-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Crank Arm Brewing
319 W Davie St
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601-1718
United States
(919) 291-0643 | map
crankarmbrewing.com
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by dirtylou:
Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma
3.77/5 rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev -5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
Interesting little brewery in the outskirts of Raleigh - not terribly far from all the other beer spots, so worth a look for sure.
They have a bike (non-motor) theme going on, which is fine, but a little tiring. It was a cold day but I imagine the garage door would be open in the summer and provide an enjoyable ambiance.
+1 for giant-jenga
the belgian IPA was a little strange tasting and not encouraging enough to warrant a 2nd beer
Jan 01, 2014They have a bike (non-motor) theme going on, which is fine, but a little tiring. It was a cold day but I imagine the garage door would be open in the summer and provide an enjoyable ambiance.
+1 for giant-jenga
the belgian IPA was a little strange tasting and not encouraging enough to warrant a 2nd beer
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by MutuelsMark from Kentucky
5/5 rDev +25.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
5/5 rDev +25.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Cool place near downtown Raleigh staff is really friendly and lots of bike centered decor
Beers are all good too great in my opinion. Like this part of your trip destinations
Nov 16, 2023Beers are all good too great in my opinion. Like this part of your trip destinations
Reviewed by erosier from Connecticut
4.07/5 rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
4.07/5 rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25
Stopped in on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Cool spot in the heart of Raleigh with a small taproom and nice outdoor space. The place is decked out in gears and bike chains which is an interesting theme. It was pretty laid back in there, the service was excellent and the staff was very helpful. The selection was a lot more than expected with about 16 different things on tap with a wide range of styles. There was even a cask ale that was hand pulled and very good. Overall, a good spot if you're in town.
May 08, 2022Reviewed by Sludgeman from District of Columbia
3.99/5 rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
3.99/5 rDev +0.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
Visited on a Thursday late. Rather empty. An open space with a bar and a good view of the small brew house (note they also brew another location). A few TVs but really focused on the beer and with some board games available if needed.
Beers are average to above but of the five I had nothing was a home run.
Service was great. Both tenders were incredibly attentive and helpful with picking beers.
Really good selection, from sour to IPA to stout to dopplebock and Pilsner. Wish they wouldn’t focus so much energy on lactose based stouts.
Apr 01, 2022Beers are average to above but of the five I had nothing was a home run.
Service was great. Both tenders were incredibly attentive and helpful with picking beers.
Really good selection, from sour to IPA to stout to dopplebock and Pilsner. Wish they wouldn’t focus so much energy on lactose based stouts.
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4/5 rDev +0.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
4/5 rDev +0.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
A good brewery with plenty of space very close to downtown, with a good selection of various styles and a good vibe but yet relaxing enough for enjoying a few beers.
Oct 18, 2019Reviewed by daliandragon from Maryland
3.93/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
3.93/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
I used to live in the Triangle and my entire family flew in for my fortieth birthday a few years back. We ended up on a cool little street just off the main squares; there is a chocolate factory next door from this joint and a sweet bbq restaurant and vintage arcade down the street.
This place is pretty rustic, with only seven or eight taps running and mini pretzels as the only food. The brewery kind of surrounds the seating area and its not very big inside. Still, we each had a beer or two and mostly enjoyed everything as my brother kept us updated on the progress of his fantasy squad. Not one of NC's best breweries or anything, but worth a try if in the area.
Jun 10, 2019This place is pretty rustic, with only seven or eight taps running and mini pretzels as the only food. The brewery kind of surrounds the seating area and its not very big inside. Still, we each had a beer or two and mostly enjoyed everything as my brother kept us updated on the progress of his fantasy squad. Not one of NC's best breweries or anything, but worth a try if in the area.
Reviewed by nickfl from Florida
3.38/5 rDev -14.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.5
3.38/5 rDev -14.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.5
Vibe: bicycles. They had a decent selection of house brews, but not the most diverse variety. The beer was just ok, service was not great, even though the place was kind of dead. Maybe worth checking out if you are visiting the (excellent) chocolate factory next door, but otherwise I wouldn't go out of my way for this one.
Jun 01, 2017Reviewed by Mantooth from North Carolina
3.68/5 rDev -7.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75
3.68/5 rDev -7.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75
Cool little joint in a neat area of Raleigh. There's some great shops, including a good bottle shop, within walking distance. You're sitting in the guts of the brewery at this place, which is often the case at breweries. Good beer and a fun place to hang out. Check 'em out when you're in the area. Cheers!
May 15, 2017Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania
3.81/5 rDev -4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev -4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75
A neat little brewery in the hipster area of Raleigh, squarely between Poole Downtown Diner and Tasty Beverage. Crank Arm has the bike theme nailed. They even have funky-weird rickshaws for seating. Chic-industrial atmosphere all around, pretty busy on a weekend night.
9 beers on tap during my visit, including Belgian wheat, American Rye IPA (Rickshaw), Peloton Belgian IPA, Wee Heavy, Motivator Coffee Imperial Stout… good variety.
Beers are not mind-blowing but good for sure. Growlers, tasters, friendly folks… cool place.
Jan 28, 20179 beers on tap during my visit, including Belgian wheat, American Rye IPA (Rickshaw), Peloton Belgian IPA, Wee Heavy, Motivator Coffee Imperial Stout… good variety.
Beers are not mind-blowing but good for sure. Growlers, tasters, friendly folks… cool place.
Reviewed by NateDyk47 from Michigan
4.49/5 rDev +13.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 5 | selection: 4.25
4.49/5 rDev +13.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 5 | selection: 4.25
Cool bicycle themed brewery. They had some games and were dog friendly, but pretty small so it got crowded quickly. Even so, bartender was very attentive and gave explanations when asked. The beet beer was a little weird, but everything else we tried was great. 12 or so beers on tap if I remember correctly. I'd definitely go again if I'm in town.
Feb 14, 2016Reviewed by Griffin2 from Virginia
4.07/5 rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
4.07/5 rDev +2.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
I Visited Crank Arm Brewing on 2/06/16. The taproom was set up nicely, with bar seating as well as quite a few tables. You had to order your beer at the bar, which seems pretty typical for taprooms. We had the 5 beer sampler. The beers were pretty good. I was not a fan of Beetaway, but I'm not really a fan of beets. I would recommend this place for anyone looking to have a couple beers on Raleigh.
Feb 09, 2016Reviewed by oldn00b from Virginia
3.84/5 rDev -3.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.25 | selection: 4
3.84/5 rDev -3.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.25 | selection: 4
Came here twice on a short trip to Raleigh. First to make sure we tried it, second because we needed a place to sit and grab a quick beer and there it was again.
I really have to give this place a ton of credit for the vibe and decor. I love the garage theme and the garage doors that open to a main drag in downtown. Perfect place to stop for a beer on an uncharacteristically cool August night. It's got a great noise level - not too loud but feels lively. It's clean (huge plus for a place with the brew tanks in the same open area as the serving bar).
Beers range from okay to really good. Nothing at all was bad, a couple were forgettable and a couple stood out. Only slight gripe was the service. The bar wasn't that busy but we watched other folks who bellied up after us get served before us. Maybe they're regulars so that's okay, I'll give a pass. I didn't like that we couldn't order a tasting of all 8 to share - only the first 5 were available in a flight and the bottom three you could have a small taste or a full pour. Maybe that's common but I'm not exactly used to that and felt like I could have been told "sorry no" a bit nicer.
I'd definitely stop here again if I was in town for longer, but if I had another short stop I'd try some of the other options nearby first.
Aug 14, 2015I really have to give this place a ton of credit for the vibe and decor. I love the garage theme and the garage doors that open to a main drag in downtown. Perfect place to stop for a beer on an uncharacteristically cool August night. It's got a great noise level - not too loud but feels lively. It's clean (huge plus for a place with the brew tanks in the same open area as the serving bar).
Beers range from okay to really good. Nothing at all was bad, a couple were forgettable and a couple stood out. Only slight gripe was the service. The bar wasn't that busy but we watched other folks who bellied up after us get served before us. Maybe they're regulars so that's okay, I'll give a pass. I didn't like that we couldn't order a tasting of all 8 to share - only the first 5 were available in a flight and the bottom three you could have a small taste or a full pour. Maybe that's common but I'm not exactly used to that and felt like I could have been told "sorry no" a bit nicer.
I'd definitely stop here again if I was in town for longer, but if I had another short stop I'd try some of the other options nearby first.
Reviewed by dbrauneis from North Carolina
3.94/5 rDev -0.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
3.94/5 rDev -0.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
The place had a much nicer space than the other breweries that opened around the same time - bright and clean inside with a bicycle theme (industrial design elements made from gears are present all over the place). Their were a lot of folks there on a Sunday afternoon when I visited spanning young (20ish) hipsters to older (50ish) groups. I saw a couple of families but I would not consider this space to be real family friendly.
Beers were really well poured into proper glassware - tulip/snifter, pint, and weizen glasses were all in use on my visit. Beers were poured at the proper temperature with a decent amount of head.
Bartenders were really friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the product. Were quite helpful at talking about the other places that have opened in the last couple of years in Raleigh beer scene and recommend some other places to visit.
They had eight beers on tap when I visited but the majority of the beers had a fairly hoppy profile - so they might not appeal to everyone. Interesting twists on some of the classic styles.
Jun 28, 2015Beers were really well poured into proper glassware - tulip/snifter, pint, and weizen glasses were all in use on my visit. Beers were poured at the proper temperature with a decent amount of head.
Bartenders were really friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the product. Were quite helpful at talking about the other places that have opened in the last couple of years in Raleigh beer scene and recommend some other places to visit.
They had eight beers on tap when I visited but the majority of the beers had a fairly hoppy profile - so they might not appeal to everyone. Interesting twists on some of the classic styles.
Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland
3.79/5 rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75
3.79/5 rDev -4.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.75
Once you have stuffed your gullet with brisket at The Pit, it is very easy to waddle across the street for a few fine fresh pints at Crank Arm Brewing. A new entry to the Raleigh Beer Scene, Crank Arm, which has something to do with bicycle machinery is situated in an industrial structure that may have been a body shop. There is a large space with communal tables, some high-tops and a moderate sized bar. The brewing tanks are towards the back and on view to all. There is a popular patio in front where patrons, kids and dogs may enjoy the day.
During my visits - I made two - I counted 10 available beers and one cask. My favorites included their Rickshaw Rye IPA, an Irish Red Ale and the Flying Scotsman, a Scotch Ale.
A full pour runs about $5.50. There is no food or table service.
Definitely, a worthy stop!
May 29, 2015During my visits - I made two - I counted 10 available beers and one cask. My favorites included their Rickshaw Rye IPA, an Irish Red Ale and the Flying Scotsman, a Scotch Ale.
A full pour runs about $5.50. There is no food or table service.
Definitely, a worthy stop!
Reviewed by GarthDanielson from Virginia
3.93/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
3.93/5 rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75
Finally got in to visit Crank Arm. This is a pretty sweet little spot near downtown Raleigh. Long, narrow building, with all the brewery equipment in the back. From the entrance, the bar is on your left, with tabled seating on the right. The bar is a reversed J-shape, with plenty of seating. Pretty cool moving bike art on the walls to the right, and a few televisions over the bar to the left. The bartender was awesome. Very friendly and very knowledgeable. There were 10 beers on tap, and beer is available to go in growlers. They have the traditional glass, as well as some insulated thermal growlers for a little bit more. Plenty of swag available, too. This is a good place to stop if you find yourself in the triangle for some beer tourism.
Jan 19, 2015
Crank Arm Brewing in Raleigh, NC
Brewery rating:
3.83 out of
5 with
355 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the place's attributes plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!