USA, NC: Leland Brewing Co. to launch in Leland’s Gateway District on June 16

People around Leland’s Gateway District have been waiting months for its first brewery to open. Now, the official opening day for Leland Brewing Co. is set for Friday, June 16. It sits on a five-acre site at 133 Old Fayetteville Road across the street from Founders Park and Leland Town Hall - also known as 2115 Ale Ave., the Star News Online reported on June 15.

Some may remember when the project was announced as a business called 7twenty6. During the course of getting the plans finalized, partners Chris LaCoe, Mark Said, Nick Floyd, and brewer Ethan Hall changed the name but the vision remained. Here’s a look at what to expect from the new brewery.

The 5,000-square-foot brewery has a flexible, industrial design.

“So many breweries are just square spaces,” LaCoe said. “We want this to be a place where there are multiple places to hang out.”

The primary brewery building has both indoor and outdoor spaces, upstairs and downstairs. As you enter, you see a long, epoxy-coated concrete bar with a live edge. Upstairs, there's a smaller lounge with sofas and North Carolina-shaped tables.

A “front porch” area has picnic tables, chairs and the balcony will feature a series of red rocking chairs (inspired by one of their beers). In the back, there’s a parking area and a bigger beer garden with space for firepits and games that also opens to the onsite brewing facility. It's family- and pet-friendly.

The brewery features 27 taps that they eventually plan to fill with their own beers as well as some sours and ciders from other brewers. Right now, though, many of them will be guest taps from both local and regional breweries. If you’re eager to try a house brew, the first selections will include a Brunswick Brown Ale, a Golden Sunset Ale and an IPA.

Also, they plan to begin distributing their beers, too. Soon, you should be able to find Seneca Guns IPA, Liberty Ship Stout, and Riverside Rocker Red Ale, in addition to Golden Sunset. Right now, hours for the brewery will be 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The owners are ready to introduce the brewery to locals, but are also looking ahead to more in the weeks and months to come. One of the big plans will be to add a restaurant to a small outparcel with the help of a food partner. They’re planning a menu with tacos, pulled pork and brisket when it's built. Until then, Leland Brewing plans to host food trucks.

Early plans also included a stage for live music. However, with Leland officials planning a venue at Founders Park, they’re focusing on a large grassy area for possible tents and events, LaCoe said.

15 June, 2023