Raleigh brewery hopping offers many tasty options
Charlotte isn’t the only city with a booming beer scene. There’s plenty on tap in Raleigh – and the entire Triangle – too.
Assuming you’re visiting Raleigh proper and lack the time to hit every single one in the region, here are five not to miss the next time you’re in the City of Oaks.
Lynnwood Grill and Brewing Concern
Don’t let the liquor shots, domestic bottles and neon signs fool you. While Lynnwood Grill might at first glance seem more sports bar than brewpub, it produces a variety of great beers. That’s as true of the highly-coveted Hubris imperial IPA as it is of styles that might not always resonate with the craft beer set. (I think the Bad Leroy Brown Ale is one of the best in that style, for example.) Find a full menu at the original location at 4821 Grove Barton Road or visit the new production facility at 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Rd. www.lynnwoodgrill.com
Trophy Brewing Co.
Like Lynnwood Grill, Trophy Brewing Co. is also expanding to a production facility to better meet demand. The owners will continue operating the original brewpub at 827 W. Morgan St., where you will find wood-fired pizzas and an ever-changing portfolio of beers spanning everything from the sweet (The King, a Belgian Dubbel with notes of peanut butter and banana) to the sour (The Participant, a Berliner Weisse that you can enjoy as-is or with a shot of fruit syrup). www.trophybrewing.com
Raleigh Brewing Co.
At Raleigh Brewing Co.’s taproom on 3709 Neil St., you’ll find plenty of space inside as well as out. You’ll also find seasonal and small-batch creations, as well as core beers like the Coffee Hidden Pipe Porter and Hell Yes Ma’am, a Belgian-style Golden Ale. At this year’s Great American Beer Festival, the brewery took home a bronze medal for The Miller’s Toll, an imperial oatmeal stout that will return this winter. www.raleighbrewingcompany.com
Crank Arm Brewing Co.
Before building the brewery, the owners of Crank Arm Brewing Co. drove bar hoppers around Raleigh via Crank Arm Rickshaw. You’re apt to spy one of those contraptions when visiting the brewery at 319 W. Davie St. in Raleigh’s warehouse district. The bicycle theme runs from the wall art to the beer names, which include core beers like the Rickshaw Rye IPA or seasonals like the Holy Spokes smoked porter, a beer inspired by Mexican mole sauce. There’s no kitchen here, but The Pit Authentic Barbecue is right across the street. www.crankarmbrewing.com
Big Boss Brewing Co.
Sure, you’ve seen Hell’s Belle and Bad Penny in Charlotte’s grocery stores, but visit the brewery’s taproom at 1249 Wicker Drive and you’re more likely to find its sour, barrel-aged or cask-conditioned beers. Whereas many breweries have fairly open floor plans, this building – which housed several breweries before Big Boss Brewing got its start in 2006 – offers a maze of individual rooms filled with games like shuffleboard, darts and table tennis. www.bigbossbrewing.com
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Raleigh brewery hopping offers many tasty options."