When it comes to things to do in the City of Oaks, one of the most popular options is visiting the Raleigh breweries. The Raleigh craft beer scene serves up some of the best brews on the East Coast, and people come from all over to sample flights from the local breweries and brewpubs.
Raleigh is home to more than 40 breweries, each offering its own distinctive beers and vibes. The best breweries in Raleigh include Brewery Bhavana, Clouds Brewing, Neuse River Brewing, Raleigh Brewing Company, and White Street Brewing Company.
- Bond Brothers Beer Company
- Brewery Bhavana
- Clouds Brewing
- Cotton House Craft Brewers
- Crank Arm Brewing Company
- Fainting Goat Brewing Company
- Little City Brewing & Provisions Co.
- The Mason Jar Lager Company
- Neuse River Brewing Company
- Nickelpoint Brewing Co.
- Oak City Brewing Company
- Raleigh Brewing Company
- Trophy Brewing & Taproom
- White Street Brewing Company
1 | Bond Brothers Beer Company
- Location: 202 E. Cedar St., Cary
- Distance: 8.7 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Thursday: 2–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday: noon–midnight, Sunday: noon–10 p.m.
The Bond brothers started their company by competing in local homebrew competitions and have now set up shop as one of the top breweries in Raleigh. Sample a flight from their draft list of IPAs, pilsners, and American wild ales. Craving something besides beer? Bond Brothers Beer Company also serves cocktails, wines, and locally made sodas.
2 | Brewery Bhavana
- Location: 218 S. Blount St., Downtown Raleigh
- Distance: 3.9 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Thursday: 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday: 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Modern and chic, Brewery Bhavana is its own little paradise and one of the best Raleigh breweries with food. The business features a brewery, restaurant, bookshop, and flower shop, all in one. This is easily one of our favorite picks among Raleigh breweries because of its unique look and offerings. Sample core and provisional beers with unusual flavorings, such as the Glean (a Mango Peppercorn Saison) or the Wilt (a Cherrywood Smoked Quad).
3 | Clouds Brewing
- Location: 1233 Front St., North Raleigh
- Distance: 7.5 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Thursday: 4:30 p.m.–11:30 p.m., Friday: 3 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday: 1 p.m.–10 p.m., Sunday: 2 p.m.–9 p.m.
Clouds Brewing was started by two Chicago natives who wanted to bring great beers and fun experiences to the East Coast. Their restaurant and taproom offer a rotating selection, with popular options including:
- Wolkenbräu hybrid German-American Lager
- Precipitation German-style Pilsner
- El Hefe Hefeweizen
- Clouds 9 Belgian Golden
- Hop Jam IPA
- Accumulation Amber Lager
- Midnight Delight Sweet Stout
4 | Cotton House Craft Brewers
- Location: 307 S. Academy St., Cary
- Distance: 8 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Thursday: 2 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–midnight, Sunday: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
A taphouse and brewery that grows its own hops — now we’re talking! Cotton House Craft Brewers is not your average brewery. A little farmhouse serves as its taproom. You can sit on the front porch and take it easy while sipping one of their delicious local beers. We suggest trying the Hoppin Amber Ale or the Park St. IPA.
5 | Crank Arm Brewing Company
- Location: 319 W. Davie St., Downtown Raleigh
- Distance: 3.3 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Tuesday: 2 p.m.–10 p.m., Wednesday–Thursday: 2 p.m.–midnight, Friday–Saturday: noon–midnight, Sunday: noon–10 p.m.
Born from the love of beer and bicycling, Crank Arm Brewing Company offers a relaxed, laid-back setting. You can grab a pint, pull up a chair, and play a board game with friends as you enjoy your brew. A few of the beers to try on tap here include:
- Unicycle Citra IPA
- Jimmy’s Bike Drive Salted Lime Lager
- Bike Pump Czech Pilsner
- Sykkel Farmhouse IPA
6 | Fainting Goat Brewing Company
- Location: 330 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
- Distance: 17.3 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Wednesday: 4:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m., Thursday: 4:30 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday: 2 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday: 1 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Sunday: 1 p.m.–7 p.m.
Fainting Goat Brewing Company began in the kitchen of a Raleigh local and has since grown into the high-quality taproom that it is today. They offer five core beers and rotate seasonal brews throughout the year. Highlights include:
- Pomegranate Witbier
- Goatenanny American Pale Ale
- BrewQuay Double Buck DIPA
- Der Hoof Hefeweizen
- Horny Honey Wildflower Witbier
7 | Little City Brewing & Provisions Co.
- Location: 400 W. North St., Downtown Raleigh
- Distance: 3.7 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Tuesday–Thursday: 4 p.m.–11 p.m., Friday: 4 p.m.–2 a.m., Saturday: noon–2 a.m., Sunday: noon–9 p.m.
This quaint little brewery and cocktail bar is in a modern space with great lighting and delicious beer. Little City Brewing & Provisions Co. offers IPAs, stouts, and more by the glass or growler. For friends craving something besides beer, Little City also serves hand-crafted cocktails and wine by the glass.
8 | The Mason Jar Lager Company
- Location: 341 Broad St. #151, Fuquay-Varina
- Distance: 16.7 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Wednesday–Thursday: 3 p.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday: noon–10 p.m., Sunday: noon–8 p.m.
This brewery keeps it simple and serves up their beer Southern-style, ice-cold, and in Mason jars! The Mason Jar Lager Company brews and serves three core beers: the Happy Place Golden Lager, Pull Tab Pilsner, and Luchador Mexican Lager.
9 | Neuse River Brewing Company
- Location: 518 Pershing Road, North Raleigh
- Distance: 5.4 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Wednesday–Thursday: 5 p.m.–8:30 p.m., Friday: 4 p.m.–9 p.m., Saturday: noon–9 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Neuse River Brewing Company has character in both its taproom and its brews. Its motto is “Belgian inspired, Carolina crafted,” and it focuses on perfecting its Belgian ales and IPAs for beer enthusiasts all around. Neuse River Brewing Company is also one of the top Raleigh breweries with food.
10 | Nickelpoint Brewing Co.
- Location: 506 Pershing Road, North Raleigh
- Distance: 5.3 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Wednesday–Thursday: 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday: 5 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday: noon–11 p.m., Sunday: noon–8 p.m.
Nickelpoint Brewing Co. takes brewing seriously. They pride themselves on their innovation and flavor profiles, offering IPAs, Belgian styles, and more. Popular choices include the Pecan Nutbrown, Blue-Blooded Blonde, and Pacific Plunge IPA.
11 | Oak City Brewing Company
- Location: 616 N. First Ave., Knightdale
- Distance: 15.4 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Thursday: 3 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday: 3 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday: noon–11 p.m., Sunday: noon–8 p.m.
Oak City Brewing Company keeps 20 of its own brews on tap, plus the occasional guest beer or two. Visit their bungalow to sample hard ciders, IPAs, sours, and seltzers. They also have a fantastic dog-friendly beer garden!
12 | Raleigh Brewing Company
- Location: 3709 Neil St., West Raleigh
- Distance: 3.3 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Tuesday: 3 p.m.–10 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday: noon–10 p.m., Thursday–Friday: noon–11 p.m., Sunday: noon–7 p.m.
Raleigh Brewing Company takes pride in its roots. It supports the local community and area nonprofits — and pours some amazing brews, too! The indoor and outdoor space is a great place to have a tall one or participate in one of the brewery’s community activities. They have more than 30 beers on tap, with popular options including:
- The First Squeeze American Wheat Ale
- Hell Yes Ma’am Belgian Strong Golden Ale
- Roasted Coffee Porter
- Citrus Boogie IPA
- House of Clay Rye IPA
13 | Trophy Brewing & Taproom
- Location: 656 Maywood Ave., South Raleigh
- Distance: 1.6 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Thursday: 3 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Sunday: noon–10 p.m.
Pizza and beer, what more could you want in a brewery? At Trophy Brewing & Taproom, you can grab a slice and a brew with friends or meet new folks with the same passion. Tours of the Raleigh brewery are also offered through local vendor Raleigh Brews Cruise. Trophy Brewing has 12 beers on tap, plus flights available for sampling. Top beer choices here include:
- Trophy Wife Session IPA
- Trophy Husband Amber Lager
- Golden Hour Pale Ale
- Prepare to Qualify! Hazy IPA
14 | White Street Brewing Company
- Location: 218 S. White St., Wake Forest
- Distance: 20.5 miles from The StateView Hotel
- Hours: Monday–Thursday: 4 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday: 2 p.m.–midnight, Saturday: noon–midnight, Sunday: noon–10 p.m.
White Street Brewing Company is located in a cool historic building that brings modern and blue-collar vibes together. Some of White Street Brewing’s best beers include:
- Kölsch German Ale
- Hoptimist IPA
- Hoptastic Juicy IPA
- Tangled Oaks Scottish Ale
- Emmalyn Belgian Blonde
More Ways To Sweeten Your Stay
For even more fun when the sun goes down, we have all the details you need to partake in Raleigh’s nightlife. Or, if you’re in the mood for something stronger than beer, use our guide to the best cocktail bars in Raleigh to find your next stop. We share insider picks for the area’s top place to enjoy a creatively crafted mixed drink. (The StateView Hotel’s own Flask & Beaker lands high on the list.)
Once you’ve decided to sample the top breweries Raleigh has to offer, book the area’s best accommodations for your stay. The StateView Hotel’s modern, comfortable hotel rooms and suites are within easy reach of many of the best spots to sip a beer in Raleigh, North Carolina.