Happy Holidays from Blackbird Brewery!

As December unfolds, we find ourselves reflecting on the warmth of the season and the cherished community we’ve built together. While we look forward to a month filled with festive gatherings, special holiday brews, and moments of joy, this year carries a bittersweet note. We recently lost our beloved team member, Kari, whose spirit and dedication shaped so much of what we are today. Her absence is deeply felt, but as we navigate this season, we do so with gratitude for her legacy and the strength of the community she loved so dearly. Join us this month as we celebrate the holidays and honor the bonds that bring us together, even in moments of loss.

Holiday Beer Update

This holiday season, Blackbird Brewery brings you three special beers to warm your spirits. Jack It Up For Jesus, a spiced amber ale, brims with festive flavors of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove—perfect for celebrating Christmas. Big Trees, our tribute to a classic celebration-style IPA, features Oregon-grown Cascade and Centennial hops for a fresh piney character paired with rich caramel malts. Additionally, we’re proud to announce soon-to-be-released Higher Calling, a collaborative Hazy IPA created to support breweries affected by Hurricane Helene, with 100% of profits from taproom sales going to relief efforts in Western NC.

Upcoming Special Events

Holiday Gifts for the Wine Lover – Wine Tasting December 11th 6:30-8:30 PM

Trying to find the perfect holiday gift for the beloved wine fanatic in your life? Allow our expert from Advintage to walk you through some incredible wine options that will make you the best gift giver this season.

Beer and Carols with Santa and the Grateful Sled December 13th 5:30-7:30 PM

Join us for Christmas songs, festive beer, and…SANTA! Get into the holiday spirit with an evening of Christmas cheer at Blackbird Brewery! The Grateful Sled will be performing a lineup of classic carols and holiday favorites to fill your night with festive melodies. Don’t miss Santa Tony’s visit from 5:30–7:30 PM, where he’ll bring his signature holiday joy and plenty of laughs.

Farmers Market Hosted by the Family Bee’s-Ness LLC December 14th, 4:30-7:30 PM

Support local farmers and artisans while sipping on your favorite Blackbird brews! This market, hosted by The Family Bee’s-Ness LLC, will feature grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, raw honey, elderberry syrup, handmade soaps, and so much more. Explore an incredible variety of products from local vendors and enjoy an evening of community and craftsmanship. This will be the last market until February so plan to stock up!

Ornament Painting December 15th 2-6 PM

Come paint a ceramic ornament while sipping your favorite Blackbird beverage! $15 per person includes one ceramic ornament, an acrylic paint tray, a paint brush, velvet ribbon, and holiday inspiration. Bring your friends and enjoy time together.

Celebration of Life Honoring Kari Hoover December 15th, 6–9 PM

We’re finalizing the details for a heartfelt evening celebrating the life of Kari Hoover, our cherished friend, beloved bartender, and an unforgettable part of the Wake Forest community. More details about this private event coming soon! To honor her legacy and support her family, a GoFundMe has been established for Kari’s children, with all donations deeply appreciated.

Taste of Italy – Wine Tasting December 20th 6-8 PM

Haw River Wine Merchant has been importing and distributing exceptional wines since 1995, beginning with six selections from Puglia and expanding to partnerships with over thirty Italian estates. Committed to making wine an everyday pleasure, they source directly from producers to deliver outstanding quality and value. Their portfolio now spans Europe and the New World, featuring collaborations with Rosenthal Wine Merchant, De Maison Selections, and Legend Imports.

Christmas Movie Marathon and Live Music December 21st All Day

We will be showing some of everyone’s favorite classic holiday movies all day long on the projector in the taproom. For a fun movie marathon intermission, Ed Stephenson will be entertaining with live music from 6-9pm. Enjoy some hot cider, tasty brews, and good times.

Rock n Roll Trivia with Hammered Trivia December 30th 7-9PM

Are you ready to rock into the New Year? Hammered Trivia and Blackbird Brewery present a rocking night of trivia with 8 rounds of Rock n Roll themed content. Grab those old records off the shelf and start prepping for a night of amazing tunes and trivia. And you know every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man! So dress the part! Put on your leather, torn jeans, your favorite band shirt, and all the accessories for the night. A prize will be given to the best dressed rocker as well as the usual prizes for the top 3 trivia teams.

Roaring New Year’s at Bird’s Nest December 31st (New Year’s Eve), 6PM-12:30 AM

Ring in the New Year with style at the Bird’s Nest at Blackbird Brewery! This elegant celebration features unlimited bubbly, a gourmet buffet from Fishin’ Shrimp, and a night of dancing and fun. Come dressed in your best 1920s-inspired attire and toast to new beginnings in an unforgettable setting.

Dinner will be served buffet style, with hot dishes kept warm and cold items beautifully chilled. The menu includes crab balls, shrimp cocktail, raw oysters, meatballs, green beans, seasoned potatoes, and dinner rolls. Join us for a night to remember as we count down to 2025 in true roaring fashion!

Purchase your ticket here!

Blackbird Brewery’s 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff January 1st 2-5 PM

We’re back kicking off 2025 will some cold beer and tasty chili. Prizes will be awarded to the top chilis; more details coming soon!

Weekday Happenings

Join us throughout the week for fun events:

Mondays: Hammered Trivia 7-9 PM
Tuesdays: Music Bingo 7-9 PM
Wednesdays: Wine Flight Wednesdays & Run Club
Thursdays: Enjoy live music every Thursday 6-9 PM
Silent Book Club takes place in the Bird’s Nest at Blackbird the 1st Wednesday of each month from 6-9 PM
Don’t miss our monthly Crokinole game on Wednesday, December 11th 6-8 PM!

Holiday Hours

Blackbird Brewery Holiday Hours

12/24 (Christmas Eve) 12-6pm
12/25 (Christmas Day) 4-9pm
12/31 (New Year’s Eve) 12-6pm
1/1 (New Year’s Day) 1-9pm
Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite beer lover? We’ve put together a holiday gift sure to please: a mix and match 4-pack with two branded tasting glasses for $25! Ask your bartender for details.

Bird’s Nest at Blackbird Updates and Holiday Hours

Bird’s Nest at Blackbird will be OPEN ON THURSDAYS starting this week! Thursday hours will be 5-11 pm and Friday and Saturday will remain 5PM-12AM.
To kick off reopening on Thursdays, we will be celebrating Repeal Day this week. Repeal Day, on Dec 5, commemorates the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the US Constitution which ended Prohibition on 12/5 in 1933. We will have a special menu for the day with some true cocktail classics like the Sidecar, Old Fashioned, Jack Rose, Scofflaw, Mary Pickford, and Bee’s Knees all for only $12.
We have a private event this Saturday, 12/7 from 5-8pm but we will be open to the public 8-12!
We have a private event Thursday, Dec 12 and will be closed to the public.
See details above for our ticketed event featuring bottomless bubbles on New Year’s Eve!!!!
It’s not too late to reserve Bird’s Nest at Blackbird for your holiday event. Email harmony@blackbirdbeer.com to reserve!

The Bird’s Nest at Blackbird offers an elegant and cozy speakeasy atmosphere, perfect for hosting up to 60 guests with its plush velvet seating and chic bar. As the holiday season approaches, be sure to check out our rental page and reserve your date soon!