A six–person golf cart pulls up on the boardwalk waterfront in Little Washington. A jolly crew of day sailors deboard a vintage 33–foot Vanguard called "Talisman" and hop on. Sun kissed and windblown they laugh as their chariot rides them past the colorfulstorefronts on Main Street and lands them at their destination: Two Rivers Alehouse, the first brewery in this lively river town.
Outside, tabletops are filled with golden hued pints, chips and dips served in a bread bowl. Leashed pups are at the patrons’ feet and the din of a good time fills the sidewalk. The sailors walk through the glass doors and find a seat at the nearly building–long, wooden bar.
"Welcome! We’ve got a beer for everyone," says owner Bubba Summerlin, echoing the brewery’s motto andpointing towards the chalk board for what’s on tap that day.
The board gives them their choice of 16 North Carolina craft beers–including three brewed in–house–and two taps of prosecco. The group orders up a round of pints: Just So Ya Know, a Hefeweizen, and a Take 2, a popular pineapple blonde ale. You can see them all collectively relax with the first sip at this refreshing spot following day out boating in the Pamlico Sound.
Two Rivers is named for the Tar and the Pamlico Rivers that meet on Washington’s waterfront. Look at the beer list and you’ll see a nod to other local landmarks: a pale ale called Grandpap’s Island, a Kolsh called Pamlico Light, and an IPA called Channel Marker 16.
Channel Marker 16 happens to be the nautical landmark in front of the owners’ homes.
"I bought a lot in a subdivision on the water, right next door to my partner, Tim Jackson. It was going to be my retirement home," chuckles Summerlin.
A law enforcement officer for his entire career, Summerlin came down to Washington in 2017 with plans to retire, but he didn’t quite make it. He and Jackson, childhood friends who grew up in Edgecombe County, started thinking about how they could join the bustling downtown scene in Little Washington. With their wives, they did a little research and discovered what was missing from the waterfront downtown.
"There were already restaurants, antique stores, and shops, so we decided to open up a brewery. We thought Washington needed its own craft beer, and we could serve appetizers and charcuterie boards to go with it," says Summerlin.
With a little help from Naughty Dog Brewing, who brewed Two Rivers’ first few original brews while they were waiting on their in–house system to be installed, Two Rivers Alehouse opened in the summer of 2021. Summerlin, Jackson and their wives run the day–to–day at the brewery and have been thrilled by how they were embraced by the Washington locals.
"People that come into our brewery are amazingly loyal and welcoming," says Summerlin. "Once we opened, we received gift baskets from other businesses and made so many friends. I started working with the baker over at Rachel K Bakery to do bread bowls for our dips.
"You’re hard–pressed to find a grumpy person in Two Rivers. Once you taste one of North Carolina’s newest craft beer flavors and nosh on a dip sampler that includes hot sausage dip, Buffalo chicken dip, and a cheesy crab dip, you won’t have trouble locating your smile and may also feel inclined to leave them a gift basket.
As of February 2022, they started brewing in–house on their 93–gallon, three–barrel brewing system. They tapped brewer Ben Pollard—head brewer at Koi Pond in Rocky Mount—to help them with the brewing process.
"We brew in–house on Monday and Tuesday," says Summerlin. "Our brewer, Ben, is teaching us the ropes. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve put out. I had a gentleman in the bar last week that said he had lived for several years in Germany and he drank a lot of Heffeweizens while he was there. He said ours was spot on and as good as anything he had there. It was quite a compliment.
"Two Rivers Alehouse keeps their tap room full with a constantly rotating menu of local NC beers, hosting "Tap Takeovers" with visiting breweries which have included Carolina Brewery out of Pittsboro/Chapel Hill, Wicked Weed out of Asheville. Visitors can order tasting flights to help figure out what they like and keep their palates entertained while enjoying some swag give–aways from the visiting brewery.
"We’re having a good time," says Summerlin. "We’re family–friendly and we really do have something for everyone: beer, wine, soda, snacks."
And not to worry, Summerlin says his day job with law enforcement rarely comes into play when he’s at the brewery.
"I have not crossed paths with anyone," chuckles Summerlin. "And don’t forget, we’ll run you home if you live anywhere in the downtown grid. Our golf cart is waiting."
