If you plan on visiting Durham any time soon, you have got to explore the Breweries in Durham as well.
Durham, which is frequently named one of the best US cities to live in, also draws millions of tourists every year, in part because of its fantastic nightlife and culture. A key component of that culture, the craft beer scene, has developed with the city.
Many wonderful breweries that are proud of their work and give their consumers freshly brewed craft beer call Durham home. Durham has many amazing breweries to chill out and enjoy the ambiance; the breweries are just a part of the many awesome things to do in Durham.
It is a city in North Carolina that is famous for its technology companies and institutions with a very scholarly reputation. But you can find ways to have fun everywhere, right? So delve in!
Things to Do in Durham
Durham is full of monuments, chapels, museums, restaurants, and, of course, their own Durham breweries.
You could visit their state-of-the-art museum to take a peek at their cultural side and heritage, or you could visit the Museum of Science + Life to explore the scientific displays.
Many beautiful chapels in Durham denote the religious side of this city. You could rake a tour of the famous Duke University and scour its long grounds while admiring the architecture of the university building.
And as for the food – Durham has some amazing restaurants. A few of the Durham breweries serve meals as well, along with their tap menu.
Durham breweries brew ales for local as well as commercial use. A lot of these brews are transported to other cities and are loved by a large population of North Carolina.
The best part about Breweries is that all of them have a fun and energetic vibe to them and would help you have a good time.
They have plenty to offer to their guests and make sure they satisfy every connoisseur of beer who visits them.
Durham also hosts the annual World Beer Festival; the event features brews from breweries and many other national and international breweries as well.
And not just ale, they also feature great food and music, and they promise to help you make great memories.
10 Best Breweries in Durham
1) Ponysaurus Brewing Company
This one of the breweries has a drive-through and a beautiful taproom and outside seating arrangements with outdoor heaters in the patio and beer gardens.
Since 2015, Ponysaurus Brewing has been serving beer, initially from an attic that required a scissor lift to access. They call their experimental beers, which they characterize as “forward-thinking and backward-tasting,” American, Belgian, and European in style.
The Biére De Garde and Don’t Be Mean To People Golden Rule Saison are crowd favorites. However, there are also experimental sour beers and beer aged in bourbon barrels here. Because of this, we believe Ponysaurus is a fantastic brewery for everyone.
The expansive lawn in front is ideal for outdoor gatherings with the family and picnics in the warmer months. And of all the breweries, Governor Cooper has visited this one to inaugurate NC Beer Month in April.
Along with beers, they also serve hot drinks and non-alcoholic cider, fit for all age groups. It is located in downtown Durham; swing by with your group for a good time.
2) Fullsteam Brewery
Their mission is to craft the best Southern beer and support the Southern beer economy and the local farmers. You may read about Fullsteam’s highly open financial practices in their study of the Southern beer industry.
Fullsteam Brewery is a part of the Durham breweries that believe in using local ingredients to brew the best local ales and sour beer. The “Plow to Pint” slogan and a close relationship with Southern farmers are just the beginning.
Established in 2010, they have a variety of tasty ales; you could order one of their locally brewed ales along with a snack from their food menu and enjoy the vibes in the taproom. You can order dishes with novel ingredients like sweet potatoes, scuppernong, hickory, and pawpaws from the pub menu.
You can always try a Rocket Science or one of their unique pints by going over. You’ll know, most significantly, that your money is returning to the source and supporting a tasty experience.
This brewery is located on Rigsbee Ave.
3) Durty Bull Brewing Company
Next on the list is the Durty Bull brewing company, which brews unconventional ales and beers. They brew their beers with creativity and old-fashioned techniques and make sure they are barrel-aged and sour.
One of Durham’s best-kept neighborhood secrets is Durty Bull, which is hidden from downtown’s major thoroughfare. You can see this brewery has a lot of punch as you enter the taproom next to their 15-barrel production!
Depending on when you visit, Durty Bull also has good IPAs, Porters, and other styles. For a Hurts, Donut, Fill in the (Blanc), or something else, proceed to.
Between pints at Dirty Bull, you can also play vintage console games on their TV or play Simpsons pinball. The fantastic collection of Simpsons memorabilia inside deserves praise, too.
They have a taproom with several locally brewed beers on tap and to-go as well; you could also order your can of locally brewed ale online. Enjoy the number of events that take place at this lively brewery.
Check out their event calendar to know more about the events; it is located on Broadway Street.
4) Bull Durham Beer Company
They make very good German and American brews with passion and creativity and use the best ingredients.
The Durham Bulls Athletic Park’s home games are entertaining, and not just because of Wool E. Bull’s antics. To begin with, each game includes athletes who are either just missing out on the Show or who are in rehab before returning to the top level.
Bull Durham Beer Company, the first brewery in the nation to be owned and produced in a Minor League Baseball Stadium
A Bull Durham beer and baseball go hand in hand because they are brewed directly next to the concession stand. We enjoy their IPA, which is only reportedly offered at the stadium.
Kolsch, Wheat, and Light Ale from Bull Durham are available in stores and bottle shops from Durham to the coast when the Bulls aren’t playing.
They have a team of skilled workers who work hard to craft delicious beers.
Do try their famous light ales and Kolsch.
5) Hi-Wire Brewing
This is one of the breweries in Durham that believes in crafting traditional-style beer to pay homage to the brewing heritage. But they also keep in mind the new cultures of crafting and brewing and work upon that.
Who doesn’t like a bit of old school in today’s culture? And what do you want more when you get to taste that in a can of locally brewed ale? The taproom was established in 2015 and is very spacious, with a patio and beer garden.
You could either sit in the indoor seating and enjoy the energetic-themed taproom, or you could sit outside in the garden under the sky.
Furthermore, Durham is pleased to have them in the Golden Belt, where they take up a sizable area of nearly 9,000 square feet. And we’re crazy about more than just the circus motif and the vibrant artwork!
Hi-Wire Durham is not your typical brewery; it has 24 taps, full-sized shuffleboard courts, soccer pool tables, table tennis, and more. Wild ales and barrel-aged sours are constantly being experimented with, and the tap list is constantly shifting.
They have a recreation space where you could play many indoor games like table tennis, a soccer pool table and many more. Even though the taproom is family-friendly, they only entertain 21 + after 8 p.m.
6) Bull City Burger and Brewery
It is also famous for its pasture-raised beef. They also serve delicious pizzas, pasta, gelato ice-creams, and other snacks.
To produce amazing-tasting beer, BCBB uses sustainable and community-driven concepts while maintaining the purity of its components.
Our go-to beer is the Parish St. Pale Ale, but when we venture out, there are lots of chances to taste something else. The brewers at BCBB have experimented with jalapenos, chocolate, and other interesting substances.
As for beverages, apart from their tasty locally brewed ales, they also serve wine. Also, worry not, you vegetarians! They also serve delicious veggie burgers and other veggie snacks.
They cater to all types of needs, be it food or drinks. As for the brewery, they call themselves the champions of true-to-style beer; be the judge of that by visiting them and ordering off their menu anytime soon.
This ought to be your first stop if you’re traveling downtown for a mouthwatering burger and a beer. Just remember to avoid drinking alcohol to dilute your food. Enjoy it with your tastebuds as you savor it.
7) The Glass Jug Beer Lab
Stop by this liveliest of the Durham breweries; they offer a massive selection of locally crafted brews and claim to use the finest ingredients.
Although The Glass Jug is most known for its wonderful bottle shop, it also has an on-site nano-brewery that makes fantastic beer, some of which is only available at the taps.
This location, known as “The Beer Lab,” capitalizes on RTP’s reputation for creativity and science while experimenting with new, interesting tastes and producing excellent brews.
Their main motto is to brew high-quality beer using beer crafting science while educating beer drinkers and building a better community for breweries.
The scientific titles you’ll discover here, like Standard Deviation, Binomial, Opacity, and other brain-twisting phrases, may bring back memories of Mr Johnson’s third period. However, unlike Mr. Johnson’s class, these beers are never monotonous, and it’s always fascinating to sample the new stuff.
They host several events and beer-tasting rounds; you could also enjoy food from the food trucks parked outside and sip on a chilled pint sitting in the garden seating area.
They have a very modern-themed taproom and an amiable working staff who are always happy to help you choose your new favorite flavored ale from various local and guest taps.
8) Clouds Brewing
Durham Brewery’s next entrée is a sports taproom with exposed brick-designed walls. They craft new American brew variants, many German-inspired ales, and European brews.
They have 18 taps and also serve wines and ciders as well. Established in 2016, they make sure their customers have a fun time while sipping brews they make.
You could also enjoy a match played on the TV in the taproom.
They have an outside seating arrangement and a soccer pool area for recreation; sign up for various events that take place on specific days. Check out their events calendar for more.
If you want to enjoy a traditional Southern brew, we suggest tasting their Sweet Potato Porter. Short ribs, a classic Southern dish, are a great accompaniment. You won’t be able to forget about this supper for a time.
9) Beer Study Durham
It has a bottle shop selling its craft beers besides brewing local ales. They have a very hip and modern type of taproom with leather couches and a separate gaming arcade for recreation.
Starpoint began in Carrboro and gained popularity rapidly thanks to the deliciously hoppy beer they were producing. Some of them are still available, such as Tekno Boy (West Coast Imperial IPA) and Hipster or Hobo (Pale Ale).
A Starpoint is an ideal beverage for a stroll around the bottle shop, a chat at one of their numerous tables, or a quick drink in the arcade in between games. Although that combo is fantastic, beer is the most crucial element. And because of this, it will always rank among our top Durham brewers.
They have 38 constantly rotating taps and serve cider and wine for those who are not much into beers. They have an arcade with many classic old games like pinball, skeeball, and many more.
You can also rent the arcade room for private parties and drink beer, shop for beer, or play, all at the same place. Check out their events in the event calendar, and make sure to be a part of any one of them the next time you plan on visiting.
End Note:
Durham breweries are not just about brewing ales but are also the best in their services and keeping their customers happy.
Good craft beer soothes the senses and the soul, and Durham has several excellent options for you to savor this specific remedy.
One wishes to move to North Carolina in part because of the brewing scene in Durham. It continues to expand, just like our passion for the city, and we’re eager to see what happens in this expanding beer hub in the future.
Do visit any or all of these awesome Durham breweries if you plan on going to Durham anytime soon. You could also visit the other breweries in North Carolina.
And as for the level of enjoyment, do go there and check that out for yourself. Do note that most of the restaurants allow only 21 and above, so make sure to check with the staff if you plan on taking the kids there. Have fun!
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
