Southern Pines Brewing Company | Blanche de Pines

ABV: 4.9% | IBU: 13

Co-owned by three Army Special Forces vets, Southern Pines Brewing Company officially opened its doors two years ago this month. Since then, they have garnered a loyal following and high ratings (as of this writing 4.5/5 on Yelp and 4.9/5 on Google). Commitment to the community, a pleasant taproom environment, and clean, accessible flavors will do that. Read More

Event Recap | Tip Top Tours Visits South Slope Breweries

Craft beer is all about new experiences. The craft beer industry has taken a goods / commodities based enterprise and evolved it into an experience based business model. This is evident in brewery hosted events, taprooms/bier gardens and beers unbound by categories. This influence has extended past the brewers and imbibers to the retailers who are dreaming up new and innovative ideas to draw their customers into the door and encourage them to return many times thereafter.  Read More

D9 Brewing Company | Systema Naturæ 1st Edition

ABV: 6.3% | IBU: 0

North of Charlotte, along the lovely Lake Norman, lies Cornelius, North Carolina, home to D9 Brewing Company. I am tempted to describe D9 as “up-and-coming” but after tasting their Systema Naturæ 1st Edition — a wild sour ale brewed with sweet Devilwood blossoms and musky, tart apricot — they might have already arrived. Read More

Raleigh Brewing | Moravian Rhapsody

ABV: 5.2% | IBU: 37

For North Carolinians (and adventurous travelers) who are new to the craft beer scene, and for those same North Carolinians who love hoppy beers, but don’t know it yet, a brewery at the heart of the state has the perfect introductory beer for you. Read More

North Carolina Breweries Respond to HB2

Unless you’ve been living under a beer can, you’ve heard that North Carolina is economically drowning in recently passed legislation known as House Bill 2.

HB 2, also known as the “bathroom bill,” requires multiple occupancy restrooms within the state to be used by members of the biological sex to which the bathroom is assigned. Opponents of the law argue that it discriminates against the LGBT community. Read More

Mystery Brewing | Queen Anne’s Revenge

Ahoy, matey!

In a state known for its history of coastal confrontation between some of the country’s most famous pirate personalities, Queen Anne’s Revenge nods to North Carolina’s past, but paves the way for what’s now known as the Carolinian Dark Ale. Read More

Brüeprint | Whiskey Barrel-Aged Midnight Brüe (2015)

ABV: 8.5% | IBU: N/A

Apex’s own Brüeprint has been making a name for themselves in the greater Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area since opening their vats in the summer of 2014. They produce several … Read More

The Unknown Brewing Co. | Dirty Commie Heathen

ABV: 12.4%

Unknown Brewing Co. is brewing some great beers out of their Charlotte-based brewery located on 1327 S. Mint Street. Right now, they are excited about one thing. Unknown Brewing Co. has recently released their Dirty Commie Heathen and, according to Head Brewer Brad Shell, it is even better than last year. Read More

25 Super Bowl Beers | Colorado vs Carolina

Super Bowl 50 pits the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers in a historic matchup replete with many storylines. Will the grizzled veteran in Peyton Manning, back on the field … Read More

Steel String Brewery | Der Schneid Berliner Weisse

ABV: 3.8% | IBU: 4.6

Carrboro’s Steel String Brewery has grabbed my attention once again. This time, for their Berliner Weisse, Der Schneid. From what I can muster, “der … Read More

Foothills Brewing | People’s BBL Aged Porter

ABV: 6.0% | IBU: 42

To celebrate the end of 2015 and the beginning of 2016, I thought it would be nice to introduce PorchDrinking and her readers to a rare … Read More

Aviator | OktoberBeast

ABV: 7.2% | IBU: 22

As much as we all love our autumn pumpkin seasonals, I thought it would be nice to have a little break from the spices and pie references. Instead, we’ll take a look at a Märzen-style seasonal from Aviator, OktoberBeast. This is one of the first Märzen style beers I have ever had, so I think it would be informative to discuss the style more generally before we tackle what stands out about the OktoberBeast. Read More

Event Recap | Big Boss Brewing’s Tavern Ale Release

On a dark and stormy November 9th night, Raleigh’s own Big Boss Brewing premiered their Tavern Ale as part of their regular seasonal line-up. Read More

Southern Pines Brewing Company | North Carolina

When you talk to the owners of Southern Pines Brewing Company in North Carolina, you fall in love with craft brewing all over again. Their story is what craft beer in America is all about. Read More

The Unknown Brewing Co. | Hospitali–Tea Southern Amber Ale

ABV 5.4%

Have you seen the news lately? Summer refuses to relinquish its reign over the east coast. Personally, that just means more opportunities to pop the top on The Unknown Brewing Co.’s Hospitali–Tea Southern Amber Ale!

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Festival Recap | Augusta Beerfest 2015

The 2nd Annual Augusta Beerfest was full of fun and flavor this year. There were dozens of breweries showcasing their most popular beers. Imbibers had over 100 beers to to sample and enjoy throughout each session. A few vendors were present displaying products and explaining their business concepts to the inquisitive passerby. All-in-all,  this was a successful festival that remains the only show in town for the second year running.

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Wicked Weed | Horti-Glory Farmhouse Ale

ABV: 6.0% | IBU: n/a

During a recent two-day beercation to Asheville, North Carolina, I had the pleasure of visiting the illustrious Wicked Weed Brewery. I tried a variety of brews that were delicious, of course, but most of them will be saved for another day. Lunch at the WW restaurant granted me the privilege of discovering the first of their Terra Locale Series: the Horti-Glory Farmhouse Ale. Read More

NoDa Brewing | CAVU Blonde Ale

ABV: 4.6% | IBU: 18

From the western mountains to the eastern ocean, we’ve covered beers from all over North Carolina. We’ve been through tiny townships and out-of-the-way places. We’ve even … Read More

Coco Loco Porter | NoDa Brewing

6.2% ABV

Newly-anointed craft beer drinkers sometimes think there are rules as to when you can drink a beer: Quads are only for Christmas! No zingy hefes if snow is on the ground!

I’m here to tell you there are no rules. You can drink whatever you want, no matter what time of year — and it’s always the season for Coco Loco Porter from Charlotte’s NoDa Brewing.

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Ultimate 6er | Carolina Cans

Today, we’re going on a little adventure with six new (to me) North Carolina beers, all of which come in cans. There are brews representing the piedmont cities of Raleigh, Pittsboro, Hillsborough, and Fuquay-Varina; those in the foothills, Hickory and Morganton; and the Land of the Sky, mountainous Asheville. We’re gonna see a lot, so hang on and please enjoy.

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