Woman-Owned, Woman Brewed

In April 2024, SAMANTHA “SAM” MALKMUS purchased Good Hops Brewing in Carolina Beach.

“I go by Sam in email and text, so guests come into the brewery expecting to meet the guy who owns the place. Instead, they get me,” says Malkmus. “It’s fun to surprise them.”

Not only is the small-batch, dog-friendly Good Hops woman-owned, the craft beer Malkmus serves is woman-brewed. “I felt very strongly about taking on the craft beer industry from a woman’s perspective,” Malkmus says about bringing on head brewer MORGAN DALLY. “Morgan is proof that women can thrive at every level of this industry, and I’m proud that our brewery reflects that. It’s inspiring to work alongside another strong woman in this industry.” 

Malkmus, born and raised in Wilmington, attended Cape Fear Community College and worked as an HR assistant for a medical practice for ten years. Her knowledge of the craft beer industry is a blend of formal education, mentorship, a lot of trial and error, and travel to 150 breweries around the county with her husband, ROBERT, who has also been involved in the beer industry for over fifteen years. During COVID she became a stay-at-home mom and worked at Good Hops as a bartender a couple shifts every week. 

“I made so many genuine connections working as a bartender,” Sam Malkmus says. “Bartending enabled me to customize the consumer experience by listening to my patrons, seeing first-hand what is important to them and learning what keeps them coming back. It gave me firsthand insight into running a taproom. I make decisions based on the real-world experience of being behind the bar.”

Malkmus has surrounded herself with a strong, supportive team of thirteen, prioritizing what drives the business forward and at the same time motiving her team as individuals.

Robert Malkmus is responsible for inventory, wholesale and maintenance, while Sam Malkmus wears all the other hats, including operations and accounting, marketing/social media, and community engagement. She also keeps her hands in production, canning, bartending, and sales. “I try to be as hands-on in the brewhouse as possible as an assistant to Morgan,” she says.

Dally came to Carolina Beach in the fall of 2021 to enjoy the off season and experience living at the beach. Expecting to stay for five months, she fell in love with an old high school friend who was living in Wilmington and discovered Good Hops. “Learning to create and produce awesome beer with some of the greatest people while living at the beach is kinda the ultimate dream job,” Dally says. She has several years of experience in the service and brewing industries, having worked at 1781 Brewing Company, a winery and brewery on a huge family-owned farm in Virginia. 

Sam Malkmus gives lots of credit to Dally for her knowledge of brewhouse processes. “I think the best knowledge comes from just being in the brewhouse, experimenting, tweaking techniques, and seeing how small changes affect the final pint,” she says. “Morgan has this incredible mix of technical skill and creativity. She’s meticulous about the brewing process but still finds ways to experiment and keep things exciting. My favorite thing about Morgan is her positivity and unstoppable motivation. She tackles each brew with focus and pride. Her drive and good energy aren’t just great for the team; you can taste it in every pint she creates.”

Dally takes pride in the stories that each and every brew tells. “My recipes are rooted in balance, drinkability and just enough creativity to keep things interesting. I love sourcing local goods as much as possible whether it’s peaches in the summer for a peach ale or cold brew coffee for a rich roasted porter. My first recipe, and still one of my favorite beers to brew and drink, is the Productive Porter. It’s brewed with roasted malts and infused with coffee from my favorite coffee shop on the island.”

For Sam Malkmus and Dally, a brewery can be more than just a place to grab a pint. “It’s a gathering space that doesn’t exist without a supportive community. We’re part of the community that supports us, so it’s only right that we support it in return,” says Sam Malkmus, who is also a mom to three boys. “Giving back through local charities and events strengthens those connections and helps everyone thrive together.”

In addition to managing the brewery, Sam Malkmus operates Trinity Disc Golf Course nestled on four wooded acres behind Good Hops Brewing. Open to the public and free-of-charge from sunrise to sunset, the course is accessible to all ages.

“Owning Good Hops Brewery fulfills a dream we never knew we could make happen, and it’s in our own backyard. Doing this while breaking industry norms as a woman comes with added pressure,” Sam Malkmus says. “Every time I’ve faced doubt or pushback, I’ve treated it as an opportunity to prove what’s possible. Those experiences have made me a stronger leader, more innovative in problem-solving, and deeply committed to opening doors for other women in brewing.” 

To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.

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