There are dozens of craft breweries in Raleigh, including Wake County, too. And while we love many of the beers produced in Cary, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, and elsewhere in the county, we want to focus on our capital city.
Raleigh breweries are scattered throughout the city (see our map below), with a spot always around the corner for your next happy hour. They range from large industrial spaces to quiet, upscale tables, and that’s just the beginning of what makes them unique.
So, in this guide, you’ll learn why we think each place is special and one “favorite” beer (or more) we’ve enjoyed. The latter was just as challenging a choice as the words to capture these fabulous and bucket-list-worthy drinking establishments.
Whether you’re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we’re leaving no detail behind. If you live in the Raleigh area and are wondering, “What are the best breweries near me?” we think this NC travel guide will help you!
Read More: Breweries in North Carolina
List of Raleigh Breweries Featured in this Guide
For this article, we organized Raleigh breweries alphabetically.
Also, to keep things as authentic as possible, we’re focusing on breweries that we love. If we left out your favorite, kindly let us know, and we’ll be happy to investigate further!
- Clouds Brewing
- Crank Arm
- Compass Rose
- Edit Beer Co.
- Gizmo Brew Works
- Lonerider Brewing Company
- Lynnwood Brewing Concern & Lynnwood Grill
- Mordecai Beverage Co.
- Neuse River Brewing Company
- Nickelpoint Brewing Co
- Raleigh Brewing Company
- Trophy Brewing Co
Map of Raleigh Breweries
You can also plan a visit to these Raleigh Breweries with our North Carolina Travel Map and our Central North Carolina Map.
Clouds Brewing
Raleigh Address: 1233 Front St, Raleigh, NC
Chapel Hill Address: 157 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC
Durham Address: 905 W Main St. #22, Durham, NC
Website
Clouds Brewing features guest taps paired with a fantastic food menu. Personally, I’d come here for a giant pretzel and some wings, but thankfully the guys behind this company have done their homework and produced and sold some amazing beer, too.
The fact that Clouds has expanded beyond its original location to include a taproom in Raleigh and locations in Durham and Chapel Hill.
All are a testament to the relentless work of owners Matt, John, and their team.
You’ll immediately fall in love with the food here, but this Raleigh brewery’s distinction is the self-pour beer wall. The concept is catching on with other places we’ve visited, but Clouds was where I saw it first, so they won!
Our Favorite Beer: Midnight Delight, a nitro stout that combines chocolate malt & cacao nibs.
Read More: 15+ Important Tips to Enjoy the NC State Fair
Crank Arm
Address: 319 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC
Website
Friends Adam, Craig, and Mike took their love for beer and biking and opened Crank Arm Brewing in 2013. Crank Arm is primarily known for its high-quality, unfiltered beer, along with its bike club. Above marketing, distribution, and speed, quality is the most important aspect of crafting their beer.
Beyond beer, this Raleigh brewery works hard to give back to the community. They contribute to Oaks & Spokes and the Triangle Spokes Group, which raises money to provide bikes to children in need.
Our Favorite Beer: Seasonal Holy Spokes, a porter with cinnamon, habanero peppers, vanilla, and Videri Chocolate.
Read More: The Best Breweries in Asheville
Compass Rose
Address: 3201 Northside Dr #101, Raleigh, NC
Website
Compass Rose was (and is) North Raleigh’s answer to the long-desired request for a neighborhood brewery. It’s precisely what I think of when I think of a Raleigh brewery. The 5,500-square-foot space is open, inviting, and perfect for hanging out and making memories with friends and family.
You can sit and sip at the massive bar or enjoy one of the many long tables with a group of friends and family. Along with a mix of in-house or elsewhere-produced beers, ciders, and wines, join the fun.
Our Favorite Beer: Give a Mouse a Cookie, a sweet-ish milk stout.
Read More: Strawberry Picking in Raleigh
Edit Beer Co.
Address: 1911 Sego Ct, Raleigh, NC
Website
Edit Beer Company is the newest brewery in Raleigh on this list! Located in Northeast Raleigh, Edit Beer Co is a dog and family-friendly brewery that will constantly challenge your palate. Brewing innovative beers with always an “edit” in mind.
If food is on your mind, Edit is next to Scooter’s Bar and Grill, and they have a curated menu for the taproom!
Our Favorite Beer: The Kernel, a cream pale ale that makes you want to day drink on a beautiful, crisp Spring day!
Gizmo Brew Works
Raleigh Address: 5907 Triangle Dr, Raleigh, NC
Durham Address: 3109 Shannon Rd, Ste 201, Durham, NC
Website
With seasonal and experimental beers, Gizmo Brew Works brings flights and pints to the Raleigh brewery scene. One such notable beer was “Born to Bee,” which used yeast extracted from the wing of a bumble from an NC State research project.
Working with a two-barrel brewhouse, Gizmo was one of the smallest production breweries in North Carolina. It’s since grown to include a satellite taproom in Chapel Hill.
Our Favorite Beer: #FakeNews, a New England IPA worthy of a visit to their taproom, but also to purchase a can to admire the creative labeling.
Lonerider Brewing Company
Raleigh Address: 8816 Gulf Ct, Raleigh, NC
Oak Island Address: 57th Place West, Oak Island, NC
Also at RDU International Airport Terminal 2: 2400 John Brantley Blvd.
Morrisville, NC
Wake Forest Address: 1839 South Main Street, Suite 600, Wake Forest, NC
Website
Brilliantly marketed as beer for outlaws, Lonerider doesn’t follow the trends. Instead, this brewery in Raleigh holds fast to create a beer that’s beyond worthy of its beautiful labels and graphics.
Their diverse contributions to NC beer include Shotgun Betty (Hefeweizen) and Hoppy Ki Yay (IPA).
The tap house and brewery is tucked away from downtown Raleigh, off US 70. With plenty of outdoor seating and six-packs, we recommend sharing a pitcher before heading home to watch your favorite action movie.
Our Favorite Beer: Sweet Josie, a brown ale.
Lynnwood Brewing Concern & Lynnwood Grill
Lynnwood Brewing Concern Address: 1053 E Whitaker Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
Lynnwood Grill Address: 4821 Grove Barton Rd, Raleigh, NC
Lynnwood Brewing Concern Website
Lynnwood Grill Website
Lynnwood Brewing Concern has been producing cleverly named beers since 2004 and is now one of the many Five Points breweries. The OG North Raleigh location (Lynnwood Grill) is also known for its strong community involvement. That, along with their great beers, is why this place enjoys a loyal following.
In North Raleigh, you can also devour incredible pizzas, salads, sandwiches and choose from great lunch specials! If you find yourself at Five Points, grab pork nachos from Wilson’s Eatery, Lynnwood’s sister company.
Our Favorite Beer: Kiss My Irish Stout, though Putin Tang is a strong second on Team Stouts!
LBC is also among our favorite ways to enjoy casual date nights in Raleigh!
Mordecai Beverage Co.
Address: 2425 Crabtree Blvd, Raleigh, NC
Website
Bottle shop and brewery meet at Raleigh’s Mordecai Beverage Company. With 25 taps (including ones for wine and cider), NC beer lovers can enjoy local and regional creations with Mordecai’s own hoppy concoctions.
Mordecai is a very family-friendly Raleigh brewery with inviting couches, TVs, picnic tables, and an #instagramable mural.
Our Favorite Beer: Eckard’s Porter, with added notes of chocolate, espresso, and tobacco.
Neuse River Brewing Company
Address: 518 Pershing Rd, Raleigh, NC
Website
We’ve mentioned the Five Points quite a bit, and Neuse River Brewing is a shining example of why this is a hub for breweries in Raleigh. Specializing in Belgian Ales and IPAs, the Neuse River offers an intimate yet bright ambiance.
And going even further, Neuse River Brewing Company serves more than your typical pub food. While I’ll take wings and nachos daily, this is a place you visit for the food menu.
Try an order of Duck Poutine and Roast Chicken with haricots vert from their Brasserie menu, and you’ll see what I mean.
Our Favorite Beer: Bobbi Brune, a smoked Belgian Brown Ale.
Nickelpoint Brewing Co
Address: 506 Pershing Rd, Raleigh, NC
Facebook Page
Just a few doors down from Neuse River Brewing, Nicklepoint Brewing is a Five Points beer stop that two brothers founded. Their shared love for high-quality hops has resulted in a family-friendly outdoor space and ten beers on tap.
Nicklepoint is most well known for its chill, laid-back vibe. Check out their weekly and monthly events while slugging down your first pint so you’ll know when to return for the next one!
Our Favorite Beer: Porter, because a little smoke and a hint of coffee are always welcome.
Raleigh Brewing Company
Address: 3709 Neil St, Raleigh, NC
Website
Raleigh Brewing Company is the third-largest beer producer in Wake County. And in true trailblazing fashion, this was the first female-owned brewery in North Carolina.
It’s one of the top breweries in Raleigh, with more than 32 taps and colorful murals on the taproom walls joining a legacy of community involvement, Raleigh Brewing Company embodies the soul of Oak City.
In addition to pouring great beer, Raleigh Brewing Company also serves as a connection between homebrewers and commercial brewers. Their sister companies (Atlantic Brew Supply and ABS Commercial) sell local supplies and produce high-quality beer tanks.
Our Favorite Beer: Not Another New England Pale Ale was nice to sip after taking home from a local bottle shop.
Trophy Brewing Co
Trophy Brewing and Taproom Address: 656 Maywood Ave, Raleigh, NC
Trophy Brewing and Pizza Address: 827 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC
Trophy Brewing on Bickett Address: 207 Bickett Boulevard, Raleigh, NC
The Bend Bar Address: 853 West Morgan St, Raleigh, NC
Maywood Hall and Garden Address: 622 Maywood avenue, Raleigh, NC
Website
With two locations that are equally different, one thing remains consistent at each one—amazing Trophy beer. Trophy’s consistently amazing flagships and experimental beers stand out in this super-competition collection of Raleigh breweries.
Whether pairing your beer with one of their famous pizzas or indulging in one of the best places for brunch in Raleigh, you won’t be disappointed at any of these Trophy Brewing Co locations!
I’m also a huge fan of the Bend Bar, which is just down the street from their “Pizza” location.
Our Favorite Beer: Trophy Wife (Session IPA) is a tempting winner, but we’ll go with the tasty salted caramel stout known as Milky Way.
Share Your Favorite Raleigh Breweries!
We can’t wait to make it back out to these awesome breweries. These local businesses are a big part of why we love hanging out in Raleigh. If you’re in the area, give them your support. They could always use some love.
And if there’s a brewery in Raleigh we missed, (nicely) let us know about it. We’ll be happy to go on a hop-filled field trip.
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What an impressive collection Carl. Well done. Not a drinker but aware of the brewery scene there as I’ve relatives in Fuquay Varina and visit once a year or so. I’ve spend more time in NC with a house sit in Charlotte a while back and also have fam in Wilmington, visiting them once. Fabulous state!
Ryan