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For years, Fullsteam Brewery has been a beloved staple of Durham.
Now, the craft brewery and tavern is on track to opening its doors in the American Tobacco Campus next month.
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In the middle of the Power Plant and Boiler Room in downtown Durham, Fullsteam’s new 9,000-square-foot “forever home” is currently in the “fun scramble stage” of construction, according to Sean Lilly Wilson, the chief executive optimist of the business.
Fullsteam is returning to downtown Durham after closing its location on Rigsbee Avenue in late 2024. The brewery has a second location in Durham at Boxyard RTP.
“There’s something about being here at the heart of Durham, between the water tower and the smokestack, it just feels like this iconic location,” Wilson said in a phone interview. “We want to look at this as a return to a front porch presence for Durham, and a kind of welcome center for the Bull City.”
Wilson opened Fullsteam in 2010 as one of Durham’s first breweries.
Fullsteam has brewed locally to celebrate farm and food traditions of the South. The business has invested almost $1 million in local ingredients and, in 2025, became the world’s first “Certified Regenified” brewery, meaning some beers rely on grains from certified regenerative farms and malt houses.
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The American Tobacco Campus location will feature a full bar highlighting Fullsteam’s craft beer, cider, wine and nonalcoholic options, alongside spirits from across the state and beyond. A new kitchen will focus on seasonal Southern and American-style bar food. Neighbors in the Campus include Seraphine, Press, Zweli’s Ehkaya and QueenBurger.
While the old Boiler Room will serve as Fullsteam’s flagship gathering space, the actual brewing operations will happen off-site. The team is now managing a brew mill in Rocky Mount, which will handle all small-batch brewing for both taprooms and Triangle-area distribution, Wilson said.
The new footprint also allows for gathering spaces. Visitors will enjoy: “The Stoker Club,” a 120-seat private party space; a den for smaller groups; a large outdoor seating area with Spotlight Solar picnic benches and a 100-seat theater.
Wilson said while there is no opening date yet, anyone can come by to visit the ATC location. The neon sign is out front and as things take shape, Fullsteam will slowly unveil the new hub for connection and craft.
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This story was originally published August 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM.