Published by Christina. Last Updated on July 29, 2024.
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If you know anything about North Carolina, you’ll realize that we have some amazing craft beermakers throughout the state. Cabarrus County is no exception to this rule, as we’ve found some of NC’s best breweries in Concord and Kannapolis, as well as Harrisburg and Mount Pleasant.
There’s a mix of names that you might notice from grocery store shelves or your local bottle shop. We’ve also included some that you may have never seen before.
Regardless, we hope this inspires you to get out there and responsibly support these local makers.
Inside this guide, we’re going to share five great breweries in Concord before moving on to the other two fun towns. We even included a bonus bottle shop in Harrisburg.
Now that you know what to expect let’s grab a glass and explore Cabarrus County’s beer scene!
Read More: Central North Carolina (and 100+ Amazing Places to Visit)
If you’re traveling to other parts of the state, please check out our brewery guides. Here are a few of them:
- Breweries in Asheville
- Breweries in Boone
- Breweries in Durham
- Breweries in Greenville
- Breweries in Raleigh
- Breweries in Wilmington
- Breweries in Winston-Salem
Breweries in Concord NC
As we mentioned, this will start with a half-dozen great breweries in Concord. Here’s where you will find the best Concord craft brewing houses.
- Cabarrus Brewing Company
- Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company
- Southern Strain Brewing
- High Branch Brewing
- Buzzed Viking Brewing Company
Cabarrus Brewing Company
Address: 329 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC
Website
The first of our Concord breweries is the area’s first large-scale brewery, Cabarrus Brewing Co. It’s also the first of two breweries in Gibson Mill, a repurposed space that honors Cabarrus County’s history, present, and future.
Cabarrus Brewing brews delicious beer in this historic environment, inviting friends and families to come and enjoy their creations.
If you’re hungry for a munch to go with those hops, Plant 6 is the permanent food on site. So dig into one of their delicious burgers, soft pretzels, and German-style bratwurst.
Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company
Address: 7285 W Winds Blvd NW, Concord, NC
Website
Brewing beer in Concord since 2015, Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company makes solid IPAs in a laid-back environment.
Named after the original 26-acre plot that Concord was founded on, we recommend trying their 26 Union Street Oatmeal Stout. So grab a game, fill up your pint glass, and enjoy!
Food is also available through Pippa’s Cafe! Order online with Twenty-Six Acres, and your food is delivered to the brewery for you.
Southern Strain Brewing
Address: 165 Brumley Ave NE Suite 3001, Concord, NC
Website
Brunch.game.strong!
Southern Strain Brewing isn’t just a cool Concord brewery for hanging out. They also have a tap list worth raving about!
Sour lovers rejoice with their Cherry Lemon, and those IPA lovers can’t complain about the 10-percent ABV on the Double Helix.
If you are hungry, Southern Strain also has an in-house restaurant, Hot Box Next Level Kitchen, which is something we raved about in our Concord restaurant guide!
High Branch Brewing
Address: 305 McGill Ave NW #100, Concord, NC
Website
From homebrewer to a full brewery and taproom, High Branch Brewing is all about pushing the limits on beer production.
Always striving to improve their craft, High Branch is located inside the historic Gibson Mill and is one of the best breweries for a couple of reasons.
High Branch also utilizes local ingredients from farmers and businesses with a focus on Belgian and hop-forward ales.
Buzzed Viking Brewing Company
Address: 1048 Copperfield Blvd NE #101, Concord, NC
Website
Can’t decide between beer, mead, or cider? Well, Buzzed Viking Brewing Company has you covered for both!
This locally owned spot is one of the few combination breweries/meaderies/cideries in the US. Top it off with one of their delectable pizzas, and you have the perfect spot to enjoy high-quality craft beverages with friends!
Breweries in Harrisburg
These breweries near Concord NC include three spots in Harrisburg.
Percent Tap House
Address: 4250 Main St #109, Harrisburg, NC
Website
If you’re looking to grab a drink in Harrisburg, Percent Tap House has an impressive selection of cans, bottles, and craft beer on tap.
In addition to the wide selection, Percent Tap House also brews their own small-batch brews, cold brew coffee, and hand-crafted sodas (think balsamic and strawberry soda!).
Pharr Mill Brewing
Address: 105 Oakley Dr, Harrisburg, NC
Website
Named after the grain mill that built Harrisburg (then-Pharr’s Mill), Pharr Mill is the brewery where friends come to relax. The vibe is industrial, with original brick and wooden tables and brew tanks peeking out from behind the bar.
Pharr Mill also hosts a variety of events, including a Run Club, trivia, and yoga.
Bonus Addition: Vortex Bottle Shop
Address: 4469 School House Commons, Harrisburg, NC
Website
Harrisburg’s Vortex Bottle Shop serves both superior drinks and bites. While Vortex does not brew their own beer, they have such an impressive collection that we couldn’t leave them off this list.
Pair any of their hundreds of bottles and wine with something to eat from a chef-driven menu. This is a great place to meet up with friends for an afternoon!
Breweries in Kannapolis
There’s currently one brewery in Kannapolis, though that can change as the Cabarrus County town continues to grow.
Old Armor Beer Company
Address: 211 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC
Website
Old Armor Beer Company is one of a few businesses in Kannapolis owned and operated by combat veterans. Sit down here and sample any of their beers, and you’ll quickly understand that Old Armor has a passion for both beer and its community.
There are 12 unique beers on their tap list dedicated to charities to support veterans, first responders, and the community.
There is also a “Pay It Forward Board” where you can purchase a drink for a veteran or first responder to honor heroes.
We recommend an imperial stout (Oh Dark Thirty if available) or a fruity R & R orange cream ale to show off their range.
Breweries in Mount Pleasant
Old Well Brewery
Address: 1467 N Main St, Mount Pleasant, NC
Website
Mount Pleasant’s Old Well Brewery is the last but not least of our guide’s breweries in Concord’s surroundings. It’s the first brewery in Mount Pleasant and part of the amazing 73 & Main, which we featured among the best restaurants in the area.
Their tasty creations (including various ales and more) and 73 & Main’s excellent food (great burgers!) perfectly fit in among our favorite places to eat and drink in Cabarrus County.
Don’t forget about Southern Grace Distilleries in Mount Pleasant, which is famously known as “Whiskey Prison.”
Ready to Enjoy These Concord Breweries NC + Cabarrus County?
Concord and Cabarrus County make for an excellent day trip from Charlotte if you live in our largest city. Hopefully, you’re familiar with this area and have spent at least a little time here.
We hope our guide to the best breweries in Concord, Kannapolis, and Harrisburg helps your adventures through a wonderful (and hop-heavy) part of North Carolina.
If you’ve visited any of these breweries, we’d be interested in reading your take on them. Do you have any favorites or additional recommendations on what to drink?
Let us know in the comments or by email. Either way, we’ll be happy to read your thoughts!
More Things to Do in Concord and Cabarrus County
Beyond these amazing Concord NC breweries, plus breweries in Kannapolis and Harrisburg, we’ve also written guides covering the area’s restaurants, a review on our stay at Great Wolf Lodge, and more!
Here are some additional guides to help you plan a day (or more) around one of our favorite spots in Central NC.
