Best 12 Breweries in North Carolina: Top Places to Enjoy Craft Beer
North Carolina is home to some of the best breweries in the United States. The state has a rich history and culture of beer-making, with ties to Europe and the first colonial settlements in America. North Carolina is also home to a vibrant craft beer scene, with breweries popping up all over the state.
From the majestic mountains of Asheville to the sandy beaches of Carolina Beach, there is a brewery for every taste in the Tar Heel State. Some of the best breweries in North Carolina include Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, Boojum Brewing in Waynesville, and Fullsteam Brewery in Durham. These breweries offer a wide variety of beers, from IPAs and stouts to porters and brown ales.
Visitors to North Carolina can enjoy a vacation filled with brewery tours, tastings, and live music. Many breweries in the state also offer food trucks, taprooms, and outdoor beer gardens. Some breweries, like Booneshine Brewing Company in Boone, even have disc golf courses and hiking trails. Whether you’re a beer aficionado or just looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, North Carolina’s breweries are not to be missed.
Asheville Breweries
Asheville is a city in North Carolina that has become a hub for craft beer enthusiasts. With over 40 breweries in the area, it can be hard to decide which ones to visit. Here are three of the best Asheville breweries to check out:
Highland Brewing
Highland Brewing is one of the oldest and most well-known breweries in Asheville. Founded in 1994, it was the first legal brewery to open in the city after Prohibition. Highland Brewing offers a variety of beers, including their flagship Gaelic Ale, as well as seasonal and limited-release brews. Visitors can take a tour of the brewery, which includes a tasting of their beers.
Website: https://highlandbrewing.com/
Address: 12 Old Charlotte Hwy #200, Asheville, NC 28803, United States
Wicked Weed Brewing
Wicked Weed Brewing is known for its innovative and experimental beers. They offer a wide range of styles, from IPAs to sours to barrel-aged beers. In addition to their main brewery, they also have a taproom and restaurant in downtown Asheville. Visitors can enjoy a meal and try a flight of their beers.
Website: https://www.wickedweedbrewing.com/
Address: 91 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, United States
Hillman Beer
Hillman Beer is a newer brewery in Asheville, but it has quickly become a favorite among locals. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. Hillman Beer also has a restaurant that serves food made with locally sourced ingredients. Visitors can enjoy a meal and a beer on their outdoor patio.
Website: http://www.hillmanbeer.com/
Address: 25 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, United States
These three Asheville breweries offer a diverse range of beers and experiences for visitors. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer enthusiast or just starting to explore the world of beer, these breweries are definitely worth a visit.
Charlotte Breweries
North Carolina has a thriving craft beer scene, and Charlotte is no exception. The city is home to several breweries that offer unique and delicious brews. Below are some of the best breweries in Charlotte.
Wooden Robot Brewery
Wooden Robot Brewery is a popular brewery located in the South End neighborhood of Charlotte. They offer a wide range of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. Their flagship beer, the Good Morning Vietnam Coffee Blonde, is a must-try for coffee lovers.
The brewery has a cozy taproom with a laid-back atmosphere, making it a great place to hang out with friends. They also have a large outdoor patio where visitors can enjoy their beer in the sunshine.
Website: https://woodenrobotbrewery.com/
Address: 1440 S Tryon St UNIT 110, Charlotte, NC 28203, United States
Heist Brewery
Heist Brewery is another popular brewery in Charlotte, located in the NoDa neighborhood. They are known for their creative and experimental brews, such as their Blood Orange IPA and their Chocolate Raspberry Stout.
The brewery has a spacious taproom with a rustic industrial feel, complete with exposed brick walls and metal accents. They also have a large outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying a cold beer on a warm day.
Website: http://www.heistbrewery.com/
Address: 2909 N Davidson St STE 200, Charlotte, NC 28205, United States
Cabarrus Brewing Company
Cabarrus Brewing Company is located just outside of Charlotte in the town of Concord. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and porters. Their flagship beer, the Reed Gold Ale, is a nod to the town’s gold mining history.
The brewery has a large taproom with plenty of seating, as well as an outdoor patio. They also offer tours of their facility, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process.
Website: http://www.cabarrusbrewing.com/
Address: 329 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027, United States
Boone Breweries
Boone, North Carolina, is home to several breweries that offer unique and delicious craft beers. In this section, we will highlight three of the best breweries in Boone.
Boojum Brewing
Boojum Brewing is a popular brewery located in downtown Boone. Their taproom offers a wide variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. They also serve food, with a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Boojum Brewing has won several awards for its beers, including a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival.
Website: http://www.boojumbrewing.com/
Address: 50 N Main St, Waynesville, NC 28786, United States
Appalachian Mountain Brewery
Appalachian Mountain Brewery is a sustainable brewery that focuses on using local ingredients and supporting local farmers. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sour ales. They also have a taproom and restaurant that serves food made with locally sourced ingredients. Appalachian Mountain Brewery is committed to sustainability and has won awards for its environmental efforts.
Website: https://www.amb.beer/
Address: 163 Boone Creek Dr, Boone, NC 28607, United States
Booneshine Brewing Co.
Booneshine Brewing Co. is a family-owned brewery that offers a variety of beers, including IPAs, lagers, and sour ales. They have a taproom that is open seven days a week and offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Booneshine Brewing Co. also has a food truck that serves a variety of dishes, including tacos and sandwiches.
Website: http://booneshine.beer/
Address: 465 Industrial Park Dr, Boone, NC 28607, United States
Other Noteworthy Breweries
Here are a few other noteworthy breweries in North Carolina that are worth checking out:
Mother Earth Brewing
Mother Earth Brewing is located in Kinston, North Carolina, and has been producing high-quality craft beer since 2008. They are known for their flagship beer, Weeping Willow Wit, which is a Belgian-style wheat beer that is brewed with coriander and orange peel. Other popular beers include Endless River Kolsch, Park Day Bohemian Pilsner, and Silent Night Imperial Stout. Mother Earth Brewing also has a taproom and restaurant that serves delicious food and beer.
Website: http://www.motherearthbrewing.com/
Address: 311 N Herritage St, Kinston, NC 28501, United States
Fullsteam Brewery
Fullsteam Brewery is located in Durham, North Carolina, and is known for its unique and creative beers. They use locally sourced ingredients to create beers that are inspired by the flavors of North Carolina. Some of their most popular beers include Rocket Science IPA, Paycheck Pilsner, and Carver Sweet Potato Lager. Fullsteam Brewery also has a beer garden and a taproom that serves food and beer.
Website: http://www.fullsteam.ag/
Address: 726 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701, United States
Natty Greene’s Brewing Company
Natty Greene’s Brewing Company is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and has been producing craft beer since 2004. They are known for their flagship beer, Buckshot Amber Ale, which is a smooth and easy-drinking beer that is brewed with caramel malts. Other popular beers include Southern Pale Ale, Guilford Golden Ale, and Wildflower Witbier. Natty Greene’s Brewing Company also has a restaurant and taproom that serves food and beer.
Website: https://nattygreenes.com/
Address: 345 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401, United States
These breweries are just a few of the many great breweries that North Carolina has to offer. Each one has its own unique style and flavor profile, so be sure to visit them all and try their beers for yourself.
Breweries with Unique Features
North Carolina has a wide range of breweries, each with its own unique features. Here are some breweries that stand out for their special offerings:
Dog-Friendly Breweries
Many breweries in North Carolina welcome dogs, making them great places to enjoy a beer with your furry friend. Here are some of the best dog-friendly breweries in the state:
| Brewery Name | Location | Dog-Friendly Policy |
| Catawba Brewing Company | Asheville | Dogs allowed on the patio |
| Fonta Flora Brewery | Morganton | Dogs allowed on the patio |
| Raleigh Brewing Company | Raleigh | Dogs allowed inside and outside |
| Salty Turtle Beer Company | Surf City | Dogs allowed inside and outside |
| Wicked Weed Brewing | Asheville | Dogs allowed on the patio |
Breweries with Live Music
If you’re looking for a brewery with live music, North Carolina has plenty of options. Here are some breweries that regularly host live music events:
- Boojum Brewing Company in Waynesville
- D9 Brewing Company in Cornelius
- Fullsteam Brewery in Durham
- Highland Brewing Company in Asheville
- NoDa Brewing Company in Charlotte
Breweries with Food Trucks
Many breweries in North Carolina have food trucks parked outside, offering a variety of tasty treats to enjoy with your beer. Here are some of the best breweries with food trucks:
- Burial Beer Co. in Asheville
- Divine Barrel Brewing in Charlotte
- Foothills Brewing in Winston-Salem
- Gizmo Brew Works in Raleigh
- Wooden Robot Brewery in Charlotte
Whether you’re looking for a place to bring your dog, listen to live music, or grab a bite to eat, these North Carolina breweries with unique features won’t disappoint.
Conclusion
North Carolina is home to some of the best breweries in the country, offering a wide variety of craft beer options for visitors to enjoy. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, there is no shortage of great breweries to check out.
From the sustainability-focused Blowing Rock Brewing Company to the unique offerings of Wicked Weed, there is something for every beer lover in North Carolina. With over 80 breweries to choose from, visitors can explore the different styles and flavors of beer that the state has to offer.
Some of the breweries that stand out include the Carolina Brewery in Chapel Hill, known for being one of the first breweries in the state, and the Good Hops Brewery in Carolina Beach, which offers a variety of IPAs and other craft beers.
Visitors can also enjoy the scenic views at the Highlands Brewing Company in Asheville or the cozy atmosphere of the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company in Franklin. With so many options to choose from, visitors can easily spend days exploring the different breweries and trying out new beers.