OBX Cruise! Lost Colony Brewery

It’s been said that if you’re caught up in a rip current, the first thing you should do is relax, float, tread water, and don’t panic. That’s also good advice if you’re an out-of-towner coasting into Nags Head, North Carolina, and you stop at the Lost Colony Brewery’s Waterfront Pub, a popular spot that was award "Best of the Beach" brewery in 2023.

Rolling across the Washington Baum Bridge, we expected a quiet time in the bar because we were coming in the early afternoon of the off-season. It was our first stop along our "Outer Banks Brew Cruise," and since we didn't have a specific appointment set up, our expectations were basic. Little did we know that we were about to be swept away by the powerful tide of Steven “Dirt” Bateman and the lively members of the Lost Colony Brewery Mug Club.

The Basics

Location: 7531 S Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, NC 27959

Website: thelostcolonybrewery.com

Social media: facebook.com/lostcolonybrewery, instagram.com/lostcolonybrewerywaterfront

Vibe/Atmosphere: lively, friendly, beachy, festive, energetic

Beers We Tried: Kitty Hawk Blond Ale, Flounder Pounder Beach Lager, Hatteras Red, Kill Devil Hills Scotch Ale, Holy Hand Grenade Imperial Stout

Parking: lot

Important NC Beer Explorer Tip: When consuming alcohol, always have a designated driver. Be safe out there, friends!

Dirt Happens

We walked through the entrance overlooking the sound, and as soon we came through the door, Dirt welcomed us warmly and loudly to the birthday celebration.

“Oh, Paul didn’t tell us about a birthday party,” Rebecca said, name-dropping the owner. “Is it a private event? Can we still order beer?”

“OF COURSE YOU CAN ORDER BEER, SIT YOURSELF DOWN, WHAT’LL YA HAVE?” Dirt replied in a voice capable of cutting through hurricane-force winds. We soon learned that Dirt had one volume – fog horn – and once we reoriented our minds and expectations, we were completely onboard for a one-way cruise to a good time.

Party Crashers

Within seconds, more regulars trickled in, starting with Jeff and Ellen Billmyer, who are founding members of the Lost Colony Brewery Mug Club, and we learned it was Jeff’s birthday party we were crashing. Meanwhile, we ordered our first flight, trying to take some thoughtful tasting notes as a small crowd of regulars poured in bearing wonderful goodies to share with the group. Each entrance was robustly announced by Dirt, who appears to be on a first-name basis with everyone along the Outer Banks.

Not wanting to impose on the potluck (empty-handed as we were), Ben went off to a café down the mini boardwalk to get us some sandwiches, but Rebecca was offered a bacon-wrapped stuffed fig from a container. Her protests were weak, and the pull of the yummy snack was strong – and she snapped it up. By the time Ben returned with sandwiches, the Mug Club festivities were in full sail, and we were happy to be shanghaied.

Relax and Tread Water

Mug Club Origins

The origin of the Mug Club goes back to 2022 when Co-Owner Sharon Caron brought artwork into the downstairs area of the Waterfront location, including some beautiful ceramics made by a potter in Seagrove, NC, a town famous for its pottery. She commissioned a mug for Lost Colony Brewery, and the rest is history. The club now has around 230 members, and it’s evolving to include wine drinkers. But beware of “Mug Jail”! How one may land in Mug Jail remains mysterious, but it appears to be a kangaroo court system overseen by Dirt. Since they were out of mugs while we were present, we were glad to sip from regular cups and avoid sudden imprisonment.

We wanted to know how she got her nickname. Apparently, if you drink a cup from every tap behind the bar in a single session, you have “ridden the rails.” They are considered “baby rails” if you have used a six-ounce cup, and thus the nickname.

Grownup Stuff

We also learned that the Outer Banks is unique among NC beaches because alcoholic beverages are, in fact, allowed on the beach, as long as they are contained in a can or in plastic. This unique value proposition means that while family-friendly, the boardwalks and seaside establishments seem to cater to a bit more grown-up crowd than, say, the shops and cafes we have seen in other beach towns.

Before we left, Ellen pressed delectable German-Chocolate cupcakes into our hands and someone (we don’t know who) yelled over the din, “TRY THEM WITH THE STOUT!” This was a reference to the flagship Imperial Stout, “Holy Hand Grenade.” Who were we to question the wisdom of the local experts? We did, and the pairing was one for the ages.

Riding the Rails

We were having a wonderful time, and yes! There was also incredible beer! See tasting notes below. It was comedic, our sitting there at the bar, attempting our careful notes on aroma, primary taste, secondary taste, etc. as Dirt demanded to know where was “Baby Rails” with her legendary “cabbage rolls”? She soon graced the bar, rolls in hand, and Dirt was appeased, if only for a short while.

Mug Club member "Baby Rails" shows off her much-prized cabbage rolls.

How Sweet the (Roanoke) Sound

We reluctantly said our goodbyes, having gained “honorary induction” into the Lost Colony Brewery Mug Club. Thanks to Dirt, Ellen, Jeff, Baby Rails, and others – we could have been lost in the festivities, but we found ourselves among new friends.

Ellen Billmyer is a founding member of the Lost Colony Brewery Mug Club. She was there to celebrate her husband Jeff's birthday, and we were lucky to be included.

Dirt broadcasts his plans for America's 250th birthday celebration. Dirt has been recognized as "Best of the Beach" for his bartending skills.

We enjoyed chatting with Mug Club members Maggie and Pete.

Mug Jail aka "Ale-Catraz"

The Holy Hand Grenade Stout was a perfect match for this lucious cupcake.

NCBE's Beer Notes - Lost Colony Brewery

• Kitty Hawk Blond*

  • Style: Blond Ale

  • ABV: 4.2%

  • Color: yellow, clear

  • Aroma: citrus, hoppy

  • Taste: lemon-lime, piney, floral

  • Mouthfeel: light, crisp, dry

  • Aftertaste: lightly bittery, pine

• Hatteras Red*

  • Style: Red Irish Ale

  • ABV: 4.9%

  • Color: reddish amber

  • Aroma: malt, charred wood

  • Taste: coffee, smoke, vanilla, wheat toast

  • Mouthfeel: medium

  • Aftertaste: smokey, bittery

• Kill Devil*

  • Style: Scotch Ale

  • ABV: 8%

  • Color: golden brown, fine beige head

  • Aroma: banana bread, maple

  • Taste: malty sweet, peaty, caramel

  • Mouthfeel: full

  • Aftertaste: balanced, light bite

• Holy Hand Grenade*

  • Style: Russian Imperial Stout

  • ABV: 9%

  • Color: black-brown, beige foam

  • Aroma: spicey, toasty, roasted malt

  • Taste: loamy, nutty, coffee, raisin (a bit like Madiera wine)

  • Mouthfeel: dry, alcohol

  • Aftertaste: dry and lightly bitter

• Flounder Pounder

  • Style: American Lager

  • ABV: 4%

  • Color: Pale yellow

  • Aroma: faint, floral

  • Taste: light, crisp, refreshing

  • Mouthfeel: crushable

  • Aftertaste: light

*NCBE Two mugs up!

What do you think about Lost Colony Brewery?