5 things to know about Skytown Beer + BBQ

 Skytown Beer + BBQ opened on New Centre Drive this week bringing even more flair to Wilmington's beer and barbecue scene.

While the restaurant, launched by the owner's of Beer Barrio, offers some classics like a pimento cheese appetizer, Skytown is putting its own twist on each item. For instance, they serve pimento with choice of pork rinds or homemade potato chips. Chef Stephen Durley and his wife beer sommelier Hayley Jensen have perfected their taco and beer pairing at Beer Barrio downtown, but now the duo are brewing their own small-batch brews and making Durley's award-winning barbecue sauces.

Here is what you should know about Skytown:

1. Did we mention deep fried sausage gravy?

There are all sorts of appetizers on the menu, including one that got a lot of attention and smiles opening night. Deep fried sausage gravy battered in biscuit breading is just one item sparking a buzz. Diners can also order tot-chos, tater tots loaded with cheddar cheese, jalapenos and hop salt as a nod to beer making. Fully load the tot-chos with a Texas-style barbecue (chopped briskest and Western sauce), Alabama-style with grilled chicken and South sauce, or Carolina style with pulled pork and Eastern sauce. Grab homemade cornbread as a starter with smoked honey butter, southern fried chicken nuggets served plain or tossed in barbecue, Szechuan or Buffalo. The St. Louis-style pork ribs are chef Stephen Durley's signature pork ribs grilled and tossed in a pineapple barbecue sauce.

2. A sister to Beer Barrio

As a sister to Beer Barrio, only one favorite menu item is making its way from the downtown taco joint -- the fresh baked cookies. Finish off a barbecue plate with chocolate chip or hop-salted peanut butter cookies baked to order and served right out of the oven nice and gooey.

3. Multiple barbecue styles

Skytown is not in the business of claiming one barbecue style. Instead, diners can enjoy their favorite kind of barbecue, whether it be Texas brisket, St. Louis ribs, Alabama or Carolina pulled pork. Each table is set with different sauces from different regions too. Order a sampler platter to try different ones, or grab a sandwich with sides.

4. Beers on tap

Skytown will eventually feature housemade beers on tap. The idea, Jensen said, is to brew beers to pair with all the selections on the menu.

As of the opening Friday, the beers were still brewing in tanks. Owners say in the meantime, they are offering an assortment of local beers from several different breweries like Wrightsville Beach for their diners.

5. Off-the-beaten-path selections

Some of the same salads appear over and over again on local menus, but luckily Skytown has a seasonal salad with something new. Mixed greens, goat cheese, corn, pumpkin seeds and heirloom tomatoes fill a trendy metal salad bowl and can be topped with grilled or fried chicken, pulled pork, chopped brisket or jackfruit.

As jackfruit, the tropical meat trending as a meat substitute, gains popularity, Skytown has a smoked jackfruit sandwich topped with eggplant "bacon," coleslaw and pickled okra. Gluten free buns are also an option for all sandwiches on the menu.

Reporter Ashley Morris can be reached at 910-343-2096 or Ashley.Morris@StarNewsOnline.com.