Camelback Brewing opened in the summer of 2018 this brewery has quickly become a big part of the Sandhills craft beer community. The fact that Sanford has a craft beer community at all is in part to the beers a Camelback. This is a great neighborhood brewery where you will find… friendly customers, a welcoming staff, good brews, and great food. In full disclosure this is a brewery that is about a mile from my house and the owner and head brewer Mike Stec is a neighbor and a friend.

Located right off US 1 at the Spring Lane Exit this is an easy trip from Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Pittsboro and Southern Pines. It is in a Strip shopping center occupied by a grocery store, Pet store, barber shop and more. The taproom is a relaxed space with a great view of the brew house where the magical nectar is made, you can choose to sit at the bar or the tables that are found in the taproom area. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Randell, the cook at Camelback, is both a creative and talented cook. Even the simple things like a basket of chips are made better because of Randell’s House made Ranch.

Camelback Brewing has regular events such as Wednesday trivia nights, Thursday night Wing Night, I’m a regular because they easily have the best wings in town. Fridays they are closing the kitchen and having rotating food trucks visit and Saturday Night some of the best live music around, in fact if your lucky you might be a Camelback on a night when Sanford’s hometown pride Britton Buchanan (winner of the Voice) preforms in an impromptu jams session.

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Camelback has rotating Taps, with no flagship beers, the names and styles are often changing. But Mike does a good job of making sure there is a variety of beer styles, so there is likely something for everyone. Right now the following are on tap.

R3 Cream Ale – It is mild cream ale with lactose it’s use of Crystal hops gives it a nice balanced flavor and a great floral nose.

Maximilian de Cervez Mexican Lager – An easy drinking beer style, perfect for summer and complimentary to so many different foods. (including Thursday wing Night).

Ballad of Papa Looch West Coast Style IPA- A bold West Coast inspired IPA, this beer has no shortage of flavor but be careful, with an ABV of 7.9 this beer packs a punch.

Weizen Von Siegner Hefeweizen- Another Summertime beer, this Hefe is made with local wheat and is true example of the style. I like the slight spicy back end of this beer.

Stone-Age Rainbow Fruity Pebbles IPA – An incredibly fun beer… this is a collaboration beer with Sub Noir Brewing. Made with Fruity Pebbles Cereal this is unique. The kind of experimental beer that makes it worth the trip.

Month of Sundays Flanders Wild Ale- This beer uses a Flanders red ale as its base beer, then uses Brett in fermentation and a generous dose of Raspberries. This is a favorite of both my wife and I.

Sanford, like many rural communities in North Carolina, is new to Craft brewed beers. Mike has worked hard at making sure that he always has some intro beers on tap for those who are new to craft beer. But he also has beers on tap for those who are longtime fans of craft beers. Please make the short trip to Sanford, I how to see you there.

Michael Cole lives in Sanford, NC, and loves great food and beer. He loves all beer styles however His taste tends to favor malts over hops so he’s an avid fan of amber and dark beers. Follow him on twitter @barbqguy44