Updated: June 2016

These days, North Carolina is known for being “first in flight” in more ways than one. There are 22 breweries in the Greater Raleigh area (see the full list here), but 8 of them are just a hop, skip & a jump from City Center. As the locals would say, they’re ITB (“Inside The Beltline”). Cheers to that! Here’s a quick rundown of those 8, along with some friendly, summer-inspired suggestions if you’re not sure where to start on their endless lists of brews.

Photo Source: Instagram, @raleighbrewing

Named for the City of Oaks itself & located just across the street from Meredith College, you’re encouraged to start the afternoon off right at this beer haven. The taproom opens every day at noon on the dot, so grab your furriest drinking friends (dogs & humans both permitted) and don’t be late for beer o’clock.

The Crowd Pleaser → Hell Yes Ma’am (9.2% ABV), Belgian Style Golden

Fun Fact → Raleigh Brewing now cans their year-round beers, appeasing their most loyal fans. RBC also hosts “Pints & Poses Yoga” at 10:30am every Sunday for all you fitness gurus out there… talk about the best of both worlds!

Photo Source: Instagram, @trophybrewing

“Little Trophy” on Morgan is what we like to call a triple threat. Home-brewed beer, gourmet pizza, and a crazy cool atmosphere makes this spot an unmistakable winner of the Most Versatile Player award… Very deserving of a shiny trophy or two in their own right if you ask us. Be sure to check out their brand new “Big Trophy” Taproom on Maywood too if you’re looking to bring your pup along & soak up some sun!

This Season’s Winner → Trophy Wife (4.9% ABV), Session IPA

Fun Fact → The tap handles are actually the tops of retro style trophies, and you’ll find all the menu items listed on chalkboards. Trophy pizza dough and sauces are made fresh daily from scratch (and the secret ingredient is beer)!

Photo Source: Instagram, @bigbossbrewing

Darts, ping-pong, shuffleboard & pool make Big Boss a sweet spot to not only hang out, but to sip on some of the best beer in the Triangle. There are free brewery tours on the 2nd Saturday of every month, and many locals agree it’s one of the best around. Also, the new Downstairs Bar (pictured) takes this spot to a whole ’nother level of cool.

One Bossy Brew → Angry Angel (4.5% ABV), Kölsch-Style Ale

Fun Fact → Big Boss is well known for their bottled beers. Each special craft brew dons a super cool graphic drawing of its larger-than-life title character (think ‘Bad Penny,’ ‘Angry Angel,’ ‘Hell’s Belle’ & more.)

Photo Source: Instagram, @nickelpointbrewing

With its roots in the Five Points neighborhood, this microbrewery is heaven on earth for all lovers of European Style Ales. The Brewery hosts events almost every day of the week, ranging from cornhole tournaments to live music, open mic nights & trivia, making Nickelpoint the ideal spot to stop in for a midweek pick-me-up.

A Nickelpoint Necessity → Vienna Lager (unknown ABV), Vienna Lager

Fun Fact → Nickelpoint exclusively brews European Style Ales — “traditional with a contemporary flare” as they call it. The beers on tap at any given time are often inspired by 5 different countries across Europe.

The newest addition to the ITB brewery scene, Neuse River Brewing is the product of a couple buddies putting their heads together to change the way Raleigh experiences Belgian beer. Specializing in “funky strains” with an experimental flair, NRBC focuses on delivering a well-rounded experience of awesome ambiance, quality bevs & a neighborhood feel.

Photo Source: Instagram, @neuseriverbrewingco

A Local Love → Riverkeeper’s Wit (6.0% ABV), Belgian Style Wheat with Orange Peel & Coriander

Fun Fact → The brewery / tasting room is housed in a 68 year old building, originally used for building & restoring firetrucks. NRBC’s c0-founders are both childhood friends & Raleigh natives.

Photo Source: Stealz, Inc.

If you love your bike almost as much as you love your beer, Crank Arm is the place for you. The product of a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013, Crank Arm has been a delightful addition to DTR’s beer scene. Grab a flight on the “tasting wheel,” or kick back with a freshly brewed pint to reminisce on your ride and enjoy the feel-good vibes of the Warehouse District.

The Cyclist’s Selection → Unicycle (4.8% ABV), American Single Hop Pale Ale

Fun Fact → Crank Arm is the proud owner of an impressive game board collection (including Giant Jenga), in addition to a fleet of rickshaws to take you around DTR in style when you’ve had enough of the child’s play.

This small boutique brewery focuses on quirky seasonal beers and has a distinctly charming home-brew feel to it. Their dedication to using local ingredients in each batch makes Sub Noir a true Raleigh gem. They’re only open on weekends (Fri, 6pm-midnight & Sat, noon-8pm) and there’s usually a food truck parked outside, so plan a visit in advance and prepare to be impressed.

Photo Source: Facebook, Sub Noir Brewing Company

An Exclusive Elixir → Eccentrica (9.7% ABV), Belgian Tripel with Fresh Ginger

Fun Fact → In the taproom, you’ll find an old school Nintendo for those who prefer to pair their brews with Super Mario. Also, if you’re looking to up your brewery street cred, think about joining Sub Noir’s Samizdat Underground…

Photo Source: Instagram, @lynnwoodbrewing

While their North Raleigh restaurant has been a local staple for over 10 years, Lynnwood expanded their repertoire to include home-brewed craft beer in 2013. Just this past spring, they opened a brand spankin’ new taproom nestled right outside Downtown. With local foodtrucks parked out front 5 to 6 nights a week, LBC has become one of Raleigh’s newest hot spots for an ice cold beer.

A Noteworthy Nightcap → Once You Go (7% ABV), Black IPA

Fun Fact → LBC is actually housed where Blackjack Brewing once was, but they have totally overhauled the space and even added an outdoor “Beer Garden,” complete with cornhole & lots of shady seating areas!