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North Carolina beer-making dates back to before the Revolutionary War. The first brewery opened in 1756 in Bethabara. Now 266 years later with more than 340 breweries, the North Carolina beer list is extensive.
Here are some favorites to enjoy as you explore the Eastern North Carolina coast.
Find Your Perfect Neighborhood Brewery in Fayetteville
After taking in Fort Bragg or the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, grab a cold one at a neighborhood brewery.
Enjoy a crisp and clean Blackberry Pilsner while your pup laps up a Pooch Hooch. It's made from real chicken broth. Be sure to check out the schedule of events so that you and your best friend can enjoy a little together time.
Dirtbag means “shattering the mold, not playing by a set of rules, and questioning life at every turn.” Located in New Hope, they have a true love of brewing. Some of the crafted beers on tap are the Blood Orange Kolsch, cold-brew Mocha Porter, and The IPA.
Who says yoga and beer don’t go together? Enjoy both every Sunday at Yoga and Beer. After class, take a stroll through Dirtbag Ales' Farmer’s Market, open from March 31st until November 21st.
Enjoy some of the best burgers in Fayetteville by famed TV chef Theo Gumbs while sampling an All American Strong Ale or High Maintenance Strawberry Blonde. For you vegans, the well-reviewed vegan burger is juicy and delicious and pairs well with the Namaste Lavender Ale.
Discover Fresh Beer in Greenville
A cold, fresh beer hits the spot after exploring the sculptures of the Greenville Zoo. Check out these neighborhood breweries while you plan your next adventure!
Pitt Street’s Irish Red Ale deserves a spot on any North Carolina beer list. It's the winner of the NC Brewers’ Cup 2021 gold medal winner for Scottish and Irish beer! With a great selection of beers, you’ll be sure to find a favorite. Sample a Why Worry Hazy Session IPA, the Dapple Dog Dry Stout, or a C.A.M.P.F.I.R.E Song Amber Lager.
A production brewery located right in the heart of Uptown Greenville. Enjoy an open view of the brew floor from any seat in the house while sipping one of their many popular beers. Some favorites are Yacht Rock, Coffee Porter. Bock or 5 Points. Check out the live music schedule and don’t miss a fun-filled evening on trivia night, but come early as seats go fast!
Wilmington Beers on Tap
After a visit to the Bald Head Island Lighthouse or spending the day on Cape Fear River, nothing’s better than a fresh beer from a friendly neighborhood brewery!
Located in the Brooklyn Arts District in Historic Downtown Wilmington, this Carolina brewery specializes in American and Belgian-style ales. Relax with friends under the lights in the outdoor beer garden while enjoying a Belgian Blonde, Oatmeal Porter, or West Coast IPA. The taproom features a rotating display of local artists.
Unique among neighborhood breweries, Mad Mole uses a solar-powered brewing system. This well-reviewed brewery has a great outdoor space to enjoy an Underminer Red Ale, perfect for easy drinkers and maltheads alike. Or a Marilyn MonMole if light and refreshing is your style. The Moles Can’t Swim is a delicious choice for a fruited sour.
Wrightsville Beach Brewing Company
The barrel room at the 2020 award-winning Best of the Best Wrightsville Beach Brewing Company has a relaxed atmosphere. Just like enjoying a beer at the beach!
Some favorites are:
Local Breweries in Ocracoke and the Outer Banks
Check out Fort Ocracoke, a Civil War fort, or enjoy a day at one of the many beaches on the Outer Banks. Afterward, recount your experiences over a pint with friends.
Take a step back in time at this Ocracoke favorite! Just an oyster throw away from Howard’s Pub & Raw Bar. Their mantra is - "We love fresh, delicious beer and all it represents in the world." The Mexican Chocolate Stout, Happi Jack IPA, and Hooker Pants IPA are some of their top-rated brews.
Visit the happening place on the Outer Banks and the first wind-powered brewery in the US! Come and enjoy a Lemon Grass Wheat Ale, NC Winter Warmer, or Merseyside Mild Dry Stout in the outdoor gardens. Then stay for the great live music.
Sycamore Brewing: #1 on the North Carolina Beer List
Located in Charlotte, Sycamore Brewing is one of the top 50 breweries in the country. Not officially on the Eastern Coast, you are sure to run across this popular North Carolina beer during your travels.
With exponentially growing sales over the past 8 years, Sycamore Brewing will become the top independent Carolina brewery by 2023!
So grab a Mountain Candy India Pale Ale or a Southern Girl blonde from one of the many local bottle shops or Food Lion. The perfect pairing for a perfect day on the eastern coast.
Takeaway
After a fun-filled day on the Eastern North Carolina coast, a cold, fresh beer hits the spot.
So take time to sample one or all of these Carolina breweries.
And enjoy yourself as you add your personal favorites to your North Carolina beer list!
After getting accepted to ECU, I started looking for things to do in and around Greenville, NC. However, my searches kept taking me to places in South Carolina! There must be things to do around ECU, so I started asking other students. They kept telling me to graduate and move away! This inspired me to begin exploring eastern North Carolina and build this website as a showcase of the places to go, sights to see, and things to do all over eastern NC. I have fallen in love with this region and started taking up roots here. After graduating, I didn't move away - I bought a house here and continue to explore eastern North Carolina.
