From sprawling backyard beer gardens to taprooms in historic buildings, here’s where to find great local brews, ciders, and good company around town.
By Luca Muehlbauer
If you like locally brewed beer and loads of brews on tap, these are great options for you. These spots really know their hops — and offer great atmospheres, too. Raleigh’s craft beer scene has grown into one of the South’s best, with converted warehouses, historic buildings, and sprawling backyards now pouring everything from hazy IPAs and Belgian-style saisons to house-made ciders. Some are built for a lazy afternoon on the lawn with the kids and the dog in tow; others are made for catching a show or settling in with a flight and a pizza. Whatever your style, here’s where to raise a glass around town.
Bowstring Brewyard
This bar and music venue is known for hosting local and touring acts, with three full bars, 20-plus rotating taps and pizza from its on-site pizza bus. 1930 Wake Forest Road; raleigh.bowstringbrewyard.com
Brewery Bhavana
This brewery and restaurant blends Belgian-inspired beer with Chinese culinary traditions — think dim sum and Peking duck — in a space that also houses a flower shop and bookstore. 218 S. Blount Street; brewerybhavana.com
Burial Beer Co.
The Raleigh location of this Asheville-based brewery is decorated with artwork by fantasy artist David Paul Seymour and pours a diverse range of beer styles. 500 E. Davie Street, Suite 170; burialbeer.com
Crafty Beer, Wine & Spirits
This cozy spot sells its rotating, hand-picked selection of national, international and North Carolina craft beer by the bottle, so you can build your own six-pack. 2005 Fairview Road; instagram.com/craftybeerwinespirits
Crank Arm Brewing Company
Located in the Warehouse District, this casual spot is known for its house-brewed beers like the popular Rickshaw Rye IPA. 319 W. Davie Street; crankarmbrewing.com
Crooked Hammock Brewery
This recently opened brewery brings ample outdoor space “hammocks included”along with a tank room where it brews its rotating craft beers on site. 4501 Edwards Mill Road; crookedhammockbrewery.com
East Bower Cider Company
Raleigh’s first cidery has a great lounging area on its turf lawn, where you can sip house-made ciders, rotating releases from its Pilot Series, and more. 2020 Progress Court, Suite 160; eastbowercider.com
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
This vibrant beer hall is a staple for those who enjoy beer and casual dining. Take in the quirky decor while you work your way through its ample selection of beers. 328 W. Morgan Street; beerknurd.com
Heyday Brewing
This Wake Tech-affiliated brewer doubles as a classroom for the college’s craft brewing program and has many house-brewed favorites, such as Finger Paint Hazy IPA. 5301 Tin Roof Way; heydaybrewing.com
Incendiary Brewing Co.
The Raleigh taproom of this Winston-Salem brewery draws crowds with its craft beer, plus fun recurring events like Jazz Sundays. 612 W. Morgan Street; incendiarybrewing.com
Lynnwood Brewing Concern
Within a converted warehouse, Lynnwood pours house-brewed beers, with patio seating and a dog-friendly beer garden. Sister restaurant Wilson’s Eatery next door serves up scratch-made Southern fare. 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road; lynnwoodbrewing.com
Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie
Popular for its Belgian-style ales and IPAs, this brewery also has a culinary menu featuring European bistro fare with a North Carolina twist. 518 Pershing Road; neuseriverbrewing.com
Ponysaurus Brewing Co.
Located in Raleigh Iron Works (with a slide across the courtyard), Ponysaurus features its own house-brewed beers, a two-story barrel room and a great menu of appetizers and pizzas. 2221 Iron Works Drive; ponysaurusbrewing.com
Raleigh Beer Garden
This three-time Guinness World Record-holding beer garden has more than 380 beers on tap across three floors, including a third-floor terrace and an event field. 614 Glenwood Avenue; theraleighbeergarden.com
Raleigh Brewing Company
Founded in 2013 by Kristie Nystedt, the first woman to own a brewery in North Carolina, Raleigh Brewing has a charming industrial feel and is a favorite gathering spot for book and run clubs. 3709 Neil Street; raleighbrewing.com
Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company
In a warehouse-style taproom, this brewery offers a selection of beers crafted on site, along with wine and Flat Rock cider for non-beer drinkers. 7449 Six Forks Road; sneakypenguinbrewing.com
Tap Yard
This bar and beer garden offers a full acre of outdoor space with lawn games and food trucks, and dogs and kids are encouraged (there’s even a lineup of zero-proof, family-friendly drinks). For an adults-only scene, head to Tap Yard Tavern, the 21-and-up bar in front. 1610 Automotive Way; tapyardraleigh.com
Trophy Brewing Co.
With several distinct taprooms and bars around Raleigh, Trophy Brewing Co. pairs its high-quality beers with some fantastic food, too. Various locations; trophybrewing.com
Vault Craft Beer
Located in a preserved 1957 bank designed by architect F. Carter Williams — Raleigh’s first drive-through bank — the space now holds 15 rotating craft taps and many other beverages. 518 W. South Street; vaultcraftbeer.com
Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing
Sitting atop the historic Boylan Bridge with one of the best views of the downtown skyline, Wye Hill also offers house-brewed beers and an inventive cocktail program. 201 S. Boylan Avenue; wyehill.com
This post originally appeared on waltermagazine.com on September 28, 2026.
