Outer Banks Bars, Breweries, or Bottle Shops

There used to be an upscale grocery store in Avon with a nice beer selection but apparently it went out of business in the '12-'13 offseason. Piggly Wiggly is basically your only store option and the pickings are slim. Haul good beer in if you can. Zillie's on Ocracoke has a nice selection if you're up for a road trip. Their prices are high but they have the best selection in the area. The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry is free but at an hour each way, it could easily be a half day trip (I love Ocracoke and would highly recommend a day trip if you have time). I hit a little brewpub in Manteo (blanking on the name here) that was nice. Good beer and good food. It's worth a trip if you're in the neighborhood. I haven't been to Weeping Radish or any of the other OBX breweries so I'll defer to others on their quality.

 

Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kitty Hawk is definitely worth it if you are in the area. Chips Wine and Beer is up that way as well and has a great selection (check the IPA dates though). Not sure if you are traveling with family but the OBX brewing station is a beer loving parents paradise. They have like an acre fenced in area off the back with play stuff everywhere for kids...and servers (and full bar bar in season). Great way to have some beers while tiring out your kids.

Other than that? Not that I can remember, but then again we usually stock up before we head into town and rarely if ever get in the car once we settle in. Most bars had at least something craft/crafty to keep me happy.

 

Stop at Chips (mp 6) and Trio (mp 4.5) on the way down to Avon and stock up, as I'm not sure what (if anything) is in Avon. As stated above, OBX brewing station is good but kind of far, I've never been impressed with Weeping Radish.

 

There is a little wine/party shop in Avon, Island Spice I think.....they have SOME beer, but yeah, not much, but mostly local....best bet is buying on the way down. The local grocery will have some Oskar Blues/Lagunitas/Sierra Nevada/probably foothills, but that's about it.

I'll second Outer Banks Brewing Station....was nice for lunch and some beers. Though....I do think I recall them putting the brewpub up for sale not long ago...not sure if they sold it or not.

 

Trio is good, its on the right side, they have a bunch of bottles and a good tap selection as well. One night of they week they have half priced draft, but its pretty far from Avon, you'll probably just want to stop there on the way down and stock up. There is another store right next to it that's kind of the same type of place (can't think of the name) that doesn't have as good of a selection but its worth going into since they basically share a parking lot and they might have things Trio doesn't.

 

Brew Thru actually has a pretty decent selection and I'm sure they experience higher TO on their beer, so probably a good place for some IPAs.

Trio is good.

I think Outer Banks Brewing Station is definitely worth a shot. See what they have bottled, they've made some sours in the past that were pretty good. Pale ale was tasty when I had it. Cool swing top growlers they give you.

Def bring with you if possible, though.