Why Raleigh Is a Craft Beer Hotspot
North Carolina’s Research Triangle consists of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill and is perhaps most famous as home to prestigious universities (and their legendary college basketball teams). But there’s a lot more to this area than a few campus bars. Raleigh, being the largest of the three cities, is a proper mid-size city with loads of cultural offerings that make it an underrated travel destination. There are loads of local businesses in downtown and Raleigh’s vibrant outer neighborhoods (like the ever-trendy Warehouse area) that make it a joy to explore.
One of its strengths is actually its beer scene. While it’s certainly less famous than its neighbor, Asheville, Raleigh boasts a number of solid breweries worth hitting. Here are a few of the best:
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Brewery Bhavana
Address: 218 S Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Website: brewerybhavana.com
Must-try beers: Bloom Belgian Ale, Petal Sour Ale, Yield IPA, and Till Saison
What makes them great: Perhaps Raleigh’s most prestigious brewery, Bhavana produces a wide range of elegant beers. Their saisons and sours are the best place to start, but don’t sleep on the hoppy options. The branding is as sleek and stylish as their airy taproom/restaurant.
What to expect: You won’t be short of options in their taproom, as there are over 40 tap lines pouring a wide variety of styles. That’s hardly the best part, as their menu of inventive Chinese dim sum is perfect for date night or group dinners.
Bond Brothers Beer Company
Address: 202 E Cedar St, Cary, NC 27511
Website: bondbrothersbeer.com
Must-try beers: Obfuscate Hazy IPA, Lost Wonders Wild Ale, Woodsia IPA, O’Rascals Irish Stout
What makes them great: One of the breweries that put nearby Cary on the map, Bond Brothers is one of the most consistently excellent producers in the Research Triangle. Expect superb hazy IPAs along with a line of formidable imperial stouts aged in Bourbon or other spirit barrels. The taproom has over a dozen taps, but the bottle list is where you’ll find the true gems.
What to expect: Bond Brothers’ approachable taproom (which includes a massive beer garden) is spacious enough for the whole family, including dogs. The brightly lit space matches their classic and playful branding, and the vibe is social.
Crank Arm Brewing
Address: 319 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Website: crankarmbrewing.com
Must-try beers: Unicycle Pale Ale, Art Moto Lager, Getting Rad Radler
What makes them great: When craft beer first started gaining steam in Raleigh, one of the city’s best producers opened its doors with two things in mind: bikes and beer. Sure, Crank Arm is hardly the first brewery to combine these passions. But this outfit has become an active community hub, organizing run clubs and cycling groups out of their Historic District brewery. The beers skew towards the craftier side of things, meaning Hazy IPAs and trendy lagers.
What to expect: Their tap room is modeled after a clubhouse, so expect loads of TVs, free popcorn, human-sized Jenga, and other details that will keep you there for a few hours. If you’re traveling with the kids, stop next door at the Videri Chocolate Factory for some sweet treats.
Burial Raleigh
Address: 500 E Davie St, Ste 170, Raleigh, NC 27601
Website: burialbeer.com
Must-try beers: Surf Wax IPA, Shadowclock Pilsner, Lightgrinder Porter, Prophetmaker Hazy IPA
What makes them great: While Burial might not be entirely local to Raleigh, their downtown tap room is still a must-hit destination for beer nerds. We’re not just talking about one of the best breweries in the region. We’re talking about one of the best breweries in the country. Burial’s metal-inspired brand has extended beyond Asheville out to lucky locales, and you’ll find everything from their IPAs to stouts to sours to be a delicious example of the style.
What to expect: While their branding might seem abrasive, they’re comfy tap room is anything but. Situated next to the Transfer Co. Food Hall, it’s pretty easy to put together a lovely afternoon exploring their 24 different tap lines. Also, the unmistakable “Burial” artwork adorning the walls has lent the space the “Exhibit” nickname for a reason.
Compass Rose Brewing
Address: 3201 Northside Dr, Ste 101, Raleigh, NC 27615
Website: compassrosebrewery.com
Must-try beers: Tidal Break IPA, Azteca Mexican Lager, Scott’s View Scottish Stout, Czech Ya Later Pils
What makes them great: One of the city’s newer outfits, this travel-minded (and branded) brewery takes an international approach when crafting their beers. They regularly have almost a dozen different styles on draft as they take inspiration from any and every brewing tradition.
What to expect: Their taproom is absolutely massive, with over 5,000 square feet of beer-drinking space, including a patio with live music and food trucks. Keep an eye on their calendar, because there’s a fun event practically every week. And if you’re organizing a party or larger get-together, Compass Rose could be the perfect place.
Funguys Brewing
Address: 2408 Paula St, Raleigh, NC 27608
Website: funguysbrewing.com
Must-try beers: Habitual Line Stepper Hazy IPA, The Guy IPA, Nomu Japanese Lager, Harmony Hazy IPA
What makes them great: If you’re looking for some of the more zany examples of craft beer, the fun guys at Funguys Brewing have more than a few options. Everything from smoothie-style sours to hop-smashed IPAs or dessert-in-a-glass stouts will be on offer.
What to expect: The taproom is cozy and can get cramped on weekends, so it might not be the best spot for larger groups. But if you’re nimble and are dying to try some of Raleigh’s most inventive brews, this spot is a can’t-miss.
Ponysaurus Brewing
Address: 2221 Iron Works Dr, Ste 100, Raleigh, NC 27604
Website: ponysaurusbrewing.com
Must-try beers: Bière De Garde Ale, Don’t Be Mean to People Saison, Rye Pale Ale, and Scottish Ale
What makes them great: This brewery is a beloved member of the local community, and not just for its outstanding beers. With a strong background of taking on social justice issues, Ponysauris raised its profile when it partnered with the ACLU to release the superb Saison “Don’t Be Mean to People” in support of the LGBTQ community after North Carolina passed a controversial law pertaining to bathrooms and transgender folks. If you’re into drinking for a good cause, this spot is for you.
What to expect: Their taproom might seem a bit out of the way, but the short ride from downtown is well worth it if you want to sample some of Raleigh’s best beer.
Trophy Brewing Company
Address: 827 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Website: trophybrewing.com
Must-try beers: Cloud Surfer IPA, Heavyweight Champ Imperial Stout, Milky Way Stout, Trophy Wife Pale Ale
What makes them great: With an expanding footprint across the Research Triangle, Trophy Brewing Company offers a few different experiences. There’s a straightforward taproom with dozens of their trendy beers on draft, there’s a pizzeria serving up some of Raleigh’s best pies, and there’s even a bespoke bottleshop where you can pick from Trophy’s encyclopedia of beer releases.
What to expect: Trophy Brewing has multiple locations, including a brewpub/taproom, a bottle shop, and a traditional taproom. Make sure to check their website so you’re heading to the right one!
Raleigh Beer Festivals & Events to Check Out
Brewgaloo
North Carolina’s largest beer festival, this beloved event showcases more than 100 regional breweries every spring on a beautiful stretch of Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. It’s likely the best representation of Rsleigh’s beer scene, with every local outfit pouring their can’t-miss limited releases. There are also two stages of live music, a craft fair, and the best of the best food trucks.
NC Hops Festival
Every June, beautiful Midtown Park in North Hills fills up with food trucks, stages, craft vendors, and breweries pouring their best suds. In recent years, local producers have been debuting their non-beer and non-alcoholic beverages as well.
Tacos ‘N Taps
It’s hard to argue with a festival based around all-you-can-drink craft beer and tequila. This celebration of Raleigh’s Mexican community brings tacos, margaritas, breweries, mariachi bands, and piñata punching to Koka Booth Amphitheatre every April.
Triangle Oktoberfest
Another event at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, this is the Research Triangle’s biggest Oktoberfest celebration and a worthy addition to Raleigh’s event calendar. Local breweries bring out their seasonal Marzen lagers to pair with German bites and live music.
Final Thoughts: How to Plan Your Raleigh Beer Adventure
A number of Raleigh’s best breweries are located outside the city in towns like Cary, so having access to a car will make it easier to get to all the top spots. At the same time, it’s safer to use a rideshare if you can split the cost with a group.
North Carolina is brutally hot in the summer but incredibly mild in the winter, making it a solid option in the offseason! You might even catch some great hotel rates.
The Research Triangle is itself a travel destination, so see if you can plan a whole trip around Raleigh, Durham (check out Fullsteam Brewing and Clouds Brewery), and Chapel Hill (check out Clouds Storm Cellar and Carolina Brewery).
If you’re looking to bring back some beers, the top bottle shops to hit are State of Beer in the Historic District and North Street Beer Station in the North Boylan neighborhood.
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