OBX Cruise! Outer Banks Brewing Station

Founded in 2001, Outer Banks Brewing Station is one of NC’s oldest breweries – and it’s also an award winning gastropub, a high-energy nightclub, an outdoor concert venue, and the nation' s first wind-powered brewery. We were both electrified and intimidated to visit this storied landmark, and when we arrived, we were surprised but delighted to find Master Brewer Adam Ball and all four co-owners were available for a conversation.

(Here, we also have to fess up: we attempted to record an interview with three of the five people on hand, but background noise and our equipment limitations led to disappointing audio results. We have included some key quotes below from the recording – and we have bought yet more gear to add to our expanding audio-visual capability. We apologize to OBX Brewing for the audio issues.)

We will start with a little history. The original owners of OBX Brewing Station had a concept for a brewery in the Outer Banks with elevated beer and food, entertainment and environmental sustainability. With a lot of hard work, local help, and a network of investors, they were able to realize their vision by opening their brewery and restaurant in 2001. Eric Reece, one of the founders, coaxed Scott Meyer – a legend in the 90’s California Bay area craft beer scene – to relocate and become the Master Brewer. The current Head Brewer, Adam Ball, came onboard in 2011, took a hiatus in 2014, and then returned earlier this year to assume the master role.

The Basics

Location: 600 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC

Website: obbrewing.com

Social media: facebook.com/outerbanksbrewingstation, instagram.com/obxbrewingstation

Vibe/Atmosphere: spacious, stately, upscale, stylish, sophisticated, eclectic

Beers We Tried: Lemon Grass Wheat Ale, Hugh Hefeweizen, Oktoberfest/Marzen, Bideford ESB, Lemondrop IPA, Harvest Moon Ale, 6-7 IPA, 7 Piers Porter

Parking: lot

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

The Landmark

OBX Brewing Station is a big place – big enough for current co-owner and pilot Keith Acree to use it as an aerial reference when he is flying over Kill Devil Hills, even though the large Wright Brothers Memorial is nearby. The building was modeled after the old lifesaving stations that could be found on the OBX coast over a hundred years ago. For more details about the building and its history, click here.

Inside, there is a full-size concert stage, allowing the space to be transformed into a high-energy nightclub. The Beer Garden is just behind the main facility, and when we visited, it was fully adorned with seasonal Halloween and Fall decor. Already a feast for the eyes, the pumpkins, hay bales, and spooky figures added a festive feeling that invited you to linger over another glass as you enjoyed the salt air and red-orange sunset.

The Food

(Don’t worry, we will get to the beer soon.)

OBX Brewing Station has food that can easily stand on its own. Executive Chef Justin Lachine won first place for best Chef for the Outer Banks Voice's Best of the Beach 2025 awards. This honor wasn’t just for brewpubs, but for all OBX restaurants! We came back for dinner later and were thoroughly impressed. We had shrimp and grits, fish and chips, and finished up with their legendary carrot cake. Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives sampled – and loved – the shrimp and grits when he stopped by in 2012. We can attest to the fact that this hallowed dish is still amazing, with creamy parmesan grits and perfectly cooked shrimp topped with a magical redeye sauce. Not to be missed!

Great Expectations

OBX Brewing Station is owned by two couples: Keith and Heather Acree and Steve and Deanna Cordea; they bought the establishment from the original owners (also two couples) back in 2023. OBX Brewing Station was and is an iconic fixture in Kill Devil Hills and the entire Outer Banks for beer, food and entertainment. Keith and Steve noted they are keenly aware of this reputation, and they are dedicated to maintaining the same levels of quality, service and atmosphere. Their goal is that both locals and visitors will continue to think of OBX Brewing Station as their neighborhood brewpub.

Now for the Beer...

Adam Ball is an impressive Brew Master. He is a graduate of Siebel Institute of Technology’s Brewing program and has over 15 years of brewing experience. He cut his teeth at some of the top breweries in California before moving East and becoming assistant to Scott Meyer at OBX Brewing Station. He took a detour to start a local distillery then returned as Brew Master for the new owners earlier this year. Adam has total creative control of brewing at OBX and, while still honoring the flagships, such as Lemon Grass Wheat Ale (World Beer Cup award winner) and Hugh Hefeweizen, Adam has spread his wings and introduced a barrel-full of new, finely crafted brews. Some of our favorite new brews were 6-7 American IPA, Lemondrop IPA and Bideford ESB. See tasting notes below for more details.

Expectations Fulfilled

While we walked in feeling the pressure of those who had profiled OBX Brewing Station before us – the Food Network, National Geographic, and Our State to name a few – we needn’t have worried. Steve, Keith, Heather, Dee, and Adam made us feel welcomed and at home. We want to encourage you to visit this extraordinary brewery that will make you feel – as we did – that you have had a short stay at a fine resort.

Deanna Cordea and Heather Acree are two of the four co-owners of OBX Brewing Station.

Downstairs bar at OBX Brewing Station

From left to right: Co-owner Keith Acree, Co-owner Steve Cordea, Master Brewer Adam Ball, NC Beer Explorer Ben Marmaduke

Seasonal decor at OBX Brewing Station Beer Garden

OBX Brewing Station has must-try shrimp and grits.

"This place tries to be the best beer on the beach, whether that's through classic styles or hybridization or new styles. We really want to push the envelope." - Adam Ball

“We think of ourselves as the caretakers of the original vision. We're really happy with our current line-up – always fresh, original craft brewing on the premises. That's our brand... “
- Keith Acree

“Our focus is to meet everyone's expectations. But when the high season is over, we really rely on who keeps us here and why we've been here since 2001.”
- Steve Cordea

NCBE's Beer Notes - Outer Banks Brewing Station

• Lemon Grass Wheat Ale*

  • Style: Wheat Ale

  • ABV: 5.2%

  • Color: yellow-gold

  • Aroma: lemon grass, waxy flowers

  • Taste: lemon grass, rice wine, tropical fruit, greenhouse flowers

  • Mouthfeel: clean, light

  • Aftertaste: lingering floral and citrus

• Oktoberfest

  • Style: Marzen

  • ABV: 4.8%

  • Color: Amber

  • Aroma: bread, light caramel, bittery

  • Taste: bready, malt sweetness, nutty bitterness, honeycomb

  • Mouthfeel: medium, lightly astringent

  • Aftertaste: balanced

• Hugh Hefeweizen*

  • Style: Wheat beer - Hefeweizen

  • ABV: 5.1%

  • Color: light yellow, hazy

  • Aroma: clove

  • Taste: clove, Hawaiian roll, lemon-dill

  • Mouthfeel: moderately creamy

  • Aftertaste: citrusy, honey

• Bideford ESB*

  • Style: Bitter – Extra Special

  • ABV: 5.5%

  • Color: deep amber

  • Aroma: chocolate malt, chicory

  • Taste: toasted nuts, chocolate, champagne, vanilla

  • Mouthfeel: medium, smooth

  • Aftertaste: long chicory finish

• Lemondrop*

  • Style: American IPA

  • ABV: 6.5%

  • Color: light brown, creamy head

  • Aroma: Lemonhead® candy

  • Taste: pine, lemon, honey, clove, green pepper (interesting how the flavor and nose were different)

  • Mouthfeel: medium, silky

  • Aftertaste: smoky, burnt marshmellow

• 6-7*

  • Style: American IPA

  • ABV: 6.7%

  • Color: light gold, clear

  • Aroma: citrus, cracker

  • Taste: grapefruit zest, pine, detectable malt character, hoppy

  • Mouthfeel: medium-light

  • Aftertaste: grapefruit

• Harvest Moon Ale

  • Style: Amber Ale w/Pumpkin

  • ABV: 5.9%

  • Color: dark amber

  • Aroma: baking spices

  • Taste: nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin, vanilla

  • Mouthfeel: soft, creamy

  • Aftertaste: vanilla, almond

• Seven Piers Porter*

  • Style: American Porter

  • ABV: 5.2%

  • Color: black

  • Aroma: roasted malt, coffee, hops

  • Taste: tobacco smoke, coffee, chocolate, old leather

  • Mouthfeel: medium

  • Aftertaste: roasted flavor and bitterness

*NCBE Two mugs up!

What do you think about Outer Banks Brewing Station?