TRENTON — The state recognized Beer Army Combat as an official brewery on Jan. 31, which only means one thing — the hops are coming to Trenton.
Beer Army is counting down the mere days until its first brewery opens, which is anticipated in early April.
“There’s no bar in Trenton at all,” said Scott Andrews, Beer Army’s public affairs officer. “We’re excited about it, especially to bring something this big to a small town like Trenton. I’m sure it may get a little rowdy in here at times, but we’re looking forward to it.”
In November, the company selected Trenton — population 239 — out of 26 locations to plant its first brewery. It started in 2008 as a website, began participating in beer festivals the next year and opened a store in 2010. The two starter beers to be served at the Trenton site will be on tap at the store in New Bern this week.
The operation has already begun brewing their product in small batches, some of which will benefit the community in a variety of ways.
Beer Army will brew a Belgian blonde, Irish red, India pale ale and robust Porter. Ten percent of the Irish red’s — called “Fire in the Hole” — proceeds will go to a local fire department in Jones County.
Also, 10 percent of the proceeds from the robust Porter — or “Battle of Brock’s Mill” — will contribute to Trenton’s famous mill pond upkeep.
“It’s a historical landmark that’s been here for a very long time,” Andrews said. “We’re going to try and help out with that as much as we can.”
He said the brewery — anticipated to operate Wednesday through Saturday — will remain in Jones County and the Army is planning to spend at least five years at its current facility on Industrial Drive in Trenton.
“Jones County helped us get here,” he said. “We’re not going to just start up and leave. We’d like to stay here and keep helping out.”
Beer Army is projected to create up to 24 new jobs in its first five years operating the brewery. Brewers are projected to produce 1,400 beer barrels this year and 10,000 by year 5. Master Brewer Jeff Brungard has been to school in Germany and Chicago to learn and master the brewing craft.
Officials will look to team with local competition in Farmville and Kinston to create a craft beer scene.
“(The brewery) will bring more people down and stop more traffic,” said Lenoir Community College Jones Center student Ethan Hartison, 23. “It would open more jobs and we could have more fun.”
Andrews said the anticipation around the town is buzzing, and when people see the Beer Army brand, they inquire about the opening.
“People are really excited about it and can’t wait to get in here,” Andrews said. “There’s a lot of hype around it.”
Beer Army will conduct tours when it opens to the public in April and sell to bars throughout Eastern North Carolina.
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.