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: Post-Hurricane Beer, the South Wake Beer Mile, and Oktoberfest
    Joe Ovies and Adam Eshbaugh host this week. They interview Dave Karls, VP of Marketing and Public Relations for "Shoes and Brews" in Holly Springs, about the South Wake Beer Mile, which will be held at Carolina Brewing Company in Holly Springs on Saturday, October 13th. Then, they welcome the beer guests this week: Jason Faulkner, Sales Manager, and Will Haddock, Marketing Manager, for White Street Brewing Company in Wake Forest. They are preparing for Oktoberfest, Saturday, October 6th, in downtown Wake Forest. White Street is crafting six different German beers for the occasion: Altbier, Berliner Weiss, Kolsch, Marzen, Pilsen, and Schwarzbier.
    September 21, 2018 1:06 p.m. EDT
  • Visitors have refreshing time at Beericana 2018
    919 Beer podcast: Beericana and Beyond
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt recap last weekend's Beericana, and have plenty of guests this week, including Scratch Kitchen and Taproom, which provided truffle fries, BBQ short ribs, and blue cheese macaroni with marinated steak. Scratch will host the live September 27th taping of the 919 Beer Podcast. Chase McBride, director of development of Triangle Hops for Hope, and local architect, Frank Jackson, were guests as well. Hops for Hope is a part of Children's Flight for Hope, which provides flights for children needing medical care. Hops for Hope will be holding a beer tasting on Saturday, September 22nd, featuring a brew made uniquely for this event. Today's beer guest is Scott McWhorter, the Director of Sales and Distribution at Wise Man Brewery in Winston-Salem. 919 Beer discussed their seasonal kolsch, an English mild stout, and a cream ale.
    September 13, 2018 7:39 p.m. EDT
  • Rocky Mount Brewery
    New black-owned brewery breaks new ground at Rocky Mount Mills
    A new brewery is taking root at Rocky Mount Mills and its operators are infusing a new flavor into the area's burgeoning craft beer industry.
    September 4, 2018 2:38 p.m. EDT
  • Bill's Front Porch
    919 Beer Podcast goes to the coast
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt host this week's program. 919 Beer visits Bill's Front Porch in Wilmington, and interview co-owner and general manager, Donnie Stone. Donnie talks about the history and production facility, and goes over Bill's most popular beers: The Mosaic IPA, the Citra Pale Ale, and Schwartzbier. Then, they interview Jim Deaton, the head brewer at Bill's Front Porch. Jim was trained in classic German beers, but talks about how he has expanded the variety at Bill's. He explains his formulation for the Mosaic IPA, his work in creating four New England IPA's, and adapting his style to Wilmington and the surrounding beaches.
    September 1, 2018 6:41 a.m. EDT
  • Rocky Mount Mills
    919 Beer Podcast: HopFly from Rocky Mount
    Joe Ovies, Adam Eshbaugh, and Wayne Holt host. This week, My Way Tavern in Raleigh and Holly Springs provided the food. 919 Beer will be at Bill's Front Porch in Wilmington this Saturday at 1 o' clock to record their next beer podcast. The beer guest this week is Cameron Shultz from HopFly Brewery, a brewery in the Rocky Mount Mills development. Cameron Shultz is the founder and head brewer at HopFly. He brought HopFly Beach Beer, a Session IPA; HopFly First Priority IPA; HopFly Summer Crush, a New England IPA; and HopFly Jalapeno Saison, a Farmhouse Ale.
    August 24, 2018 1:09 p.m. EDT
  • Tap the Triangle
    Beer with friends: How two friends turned love of beer into a business
    While in college at Central Florida, best friends Kyle Spore and Tina Kocak-Hodapp used to seek out the best craft beer and food in the area.
    August 21, 2018 9:49 a.m. EDT
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    919 Beer Podcast: Joe Back from Cali, Beericana and Southern Peak
    Joe returns from the San Francisco Bay Area, where he visited Barebottle Brewing Company, and Tahoe Mountain Brewing. Joe, Adam and Wayne interview Tim and Madz Igelmann of Bamboo Cookhouse, who served up Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Pork Mac and Cheese, and Lumpias. Also interviewed is GMA Supply owner, Sean Mayefskie. GMA Supply is a sponsor of Beericana. GMA Supply is a building supplies dealer, whose products include windows, doors, siding, tools, plumbing fixtures and accessories. This week's beverage guest is Ken Michalski, the owner of Southern Peak Brewery in Apex, who talked about his line of IPA's: Puffing Devil, Mystic Maze, and the Dipa Double IPA. Southern Peak also produces Midnight Conductor and Boxcar Belle German Lager, both Silver Medalists at the 2016 US Beer Open. All will be at Beericana, Saturday, September 8th.
    August 17, 2018 8:45 p.m. EDT
  • 919 Beer podcast logo
    919 Beer podcast: European beers, Pink Boots Society
    Guest host Lauren Brownlow discusses her trip to Europe and the beer she sampled there. Jordan Boinest, from Indiana-based Central State Brewery, brings Table, and Garden Goose to sample. She also discusses Pink Boots Society, which advances women's careers in the craft beer industry.
    August 10, 2018 2:52 p.m. EDT
  • Train, The Fray play Walnut Creek
    Events this week: Book of Mormon, Matt Nathanson
    There is plenty to do in the Triangle this week!
    August 6, 2018 9:04 a.m. EDT
  • New tarriffs hit NC craft beer industry
    Trump's tariffs on imported aluminum hit NC craft beer industry
    The Trump administration's tariff on imported aluminum is hitting the North Carolina craft beer industry where it hurts.
    August 4, 2018 3:26 a.m. EDT
  • Beericana event
    919 Beer podcast: What's ahead at Beericana
    Joe Ovies and Adam Eshbaugh host with food guest, Oscar Flores, from Pabalanos Tacos Food Truck in Raleigh. They talk Tacos, Pupusas, Quesadillas, and Stuffed Pablanos. Pablanos Tacos will be at Beericana, Sept. 8th. Then, Joe and Adam introduce the beverage guests this week, Jason Romines, and Joe Stallworth, Account Managers for Artisan Beverage out of Charlotte, N.C. Jason and Joe bring Central State Breweries' Table Beer, Too Shallow for Commerce IPA, and Highway Strawberry IPA. They also bring Birdsong Brewery's Jalapeno Pale Ale, and Legal Remedy Brewing's Jalapeno Pineapple Ale, and World Court Mocha Blonde Stout. Artisan Beverage will also be at Beericana Sept. 8th.
    August 6, 2018 8:52 a.m. EDT
  • Lonerider Showdown
    Local brewery expands into spirits
    Lonerider will release its bourbon whiskey this fall.
    July 23, 2018 12:26 p.m. EDT
  • 919 Beer podcast logo
    919 Beer podcast: A trip around local breweries, and a visit from Appalachian Mountain Brewery.
    Adam Eschbaugh and Wayne Holt host this week. They visit Postmaster Brewery in Cary; Third Degree Brewhouse in Fuquay; Pharmacy Bottle and Beverage in Cary, and Vicious Fishes in Apex. Then, they are joined by Kevin Tyndall, Sales Manager of Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Boone, the winner of two gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival.
    July 20, 2018 12:21 p.m. EDT
  • 919 Beer
    919 Beer Podcast: Four years of talking beer in the Triangle
    Joe and Adam go without a guest for this episode of the 919 Beer Podcast to mark the four year anniversary of the podcast.
    July 13, 2018 11:39 a.m. EDT
  • Hi-Wire Brewing
    Asheville's Hi-Wire Brewing to open Durham taproom
    Asheville's Hi-Wire Brewing, known for producing approachable and balanced lagers and ales, will open a new taproom in downtown Durham this fall.
    June 25, 2018 5:32 p.m. EDT
  • Kingfisher
    New craft cocktail bar opening in Durham
    Kingfisher, an intimate cocktail bar, will be opening in Durham later this year, owners announced Thursday.
    July 13, 2018 11:15 a.m. EDT
  • Pizzelle Bakery
    Inside Chapel Hill's first food hall
    Explore global cuisine, satisfy your sweet tooth and check out local craft beer - all under one roof in Chapel Hill.
    July 13, 2018 11:22 a.m. EDT
  • doughman 2013
    Weekend best bets: Derby parties, festivals and more
    One look at this list and it's clear -- festival season is here! Our calendar is overflowing with Triangle events this weekend, and the biggest problem is deciding what to do!
    July 13, 2018 3:22 p.m. EDT
  • Babalu Tapas and Tacos
    Events this week: Taco Tuesday, Star Wars Night
    There's plenty to do this week! Here are our best picks.
    July 13, 2018 3:22 p.m. EDT
  • Brewgaloo
    Weekend best bets: Cary Spring Daze, Brewgaloo
    This is a big weekend in the Triangle! These outdoor-centered events are the perfect way to celebrate spring.
    July 13, 2018 3:22 p.m. EDT