Bearded Bee Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | July 31, 2020 |
| Founder | Derek Ayscue, Keri Ayscue, Dave Lewis |
| Headquarters | Wendell , United States |
| Products | Beer (featuring honey from local sources and own apiaries) |
Bearded Bee Brewing Company is a brewery situated in Wendell, North Carolina, which began operations on July 31, 2020. It has become an integral part of the local community by engaging in neighborhood events, offering space for food trucks, and promoting beekeeping efforts within the region.
History
The brewery is housed at 20 E. Campen Street within Wendell's Historic District, inside a structure dating back to approximately 1915. This site originally served as Campen Livery & Stable, owned by W.C. Campen, the street’s namesake. Over time, the building has accommodated various commercial uses such as a warehouse, furniture store, garage, and lawn mower repair facility. Before renovations commenced in January 2020, Perry's Warehouse Inc. occupied the premises. The brewery opened its doors during the statewide lockdown.
Derek and Keri Ayscue along with Dave Lewis founded the enterprise, which originated from a 2017 collaboration centered on honey and mead production. Their beer recipes prominently feature honey gathered from both local sources and their own apiaries, underscoring their dedication to utilizing regional ingredients.
While the facility was being built out, artist Matthew Willey created a mural with a pollinator theme on a neighboring building to raise awareness about the brewery and his goal to illustrate 50,000 honeybees globally.
Interior
Inside, the brewery showcases contemporary design elements including expansive communal tables, high-top seating, comfortable lounge areas, and bee-inspired decorations such as a honeycomb-shaped light fixture within the roomy taproom. A beer garden is accessible on the left side of the building.
Events and activities
Bearded Bee hosts a variety of events regularly, featuring live performances by local musicians, bingo evenings, and trivia contests. These occasions are often complemented by food trucks and are supported by an active event calendar promoted by the brewery.
Other offerings have included outdoor axe throwing tournaments, holiday movie nights, and involvement in community programs like Wendell's Meet-On-Main.
Awards
Since its inception, Bearded Bee Brewing Co. has garnered significant recognition from its community. It placed fourth in WRAL’s "Voters Choice Award" for Best Brewery in 2020, rose to third place in 2021, achieved first place consecutively in 2022 and 2023, and secured second place in 2024.
Additional honors include Raleigh Magazine’s "Best Burb Bar" award in 2021, winning first place in WRAL podcast 919 Beer’s "Battle of the Brews" (2021), and earning third place in Mill Chill’s "Brewery Throwdown" (2021).
External links
- On Tap (Current and Archived Beer Selections)