About Us
In the past few years, North Carolina’s beer selection has flourished with beers around the world: Belgian dubbels, tripels, and quads; English bitters and barleywine, German lagers. Amazing craft beer from US breweries establishing regional traditions and styles: the West Coast IPA phenomenon. Hearty Wisconsin lagers. Experimental beers from the Northeast.
But we have yet to develop a Southern craft beer identity.
Fullsteam’s mission is to craft this identity. To create distinctly Southern beer that celebrates the culinary and agricultural traditions of the South. Our ultimate vision is to pioneer a Southern Beer Economy, directly supporting local farms, agricultural entrepreneurs, and local beer-related businesses.
RECENT AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
- First Frost, our crowd-sourced winter persimmon ale, won a 2013 Good Food Award. Fullsteam CEO Sean Lilly Wilson had the distinct honor of accepting the award on behalf of the thirteen winning breweries.
- 2012 U.S. Beer Open
- Our namesake beer, Fullsteam, won GOLD in the American Amber / California Common category.
- El Toro, brewed with 100% North Carolina barley and hops, won SILVER in the Cream Ale division.
- Our Spring IPA with Kumquats won BRONZE in the Fruit/Vegetable beer category.
- 2012 Independent Weekly
- Best Local Brewery
- Best Local Beer
- Best Neighborhood Bar in Durham County
- Best Place to Chill in Durham County
- 2011 Independent Weekly
- Best Local Brewery
- Best Place to Chill in Durham County
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Sean Lilly Wilson Fullsteam’s owner and Chief Executive Optimist. He founded and led both Pop The Cap and Permit Beer, two beer lobbying organizations that have opened up economic markets to North Carolina’s craft beer industry. He holds both an MBA and Master of Public Policy from Duke University. In both 2012 and 2011, Sean was a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist in the category of Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional. |
Chris Davis, aka 32 Fullsteam’s resident Zymologist. 32 comes up with new, off-the-wall Plow-to-Pint beer concepts and many of our more traditional Workers’ Compensation offerings. He also vets Sean’s crazy visions, keeping eye rolls to a minimum. He’s a two-cycle scooter nut and a proud papa. |

