A Vision for a Truly Local Brewery
We’re excited to introduce our August Customer Spotlight: Burlington Beer Works, which opened its doors in 2019 in downtown Burlington. As the first cooperative brewery and restaurant in North Carolina—and the 10th in the United States—Burlington Beer Works has grown to include over 2,200 owners.
General Manager Tracy Schmidt has been the visionary behind the brewery from the start, emphasizing the importance of sourcing locally grown products. “I wanted to create a space that gets people to talk around the table,” Tracy explains. “That’s how we move forward as a community, and that’s who we are.” While maintaining their values of sustainability and local sourcing presents challenges, the unwavering support from the community has allowed Burlington Beer Works to thrive.
Success and Growth
Celebrating their five-year anniversary in March, Burlington Beer Works has become a beloved staple for the surrounding communities. Combining indoor and outdoor seating with true southern hospitality, the brewery offers delicious food and craft beer, ensuring a memorable experience for all patrons. Recognizing the demand for their offerings, they launched a catering service that partners with local businesses.
Notably, Burlington Beer Works sells canned beer at the local Burlington Sock Puppets games, allowing fans to enjoy a locally sourced product while supporting both the community and their favorite baseball team.
Sustainability in the Community
Tracy’s commitment to sustainability is evident in Burlington Beer Works’ operations. “Why not do what you can? It’s simple,” she states. Unlike some companies that merely talk about sustainability without taking action, Burlington Beer Works actively builds relationships with local farmers to source many menu items.
Fun fact: The brewery’s tables are crafted out of pine wood that came from the rafters and ceiling supports in the two older sections of the building that were torn out during the remodel!
TS Designs sources unused avocado pits from Burlington Beer Works to use for natural dyeing. Since their early days, Burlington Beer Works has partnered with TS Designs, where Eric Henry, president of TS Designs, serves on the brewery’s board of directors. We are happy to be the source for the apparel worn by the staff and merchandise sold at Burlington Beer Works!
Looking Forward
Burlington Beer Works is excited to launch the Community Table Dinner Series, with one dinner planned each quarter. The inaugural event—a (sold-out) beer dinner—will take place on August 15, 2024, highlighting locally sourced food from nearby farms. In November, they will host a bourbon event, inviting 20-30 guests to sit at one long table. The goal is to foster connections among attendees, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a big family gathering. The Community Table Dinner Series marks the beginning of a wonderful collaboration between the brewery and the community, offering opportunities to forge new relationships while nurturing existing ones.
TS Designs manufactures the highest quality printed t-shirts in a domestic, transparent, and trackable supply chain. We work with brands who want to provide their customers with responsibly made clothing that positively impacts people and the planet.