Located in downtown Durham, NC, Fullsteam Brewery is a neighborhood hotspot. You’ll find patrons mixing and mingling around industrial tables, exploring what’s on tap, playing games and darts, and hanging out as if it was their own living room. Sean Wilson is Founder and Chief Executive Optimist of Fullsteam Brewery which captures the essence of Durham’s collaborative spirit — inclusivity, preservation and community. That’s why we are proud of our Unscripted beer partnership with award-winning Fullsteam. In between foraging for ingredients and partaking in local and national events, Sean was able to sit down with us to talk “behind the beer” of the Unscripted collaboration
Tell me about the collaboration process with Unscripted? Unscripted/Dream Hotel Group approached us as they have been looking for the right fit. We hit it off, talked concepts, and discussed why this beer should exist and how we can make it differentiate and align with the hotel’s brand. We have to consider potential collabs thoughtfully so we are at capacity – you can disrupt the rhythm, adding an element complexity. We take it really seriously, however, this was an obvious yes. What we liked about Unscripted is that Dream Hotel Group took history, preserved it, made it new again, then redefined it.
Tell me Unscripted Beer’s characteristics? It’s bright, modern, and local just like Unscripted. We decided to go with an IPL (Indian Pale Lager) Lagers which take longer to age than ales. It’s a little smoother because of its resting and it’s lighter than a Pale Ale; lager yeast but it has a hop presence of the IPA.
Why an Indian Pale Lager? Not only is it a pool-friendly beer, It was important to us to offer a hyperlocal beer: all Eastern NC in Greenville: barley has been farmed and highly sought-after hops (Galaxy and Mosaic). A high-end beer enjoyed poolside, offering a tropical and punchy finish
What pool beers do you suggest for the not-so-hoppy enthusiasts?
Shandy- based: beer blended with fruit juice or soda. Gose: a lively, tart, refreshing twangy beer made with salt (Fullsteam Offering: Farm’s Edge Dead Nettle). Pilsner – another lager; brilliant clarity, golden color and light body (Fullsteam Beer Offering: PayCheck)
What makes Durham a hotbed for collaborations and community? As the Triangle’s “red-headed stepchild”, it’s our gritty can-do spirit. We seek to support each other: a true Durham collaboration is fostered when two people believe in something, share a vision that is built upon Durham, and approach it with a forward-thinking attitude.
