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Best breweries in North Carolina, United States

We track 336 breweries in North Carolina, United States. 10 rate Exceptional and 65 rate Great. Lesser-Known Beer Co in Winston-Salem leads the list at 4.81 (Exceptional).

The scale

  • Exceptional

    A short list of extraordinary breweries worth planning a trip around.

  • Great

    Consistently produce world-class beer.

  • Fine

    Make genuinely good beer, if not the pint you will still be talking about next year.

  • Poor

    Not bad beer so much as unremarkable beer.

  • Limited

    Most craft beer drinkers pass these by.

Ranked breweries

  1. 1

    Lesser-Known Beer Co

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

    Lesser-Known is a brewery built on restraint and focus allowing us to take a closer look at the finer details. Our goal is to champion under-represented beer styles, ingredients, and processes. Our beers are meant to be pleasant, undemanding companions to your experience in the tasting room.

    Rating
    4.81Exceptional
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  2. 2

    Burial Beer Co.

    Asheville, North Carolina, United States

    Burial Beer Co. crafts bold American creations with a dedication to drinkability, tradition, modernization, and preservation. Our four realms eclipse fresh hoppy ales, quaffable lagers, rustic farmhouse and sour beers and big decadant stouts. At our taproom, you can take home cans and bottles, and taste from over 28 taps when both bars are open. Celebrate life. Revive death. Our taproom also features a full-service kitchen and a selection of natural wines. Cider and soft drinks are also available. Our menu changes with the season, taking advantage of our taproom gardens, local farms and brewery by-products and fermentables.

    Rating
    4.69Exceptional
    Popularity
    Extremely widely rated
  3. 3

    High Branch Brewing Co.

    Concord, North Carolina, United States

    High Branch Brewing Co. produce's world class beer and is ranked #3 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "McGill Avenue", which is a New England IPA and "Promise Ring", which is a New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.

    Rating
    4.62Exceptional
    Popularity
    Well rated
  4. 4

    Resident Culture

    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

    At Resident Culture, we have a genuine appreciation for assertive, hop-forward styles and strive to accentuate the character and quality of our farmers' harvest. The concepts of subtlety and nuance are heralded, particularly with regards to our lager beer, mixed culture and spontaneous offerings. Our barrel program reminds us daily of our obsession with a hyper sense of place that inspired us to transform an old family warehouse into a space that, first and foremost, serves our neighbors. We take our beer seriously, but most importantly, we value the relationships and family culture we have cultivated at the brewery. We are proud to have an incredibly tight-knit crew, all of whom play an important role in creating the brewery we have become. At the end of the day, it's beer that we make, but it's our community and the taking care of each other that makes the foundation we're built upon.

    Rating
    4.57Exceptional
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  5. 5

    Zillicoah Beer Company

    Woodfin, North Carolina, United States

    Zillicoah Beer Company produce's exceptional beer and is ranked #4 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Kellerpils", which is a Kellerbier / Zwickelbier and "IPA", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing Pale Lagers and IPAs.

    Rating
    4.56Exceptional
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  6. 6

    Funguys Brewing

    Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

    Funguys Brewing produce's world class beer and is ranked #7 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Dapper Dinosaurs", which is a New England IPA and "The Spectrum", which is a Triple New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    4.52Exceptional
    Popularity
    Well rated
  7. 7

    Fonta Flora Brewery

    Morganton, North Carolina, United States

    Fonta Flora Brewery produce's high quality beer and is ranked #23 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Hop Beard Mountain Man IPA", which is an American IPA and "Whippoorwill", which is a Wheat Beer. Their primary focus is brewing Wild Ales and IPAs.

    Rating
    4.49Exceptional
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  8. 8

    Fonta Flora Brewery

    Nebo, North Carolina, United States

    Fonta Flora Brewery produce's high quality beer and is ranked #23 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Hop Beard Mountain Man IPA", which is an American IPA and "Whippoorwill", which is a Wheat Beer. Their primary focus is brewing Wild Ales and IPAs.

    Rating
    4.48Exceptional
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  9. 9

    Zebulon Artisan Ales

    Weaverville, North Carolina, United States

    Zebulon Artisan Ales produce's exceptional beer and is ranked #14 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Batch #5 (for Yoko Ono) Tokyo Style Gose", which is a Sour and "Batch #9 (For Prince) Funky Saison With Apricots", which is a Saison. Their primary focus is brewing Saisons and Sours.

    Rating
    4.45Exceptional
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  10. 10

    Heist Brewery

    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

    Heist opened its doors in 2012 as Charlotte’s first Craft Brewpub. Originally brewing on a 10HL German brewhouse, we have opened a 30 barrel production facility. Over the years, our focus has changed from traditional Belgian styles to hazy IPAs, heavily fruited sours, and imperial stouts, thanks to our signature brew: CitraQuench'l. Our original location features an extensive craft cocktail menu, as well as a multi-chef inspired menu with a wide variety of dining options from beer cheese and wings to woodfired flatbreads and craft sandwiches. Above all, Heist is an experience. Enjoy, and cheers!

    Rating
    4.43Exceptional
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  11. 11

    Percent Tap House

    Harrisburg, North Carolina, United States

    Percent Tap House produce's high quality beer and is ranked #16 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "MDDH", which is a New England IPA and "Citrus Is the New Black", which is a Session IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.

    Rating
    4.51Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  12. 12

    New Origin Brewing Company

    Asheville, North Carolina, United States

    New Origin Brewing Company produce's high quality beer and is ranked #18 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Cloud Farm", which is an Imperial New England IPA and "Peach's Dream Castle", which is a Fruited Sour. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    4.42Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  13. 13

    Whaley Farm Brewery

    Old Fort, North Carolina, United States

    Whaley Farm Brewery produce's high quality beer and is ranked #17 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Best Bitter Ale", which is a Bitter - Best and "Cream Ale", which is a Cream Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Amber Ales and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    4.41Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  14. 14

    Forgotten Road Ales

    Graham, North Carolina, United States

    We're a small craft brewery located in the heart of North Carolina in the awesome little town of Graham. We specialize in sours and mixed fermentation beers, barrel aged beers, and New England IPAs. We believe that every beer has a story to tell. We're veteran owned, minority owned, Certified Cicerone owned, and fiercely independent. Sharing beers and sharing our love for beer is our biggest passion. We can't wait to share our beers with you! Visit our brewery taproom and beer garden in Graham, or our second taproom in Greensboro!

    Rating
    4.40Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  15. 15

    Incendiary Brewing Company

    Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States

    Incendiary Brewing Company produce's world class beer and is ranked #5 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "SHIfT: BLUE", which is a New England IPA and "Shade of Lies", which is an Imperial Stout. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.

    Rating
    4.39Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  16. 16

    Cellarest Beer Project

    Asheville, North Carolina, United States

    Farmhouse inspired ales and lagers with a focus on wood fermentation & regional ingredients. We aim to make beer with a sense of place and currently only use North Carolina malt houses to produce our beer.

    Rating
    4.39Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  17. 17

    Blackbird Brewery

    Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States

    Blackbird Brewery produce's high quality beer and is ranked #31 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Yellow Submarine", which is a New England IPA and "Where I Belong", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    4.34Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  18. 18

    Diatribe Brewing

    Asheville, North Carolina, United States

    Diatribe Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #28 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Schwarzbier", which is a Schwarzbier and "English Dark Mild", which is a Mild - Dark. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    4.33Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  19. 19

    Edit Beer Co.

    Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

    Edit Beer Co. produce's high quality beer and is ranked #18 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Depth of Field", which is a Dark Lager and "The Kernel", which is a Cream Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    4.32Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  20. 20

    Liquid Roots Brewing Project

    Lenoir, North Carolina, United States

    Family friendly craft brewery. Come enjoy local beer, wine, and in-house roasted coffee. We have a food truck, A Taste of Culture, every Wednesday and Saturday. On days without a food truck, guests are welcome to bring in food.

    Rating
    4.31Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  21. 21

    Ghost Harbor Brewing Company

    Elizabeth City, North Carolina, United States

    Ghost Harbor Brewing Company produce's high quality beer and is ranked #33 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Time In The Sun", which is an American IPA and "Gypsy Tears", which is an American Pale Ale. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    4.31Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  22. 22

    White Elephant Beer Company

    Mount Airy, North Carolina, United States

    A family owned brewery in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our beer offers a soulful glimpse into local agriculture, striving to enhance the current state of beer.

    Rating
    4.30Great
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  23. 23

    Tar Banks Brewing Co.

    Louisburg, North Carolina, United States

    Tar Banks Brewing Co. produce's high quality beer and is ranked #20 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Pappy's Irish Red Ale", which is an Irish Red Ale and "We Did It For Jarrett", which is a Honey Beer. Their primary focus is brewing Amber Ales and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    4.30Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  24. 24

    Casita Brewing Company

    Wilson, North Carolina, United States

    Casita Brewing Company produce's flawless beer and is ranked #9 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Querido y Perdido", which is an Imperial Stout and "Been There Done That", which is an Imperial New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.

    Rating
    4.29Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  25. 25

    Keepsake Brewery

    Gastonia, North Carolina, United States

    Keepsake is a family-run brewery in Gastonia, just west of Charlotte, North Carolina. The brewery is owned / operated by Bobby and Katherine Myers, Gumbo the dog, dedicated staff, friends and family. We focus on classic beer styles, using the finest traditional ingredients and a low-intervention approach to create balanced, highly drinkable beers. Thursday through Sunday, we open our taproom and beer garden for you to enjoy. Welcoming guests is the highlight of our week, and we're always happy to share our little corner of the world with you. Despite being a young brewery, Keepsake has received international recognition, including being named one of the "top 10 new breweries in America" by USA Today and one of the "best new breweries in the world" by VinePair magazine.

    Rating
    4.29Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  26. 26

    Salud Cerveceria

    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

    Salud Cerveceria produce's exceptional beer and is ranked #10 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Del Patio", which is a Pale Lager and "Banana Keys", which is an Imperial Milk Stout. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    4.28Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  27. 27

    DSSOLVR

    Asheville, North Carolina, United States

    DSSOLVR produce's high quality beer and is ranked #32 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Thank You For Existing", which is a KΓΆlsch and "Reapers & Creepers", which is a New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    4.28Great
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  28. 28

    NoblebrΓ€u Brewing

    Brevard, North Carolina, United States

    Family owned and open since Fall 2020. NoblebrΓ€u Brewing is Brevard's newest brewery. NoblebrΓ€u operates alongside Brevard's premier music venue, 185 King Street in Brevard's King Street Business district. Brewmaster Cody Noble is focused on creating delicious and innovative brews that will rotate through the seasons so that you will always be met by something new.

    Rating
    4.28Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  29. 29

    Leveller Brewing Co.

    Weaverville, North Carolina, United States

    Leveller Brewing Co. produce's high quality beer and is ranked #24 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Sheep Shaped", which is a Farmhouse IPA and "Four Horned", which is a Farmhouse Ale. Their primary focus is brewing Saisons and IPAs.

    Rating
    4.28Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  30. 30

    Wilmington Brewing Company

    Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

    Homegrown from a small Homebrew shop to a 11,800 sqft facility, Wilmington Brewing Company is excited to serve you fresh local beer straight from the tank to your glass. Located right in the middle of Wilmington, WBC includes a 3bbl & a 25bbl brewery, 15 drafts in the taproom, and a Homebrew supply store. We look forward to seeing you soon!

    Rating
    4.27Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  31. 31

    Goofy Foot Brewery

    High Point, North Carolina, United States

    Goofy Foot Brewery produce's high quality beer and is ranked #29 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Dock Start Coffee IPA", which is an American IPA and "Stealth Mission", which is a Black IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    4.26Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  32. 32

    HopFly Brewing

    Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States

    HopFly Brewing was born in Rocky Mount and found its home in Charlotte, NC. What started as a simple mission to make great beer and share it with great people has grown into a brewery that embraces both innovation and tradition.

    Rating
    4.25Great
    Popularity
    Widely rated
  33. 33

    Petty Thieves Brewing Company

    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

    Petty Thieves Brewing Company produce's high quality beer and is ranked #42 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Andalusia", which is an American IPA and "Basking In the Glow", which is a New England IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Sours.

    Rating
    4.24Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  34. 34

    Southern Strain Brewing Company

    Concord, North Carolina, United States

    Southern Strain Brewing Company produce's high quality beer and is ranked #26 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Hop Helix", which is an American IPA and "Cherry Lemon", which is a Fruited Sour. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    4.24Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  35. 35

    Oaklyn Springs Brewery

    Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, United States

    Oaklyn Springs Brewery produce's high quality beer and is ranked #41 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Any Victory Will Do", which is a New England IPA and "Bold Venture", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Lagers.

    Rating
    4.24Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  36. 36

    JoCo Brewing Company

    Garner, North Carolina, United States

    A local brewery for local folks. The first and only brewery in the 40/42 area, and currently the only brewery in Garner. Traditional brews with no frills and good taste.

    Rating
    4.22Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  37. 37

    Carolina Beer Temple

    Matthews, North Carolina, United States

    Rating
    4.21Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  38. 38

    Brewery Bhavana

    Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

    Brewery Bhavana produce's high quality beer and is ranked #37 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Grove", which is an Imperial IPA and "Pithy", which is an American IPA. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Saisons.

    Rating
    4.21Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  39. 39

    Burning Blush Brewery

    Mills River, North Carolina, United States

    Here at Burning Blush Brewery, there is a focus on highly crafted beer integrated with genuine customer service. A place where traditional beer treads on experimental. Appropriate glassware will be served with the style of beer they are meant to be poured in, whether it is a wine barrel aged sour or a juicy IPA. As you sip your beers, you will notice the decor that will pay homage to the Victorian era, instilling a Gothic romantic atmosphere.

    Rating
    4.21Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  40. 40

    Bond Brothers Beer Company

    Cary, North Carolina, United States

    Bond Brothers Beer Company is a small microbrewery located in historic downtown Cary, North Carolina. Advanced Cicerone and Certified Beer Judge Brewmaster Whit Baker brews an array of styles. Whether you enjoy Stouts, IPAs, Saisons or Sours, Bond Brothers beer offerings are sure to please.

    Rating
    4.20Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  41. 41

    Happy Valley Filling Station

    Lenoir, North Carolina, United States

    Rating
    4.20Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  42. 42

    Outer Dunes Brewing

    Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

    Rating
    4.19Great
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  43. 43

    Traust Brewing Company

    Mount Holly, North Carolina, United States

    Traust Brewing Co synthesizes the centuries-old tradition of Scandinavian brewing with contemporary craft beer styles. We produce rustically refined Nordic ales and lagers, which give the drinker a sense of the familiar while also exploring something new.

    Rating
    4.19Great
    Popularity
    Lightly rated
  44. 44

    Divine Barrel Brewing

    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

    Here at Divine Barrel we love brewing all sorts of different and unique beers, so you’ll always find a little bit of everything when visiting our taproom. However, there is a special place in our team’s collective heart for wild and sour beers. In fact, our real focus lies in building and developing our barrel and foeder program that grows with us over time and lets us share our passion and excitement for wood fermented and wood-aged beers with the Charlotte community and beyond.

    Rating
    4.18Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  45. 45

    Flying Machine Brewing Company

    Wilmington, North Carolina, United States

    Every Flying Machine variety is an invitation to explore, rooted in tradition and fueled by imagination. We blend science with artistry to craft beers that delight, challenge, and reward.

    Rating
    4.18Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  46. 46

    The Glass Jug Beer Lab

    Durham, North Carolina, United States

    A microbrewery located within an award-winning bottle shop, beer garden, and neighborhood bar. Producing small one-off batches and experimenting with unique flavor combinations.

    Rating
    4.18Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  47. 47

    Vicious Fishes

    Angier, North Carolina, United States

    Vicious Fishesβ„’ Brewery began in 1991 as a home brewing hobby enjoyed by two long-time friends and then grad school room mates. Fast forward 25 years and much has changed. State of the art brewing equipment has replaced the (t)rusty old stock pot. Modern brewing ingredients have yielded significant improvements in the quality and variety of the brews made in our brewhouse. With new technology available for cleaning and sterilization, the brew day is (thankfully) condensed. What hasn’t changed is our passion for quality craft beer and the whimsical spirit embodied in our original design – we remain ever Vicious!

    Rating
    4.18Great
    Popularity
    Modestly rated
  48. 48

    Nocturnal Brewing Company

    Hayesville, North Carolina, United States

    Nocturnal Brewing Company produce's high quality beer and is ranked #49 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Quanassee Sunshine", which is a Wheat Beer and "Session Pastry Stout", which is an Other Stout. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Dark Beers.

    Rating
    4.18Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated
  49. 49

    Haw River Farmhouse Ales

    Graham, North Carolina, United States

    Haw River Farmhouse Ales handcrafts southern-inspired ales with a little small town flair, using local ingredients grown by real people in as many of our beers as we can. Located smack dab in the middle of Saxapahaw, NC.

    Rating
    4.18Great
    Popularity
    Well rated
  50. 50

    Thirsty Skull Brewing

    Siler City, North Carolina, United States

    Thirsty Skull Brewing produce's high quality beer and is ranked #35 in North Carolina. They are most well known for "Pressure Drop", which is a New England IPA and "Pittsboro Pilsner", which is a German Pilsner. Their primary focus is brewing IPAs and Pale Ales.

    Rating
    4.18Great
    Popularity
    Barely rated

Showing the top 50 of 336 breweries we track here. See all 336