Going to be in High Point this weekend for the 1/2 marathon/brewfest. Granted, we will have plenty of options at the brewfest portion of the day, but are there are any "must hit" breweries in the area that offer cans or crowlers to go? We only have so much time in town, would love to take some good beer home as well. We're coming down from the DC area and plan on making a stop in Richmond along the way for the usual suspects. Anything else along that route worth stopping for? In NC, I'm hoping to make the trip out to Pinehurst as well if there is anything along that ride (my wife is a runner, I am not, got to find something to keep me occupied while she runs...).
The Triad has a decent beer scene, but there aren't as many heavy hitters or whale producers as Charlotte, Asheville, or the Triad. That said, there are still a couple places worth checking out and a few great bottleshops to stock up on essentials. In High Point itself, there's not a whole lot going on. Brown Truck Brewing is solid--they were the 2016 GABF Very Small Brewery of the year and came home with Gold in American Lager and two Silvers in Saison categories. They don't really do hypewhalez, but rather make well-executed true-to-style beers. There's also a decent bottleshop/bar in town: The Brewer's Kettle. There are 7 breweries in Greensboro, but I would recommend hitting up bottleshops instead if you're pushed for time. Bestway Grocery is an independent grocery store with a great selection of local beers. Gate City Growlers is a bottleshop/bar that always gets good hard-to-find beers on tap and has a pretty robust mix-n-match section (pretty much everything). Gate City Growlers does crowlers and fills growlers; they're a little pricey on the fill price, but they're buy-one-get-one-half-off on Saturdays and Sundays. Don't know that they'll still be on tap this weekend, but GCG's got Heist's Azacca Flocka Haze IPA and Bhavana's Grove DIPA on tap right now, and that would be my suggestion for a pair of crowlers. Preyer Brewing and Joymongers also do crowlers. Winston-Salem has a few breweries, too. I would say Wise Man and Foothills are worth checking out. Foothills still has Dead & Berried on tap (BBA Blackberry Stout) and Wise Man does crowlers. Best beer bar in W-S IMO is Juggheads (which also does growler fills and has a limited bottle/can selection). Juggs has only NC beer on tap, and they'll drive all over the state to pick up kegs from self-distributing breweries out of area. There's not a whole lot between the Triad and Pinehurst outside of Four Saints Brewing in Asheboro. They just released a NE-DIPA for their third anniversary, but I haven't tried one yet. In Pinehurst, check out Southern Pines brewing. There are several good options in Raleigh, but I'll let someone else carry that torch.
Haw River is sort of in a geographic dead zone between the Triad and Triangle, but they make good beer and you will find some at Bestway (as mentioned above they have a great regional and local selection). Joymongers in downtown Greensboro is a great spot to enjoy a beer and they make some good stuff, but they don't really bottle anything so you would be limited to crowlers.
Wise Man in Winston Salem is making great beer. I feel they are the best in the Triad! They have so many different beers on tap that will appease most folks and are constantly coming out with NEW beers.
I don't know how someone can ask for High Point area suggestions and it's taken this long to mention Potent Potables. Great bottle shop and taps, and owner Steve is a great dude.
