NC’s Carolina Brewery celebrates 20 years (pints up)

(L-R) Carolina Brewery’s Jon Connolly, director of brewing operations, and Nate Williams, head brewer, do their best brewhouse pose.

Carolina Brewery is a North Carolina institution with two brewpub locations in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, each serving contemporary American pub fare made from local ingredients. The brewery is the fifth oldest in the state, and a pioneer for craft brewing throughout the country. It’s a story that’s been 20 years in the making, and in 2015 the brewery will celebrated two decades with a ton of both beer and fun.

Starting this February, Carolina Brewery will host a slew of 20th anniversary events, tastings, and releases, extending the celebration throughout the spring. Today, the brewery runs two brewpub locations with full-service restaurants and brewing facilities — the original in Chapel Hill, N.C., and a Pittsboro, N.C., location opened in 2007. Here’s what to look forward to at those locations and beyond:

Feb. 13th, 2015 — Anniversary logo pint glasses will be released. The first 400 customers at each brewpub will receive a free glass to take home.

This Kölsch-style ale was first made famous in its namesake city of Cologne, Germany.

March 7th & 8th, 2015 — Both brewpubs will host “Oyster and Beer” pairing events, with oysters from family-owned Shooting Point Oyster Company in Maryland. Tickets will be available for sale online in advance.

April 11th, 2015 — Grand finale celebration with a 5K run/walk in Chapel Hill followed by a 20th Anniversary Party at Carolina Brewery. Tickets will be available for sale online in advance.

Carolina Brewery will reveal other initiatives throughout the year, including about a dozen giveaways through social media. Since Carolina Brewery’s founding in 1995, the number of craft breweries in the region has exploded, with more than 120 in North Carolina alone. Carolina Brewery’s unique strength lies in its rich history — while the company has grown over the past two decades, its mission remains the same: to brew the highest quality craft beer, made using only the best ingredients and techniques.