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15 Hop-Tastic Raleigh Breweries for Your Next Flight, Pint, or Growler

Published by Christina Riley. Last Updated on August 8, 2024.

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There are over 30 craft breweries in Raleigh if you count 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 narrow down and focus on our capital city.

These 15 Raleigh breweries are scattered throughout the city (see our map below), with a spot always around the corner for your next happy hour. These breweries in Raleigh range from large industrial spaces to quiet, upscale tables, and that’s just the beginning of what makes them unique.

So, inside 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 youโ€™re a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, weโ€™re leaving no detail behind. If you live in the Raleigh area and are wondering, โ€œWhat are the best breweries near me?โ€ we think this NC travel guide will help you!

Read More: Breweries in North Carolina

Raleigh Breweries Organization Note

For this article, we organized our favorite breweries in Raleigh alphabetically. If you want to see their location in map form, scroll to the bottom of this post.

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!

Read More: Airbnbs in Raleigh

Map of Raleigh Breweries

Before we jump into the list, check out Our custom map for location info for all the best breweries in Raleigh, NC.

1. Big Boss Brewing Company

Address: 1249 Wicker Dr, Raleigh, NC
Website

A close up of a pint at Big Boss, one of the best Breweries Raleigh NC

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Known for its Bad Penny Brown Ale and laid-back vibe, Big Boss Brewing Company was started in 2006 by Geoff Lamb and Brewmaster Brad Wynn. Together, they set out to brew a beer for people who enjoy a variety of styles.

Based on the Raleigh taproom offerings, the two certainly achieved that goal. At Big Boss, you can find everything from ales to barleywine to porters. And if you’d like to see some food after some pints, their excellent food is featured in our guide to restaurants in Raleigh!

Our Favorite Beer: Red Devils, a New England IPA that is the brewery’s contribution to the Ales for ALS charitable program.

2. Clouds Brewing

Atlantic Ave Address: 233 Front St, Raleigh, NC
Downtown Address: 126 N West St, Raleigh, 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 to produce and sell some amazing beer, too.

The fact that Clouds has expanded beyond its original location to include a taproom in Raleigh and another restaurant in Durham (try the Bavarian Grilled Cheese there!) is 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

3. 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

4. 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 feet of 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.

5. 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 pallet. Brewing innovative beers with always an โ€œeditโ€ in mind. 

If food is on your mind, Edit is next to Scooterโ€™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! 

6. Funguys Brewing

Address: 2408 Paula St, Raleigh, NC
Website

Self-described as a mom-and-pop craft brewery, Funguys Brewing is a new addition that focuses on ales and lagers with huge flavors. While it may seem small and tucked away, this Raleigh brewery is worth the hunt!

You’ll want to visit this place for tasty sours, a nice change amidst the wave of Raleigh’s mostly hop-forward beer scene. The intimate atmosphere here will keep you around for at least a few rounds.

Our Favorite Beer: There She Gose, not just because of the name but for its emphasis on tartness and local-first.

7. Gizmo Brew Works

Address: 5907 Triangle Dr, Raleigh, NC
Website

Three beers from Gizmo Brewing Raleigh NC

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 exceeded its size and grown to add 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.

8. Lonerider Brewing Company

Address: 8816 Gulf Ct, Raleigh NC
Website

Brilliantly marketed as beer for outlaws, Lonerider doesn’t follow the trends. Instead, this brewery in Raleigh holds strong and steadfast 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.

9. Lynnwood Brewing Concern

Atlantic Ave Address: 1053 E Whitaker Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC
Northwest Raleigh Address: 4821 Grove Barton Rd, Raleigh, NC
Website

A Raleigh Beer from Lynnwood Brewing Concern

Lynnwood Brewing Concern has been producing cleverly named beer 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!

10. Little City Brewing + Provisions

Address: 400 W North St, Raleigh, NC
Website

Owned by the same company that operates Virgil’s Tacos and The Green Light, Little City Brewing is truly a city gal’s brewery. While upscale, the ambiance and decor of this joint avoids coming off as pretentious.

And hops aren’t the only thing on the menu, as you can also order craft cocktails to accompany some Old Bay popcorn. Little City Brewing is where you go if you’re in the mood for a hoppy or stiff drink in an intimate setting.

Our Favorite Beer: No Parking Anytime IPA, for the haze and for the name.

11. Mordecai Beverage Co.

Address: 2425 Crabtree Blvd, Raleigh, NC
Website

A large seating area at Raleigh's Mordecai Beverage Company

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.

12. 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 interior of the Neuse River achieves 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.

13. Nickelpoint Brewing Co

Address: 506 Pershing Rd, Raleigh, NC
Website

Just a few doors down from Neuse River, 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.

14. Raleigh Brewing Company

Address: 3709 Neil St, Raleigh, NC
Website

A collection of Not Another New England IPA from Raleigh Brewing Company

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.

15. Trophy Brewing Co

Taproom Address: 656 Maywood Ave &
Brewing + Pizza Address: 827 W Morgan St
Website

A small glass from Trophy Brewing Company

With two locations that are equally different, one thing remains consistent at each oneโ€”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!

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 that you think we missed, (nicely) let us know about it. We’ll be happy to go on a hop-filled field trip.

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