August 7 was International Beer Day, but we think beer should be celebrated on a daily basis, especially when you live in a place like Raleigh, which offers a variety of brews that make it easy to sip something different every day! Most, if not all, of the following ITB breweries offer beer to-go, which is perfect for enjoying on a screen-in porch, deck, or patio on a gorgeous summer day—second to being at the brewery.
Big Boss Brewing Company
This Five Points brewery is most known for barrel-aged beers, which they offer as drafts in their spacious taproom or in eye-catching cans that are great for enjoying with neighbors and friends during a backyard get-together.
Funguys Brewing
A quaint taproom in North Raleigh, Funguys offers a rotating selection of experimental lagers and ales and their new smoothie sours that are perfect for summer sipping. We love their outdoor patio for live music and outdoor games like cornhole!
R&D Brewing
Just off Capital Boulevard in Five Points East, you’ll find R&D Brewing, a creative brewery overseen by Brewmaster Ian VanGundy. Their outdoor beer garden is a pleasure, but if you’re still quarantining yourself, having a brew outside of your own home is the next best thing, especially if it’s as beautiful as the outdoor space below.
Neuse River Brewing and Brasserie
We love the new European food menu at Neuse River as much as we love their Belgian-inspired beers. Dine in at their lovely outdoor patio or grab food and beer-to-go to enjoy on a picnic in the backyard!
Nickelpoint Brewing Company
Mirroring its location in the quaint Five Points neighborhood, this cozy brewery offers contemporary beers in a spacious, dog-friendly patio complete with rotating food trucks. Get a keg or growler filled up for your next neighborhood gathering!
Mordecai Beverage Co.
Mordecai’s newest brewery in the newly renovated Gateway Plaza shopping center is Raleigh’s first combined brewery, taproom, and bottle shop. Various beers can be picked up to take home—from IPAs to pilsners to stouts—so that everyone you’re hosting at home will have something they can enjoy.
Lynnwood Brewing Concern
LBC’s newest Five Points location contains a brewing facility, taproom, patio, and beer garden. They encourage all who stop by to take home a growler or howler of their award-winning beer, which we find is perfect for enjoying on the patio after a long day!
Clouds Tap Room
Located right in the heart of Raleigh is Clouds, a German-inspired restaurant, bar, and taproom. They currently offer 40 beers on tap, including a 10-tap self-pour beer wall. Grab a growler of their award-winning brews and invite over the neighbors for a backyard hangout.
Little City Brewing + Provisions Co.
A hip industrial-chic bar and taproom in downtown Raleigh, Little City serves specialty cocktails, unique wines, and quality craft beers that are brewed on-site. While their space is especially gorgeous, during quarantine, we’ve loved picking up a case of brews and one of their delicious dinner kits to take home for a delightful porch dinner.
Trophy Brewing and Pizza
While Trophy remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, they’re still encouraging fans to order their beloved beer and pizza to-go. Beer and pizza party in the backyard, anyone?
Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing
Last year, Boylan Bridge Brewpub underwent a glorious renovation, resulting in Wye Hill, which boasts perhaps the most sought-after patio in Raleigh. Second-best to their patio is your own outdoor oasis, where a growler of Wye Hill’s unique brews can still be enjoyed along with their delicious takeout menu.
Crank Arm Brewing Company
This downtown Raleigh brewery attracts both beer lovers and bicycle lovers with its bike-themed taproom and funky cans of craft beer that make for great collectibles. You’ll want to stock up on their eye-catching cans so that whenever your neighbors come over for a beer on the back deck, you’ll have something to impress them with.
Raleigh Brewing Company
Over in West Raleigh, Raleigh Brewing Company offers no-frills beers that have long been established as Raleigh favorites. Mirror their cozy patio with twinkly lights of your own and a case of “Hell Yes Ma’am”s.