Our Story
From The Corps…
While Daniel Callender and Dean Kelley are both former United States Marines, the pair didn’t actually meet during their time in the service. A fated neighborhood garage sale where Daniel was serving up his homebrew brought the two together. That was in 2016. Flash forward a few years, add North Carolina-native business partner Zack White, factor in many pints of Coastline Kölsch, and you’ve got what Salty Turtle Beer Company is today.
...to The Cove!
Salty Turtle Beer Company has proudly been serving up suds as Pender County’s first brewery since 2017. Offering beer styles both bold and classic, STBC caters to the creativity that the brewing process inherently encourages. (Betio Blonde Ale, anyone?) On top of serving world-class liquid, Salty Turtle is also unwaveringly committed to serving the Surf City and greater Topsail community. With quarterly donations to the Karen Beasley Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation center as well as regular events raising funds for everyone ranging from vets to pets, Salty Turtle understands and embraces that without community, they’re just a few friendly folks who love to brew beer.
Meet the Team
Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Raphael; “Cause he’s red and has cool looking Sai’s” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Donatello; “Because he’s the least popular and I love a good Cinderella story” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Donatello; “Like the calm scientist, I’m methodical when I make beer, have you had Meticulous IPA?” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Leonardo; “He’s the blue one…” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Leonardo; “I am motivated by family and have strong morals. Also having two Katana’s is bad A$$” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Donatello; “I’m Nerdy and ingenuitive but still not afraid to get tough when needed” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Donatello; “I’m crafty, inventive and love purple” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Michelangelo; “Quick to make a joke, optimistic, and nun chucks are cool!” Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Favorite Ninja Turtle and Why: Michaelangelo; “He a ‘surfer’ type and often depicted with a SoCal accent, thats me!!”
Daniel Callender
Co-Founder
Raphael; “Many say I’m strict and have OCD, but I also can get pretty emotional, I mean did anyone else cry during ‘Outer Banks’?
Dean Kelley
Co-Founder
Zachary White
Co-Founder
Chad Brewer
Head Brewer
Maggie Songer
Assistant Brewer
Micah Stanton
Sales Representative
Ashley Rose
Taproom Manager
Chase Sampson
Lead Beertender
Hunter Abdo
Lead Beertender
Mariah Persun
Lead Beertender
Donatello; “Umm, cause I LOVE PURPLE, and I love people!”
Candace King
Lead Mixologist
Leonardo; “Zen, loyal leader with a sense of humor!”
Mary Bressler
Events Coordinator