There's a spot on South Kerr Avenue where the garage doors stay open, the beer stays cold, and on any given night you might catch an Irish Wolfhound greeting a Golden Retriever puppy nose-to-nose while their owners compare IPAs.

Wilmington Brewing Company has that industrial taproom feel — polished concrete, pendant lights, a car mounted above the bar — but it doesn't take itself too seriously. Brewing tanks behind glass, aging barrels along the wall, and a merch rack if you want to rep the brand. It's warehouse-chic without trying too hard.

Out back, a deck with string lights is where one beer becomes three and a "quick stop" becomes the whole night. The food trucks parked outside don't hurt either.

Their Tropical Lightning IPA is a local staple you'll find across Wilmington, but the rotating tap list keeps regulars coming back. Five-gallon kegs available for pickup if you're hosting.

Dog-friendly. Very dog-friendly. The bigger, the better.