Four Hounds Distilling sits right in the heart of Carolina Beach, North Carolina, just blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. Founded by Matt Quenelle and his team, this coastal distillery opened its doors in 2019 with a mission to create handcrafted spirits that capture the essence of the Carolina coast. The operation runs out of a 2,500-square-foot facility on North Lake Park Boulevard, where they’ve built a production space that doubles as a welcoming tasting room for visitors looking to sample their growing lineup of spirits. Quenelle, who previously worked in the hospitality industry, saw an opportunity to bring craft distilling to the beach community where locals and tourists alike were hungry for authentic, locally-made spirits. The team focuses on small-batch production using traditional methods combined with their own coastal twist on classic recipes. Their master distiller brings years of experience working with grain-to-glass production, overseeing everything from mashing to bottling right on site. What you’ll find here is a laid-back beach town distillery that takes its craft seriously without taking itself too seriously. The tasting room has that relaxed coastal vibe you’d expect, with reclaimed wood and nautical touches throughout. They produce rum, vodka, and gin, with each spirit designed to reflect the Carolina Beach lifestyle. It’s the kind of place where you can learn about the distilling process while sipping something that tastes like summer, even in the dead of winter.