Outer Banks Brewing Station

nickd717

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

Stopped in here the other night for a few ticks and a few games of cornhole during my recent trip to OBX (I've gone to OBX at least once every year for my entire life, even since I've been marooned out west).

A great ambiance at this place. Both times I've been here, they've had a live band playing. This time it was a pretty good reggae band from the reggae hotbed of Washington, DC. Nice large indoor area and a huge outdoor area where you can play cornhole and play on some weird playground thing, if you're drunk enough to do so. Unfortunately you sometimes have to PAY for this ambiance - there was a $5 cover charge last time I went.

Now you know I'm always the guy you can count on to give you the scoop on the cougar scene, even now that I'm engaged. OBX is not exactly a young area, and there are plenty of 40-something cougs on the prowl. If you're not a complete tool, expect to get hit on, especially if you're a champion beer ticker like myself, since women can't resist the allure of a guy like that. I had a rabid pack of cougs approach me (well, they probably weren't any older than me, but still). A couple of them were rather large specimens, so I had to be very tactful in my backing away. I had beers to tick and cornhole to play.

Anyway, I digress. The beers here are hit-or-miss. Some are very mediocre, whereas others, like the Stormy Roses Stout, are excellent. Beers can be served in samplers of about 4oz per beer, which is ideal for ticking.

The place is a little understaffed and pretty busy on summer nights, so my advice is to order several beers at once when you can get a bartender's attention.

Food is pretty good. Nothing's going to blow you away, but it's above average for such an establishment.

Prices are about what you'd expect. Not particularly high or low.

Finally, one good convenience of this place is that there are often several cabs waiting outside from about midnight to 2am to take your plastered ass home.

Nice place, especially for OBX. I'll be back next time.

09-08-2010 17:50:20 | More by nickd717

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.73/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3.75 | $$

Even though we went for late lunch on a a weekday, this place was pretty busy and I can imagine it getting real packed at prime lunch time or in the evenings. Interior was nothing special - lots of wood and large glass windows that look into the brewing area.

The beers were well poured with proper amounts of head (it looks like someone actually took the time to make sure each of the beers were served with a proper head). Unfortunately everything was served in a shaker pint which might be my least favorite glass.

Service was OK - not bad but not great either. Took a long time to come over and take an order and slow to refill waters but very attentive to serving the beers promptly.

There was not a huge selection of beers available (only 5 at the time I visited) but they were somewhat interesting takes on more traditional styles which were successful and a nice change of pace that seemed appropriate at the beach. The Lemongrass Wheat and the ESB were the highlights in my opinion - both very refreshing and perfect for a warm day at the beach.

Food was pretty good though I wish that more of the seafood being offered was local seafood rather than fish that are from other area (like the pacific). The food that we tried was quite good and the salad dressing made from the Lemongrass Wheat beer was excellent.

Prices were in line with other places at the beach, that is to say a touch higher than I would expect for places elsewhere in NC.

05-13-2013 13:36:45 | More by dbrauneis

eribo

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +23.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$

I have recently decided that when I am on vacation, the souvenir that I am going to buy will be a growler from a local brewery.

In 2012, we were at the Outer Banks, and after some research, decided to try the Outer Banks Brewing Station.

We stopped here for a late lunch, and we are glad we did. The food and the atmosphere were excellent. The service was a little slow, but was to be expected, since it was a rainy day at the beach, they were very busy, and we did not really mind since this allowed us to really savor the food and the beer.

The real reason for the stop was the beer, so we bought a sampler of 4 beers, Olsch, Lemongrass Wheat, Vikings Liking, and Altimeter. An excellent variety of beers, and I decided to fill my souvenir growler with the Vikings Liking.

I highly recommend the Outer Banks Brewing Station as a stop for a meal and drinks. One of the highlights of our vacation this year.

08-10-2012 15:13:53 | More by eribo

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -16.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 1.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

I stopped by the outer banks brewing station during a recent vacation. The place is fairly decent sized but it fills up quite fast. During my visit, we opted for seats at the bar and partook of the brews without looking at the food menu. The bar runs a length that sets roughly 30 or so. All around are tables and booths for additional seating. There appears to be outside seating as well under umbrellas.

The quality of the brew was far above average. During my visit, the brews available consisted of a Kolsch, blond, tripel, ipa, porter, brown and in bottles was a lemongrass wheat. There was talk of several barrel aged sours also available in bottles but during my visit i was only able to try one and it was done very well. A bit pricy at $9 for 11oz but worth a try. The real standout brews for me were their captains porter and the single-hopped ipa. Perhaps my opinion is a bit exaggerated since we got some of the first pours from the freshly tapped keg but it was very fresh and well done.

The service is the real bottle neck of this establishment. Everything about my visit was superior except the service. The bartender taking care of me was either a dick, liar or just mis-informed. (More on this later.) He was not prompt, my glass was left empty for long durations at a time while he ran by like a chicken with his head cut off taking care of other orders. I would have loved to fill some growlers to go but considering how long it took just to get a beer refill... Anyway, not only was the service a bit off with timeliness but a person in my party ordered a sampler and it was presented wrong. The porter and the brown were mixed up and the bartender stood by his guns proclaiming the porter was lighter than the brown ale. Another bartender confirmed the mixup. I can let that mixup slide but when asking about the bottled beers to go, service took a real turn south. I was given a menu with 5 different beers listed as available to go. Unfortunately the 3 i wanted to try the most were all sold out. Yes, thats right, 3/5 of the beers listed were not available. Instead of showing off more of what you dont have than what you do, why not just name/describe the only 2? I then asked if these bottled beers were put into any distribution so that maybe I could still try them by picking them up elsewhere. The bartender told me that all of their beers are onsite only. Nothing goes into distribution, you have to go there to get it. After I left, I stopped at 3 bottle shops/beer stores. All 3 of them had some of the bottles in question with "more deliveries" coming soon.

Despite our bartender, it is an esrablishment I would visit again. However, instead of sitting at the bar I think I would rather opt for a table and have the expected slower service than to deal with that character again.

07-22-2012 05:31:28 | More by stakem

dhartogs

Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -17.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 2 | $$

Went here on New Years Eve day. Very cool inside, spacious, high ceilings. Went with a group of 6. I wanted the sampler tray, but they were out of their IPA and the Stout, which was a bummer. Their Lemon Grass Wheat was their best offering. Food was mediocre at best. The appetizers started off good, the calamari and okra. But the main courses were not good. Got their chicken sandwich which claims to be why people visit the place. It was gross. It was breaded way too much like fish and chips, the bun was small and crumbly and very little sauce. The pulled pork tasted like tuna fish salad. My advice, go for beer instead. The beer was quite nice.

01-04-2012 14:00:18 | More by dhartogs

dlj

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +18.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I have ben in this location several times with my wife. The wait staff is excellent and the food is great. Had an excellent stout this last weekend and a decent triple. The atmosphere is nice with a variety of locals and tourists. The value is good, beer definetley above average and the food is above par. The mussels are the best I have had south of Berthas in Baltimore. The lemongrass wheat is worth the trip, Had the conquest IPA which I would rate a B, the triple a b and the stout an a-. A pleasant trip all in all

10-12-2011 00:57:08 | More by dlj

travisnd

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +10%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I've been here a few times but went recently with my wife right before the last Hurricane. We sat in the bar area in a booth and it was a nicely light area of the place. The food was just awesome! I had a hard time choosing between the ribs or pork chops and chose the pork chops and what a great choice I made. The lager I had was exceptional. It was very dark in color but very smooth in taste and went very well with the pork chops. The wife had wine and a pasta dish and raved about it all night. She actually wanted to go back the next night but we didn't. I ended up taking home a Growler filled with the lager and the Growler was very reasonable compared to other's I've purchased, especially filled! Will be going back when I'm back in the OBX!

10-04-2011 18:08:07 | More by travisnd

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4 | $$

stopped in over the weekend while i was in nags head, nc for a wedding. building is pretty unique looking from the outside with a large wind turbine seen behind. the inside has spacious ceilings that gives a church-like atmosphere. washed up bricks are embedded into the floor.

service was good. prompt and as attentive as i need it to be. i ordered a sampler consisting of Olsch, Conquest IPA, Abracadabra Brown, and Dog House Tripel. all were pretty good w/ the IPA and the Tripel being the standouts. as for food, sampled the bottlecap jalapeno poppers and the portobella press. the bottlecaps were okay, but a little cold. the press was very good and a nice change from typical brewpub/bar food.

overall, average prices and tasty brews/food make this a good place to stop by if you are in the area. it is also worth noting that there was a sizable stage and lighting and i heard they have a decent amount of live music.

09-18-2011 23:59:15 | More by Jimmys

YumYumGumGum

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 2.5 | $$$

A: We went for live music on 8/19/11. Great family atmosphere and we actually played cornhole in the backyard near the music. Lots of kids running around outside, but still very nice.

Q: Beer is good. I suggest the Deep-briney Porter on tap or growler to-go.

S: Average, very attentive when ordering drinks of course.

S: Only, 4 beers there when I went, but they must rotate a lot, but I've only been once, but I enjoyed their 4 on tap. This is not a mega-tap bar or anything.

F: Fine. over-priced and decorated. Only reason it even got a 2.5 was their Onion Rings were fantastic and my date's crab cakes were excellent.

Entrees are all $20+ but bar is reasonable. Stop in for a drink, its worth it.

08-22-2011 16:08:29 | More by YumYumGumGum

mobud

Delaware

3.38/5  rDev -11.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$

Stopped in with my family for a quick bite and beer. Nice space with a beach house feel; a door in the back leads to a beer garden type space with a pirate ship for the kids to play on while the folks drink their beers. I had the BBQ pork sammy and it was tasty; came with hush puppies and good slaw so I was good to go. Price was fair for a beach town, not cheap but not a bargain either. Tried several beer including the Red Ale (exact name escapes me), the porter, and the Lemongrass wheat. All were good but nothing that I would go crazy for. The service was OK, our server made a mistake on my bill and took care of the problem promptly. My wife did not drink, but enjoyed her lunch and the vibe of the place. Just a note , we were there at 3pm between meals so I can not speak to how busy it gets or how they operate. It was almost empty when we rolled in and folks started to wander in as we were leaving. Would say try this place if in the area; don't drive too far out of your way if outside of the area.

08-16-2011 21:12:31 | More by mobud