10 North Carolina Craft Breweries Worth Trying At Least Once
North Carolina has quietly become a craft beer paradise, brewing up everything from hoppy masterpieces to smooth, malty magic.
Tucked into mountains, coastlines, and lively cities, the state’s breweries offer more than just great pints. They’re pouring passion, creativity, and a whole lot of local pride into every glass.
Whether you’re a seasoned beer nerd or just in it for a good time, these spots promise a sip-worthy adventure you won’t forget anytime soon.
1. Burial Beer Co.: Where Art Meets Exceptional Brewing
Hidden in Asheville’s South Slope district, Burial Beer Co. blends haunting artwork with world-class beer.
Their moody labels featuring scythes and tombstones might seem grim, but the beer inside is bursting with life.
Grab a Surf Wax IPA and snag a spot in their beer garden next to the Tom Selleck-Burt Reynolds mural.
The constantly rotating tap list means you’ll never have the same experience twice, keeping beer hunters coming back for more.
2. Highland Brewing Company: Asheville’s Original Craft Brewery
Started in a basement back in 1994, Highland Brewing kicked off Asheville’s now-famous beer revolution. Their flagship Gaelic Ale remains a North Carolina classic that pairs perfectly with mountain views.
The brewery’s massive taproom and outdoor venue hosts live music under the stars, making summer evenings magical.
Seasonal releases like Cold Mountain Winter Ale create such a frenzy that fans line up hours before release day!
3. Natty Greene’s Brewing Co.: Greensboro’s Historic Pub Experience
Named after Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, this Greensboro staple brings history into every pint.
The downtown location occupies a renovated 100-year-old building where exposed brick walls tell stories while you sip.
Locals swear by their Buckshot Amber Ale, a perfectly balanced beer that converts even stubborn big-brand loyalists.
Weekend brunches here feature beer-infused dishes that pair perfectly with their breakfast stout – making this place both a culinary and brewing destination.
4. Fullsteam Brewery: Durham’s Farm-to-Pint Pioneer
Fullsteam celebrates North Carolina’s agricultural bounty by incorporating local ingredients into their “plow-to-pint” philosophy.
Their Carver sweet potato lager showcases Southern ingredients in ways you never imagined possible in beer.
The laid-back warehouse taproom features vintage arcade games and ping pong tables that bring out everyone’s competitive side.
Food trucks park outside nightly, creating a community gathering spot where scientists from nearby research centers mingle with artists and everyone in between.
5. Foothills Brewing: Winston-Salem’s Hops Headquarters
Beer geeks nationwide scramble to get their hands on Foothills’ legendary Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout, released just once yearly.
This Winston-Salem brewery balances limited rarities with consistently excellent everyday beers like Jade IPA.
Their downtown brewpub serves incredible food that rivals the beer quality – try the beer-battered pretzel with beer cheese sauce!
What began as a small operation has grown into one of North Carolina’s largest craft producers without sacrificing quality or local character.
6. Wicked Weed Brewing: Asheville’s Sour Beer Sanctuary
Beer purists might debate Wicked Weed’s 2017 sale to Anheuser-Busch, but nobody questions their brewing prowess.
Their Funkatorium was America’s first dedicated sour beer taproom, housing hundreds of oak barrels where wild fermentation creates mind-bending flavors.
The main brewpub features an amazing patio and 25+ taps pouring everything from hop-forward IPAs to Belgian styles.
Despite growth, they’ve maintained experimental small-batch brewing that keeps innovation flowing alongside their now-nationwide distributed favorites.
7. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: Charlotte’s German Beer Garden
Stepping into Olde Mecklenburg’s massive biergarten feels like teleporting to Bavaria.
This Charlotte brewery strictly follows the German Beer Purity Law of 1516, using only water, malt, hops and yeast in their traditional recipes.
Their copper Brauhaus gleams behind glass walls as you sip perfectly crafted Copper altbier.
Families spread across picnic tables under oak trees while playing cornhole and enjoying pretzels bigger than your head. This place proves sometimes traditional approaches produce the most refreshing results.
8. NoDa Brewing Company: Award-Winning Charlotte Creativity
Hop, Drop ‘n Roll IPA put NoDa on the national map when it won Gold at the World Beer Cup.
Located in Charlotte’s artsy North Davidson neighborhood, their taproom walls showcase rotating local artwork that reflects the creative spirit in their brewing.
Weekly small-batch releases draw crowds eager to try the latest experiments. Their running club gathers hundreds of participants who balance fitness with beer appreciation every Wednesday night.
This community-focused approach has made NoDa a neighborhood institution beyond just great beer.
9. Pisgah Brewing Company: Black Mountain’s Organic Beer Oasis
Tucked in the mountains east of Asheville, Pisgah pioneered organic brewing in North Carolina.
This outdoor stage hosts incredible concerts where you can catch nationally touring bands while sipping their flagship Pisgah Pale Ale under the stars.
The rustic taproom feels like a friend’s mountain cabin, complete with dogs lounging at patrons’ feet.
Environmental consciousness guides everything here – from solar panels powering operations to spent grain feeding local farm animals. This commitment to sustainability makes each pint feel especially good.
10. Lonerider Brewing Company: Raleigh’s Outlaw Beer Experience
“Ales for Outlaws” isn’t just Lonerider’s slogan – it’s their brewing philosophy. Each beer carries a Wild West-inspired name like Sweet Josie Brown Ale or Shotgun Betty Hefeweizen, creating memorable characters in your glass.
Their Hideout taproom in Raleigh features wanted posters and Western décor that completes the outlaw vibe.
Special barrel-aged releases like their Magnificent Seven series push boundaries with bourbon, tequila, and rum barrel aging. Lonerider proves great brewing requires breaking some rules.