Hidden Ships Distillery sits on Charlie Medlin Drive in Surf City, North Carolina, bringing craft spirits to the Topsail Island area. Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jennifer Odom, the distillery opened its doors in 2019 after years of planning and preparation. Chris brings a background in engineering while Jennifer handles the business operations, creating a partnership that balances technical precision with smart entrepreneurship. The distillery produces rum, vodka, and gin in small batches using carefully selected ingredients and traditional distillation methods. The Odoms chose Surf City specifically to be part of the growing craft spirits movement in coastal North Carolina. They converted a commercial space into their production facility and tasting room, designing everything from scratch to create an efficient distillery that could handle both production and visitors. The name Hidden Ships pays homage to the area’s maritime history and the ships that once sailed these coastal waters. Their approach focuses on quality over quantity, with each batch receiving careful attention throughout the distillation process. Visitors to Hidden Ships get a genuine small-batch distillery experience where you can see the entire operation in one space. The tasting room connects directly to the production area, so you’re literally tasting spirits made just feet away from where you’re standing. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with the Odoms or their staff often available to explain their process and share stories about getting the distillery off the ground. It’s the kind of place where you learn something new about distilling while enjoying well-crafted spirits in a laid-back coastal setting.