Visiting NC in October

I don't know a whole lot about those areas, but whatever you do, don't miss Bestway while in Greensboro.

 

Im quite sure the week before Lighthouse beer festival is Wilmingtons beer week. So im expecting Cape Fear, Light house, and Front Street to all have neat stuff all week. hopefully I can make it down there myself.

 

After visiting Bestway, have a beer (and food) at Sticks and Stones across the street. Great little urban area.

 

I'm gonna have to disagree with visiting front street in Wilmington, their beers are average at best. Go to cape fear wine and beer to drink. Lighthouse wine and beer and fermental are both great shops.

 

I like Cape Fear W&B, but Wilmington has to have some nice new on-premise spots. Been a while since I've been down, but opportunities now seem beyond seasonality. What is new in New Hanover?

 

Not sure what you mean about seasonality. You can drink at both Lighthouse (which is really close to Wrightsville beach) and Fermental (kind of on the outskirts of Wilmington). I can't imagine you can ask for more than the always awesome draft list at Cape Fear wine and beer.

 

Dont miss your breweries during your time here, trust me! I wouldnt miss upstarts Trophy Brewing and Raleigh Brewing in Raleigh. Raleigh makes solid styles incredibly well, and their casks are always spot on. Trophy does the intriguing stuff really well. Id also try to stop at Steel String in Carrboro on your way through, their Rubber Room is one of my favorites in the area, and they just released a Coffee Oatmeal porter.

I hear great things about Crank Arm in Raleigh, but havent had the time to make it down there yet. Gizmo (used to be Roth) has made incredible leaps since the regime change--I really liked the Black Stiletto and Pallisade Wasp PA.

I tried to give you the new places that have popped up the last year or two, but you know the standard LoneRider, Big Boss, Fullsteam, Bull City Burger, Triangle, etc. Top of the Hill has made slight improvements but nothing worth a trip. Carolina has gone downhill.

 

I'd say give Front Street a go. They usually have a new barrel aged beer worth checking out every time I go, and I'm partial to their IPA and Scottish ale. We have more breweries on the horizon, but this is the main one for now. Doesn't hurt that the food is great, imo.

As Kris said, the week leading up to Lighthouse Beer Fest is Wilmington's inaugural beer week! Details haven't been released from what I understand, but beer dinners, a pre-beer fest party, and obviously lots of cool beers will be awaiting our consumption that week. Feel free to get up with me when you're in town!

As for other places worth checking out, Cape Fear and Fermental are awesome, as mentioned.

 

You really think so? I enjoyed nearly every one I had last week. Most were very true to style, and they had a few that really impressed (the ESB and Scottish Ale were great, as well as the Oatmeal Stout/Scottish Ale blended in cognac barrels).

I do agree that Cape Fear would be an awesome spot to sit and have a beer.

 

That Stout/Scottish blend really caught my eye. Need to get out there soon.

 

I just bought my tickets to the lighthouse beer festival, this is my first. Time. Looks fun.

 

2nd on Bull St Burger, some great English style brews, and of course the burgers aren't bad.

 

It's been awhile but the duck fat is still on my tounge.

 

When in Raleigh, I highly recommend visiting Ridgewood Wine & Beer. Their selection isn't huge, but it's top notch, and they have 16 taps that are always fantastic. The owners are great guys too.

As far as bars go, I'd second the recommendations of Raleigh Times and Busy Bee. When going to Busy Bee, make sure you check out the Hive upstairs - they have different beer selections.