Brewing history at Front Street Brewery

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For the first time ever in the state a female brewmaster has been named and it happened right here in Wilmington. Beer isn’t the only thing brewing at Front St. Brewery. Kelsie Cole is brewing history, too.

“This was the first place that I applied to, and I was hired on the spot the second day that I moved down here,” Cole said.

Cole tended bar for a time but when she learned what went into making beer.

“It kind of ignited a fire, and I realized that I’d rather make beer than sell it, because I liked making it so much more.” Cole said. “It allowed me to be creative.”

Zach Boylston used to work with Cole. These days he owns his own craft brew shop, Bombers.

“For the most part it is male-dominated, but you’re seeing more and more roles picked up by women, so it is cool,” Boylston said. “It wasn’t a surprise that she got the job. I’ve actually sampled some of her homebrews.”

He’s says when it comes to making beer she’s one of the best.

“It’s a great movement for North Carolina, because North Carolina is already on the craft brew map, but now that we can say that we have a head brewer that’s a female in Wilmington, too, that’s historic for Wilmington, as well,” Boylston said.

Cole downplays her historic role, but she’s one of only a couple thousand female brewers in the country.

“I’m really proud to be a part of it,” Cole said.