INVITING.
QUALITY.
FRIENDLY.
Our mission is to brew great beer using local ingredients, support the honeybee and local beekeepers, and create a place for the community to gather.
OUR STORY
In 2017, Derek Ayscue’s apiary produced ample amounts of honey, more than could be shared with friends and family. It was with this honey that Derek was inspired to start brewing mead. His first batch of mead produced five gallons and was a big hit! Thus, the brewing fever began. Shortly after, Derek bought his first craft brewing system and set up a home brew workshop in his garage.
In the following years, Derek started to win awards on a homebrew level and dreamed of sharing this new passion with the community. Derek and his wife, Keri, began working through the vision of Bearded Bee, and after discussing their ideas with friend Dave Lewis, a partnership was formed.
The next hurdle was finding a location in downtown Wendell that would support the needs of the brewery and fit their vision for the business. That’s when God began opening doors for the trio. After a relatively short search, the Bearded Bee team partnered with Atlas Stark in Raleigh.
They struck a deal with the Perry family to purchase the old Campen Livery building which remains part of the nationally recognized Wendell Historic District. A major historic renovation project would be in their future with Keri designing the project and Dave & Derek building it. The fruits of this labor can be felt with every visit to the Hive.
Next came the task of building a strong team that would bring the Bearded Bee vision to life. With Derek leading the charge on brewing and our dedicated team focused on delivering an exceptional customer experience, each visit to Bearded Bee is more than just a stop for a pint—it's an invitation to join the Hive family. Our community is at the heart of everything we do, and we can’t wait to welcome you in.
OUR TEAM
BEERTENDING STAFF
The Best Staff Ever!
OUR BUILDING
Originally built around 1915, the building was Campen Livery & Stable and was owned by W.C.Campen. The street along the railroad tracks bears his name. Later, the building was owned by R.B. Whitley & Sons and most recently by the Perry family.
Over the years, the building has been used as a stable, warehouse, furniture shop, garage, and lawn mower repair shop. Renovations began in January 2020 for Bearded Bee’s new home.
BEEFORE & AFTER
OUR LOCATION
20 E. Campen Street Wendell, NC 27591
Located just 20 minutes East of downtown Raleigh