In South Eastern North Carolina, the craft beverage scene has evolved well beyond the IPA. While Wilmington has long been known as a brewery town, a new wave of distillers is reshaping the flavor profile of the coast. For buyers and investors in New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow counties, these distilleries are more than just watering holes; they are anchors for neighborhood revitalization and social infrastructure.

From converted industrial warehouses to speakeasies hidden near the surf, here is the insider’s guide to the region's distillery landscape and the real estate opportunities that surround them.

The Urban Anchors: Wilmington’s Cocktail Corridors

End of Days Distillery (The Cargo District/Castle Street)
The Vibe: Sleek, industrial, and deeply connected to the community. Housed in a WWII-era Quonset hut, "EOD" produces premium gins, vodkas, and rums that are staples in local households.
The Real Estate Play: Located on the edge of the Cargo District and Castle Street Arts District, this distillery sits in one of the hottest investment zones in the city. Buyers here are looking for renovated bungalows and proximity to a walkable, creative economy. A home within walking distance of the EOD lounge is a major lifestyle asset for the younger professional demographic.

Momentum Distillery (Downtown Wilmington)
The Vibe: Historic polish. Located on Front Street, Momentum fits perfectly into the walkable rhythm of downtown. It’s where you go after a dinner on the Riverwalk.
The Neighborhood: For buyers eyeing condos in the Historic District or the northern waterfront (like the Sawmill Point area), this is your "neighborhood bar." It signals a lifestyle that values history, walkability, and refined nightlife over the typical college-town energy.

The Coastal Outposts: Spirits by the Sea

Four Hounds Distilling (Carolina Beach)
The Vibe: Island casual. This is the first legal distillery on Pleasure Island, specializing in rums that pair perfectly with a humid afternoon.
The Lifestyle: In Carolina Beach, the "golf cart culture" is king. Properties in the Wilmington Beach or Seagrove areas that offer easy cart access to Four Hounds are seeing increased attention from second-home buyers who want a local hangout that isn't a tourist trap.

Hidden Ships Distillery (Surf City)
The Vibe: A surprising "speakeasy" tucked away in Pender County. It brings a level of mixology to Topsail Island that was previously reserved for big cities.
The Strategy: For investors in Surf City or Topsail Beach, this is a key amenity to highlight in your guest books. It proves to prospective buyers (and renters) that the island has a sophisticated side that extends beyond fried seafood and mini-golf.

The Heritage Play: Onslow’s Moonshine Roots

Walton’s Distillery (Jacksonville)
The Vibe: Authentic, rural, and steeped in history. Walton’s embraces the region's moonshine lineage with a modern twist.
The Connection: While located in Onslow County, Walton’s influence stretches down into Pender and Brunswick. For buyers looking for acreage in Richlands or the quiet outskirts of Hampstead, this distillery represents the slower, more pastoral pace of life that many are fleeing the city to find.

The Brunswick Reality

While Brunswick County (Southport, Oak Island) is currently more "brewery heavy," the distillery influence is felt in the local pouring culture. Restaurants in Southport and Ocean Isle heavily feature these regional spirits. For the Brunswick buyer, the appeal isn't just proximity to production, but the "drink local" ethos that pervades the community.

Your Next Step

Whether you want a modern condo steps from a gin lounge or a beach house where you can sip local rum on the porch, the "spirit" of the neighborhood matters.

Aspyre Realty Group are experts in listening to your lifestyle goals—from nightlife access to porch-sitting tranquility—and translating them into a home that works for you. Let’s connect and find the neighborhood that matches your taste.