Craft Beers Coverage

North Carolina is a craft beer hotbed

Did you know that North Carolina has more craft breweries than any other state in the south? Since 2000, hundreds of breweries and brewpubs – from single operator operations to those with national distribution – have popped up across the state.

The Triangle, Asheville and Charlotte all are known for craft beer tours.

Local residents and tourists can be found most days at breweries, brewpubs and bottle shops, sampling limited releases, comparing flavor profiles and simply enjoying a pint surrounded by family, friends and pets (Many breweries are dog-friendly). Most locations regularly host pop-up markets, food trucks, run clubs and trivia nights that play into the sense of community around a certain brewery.

In addition to local, brewery-based events, North Carolina is home to seasonal sampling events at which ticketholders can purchase and taste beers from across the state, the country and the world.

Two of the largest of these events are the annual Brewgaloo NC Craft Beer Festival and the touring World Beer Festival.

The Triangle is also home to the more NC-focused Beericana, held in the fall at Holly Springs's Sugg Farm Park.

Listen to the 919 Beer podcast

Every week, Adam Eshbaugh and Joe Ovies of 99.9 FM The Fan interview local brewers, discuss local beer news and taste some of the Triangle's newest brews and food.

Find the 919 Beer Podcast wherever you download podcasts.

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  • 919 Beer podcast logo
    919 Beer podcast: Off and running in the New Year
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh and Wayne Holt host this week's program. The food guest this week is Fuzzy's Empanadas from Raleigh and the Triangle with co-owners Roy and Kem Thombs. The beer guest this week is Fiddlin' Fish Brewing Company, an independent brewery and taproom located in Winston-Salem. Stuart Barnhart, president, and co-owner, David Ashe, are in studio for the taping of today's show.
    January 9, 2019 4:56 p.m. EST
  • 919 Beer Live at Scratch Kitchen and Taproom in Apex
    919 Beer podcast: Live at Scratch Kitchen and Taproom in Apex
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt record the 919 Beer Podcast at Scratch Kitchen and Taproom in Apex. The guest this week from Bill's Brewing Company is Donnie Stone, co-owner and general manager. He talks about Bill's Brewing Company taproom and brewhouse, Capt'n Bill's Seafood, and Bill's Front Porch. He also talks about some of the seasonal beers they are featuring now including the Christmas Pants Winter Warmer, the Bill's Front Porch Breakfast Stout, and the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Breakfast Stout, their Wave Break IPA, and Bill's Brew ESB and Roundabout ESB.
    December 20, 2018 11:06 a.m. EST
  • new belgium
    919 Beer podcast: New Belgium Brewing Company
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt welcome Chris Allen from New Belgium Brewing Company to the 919 Beer podcast. Chris's official title is "Raleigh Beer Ranger" for New Belgium Brewing. He brought in Brut IPA and Passion Fruit Kolsch, and they also went over the Bojangles beer pairing party held earlier this fall in Raleigh. He also brought in Voodoo Ranger Liquid Paradise IPA. Chris went to the Carolina Panthers-Cleveland Browns game, and gave his analysis of this year's team, his "beer" tour, and tour of Cleveland, which included the house that was depicted in "A Christmas Story".
    December 14, 2018 5:40 p.m. EST
  • 919 Beer podcast logo
    919 Beer Podcast Tap Takeover at Scratch Kitchen in Apex
    The 919 Beer Podcast is doing a Tap Takeover with Bill's Brewing Company at Scratch Kitchen & Taproom in Apex on Wednesday, Dec 19th at 7:30pm.
    December 13, 2018 9:21 a.m. EST
  • The Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    Events this week: Ugly Sweater Party, Trans-Siberian Orchestra
    If you're itching to get out of the house, this is your guide.
    December 11, 2018 8:55 a.m. EST
  • 919 Beer Podcast: Bond Brothers
    919 Beer podcast: Bond Brothers Brewing Company
    Bond Brothers Brewing Company, located in Cary, N.C, is the featured brewery this week. They were recently voted "Best New Brewery in the Country" by a USA Today Poll. Whit Baker, Brewmaster and Flavor Wizard; and Sean McKinney, Head of Blending, are the guests this week.
    December 7, 2018 7:37 p.m. EST
  • 919 Beer podcast logo
    919 Beer podcast: But is it Crushable?
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt are at "House of Hops" in Raleigh sampling multiple beers to determine their "crushability", including a dessert beer that brings the Angus Barn to mind. Nick Alexander, Sales and Distribution Manager for Bill's Brewing Company is the guest this week.
    November 30, 2018 12:05 p.m. EST
  • Lonerider-1-1
    Lonerider plans $3.5M investment in whiskey business
    Lonerider Spirits, the sister company of Lonerider Brewing Co., which launched in May, has started an equity funding round aimed at $3.5 million.
    November 19, 2018 11:27 a.m. EST
  • Vicious Fishes Brewery
    919 Beer podcast: Vicious Fishes
    Joe Ovies, and Wayne Holt host this week's program. Adam Eshbaugh is on assignment. First off, they go over Wayne's "business" trip to Cancun, and they discuss craft beer and diversity. Then, they welcome the beer guests this week: Ken O' Berry, founder/owner of Vicious Fishes Brewery in Angier, Apex, and Fuquay-Varina; and Ryan Miller, Executive Chef. They brought in OctoPils, a Czech-style pilsner, lamb shank tacos, Into the Abyss Brown Ale, and their White Russian, a cocktail-style ale. The Vicious Fishes guests went over their locations, menus, and their packaging, which led to an overall discussion of craft beer industry business models, and packaging.
    November 16, 2018 9:11 p.m. EST
  • Hi-Wire Brewing
    Asheville-based brewer Hi-Wire opens tap room in Durham
    Hi-Wire Brewing out of Asheville will open a tap room in Durham Saturday, with a public grand opening celebration scheduled for Dec. 1.
    November 17, 2018 3:21 p.m. EST
  • 919 Beer podcast Tap Takeover with Bill's Brewing Company at House of Hops
    Tap Takeover: Bill's Brewing Company at House of Hops
    The 919 Beer podcast is doing a TAP TAKEOVER with Bill's Brewing Company at House of Hops on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
    November 14, 2018 4:11 p.m. EST
  • Mother Earth Brewery
    919 Beer podcast: Mother Earth Brewing Company
    This week, Joe Ovies and Adam Eshbaugh host. The food guest this week was Scratch. They featured their Bibimbap bowls. The beer guests this week were Travis Quinn, Director of Sales; and Chris Ferri, Triangle Sales Rep for Mother Earth Brewing Company out of Kinston. They talked about their newest offering, "Silent Night", an Imperial Stout, with a hint of coffee, and a little bit of molasses. They talked about their fall beer, "Fig and Raisin", a Belgian dubbel. And, also talked about their "Long Weekend Oatmeal IPA"; "Sisters of the Moon" IPA; "Endless River" Kolsch; "Garden Party" Champagne IPA; and "Park Day", a Bohemian Pilsner.
    November 9, 2018 9:43 p.m. EST
  • 919 Beer
    919 Beer podcast: My Way Tavern and Tarboro Brewing Company
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt host this week's program. There is a Halloween recap, and a discussion of throwing beer at World Series celebrations in Boston, prior to welcoming in the guests this week. The food guest this week is Andrew Stafford, owner-operator, of My Way Tavern in Raleigh and Holly Springs. Andy goes over regular menu items, and the beer menu, and the evolution of several items on the menu. The beer guest this week is Inez Ribustello of Tarboro Brewing Company. Their main taproom and brewing facility is in Tarboro, but they are also opening a new brewery and restaurant at Rocky Mount Mills. They are also sponsoring Tarboro's first Brewgrass Celebration on Sunday, November 11th, which will feature eight breweries from the area, food trucks, and bands. Inez talks about their Seed Spitter Salted Watermelon Goze, and introduces a new beer, the Sexy Canoe. She refers to their Southern Solstice Imperial Stout, and goes over their signature beers including Nana's Roof Pale, First Ryed India Pale Ale, the Town Common Ale, and their Downtown Abbaye Belgian-style beer.
    November 2, 2018 4:24 p.m. EDT
  • Mystery Brewing closes its doors
    Mystery Brewing pours its last beers
    After nearly seven years and "a lot of tears and a lot of highs and a lot of lows," Mystery Brewing in Hillsborough is pouring its last few beers.
    October 31, 2018 7:09 p.m. EDT
  • The Point Vs. Cancer party
    919 Beer Goes to the Garden
    The 919 Beer Podcast was recorded live at Raleigh Beer Garden on Thursday night. Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt host and welcome the beer guest this week, Nick Alexander, Sales and Distribution Manager for Bill's Front Porch in Wilmington. Nick talked about "Oktoberfest", their "Mosaic IPA", and also introduced "Bionic Beaver", their own interpretation of a New England IPA. Nick also discussed how Hurricane Florence affected their business, how they were able to recuperate afterwards, and introduced "Wave Break", a beer that Bill's Front Porch developed just prior to the hurricane, and named "Wave Break" just after the storm passed.
    October 26, 2018 8:09 p.m. EDT
  • Mystery Brewing
    Mystery Brewing in Hillsborough to close its doors
    After nearly seven years in business, Mystery Brewing Company announced Thursday that it would be closing.
    October 27, 2018 8:01 a.m. EDT
  • Oak & Dagger
    Raleigh brewery to close its doors
    Oak and Dagger will be closing its doors this week, owners announced via Facebook on Wednesday.
    October 24, 2018 4:03 p.m. EDT
  • Clubs & Suds Craft Beer Golf Tournament
    919 Beer podcast: Clubs & Suds combines beer, golf
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt host this week's program. Joe previews the Clubs & Suds Craft Beer Golf Tournament to be held Friday, Oct. 26 at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Raleigh. And, the beer guest this week is Brian Mancini, Region Manager for F.X. Matt Brewing Company. He represents the Saranac line of beers. Brian and the hosts discuss fall and winter selections and holiday offerings.
    October 18, 2018 5:23 p.m. EDT
  • 919 Beer Podcast and Bill's Front Porch Pub
    919 Beer podcast and Bill's Front Porch tap takeover at Raleigh Beer Garden
    The 919 Beer Podcast is doing a TAP TAKEOVER with Bill's Front Porch Pub and Brewery at Raleigh Beer Garden on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
    October 17, 2018 4:27 p.m. EDT
  • Mystery Brewing
    919 Beer podcast: From Storm to Storm, on to the Fair, and Checking in with Check Six
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt host this week's show, which chronicles food and beer selections at the North Carolina State Fair. The beer will be served at the Our State Public House at the fair. And, in the first segment they went over the results of the 2018 NC Brewers Cup. Then, they check in with the beer guests this week, Check Six Brewing Company from Southport. Noah Goldman, CEO, Brewmaster and Janitor, and Head Brewer, Justin "MAGGS" Maggard, make a visit to the studios. They talk about their Broken Prop Pilsner, their Oktoberfest lager, and their kolsch, which is a light wheat beer. Then, they go over the evolution of their bock beer, which is a German dark lager beer. Then, they go over the Wilmington craft beer market.
    October 11, 2018 7:39 p.m. EDT