Paul and Mara Shelton photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
In a 2,200-square-foot taproom at Tobacco Wood Brewing Company in Oxford, owner Mara Shelton pours a pint of dark gold liquid into a glass for a new guest. She confesses that the hazy IPA — a blend of Citra, Mosaic, and Azacca hops — nods to her first three years in the military. “It’s called False Motivation,” she says with a grin. “It’s a reminder that when motivation wanes, you have to find that grit to stay focused and committed — or fake it so you don’t get yelled at.”
Before founding Tobacco Wood in 2018, Shelton’s career was shaped by her military service. Inspired by her husband, Paul; her father; and other family members who served, Shelton joined the National Guard in 2001. Afterward, she joined the Air Force Reserves and was stationed at Pope Air Force Base in Fayetteville. “I had some incredible experiences,” she says. “I even got to play with the Bosnian String Orchestra during my time in the military [band].” Her commitment to service was followed by a career in nursing, specializing in pediatric hematology and oncology at Duke Hospital in Durham.
Patriotic names and packaging distinguish Tobacco Wood Brewing Company’s craft beers. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
In 2006, Mara and Paul enjoyed a rare respite, carving out time for a date night at a home brewing class in Raleigh. Inspired by the creativity and craftsmanship that they encountered, the couple envisioned bringing their newfound passion back to Oxford. Years of experimenting with home brewing followed, but lingering misconceptions surrounding beer production in some parts of the state stalled their plans. “The area wasn’t ready for a brewery at the time,” Shelton says. Setting their dream to the side, the couple stuck to brewing at home — until a family trip to England in 2014 rekindled their ambition. Exploring pubs in historic towns “filled us with excitement,” she says. “There was nothing like it in our town and we wanted to change that.”
Back home, the Sheltons revisited their dream with renewed vigor. This time, they found greater support in their community. While the husband-and-wife team was initially courted by nearby Youngsville, Oxford’s leaders made a compelling case to reconsider setting up shop in Granville County. In a bid to revitalize the town, local regulations were revised to embrace beer production in 2018, setting the stage for Tobacco Wood. “Once the law passed, the building that now houses the brewery became available,” Shelton says. “The timing couldn’t have been better.”
Tobacco Wood Brewing Company serve flights of craft beer on wooden boards shaped like tobacco leaves. photograph by Stacey Van Berkel
The transformation of a 1940s furniture warehouse into Tobacco Wood marked a milestone as the first female, veteran-owned brewery in North Carolina. Today, the brewery exudes an inviting ambiance that blends industrial details with rustic warmth: Reclaimed wood tables complement plush leather seating, and hand-turned tobacco stick taps shine behind the bar.
Behind a glass partition, stainless steel brewing equipment gleams under the soft glow of pendant lights, and skilled brewers meticulously craft beers like Rocket Surgery, a juniper Kölsch; Say Haze Kid, a juicy IPA; and, of course, False Motivation. The atmosphere is lively yet intimate, with the faint aroma of hops mingling with the laughter and conversations of patrons sharing pints. “It’s a place where everyone can feel at home,” Shelton says, “and share in our passion for great beer and camaraderie.”
117 Wall Street
Oxford, NC 27565
(919) 725-9402
tobaccowoodbrewing.com
U.S. Army veteran Andrew Kalinoski had a clear purpose for the brewery he opened in 2019: to cater to gluten-sensitive individuals, like his wife and his mother-in-law, in the Queen City. Named after a World War II-era slang term for canned milk, Armored Cow Brewing offers an extensive menu of gluten-free brews, ranging from robust IPAs to hard seltzers, alongside nonalcoholic options like kombucha and craft sodas.
8821 JW Clay Boulevard No. 1
Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 277-6641
armoredcowbrewing.com
When U.S. Marine veterans Daniel Callender and Dean Kelley met at a garage sale in 2016, neither expected that a shared interest in home brewing would eventually lead them to cofound Salty Turtle Beer Company with business partner Zack White. Deeply committed to their community, the trio discovered Surf City’s connection to sea turtles, and today, they have 14 ocean-inspired brews on tap, including Coastline Kölsch and Barnacle Bill’s Brown Ale, and donate quarterly to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. They also regularly host events supporting veterans.
103 Triton Lane
Surf City, NC 28445
(910) 803-2019
saltyturtlebeer.com
Soon after moving to Marion in 2016, U.S. Air Force veteran Jason Snyder and his wife, Emily Causey, noticed a glaring absence: There was no brewery within 20 miles. Jason, an avid home brewer, and Emily, passionate about craft beer, were determined to fill the void. Named in tribute to Jason’s career in the mining industry and the region’s historic mica mines, their brewery celebrates a local legacy with its craft beers and ciders.
25 Brown Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 559-8300
instagram.com/micatownbrewing
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