Many breweries in the Winston-Salem area have tasty brews and bar snacks, but not all local brewpubs have a down-home, laidback atmosphere that somehow makes you forget about the stressors of your workweek – even when you’re sipping your beer in the middle of an industrial park.
I visited Gypsy Road Brewing Company on a sunny Sunday afternoon in March, one of the first warmer days of the spring season. Located in Kernersville, Gypsy Road is a watering hole that sits off the beaten path of downtown K-ville area cocktail bars and eateries and is instead nestled amongst warehouses and industrial buildings. When I arrived, the covered outdoor patio was bustling with guests, but still seemed like a serene place to relax with your beverage of choice.
Not being much of a beer connoisseur, two friendly bartenders helped me decide on a fruity and refreshing Blood Orange Wheat on tap, which I ended up enjoying much more than I would have enjoyed a glass of pinot grigio. Had I visited the night before, I would have had the luxury of watching one of the many bands that perform at the brewery on Friday and Saturday nights through October. Instead, I relaxed with my beer while country music played over the speakers, which was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Tammy and John Coulter, owners of Gypsy Road, opened the brewery’s doors in September 2018. In fact, the wooden doors of the brewery were built by John, with the help of his friends and neighbors. Patrons will be surprised to learn that everything in the brewery is repurposed from local buildings. Starting in late 2016, John tore down local barns, salvaged wood from old houses and buildings in the area, and used the materials to build the bar, tables, and doors standing in the brewery today.
While the Coulter couple stays busy with their full-time careers (Tammy is a banker and John owns 421 Market & Grill), the brewery is the product of a couple’s hobby-turned-business venture. Tammy explains, “John and I loved going to breweries when traveling and thought about how to create that space in Kernersville in order to bring community together.” While 421 Market & Grill has a small patio, the pair still felt like they didn’t have enough space, prompting them to construct Gypsy Road. Tammy took on the events and marketing role, while John handles accounting and project builds. Additionally, Tammy and John’s daughter Taylor, a student at Appalachian State University, has pitched in by creating labels and sticker designs for the brewery.
While we slowly ease out of a year-long quarantine, live music, a large outdoor patio, and nightly food trucks sound like music to our ears (quite literally). Music is in the brewery’s blood, as the name “Gypsy Road” was inspired by lyrics heard in Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather.” According to Tammy, “The song mentions a gypsy soul, which helped us name the brewery. We wanted the brewery to have a carefree, ‘gypsy’ vibe where customers have no worries.”
Brewer Adam Norman works his magic on a three-barrel brewing system and is well-versed in creating something for everyone, including light lagers, hazy IPAs, fruited sours, big pastry stouts, and a hard seltzer. If that’s not enough, Adam and the Gypsy Road team recently started experimenting with brewing barrel-aged beer as well.
For novel beer drinkers (such as myself), Tammy suggests starting out with one of the brewery’s staples on tap. The Lawnmower Light is a summertime lager that you’d drink after mowing the lawn, or one that you’d toss on your boat for a day on the lake. Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or you prefer a domestic or light beer, the Lawnmower Light is a crowd-pleaser.
Not a fan of beer whatsoever? A variety of wine is also available, in addition to house-made seltzers.
Gypsy Road is not only an ideal spot for relaxing, but also serves as a great place to celebrate. The brewery is gradually becoming more of an event venue, receiving more and more bookings for corporate parties, retirement parties, wedding parties, and birthdays by the day. Interested in booking Gypsy Road for an event? Email events@gypsyroadbrewing.com for any event-related inquiries.
Check out the latest beers on tap at Gypsy Road by visiting in person, checking out Untappd (a cool app where you can explore nearby popular bars, breweries, and top-rated beers – free for iOS and Android), or browsing online at gypsyroadbrewing.com. Find the brewery’s Facebook page and follow @gypsyroadbrewing on Instagram to stay updated on the brewery’s latest news, updated business hours, and live music and food truck schedules.
