Fullsteam Brewery is moving to the Boiler Room at the iconic American Tobacco Campus, offering 9,000 square feet of vibrant hospitality. Guests can expect a diverse selection of craft beers, cocktails and a menu featuring a fusion of supper club, gastropub, and Southern-inspired cuisine, all within the heart of the historic downtown district.

With a location on Rigsbee Avenue in Durham, Fullsteam previously built a loyal following with its pizza, sandwiches, salads, and a curated selection of beer, wine and cocktails. However, a combination of challenges, including high rent, limited parking, no air conditioning and minimal outdoor seating led to their departure.

Founder and self-proclaimed “chief executive optimist” of Fullsteam, Sean Wilson, moved to Durham, North Carolina, in 1992. He became immersed in Southern culture and cuisine as a waiter at Magnolia Grill in Durham.

“I wanted to take the idea of that time, but instead of having wine be the beverage of choice, have it be beer,” Wilson said. “Beer that incorporates local ingredients but pairs well with good, southern food and supports farmers in the post-tobacco south.”

Local chef Phoebe Lawless is helping craft the menu for the new location, and plans for a wood fired-component in the kitchen are underway. Inspiration for the food items comes from a blend of southern dishes and midwestern influences.

“[Expect] a good, convivial environment… taking a node from the supper club tradition of the upper midwest,” Wilson said. “Which is new to me but fun to weave in how supper clubs works, in Wisconsin, specifically, and what it would look like if the South had the supper club tradition.”

In addition to the restaurant and bar, there will be a fermentation lab for brewing, wine and cider-making, along with a dedicated pickling kitchen. Community members can expect outdoor seating options to relax and enjoy, complemented by an indoor theatre for entertainment.

“When people first walk in, we want them to have a ‘wow’ moment,” Wilson said. “We’re working with our staff with the follow through on first impressions – a warm, hospitable environment is key.”

For Ari Sanders, Director of Taproom Operations at Fullsteam, a focus on community is driving the move to ATC.

“American Tobacco [Campus] kind of grows back old school Durham neighborhoods,” she said. “Growing families, coming out for a ball game or live music on the lawn… to see Fullsteam establishing itself in this older community center of Durham is really important.”

According to Sanders, the new location at ATC will be a combination of the old Fullsteam that Durham knows and loves, alongside a new, modern Fullsteam. The brewery and restaurant will serve as a welcoming community center for customers to enjoy delicious food and beer, play video games, listen to music and spend quality time together.

“Fullsteam thinks a lot about ‘What do we do for Durham?’ And that’s a really important part of who we are,” Sanders said.

As the Triangle area continues to grow, Wilson said he’s passionate about preserving Southern traditions as an honor to the originality of Durham.

“We put so much value into if we’re ‘as good’ as other regions, so by default, we [dismiss] foods that are local, because it’s common,” he said. “And then we become Nashville, Knoxville, Birmingham. What makes [Durham] truly unique?”

Wilson also enjoys educating visitors about the distinct ingredients used in the food and drinks at Fullsteam – many of which they may not be familiar with.

“It’s also fun to connect people on a small level to local ingredients that they might not be aware of – such as persimmons and pawpaw fruit,” Wilson said. “Why? Because it all ties into our core values [which includes] thinking with active curiosity.”

Wilson chose the ATC for Fullsteam’s new location because of the brewery’s connection with the Durham Bulls, as they’ve had several sponsorship and advertisement deals with them.

“I saw this space and thought, ‘Wow, this could be it,’ so now we call this our Durham forever home,” he said. “We feel confident about our success… when there’s a Durham Bulls game or a show at DPAC. But if we can get Durham [community members] to think of American Tobacco [campus] as Durham’s front porch, where they want to be and gather, then we’re going to make it.”

While Fullsteam brews small batches in-house, it also partners with a Charlotte-based brewery to produce larger quantities. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability and economic benefits.

Additionally, Fullsteam is committed to producing “regenified” beer, which is brewed with barley grown by using regenerative practices that promote soil health, crop rotation and a circular economy.

Wilson hopes to open a new location by the end of the year, but with demolition still pending, the timeline could be pushed back.

The community aspect of Fullsteam also translates to the staff who are committed to an inclusive hiring pipeline. The brewery is seeking kitchen staff who are passionate about crafting high-quality cuisine.

“I think what Fullsteam does puts a lot of effort into caring and trying to be a community welcoming center,” Sanders said.

Ultimately, Wilson emphasized that Fullsteam is ultimately about having fun by grabbing a beer and good food with friends. He’s excited to bring that energy to ATC.

“I want Durham to fall in love with this place as much as we have,” he said.

Edited By: Emma Moon, Keisha Frederick, Laynie Herrera, Caleb Herrera