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California and Pennsylvania may have the largest number of breweries per capita, but North Carolina has seen the largest increase in recent years, so if you’re a craft beer fan – look out, because North Carolina is heading for that top spot!
Craft beer in NC is as much of an art form as making an NC State BBQ. Brewers here really know their stuff, and have created a craft beer scene that’s unique and can only be described as quintessentially North Carolinian. The beers here take influence from clean mountain water, local grain, and are as varied as the state’s landscape.
From mountain towns where you can discuss hiking trails and bear sightings over pints to former tobacco warehouses reborn as taprooms, the state’s craft beer scene is overflowing.
While Asheville may grab the headlines as the top craft beer destination in North Carolina, great beer flows well beyond it. From the Triangle to Charlotte to mountain towns, in this guide, we share where you can sip the perfect cold IPA or small-batch experiment in breweries that feel like community living rooms.
1. Asheville
Of course, we have to begin by highlighting the aptly named “Beer City USA,” that is, Asheville, not just one of the top craft beer destinations in North Carolina, but the country. Asheville has more breweries per capita than most U.S. cities, roughly 17 breweries per 50,000 people, turning craft brewing into a strand of its DNA.
Taprooms, microbreweries, and pubs aren’t just bars here — they’re community hubs, often the liveliest places in town where food trucks, live music, and mountain views are in abundance.
Some of the most famous breweries out of Asheville are Burial Beer Co., which blends innovation with Appalachian roots, and Highland Brewing, known to be one of the first craft breweries in Asheville.
Some other notable breweries that locals love are Wicked Weed Brewing’s Brewpub, a small but adventurous microbrewpub with a lively atmosphere, and The River Arts District Brewing Company and Cellarest Beer Project, smaller breweries with a great reputation.
As well as breweries, Asheville also has festivals like Asheville Beer Week and the Brewgrass Festival, which puts craft beer firmly at the forefront, as well as the Asheville Ale Trail, a self-guided tour of breweries in the Asheville area (also goes into Black Mountain and Hendersonville). And while you’re guzzling, be sure to snack at the same time – Asheville landed in top position for best foodie destinations in North Carolina as well. Combine that with the stunning surrounding landscapes and outdoor activities, you may never leave!
Here’s a guide on things to do in Downtown Asheville, the River Arts District (slowly rebuilding) and a review of the Indigo Hotel Downtown Asheville (we love it for its local personality)
2. Charlotte
A major city in North Carolina known for its banking industry and NASCAR, but with a fast-growing craft beer scene, Charlotte has plenty of taprooms and breweries for craft beer fans to enjoy.
Charlotte’s craft beer reflects the city’s fast-growing, cosmopolitan energy. Breweries tap into local ingredients — Carolina grains, seasonal fruits, and even regional honey — while embracing global styles.
NoDa Brewing Company is one of Charlotte’s original and most beloved breweries that serves up hoppy, experimental IPAs. If you like your beer more traditional, then Olde Mecklenburg Brewery serves up cold German-style lagers and seasonal drafts, and their Mecktoberfest celebration is one of the best Oktoberfest festivities in the state.
Some other notable breweries in Charlotte are Wooden Robot Brewery, Birdsong Brewing Company, Triple C Brewing Company, Suffolk Punch Brewing, Cabarrus Brewing Company, and Lost Worlds Brewing.
In February, the Queen City Brewers Festival brings the craft beer scene to life, while in October, Charlotte Craft Beer Week runs after Oktoberfest, keeping the beer flowing and the vibes buzzing.
3. Raleigh
Raleigh is at the forefront of the Triangle’s craft beer scene. You will find a vast mix of innovative breweries, many of which occupy the downtown district, as well as a pub, Raleigh Beer Garden, that has held the Guinness World Record for the most beers on tap (386+) for three consecutive years.
Much like the city’s innovative spirit, the craft beer scene in Raleigh is unapologetically experimental. Brewers here are often pushing boundaries and creating unique blends, whilst staying true to their Southern heritage and using local ingredients.
Some of our favorite breweries in Raleigh are Bond Brothers Beer Company, who offer small-batch saisons and IPAs, Trophy Brewing Co., whose pizzas are as good as their pints, Lynnwood Brewing Concern for sessionable ales, Crank Arm Brewing for delicious ales and inclusive community culture, and Raleigh Brewing Company for good vibes and entertainment.
Raleigh also hosts Brewgaloo, the largest craft beer festival in North Carolina, and Oktoberfest is always popping up in the Triangle region.
4. Wilmington
For a craft beer scene on the coast, Wilmington is the place to be. Known as a “beery beach town,” Wilmington has around 16 breweries, each carrying a tang of the coast and easy-going spirit.
Front Street Brewery is a longtime favorite in Wilmington. Known for its Amber Ale and seasonal sours, as well as tours of its brewery, it’s a place that is cherished by craft beer fans both local and visiting. Flytrap Brewing Co. is another bold brewery that experiments with IPAs, stouts, and Belgian-inspired beers, while Wilmington Brewing Company has a simple and laid-back feel. Waterline Brewing is another notable brewery, both woman-owned and veteran-owned. This brewery has great pints, scenic views, and a regular lineup of events.
Celebrating all things craft beer in Wilmington are annual festivals like the Cape Fear Beer and Wine Festival, Voracious and Rare Beer & Wine Festival, as well as Cape Fear Craft Beer Week in February, which bring brewers and the local community together.
Read more: A Weekend in Wilmington Itinerary: The Perfect 2 Day Getaway and best restaurants in Wilmington – because every good beer sesh deserves a food follow up!
5. Rocky Mount Mills (Rocky Mount)
For a unique brewery experience, head to the redevelopment project just 60 miles north of Raleigh, known for its cluster of breweries and restaurants. Rocky Mount Mills is one of North Carolina’s oldest operating textile mills that has been transformed into a community hub, blending industrial charm with cutting-edge craft brewing.
Although small, Rocky Mount Mills is by no means sleepy. Nestled within the Brewmill is a unique collection of start-up brewers. Although some brewers have come and gone, Bright Penny Brewing, Hopfly Brewing Co., and Koi Pond Brewing have all managed to stay afloat, offering taprooms that give visitors a taste of their experimental small batches.
What makes Rocky Mount Mills unique is that even though it’s nestled in the second-oldest mill in the state, it’s all about innovation. Events like the Rocky Mount Beer Fest shine a light on this pioneering spirit, whilst also bringing the community together with good vibes, food trucks, live music, and fresh pours.
6. Boone
Nestled in the High Country, Boone is one of North Carolina’s most inviting beer destinations. Although known more for its moonshine, Boone has six notable breweries that are award-winning.
The most well-known is Lost Province Brewing Company, an independent brewery that serves German-inspired lagers made with local mountain grains, and Appalachian Mountain Brewery, which uses Appalachian ingredients and traditional brewing methods.
What makes Boone unique is that it was a historically dry town until 1986, and since then, it has boomed in craft cocktails and craft beer. Since then, beer here has been made from water from the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains, seasonal fruits, and locally grown grains, keeping it truly Appalachian to every last drop.
Come August, the High Country Beer Festival puts Boone squarely on the craft beer map. This annual event celebrates the art of craft beer making, pairing fresh pours with live music and mountain hospitality.
Read more: Cool Restaurants And Bars In Boone, NC for Local Flavors
7. Greensboro
Greensboro has a lively nightlife scene, and with that comes some notable taprooms and breweries that mix Southern roots with bold experimentation. Greensboro has a progressive mentality and a thriving arts scene, so it’s unsurprising that beers here are as innovative as they come.
Breweries such as Joymongers Brewing Co. push boundaries with innovative IPAs, while Hidden Gate Brewing Co. pairs traditional brewing techniques with scientific innovation. Little Brother Brewing has a small and warm tap room where you can enjoy award-winning beers on rotation, while Natty Greene’s, the town’s original microbrewery, is more than a watering hole but a place to sink your teeth into some house-smoked pulled BBQ.
Like other brewers in North Carolina, breweries in Greensboro use local ingredients and blend them together in creative ways. And just outside Greensboro, in High Point, is where you will find the annual Carolina Core Brews Fest in April.
Next week, we’ll be exploring the NC Ale Trail by Rail from Raleigh to Greensboro to explore the craft breweries! Follow our Raleigh Instagram to see what we discover @thisisraleigh
8. Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem was once known as the “Camel City” for its tobacco connection to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, but it has reinvented itself as a hub for creative brewing. With nine craft breweries and taprooms, as well as distilleries, Winston-Salem has a small but increasing brewing scene.
To explore the craft drink scene here, head out on the Craft Draft Crawl of downtown, a self-guided route that takes you to the town’s breweries, which are conveniently located within a 1.5-mile radius of each other.
Breweries like Lesser Known Brewery and Small Batch Beer Co. are exactly what they say on the tin – think independent, community-focused, and true hidden gems. Other breweries like Foothills Brewing pioneered the craft beer scene here, opening in 2005. This brewery is famous for its seasonal releases and unique flavors like Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout.
Wise Man Brewing pushes the boundaries with IPAs, while Joymongers Barrel Hall is one of the few breweries in the USA to offer barrel-aged stouts directly in their tap room.
Don’t miss the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, which turns the streets of downtown into a tasting feast, celebrating the city’s inventive food and drink scene.
9. Cary
Cary is a small town just outside of Raleigh with a big craft beer scene. The town has several award-winning breweries, such as Bond Brothers Beer Company, known for its inventive ales and stouts, and Fortnight Brewing Company, which specializes in English IPAs.
For a more local brewery that’s less about making waves and more about making you feel at home, head to South Line Brewing, a microbrewery with a lovely beer garden (and prosecco on tap, if you are looking for more than just beer). Other breweries that deserve recognition are Tiki Brewing and Vicious Fishes Brewery.
Although Cary is small, it hosts the largest Oktoberfest celebration in North Carolina at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre, which not only celebrates the craft beer scene but also supports the local community, as 100% of the profits go to local charities.
10. Bryson City
Bryson City is known as one of the gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but we discovered a thriving craft beer scene when we visited in the fall. It was the perfect time of year to go hiking in the day and cozy up with a stout next to a fire pit in the evening.
If you’re looking for a beer-cation that’s more than just brewery hopping, Bryson City is the perfect destination. While there aren’t as many breweries in Bryson City as in other destinations on this list, this city is all about quality over quantity. Mountain Layers Brewing Company, located along the Tuckasegee River, has award-winning craft beer backed by amazing mountain views.
Bryson City Brewing is a laid-back brewery that has 14 craft beers on tap, as well as ciders, domestic beers, wine, and cocktails, surrounded by a space with HD TVs showing the latest games, and a cozy beer garden.
When it comes to events, there aren’t a huge number of beer-related festivities in Bryson City, but the River & Brews Festival is a small festival that brings together live music, artists, and craft beer for one day in August.
What are your favorite places to drink beer in North Carolina? Any other hot NC brewery towns?
