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Its a Small World
On a recent trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, the Mrs. and I had occasion to stay with dear friends who chauffeured
us hither and yon in the capital city of the Tar Heel State. The Raleigh metropolitan area has an estimated 1.3
million people and is home to the largest research park in the United States. And, if the traffic is any indicator,
Raleigh is continuing to grow. With that many people, you must have plenty to do, see and drink. A quick search
shows 15 breweries with a Raleigh, North Carolina address. And that doesn't include the ones in Cary, Holly
Springs, Durham, etc. Several of the more popular ones that you may have tried are Trophy Brewing, Raleigh
Brewing Company, Lonerider Brewing Company and Gizmo Brew Works.
The Mrs. and I were fortunate enough to have a "driver" who knows the area and has a few connections to get free
tickets to a local festival that just happened to fall on the same weekend we visited. The Koka Booth Amphitheater
in Cary, North Carolina, hosted the Tacos and Taps festival where local breweries, food trucks, and vendors set up
to entertain the masses with tacos, beer and tequila. We were so excited to have even more friends join us on this
adventure. After introductions, a tasting or two, and some nachos, we ventured back into the capital to see what the
bustling city had to offer.
First stop on the tour was The Raleigh Beer Garden. Located on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, The Raleigh Beer
Garden boosts 3 floors of beer heaven. A quick search online will tell you that this place has more beer on tap that
anywhere else in the world. Yes, the world! In fact, there are so many beers on tap that you have to go to their
website and search by floor for the beer you want. Our group of 6 got a table, ordered lunch and perused the online
menu for a cold one. If you find yourself in Raleigh, you definitely need to experience this place. The food was
wonderful. The Mrs. and I shared cheese fries topped with pork belly and some pretzel bun sliders for lunch. With
our bellies full and needing to walk off lunch, we headed out on foot to the next stop.
Let's have a beer and hurl some axes. Wait, what?! Just a hop, skip and a jump down the street sits Epic Axe of
Raleigh. While we only got to watch from the sidelines, you'd better make a reservation if you want to throw an axe.
Reservations are highly recommended, as well as close toed shoes. We'll save this experience for our next visit.
A few more blocks and we reached Clouds Brewing. Clouds Brewing is located downtown with a restaurant, bar
and taproom. There's even a 10 tap self-pour beer wall. Clouds Brewing released their first beers in March of
2016 at their production brewery and taproom in midtown Raleigh and have opened a third location in Durham.
Clouds Brewing has a great vibe and the beers did not disappoint. Again, a table for 6 was in order and a flight
for tasting. One of my favorite things about experiencing a brewery's beer at their restaurant is that the brewery
typically has other local beers on tap as well. So, if you don't have time to visit all the breweries in the area, you
get the chance to try their beers on tap.
Our last stop for the day led us to Little City Brewing and Provisions Co. Little City is located on West North Street
in Raleigh. They serve their beers and cocktails as well. And since we were visiting on a Saturday, the special for
the day was a pitcher of craft beer for $15. Two pitchers and another table for 6, we all gathered around the table
and took in the modern, industrial, yet retro feel of the tap room. Little City is definitely worth the visit if you're in town.
There's nothing better than sharing great beer with great friends. If you get the chance to visit Raleigh you will not be
disappointed. We didn't get to experience even a half of what the city has to offer and our day was jam packed. As
the day comes to a close and we're back sit around discussing the day, the discussion of family, friends and the like
seem to be topics of conversation. It amazes me that someone you know knows someone you know. You know
what I mean? No matter where you go or who you meet, it truly is a small world after all.
Let the reviews begin...
Super Shine - Dry Hopped Gose - Grimm Artisanal Ales
A slightly musky nose both salty and citrus bitter start to finish.
Midnight Delight Dark Chocolate Milk Stout - Clouds Brewing
Roasted malt and chocolate greet you on the nose. The same roasted malt, dark chocolate bitter finish on the tongue
and a hint of lactose sweetness.
Cart - American Imperial IPA - Brewery Bhavana
Sein, citrus and slight tropical fruit on the nose with a resin bitter forward and citrus and tropical notes. Finishes slight
sweet.
Cloudstoberfest - Marzen - Clouds Brewing
Malty nose with a slight pilsner malt forward sweetness. A very traditional marzen.
Rickshaw - American Style IPA - Crank Arm Brewing
Green hop and rye nose. Hop forward with rye and hints of grapefruit pith bitter.
C.R.E.A.M. Donut Infused Cappuccino Milk Stout - Appalachian Mountain Brewery
Roasted malt and slight coffee nose. Roasted malt forward with hints of coffee bitter and creamy lactose sweet finish.
us hither and yon in the capital city of the Tar Heel State. The Raleigh metropolitan area has an estimated 1.3
million people and is home to the largest research park in the United States. And, if the traffic is any indicator,
Raleigh is continuing to grow. With that many people, you must have plenty to do, see and drink. A quick search
shows 15 breweries with a Raleigh, North Carolina address. And that doesn't include the ones in Cary, Holly
Springs, Durham, etc. Several of the more popular ones that you may have tried are Trophy Brewing, Raleigh
Brewing Company, Lonerider Brewing Company and Gizmo Brew Works.
The Mrs. and I were fortunate enough to have a "driver" who knows the area and has a few connections to get free
tickets to a local festival that just happened to fall on the same weekend we visited. The Koka Booth Amphitheater
in Cary, North Carolina, hosted the Tacos and Taps festival where local breweries, food trucks, and vendors set up
to entertain the masses with tacos, beer and tequila. We were so excited to have even more friends join us on this
adventure. After introductions, a tasting or two, and some nachos, we ventured back into the capital to see what the
bustling city had to offer.
First stop on the tour was The Raleigh Beer Garden. Located on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, The Raleigh Beer
Garden boosts 3 floors of beer heaven. A quick search online will tell you that this place has more beer on tap that
anywhere else in the world. Yes, the world! In fact, there are so many beers on tap that you have to go to their
website and search by floor for the beer you want. Our group of 6 got a table, ordered lunch and perused the online
menu for a cold one. If you find yourself in Raleigh, you definitely need to experience this place. The food was
wonderful. The Mrs. and I shared cheese fries topped with pork belly and some pretzel bun sliders for lunch. With
our bellies full and needing to walk off lunch, we headed out on foot to the next stop.
Let's have a beer and hurl some axes. Wait, what?! Just a hop, skip and a jump down the street sits Epic Axe of
Raleigh. While we only got to watch from the sidelines, you'd better make a reservation if you want to throw an axe.
Reservations are highly recommended, as well as close toed shoes. We'll save this experience for our next visit.
A few more blocks and we reached Clouds Brewing. Clouds Brewing is located downtown with a restaurant, bar
and taproom. There's even a 10 tap self-pour beer wall. Clouds Brewing released their first beers in March of
2016 at their production brewery and taproom in midtown Raleigh and have opened a third location in Durham.
Clouds Brewing has a great vibe and the beers did not disappoint. Again, a table for 6 was in order and a flight
for tasting. One of my favorite things about experiencing a brewery's beer at their restaurant is that the brewery
typically has other local beers on tap as well. So, if you don't have time to visit all the breweries in the area, you
get the chance to try their beers on tap.
Our last stop for the day led us to Little City Brewing and Provisions Co. Little City is located on West North Street
in Raleigh. They serve their beers and cocktails as well. And since we were visiting on a Saturday, the special for
the day was a pitcher of craft beer for $15. Two pitchers and another table for 6, we all gathered around the table
and took in the modern, industrial, yet retro feel of the tap room. Little City is definitely worth the visit if you're in town.
There's nothing better than sharing great beer with great friends. If you get the chance to visit Raleigh you will not be
disappointed. We didn't get to experience even a half of what the city has to offer and our day was jam packed. As
the day comes to a close and we're back sit around discussing the day, the discussion of family, friends and the like
seem to be topics of conversation. It amazes me that someone you know knows someone you know. You know
what I mean? No matter where you go or who you meet, it truly is a small world after all.
Let the reviews begin...
Super Shine - Dry Hopped Gose - Grimm Artisanal Ales
A slightly musky nose both salty and citrus bitter start to finish.
Midnight Delight Dark Chocolate Milk Stout - Clouds Brewing
Roasted malt and chocolate greet you on the nose. The same roasted malt, dark chocolate bitter finish on the tongue
and a hint of lactose sweetness.
Cart - American Imperial IPA - Brewery Bhavana
Sein, citrus and slight tropical fruit on the nose with a resin bitter forward and citrus and tropical notes. Finishes slight
sweet.
Cloudstoberfest - Marzen - Clouds Brewing
Malty nose with a slight pilsner malt forward sweetness. A very traditional marzen.
Rickshaw - American Style IPA - Crank Arm Brewing
Green hop and rye nose. Hop forward with rye and hints of grapefruit pith bitter.
C.R.E.A.M. Donut Infused Cappuccino Milk Stout - Appalachian Mountain Brewery
Roasted malt and slight coffee nose. Roasted malt forward with hints of coffee bitter and creamy lactose sweet finish.