"Swells’a is a brewery, yes, but it’s also a community space, a fundraising venue, and the Outer Banks’s living room. Open year-round, go to Swells’a on any given evening there will be longtime neighbors mingling with tourists. Perhaps there will be live music, perhaps there will be a small market of local artisans, or perhaps (like on a recent summer evening) there will be a talk about surf safety featuring some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes. Oh, and the beer is great too — heavy on easy-sipping ales, lagers, and IPAs that are perfect for the beach." - Matt Lardie