoy some fun while the older friends grab a beer is Fullsteam Brewery in Durham, North Carolina. It is less than 20 minutes from both the Duke and UNC campuses.

A Great Atmosphere and Great Beer

My friend Joe had both the Hogwash and Cackalacky beer. He loved them both. So much so that he wanted to get even more of the Hogwash. There are plenty of opportunities for those of all ages and all preferences. As mentioned earlier, if you are not a beer drinker you can always grab a Cheerwine and a quick snack. During each evening there is a food truck outside Fullsteam so you can enjoy a unique blend of beer and food. For what is on tap today and the Food Truck schedule make sure to access this link.

Overall, I feel as if Fullsteam Brewery is going to continue to grow in popularity. The word of mouth marketing for this place is unreal. As stated, I am not a drinker but I have heard, at least, a dozen individuals mention Fullsteam and the amazing atmosphere and wonderful beer. I would strongly suggest heading over to the DIY District of downtown Durham and checking out Fullsteam Brewery.