Waterman’s Brewing Company opened at its Pavilion Place home, the former site of Fibber
McGee’s, on July 4, 2017. While Waterman’s may be a newcomer to the area, chef Drew Stanley is
no stranger to the Taste of Wrightsville Beach. The Wilmington native has participated in four of
the competitions, most recently placing second in 2015 with Sweet n Savory Café.
The success of Waterman’s and Shark Bar and Kitchen came as no surprise to the local
culinary veteran.
“It’s an ever-evolving
scene
and seems to be
always getting bet-ter,”
Stanley says.
“Everything that
comes in usually
brings something
new to the table and
it brings business to
all of us.”
For his entry,
Stanley opted
for a beet-cured
Atlantic salmon,
an off-menu item
occasionally offered
at Waterman’s.
“It was a special
I ran, and I had a
Waterman’s Brewing Company server Morgan Bayrd, chef Drew Stanley,
brew master Zac Brown, and judge Eric Gephart.
couple of people at the event ask if it was on the menu,” he says. “Since it is cured, it takes a
couple of days to prep and get ready. I don’t think it will be a regular menu item, but it will
certainly come back.”
True to Waterman’s passion for and focus on brewing, the dish’s complementary candied
pork cracklins featured hops-infused honey. Stanley and brew master Zac Brown often team up
to bring unique flavor profiles to the restaurant’s food and beer offerings, with Stanley utilizing
Brown’s brews in his dishes, and Brown obtaining various food items through the kitchen for his
beers.
“It’s really cool to collaborate with a chef,” says Brown, who brought his Abundant
Sunshine India Pale Ale and Wave Peeler Wheat to the Taste of Wrightsville Beach. “We’re
both chefs or brewers, we just work with different mediums.”
Waterman’s has participated in other events and competitions since opening its doors, but the
establishment’s proximity to Wrightsville
Beach made this one special.
“That feels more like our back-yard
than any of the other events,”
Stanley says. “That’s our clientele.
Those are our people. And it was for
a great cause.”
savor
WATERMAN’S BREWING COMPANY
C H E FDrew Stanley
OWNERBob High
B R E W M A S T E R Zac Brown
LOCAT I O N 1610 Pavilion Place
NO. 3 BEST OVERALL
86
WBM january 2018 VENITTA REEVES