PITTSBORO — Craft beer, breweries, and local distilleries are finding a home in North Carolina — and in return, tap rooms and retail spaces are opening to showcase the craft.
House of Hops in Pittsboro wants to do more than just be a craft beer shop. Its owners want to create a space where the community can feel welcome.
“We try to gear ourselves more toward community space,” said Dave Dubill, one of the business’ partners. “It’s not about the beer — anybody can do beer — it’s about the community.”
The first House of Hops opened in Raleigh five years ago as a concept created by Keith Bowler and Gary Holt. Dubill, a Pittsboro resident, met Bowler when working as the General Manager for Tyler’s Tap Room in Apex for seven years, leaving two years before it closed.
“I stayed in the beer community,” Dubill said. “We felt this area could sustain a place like this. It was all a gamble, but we were at the right place at the right time.”
They opened at their Russet Run near the Bojangles on U.S.15-501 in Pittsboro location last year. As it celebrated its one-year anniversary last week, Dubill reflected on how and why the “gamble” worked.
“This area is definitely more event, community oriented,” Dubill said. “And we have great partners serving food around us.”
The trio brought some of the events that had worked in the Raleigh location such as Trivia Night and Run Club, an event were anyone can participate in a 3.5- or 5-mile walk, run, or stroll on a trail that’s safely out of traffic. As those events began drawing interest in the community, more special events were added, including an open ping-pong night and a disc golf putting league. And beginning in September, they will start hosting cornhole tournaments on Monday nights.
“The community has supported us and the surrounding area is getting to know us more and more,” Dubill said. “It’s all bringing attention to us in the right way.”
House of Hops even hosts a potluck meal the first Tuesday of the month. Since Root Cellar, which is located next to House of Hops, is closed on Tuesdays, Dubill sets up a grill, inviting the public to bring a dish, meat to cook, snacks, “anything really,” and join the community for a cook-out.
“It’s always an amazing turnout,” Dubill said. “You want to showcase your culinary skills; instead of everybody doing it at home, showcase it with your community.”
To thank the community for its support, House of Hops threw a celebration last Saturday for its one-year anniversary. It featured four local breweries, three bands, a kids’ corner, stand up jenga, and a grill with chicken quarters where all proceeds benefited Pittsboro’s CORA Food Pantry. For Dubill, it’s all about being part of the community.
“I pride my staff in every way in making sure everyone is welcome — dogs, kids, people from all walks of life,” Dubill said. “It’s home, it’s your neighbors, hopefully start a relationship with someone you’ve never met before.”
House of Hops is located at 112 Russet Run in Pittsboro.
Reporter Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com.
