I'm going to be in NC for a short visit in a few weeks. Definitely going to hit up a bottle shop or two. I'm curious about breweries that get distribution in NC that don't here in VA. Using this a few jump out at me: http://seekabrew.com/distro/compare.html I'm definitely going to try to grab some Prairie, Anchorage, and Crooked Stave. Any others jump out at folks (national or NC brews) that I should definitely pick up? I've heard good things about Wicked Weed too but that's about all I know of the bigger NC breweries. Thanks in advance for any input!
Definetly get some WW and Westbrook, although it might help to know where in NC, for example WW does not distro to the outer banks, etc.
Thanks for that - I'll add Westbrook to the list. I'll be in Raleigh. There seem to be a ton of options in that area (new Beer Garden, Flying Saucer, Cloud's Brewing, Natty Greens, Crank Arm Brewing etc.) all walking distance from where I'll be staying. I'm sure I can find some reviews and recs on those so didn't want to put that in the post - just feel like there is a good deal of bottles/cans in NC that VA doesn't get distributed. Really hoping I can finally try Prairie Bomb, for instance.
A few non-NC things you may find here but not in VA that come to mind (correct me if any of these do actually make it to VA): -Cascade -Knee Deep -Not Your Father's Root Beer -Grimm Artisan Alea Just FYI, I'm not sure where you're staying and maybe it's right in the middle of the two, but Crank Arm is a pretty good hump from where the new Beer Garden is. I'm not saying you couldn't possibly walk between them, but I wouldn't personally do it I don't think. Also, Natty Greens is closing on August 1st.
That is some solid intel - thank you. Only one of those we get is NYFRB - Grimm doesn't even pop up on the list. The new beer garden is probably a mile from where we'll be staying (over closer to flying saucer) so maybe I overestimated the ease of the walk! Much appreciated about Natty Green too.
Btw there are several good shops in town, but State of Beer will be your best bet to find good stuff still hanging around after it has sold out at other places (like Bomb for instance). And it's very close to where you're saying you're staying, as in baseball throwing distance. Have a hotdog at Roast Grill right across the street for a real authentic Raleigh experience.
NoDa Hop Drop N Roll for other NC beer, if it's available in Raleigh (I know it makes it to the Triangle, but not sure where and how often).
@CavemanRamblin Nice - sounds perfect! Is Bomb something that flies off the shelves? I feel like I've seen posts that it's available now but it might not be come mid August? @DWheeler379 Thanks for that - I've heard good things of Hop Drop N Roll actually but didn't realize that was an NC brew. You guys are giving some great tips - I really appreciate the input.
No Bomb doesn't fly off shelves, but only due to its pricetag (like $9 or $10 a bottle here, ouch!). That being said, it doesn't stay forever. As of yesterday both Ridgewood and State of Beer had it on tap and several places still have bottles of it. Mid-August? It's hard to say. Definitely not impossible. We may even get more by then. Haven't been getting it long enough to really see a pattern yet. I haven't seen Hop Drop around here in a good while.
Just wanted to follow back up with a "Thank you" for all the input. Just got back from a short visit to Raleigh and came back with quite a nice haul - Lots of Wicked Weed sours (5 kinds, doubles of two), got a couple sixers of Westbrook's Gose, and found a bunch of Prairie things to try including Bomb. Hit up State of Beer (awesome service and a really cool vibe) and Tasty beverage (awesome selection). Stopped in Crank Arm and hit up a few other bars to boot. Thanks again for all the help!
Was wondering how this turned out for ya! You must have gotten all the last bottles of Bomb 'cause I think they're gone now ha. Still on tap at RW though. Glad you enjoyed!
Ha - I definitely grabbed the last Bomb! from State of Beer. Tasty had a ton left. I spent about 2x as much at State of Beer though just because they were so helpful and made a lot of suggestions. I wanted to go grab some dogs at Roast Grill but, well, it slipped my mind . Next time I suppose. Anyway, thanks for all the help.
Grand Teton out of Idaho distributes to NC and their stuff has been pretty good - not sure why NC and SC are the only two states they distribute to east of the Mississippi though!
