Rocky Mount Mills, a complete mixed-use development based in Rocky Mount, NC, has unveiled the inaugural class of a one-of-a-kind, intensive incubator program designed for brewers.

The Rocky Mount Mills Brewery Incubator, a three-year program, is designed to teach entrepreneurs to brew, learn and proof their concepts while at the same time, helping them to develop a business plan, recruit investment and eventually grow beyond the incubator space.

Based in a refurbished 6,000 square foot shipping warehouse on the nearly two-hundred-year-old campus, the Brewery Incubator offers participants their own 10 bbl brew system with fermentors in each space to produce up to 1000 bbl per year and a keg cooler to serve beer out of each space with eight taps. All incubator tenants have access to a keg washer, a 5-head canning line, dry and cold storage and a public beer garden to sell and serve their product.

All Incubator tenants have access to the Nash Community College Brewing, Distillation and Fermentation program, the classes are held on Nash's primary campus as well as in their brewery lab at the Mills.

The inaugural class includes groups with varying backgrounds and approaches to brewing. The brewers include Planetary Elixirs, HopFly Brewing Company, BDD Brewing Company and Bull Durham Beer Company (more on each below). These four breweries join the popular Koi Pond Brewing and Tarboro Brewing Company West already located on the Mills 150-acre campus.

"Our inaugural class of brewers comes from all walks of life and brings with them different approaches, methods, and philosophies towards brewing," said Sebastian Wolfrum, Executive Brewmaster, Rocky Mount Mills. "We see the spirit that built Rocky Mount Mills two hundred years ago, and that continues to make our community one of hard work and triumph in each of them. We're looking forward to seeing and, more importantly, tasting what they have to offer."

Brewery Incubator tenants will open for business this fall with beverages being served at the Mills and different points throughout their distribution chains.

"We found at Rocky Mount Mills a brand and a lifestyle that aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating a quality product that fuels adventure, collaboration and the good times we share with family and friends," said Cam Schulz, founder, HopFly Brewing Company. "We're eager to learn, grow our business and work with our fellow incubator tenants to create a destination based on the growing brewing industry in North Carolina."

WHERE TO DRINK

?BDD BREWING COMPANY: BDD Brewing Company was founded by cousins Chazz Oesch and Matt Nichols. The name BDD stands for 'Bucken da Dicey," a phrase heard from Chazz's father's mouth one night. The name stuck, but they decided to shorten it to BDD. Take a look inside the brewery incubator, and you'll see this brewery is very Sasquatch-themed. Be sure to check out their Wampahoofus: a maple bacon imperial porter with great flavors. The beers at BDD average from around $3 to $8, depending on what you purchase. So grab a pint and take it outside to the beer garden and enjoy what the brewery has to offer.

HOPFLY BREWING COMPANY: HopFly wants to let you know that "every adventure is better with a cold beer in your hand," and that can be anything from hiking, fishing or sitting around a campfire. If you are a fan of IPAs, this should be your stop. The brewery has been releasing some high-ranking IPA-style beers such as Discoteca, Fresh Catch!, SVEN and Trail Magic. HopFly also many other styles as well, such as stouts, lighter beers and a handful of sour ales.

KOI POND BREWING COMPANY: The original brewery to call Rocky Mount Mills home has been making high-quality craft beers since the beginning. The taproom, also know as 'the pond' is a family- and dog-friendly setting which features weekly fun such as trivia, open mic nights and live music. From milkshake IPAs to Belgium Saisons and Witbiers - you'll find it all inside Koi Pond Brewing Company.

SPACEWAY BREWING COMPANY: Spaceway is a nod to Afrofuturism; which seeks to imagine a future in which minorities who are scarcely represented in pop culture are depicted as leading characters. Spaceway Brewing's incubator is also a place to pick up a six-pack from Harlem Brewing Company.

TARBORO BREWING COMPANY: This is Tarboro Brewing Company's second location, with its first being in the town of Tarboro. At this second location, you can enjoy tacos while you drink beer. Tacos here are $5, $8.50 or $12, depending on the number of tacos you desire. Try the smoked chicken taco with salsa verde and jack cheese, or the pulled pork with salsa rojo, pineapple salsa and bacon. Or try their take on a classic Banh Mi with pulled pork, Asian BBQ and pickled carrots, onions and cucumbers.

WHERE TO EAT

We already mentioned Tarboro Brewing Company and their fabulous tacos, but Rocky Mount Mills still has a few other places to fill your tummy. Try Tap@1918, a modern-style gastropub. If you are a fan of FoodTV's Beat Bobby Flay or Chopped, you might have seen Chef Justin Gaines on the network - and he's teamed up with Lou Reda for a restaurant filled with signature culinary delights, mixed cocktails and a great list of beers on tap. If wood-fire pizza and pasta is your thing, maybe you'll want to try The Tispy Tomato.

WHERE TO STAY

We suggest staying the night at River & Twine - a tiny home hotel located inside Rocky Mount Mills. Why send you somewhere else, when you can have it all in one place. River & Twine is a collection of 20 boutique tiny houses just minutes off the Tar River. Each of the 20 tiny homes are $129 a night, plus tax and fees, and sleep anywhere between 2 to 4 guests. Amenities include free WiFi, TV, microwave, coffee maker and air conditioning to keep you cool on those warm Carolina summer days.

ALSO CHECK OUT ...

A coffee shop/bookstore will open in early October at Rocky Mount Mills, inside a newly renovated mixed-used development reimagined from a 200-year-old cotton mill in eastern North Carolina. Books and Beans, is the brainchild of local professor and New York Times bestselling author Etaf Rum who found great success with her debut novel "A Woman Is No Man." Books and Beans is the latest venture for Etaf Rum and Brandon Clarke, who also co-own the restaurant Barley and Burger in Rocky Mount.

With all that beer, some might want to go to Rocky Mount to enjoy a glass of wine - and Bin & Barrel has you covered. Located at 177 Nash Street in downtown Rocky Mount, this wine bar and retail shop provides a selection of exclusive wines. With around 10-11 wines by the glass as well small bites such as Pimento Cheese Spread and artisanal cheeses and meats, it's a good escape from all that beer.

If you're like us, you're also on the look out for a classic selection of vinyl - and if so, you can stop at Station Square Records: Wax by the Tracks, located at 165 Nash Street. The selection is limited, but if you're looking for a classic album by Lionel Richie or Don Henley, you might want to pay this place a visit.

If you are in Rocky Mount on a Saturday afternoon, or Tuesday evening, pay a visit to the Nash County Farmers Market. The market provides the local-area farmers with a storefront to sell their goods.

An excellent place to visit with the children is the Rocky Mount Children's Museum and Science Center. The museum is filled with exhibits on the history of the Tar Heel state such as the Secret of Bees and Native Knowledge. Admission is only $6 per person, and 2 and under are free.