Today marks the second round of entries into the Six-Pack Project, an effort to bring together writers from all over the country to highlight a six-pack of our home’s native brews that best represent what our beer culture has to offer. If someone is coming to visit, what bottles or cans would we want to share?
There’s a great lineup of beer bloggers sharing their insights this time around, including our first Fantasy Beer Draft between Baltimore Bistros and Beer and Literature and Libation. Need to familiarize yourself with the Six-Pack Project? The rules…
- Pick a six-pack of beers that best represents your state and/or state’s beer culture.
- Beer must be made in your state, but “gypsy” brewers are acceptable, so long as that beer is brewed with an in-state brewery and sold in your state.
- Any size bottle or can is acceptable to include.
- Current seasonal offerings are fine, but try to keep selections to year-round brews as much as possible. No out-of-season brews preferred.
Here are the locations we’ve got covered this month (updated as applicable):
- Ohio by Tom from Queen City Drinks
- Illinois by Grant of Hop Brained (focus on Chicago – rest of state coming in July)
- Maryland by Oliver of Literature and Libation and Douglas of Baltimore Bistros and Beer
- New York by Lacey of Once Upon A Stein
- Kentucky by Tom and Carla of Hoperatives
- California by Max at The Beginner’s Brew
While these writers got to have all the fun, I decided to join the fray by revisiting my original post on what to buy in North Carolina. While I (hopefully) offered a solid collection of brews that represent all the NC has to offer, the key to enjoying NC beer is finding a place to buy it. All six of my selections should be easily found in nearly any grocery or beer store, but what if you really wanted to get into the weeds of North Carolina beer?
I’m here to help. If you or anyone else is searching for the best places to buy local beer in North Carolina, let’s check out some great options from across the state…
There are tons of places to buy beer in North Carolina, but I wanted to narrow things down to the theme of six. So, I’ve selected six beer bottle shops scattered throughout North Carolina where you’ll not only find the beers that represent the state, but a vast collection of what else NC has to offer:
From east to west, here are some locations to check out…
Chip’s Wine & Beer Market
102 Moyock Commons Drive, Unit E Moyock, NC
I recommend Chip’s Wine & Beer Market as the ideal stop for anyone visiting North Carolina’s Outer Banks. As a popular vacation stop for families, this is a great place to sneak away for an hour and peruse their bottle selection or even grab a draft.
Get updates from Chip’s on Facebook and Twitter
Beer Army Outpost
134 Industrial Park Drive, New Bern, NC
The Beer Army Outpost covers 3,000 square feet and houses the largest selection of beer in New Bern and the surrounding areas. Good bottle shops can be hard to come by in this area of the state, so check out Beer Army if you’re nearby.
Get updates on Beer Army on Facebook and Twitter
Sam’s Quik Shop
1605 Erwin Rd, Durham NC
Regularly cited as the best bottle shop in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, Sam’s beer selection has over a thousand different beers and counting. This is my hometown, go-to shop.
Get updates from Sam’s on Facebook and Twitter
Bottle Revolution
4025 Lake Boone Trl, Raleigh NC
Traveling between Durham and Raleigh isn’t far, but if you’re stuck in the state’s capitol, Bottle Revolution is the place to go. Similar to Sam’s, you’ve got more choices than you’ll know what to do with.
Get updates from Bottle Revolution on Facebook and Twitter
Good Bottle Company
125 Remount Road, Charlotte NC
With a focus on local and regional craft beer, Good Bottle Company acts as a midway point between the breweries of the west based around Asheville and the east, based around the Triangle. Find the best of both worlds and then some.
Get updates from Good Bottle Company on Facebook and Twitter
Bruisin’ Ales
66 Broadway St Ste 1, Asheville NC
Bruisin’ Ales features over 1,000 brews, many of which come right from Asheville, the multi-time winner of Beer City, USA. The store is conveniently located downtown, within walking distance to many local breweries.
Get updates from Bruisin’ Ales on Facebook and Twitter
Don’t forget to refresh your memory on what beers to seek out when you visit North Carolina and check out suggestions for other states as well.
+Bryan Roth
“Don’t drink to get drunk. Drink to enjoy life.” — Jack Kerouac
This Is Why I'm Drunk 
Cool that you are doing another round. You are doing a great service to beer drinkers / travelers across the country.
Thanks very much! I’m working to line up people for another round in July if you have any suggestions.
I want to offer and counter offer to Good Bottle Company. Good Bottle Company is overpriced and is more of the “chic” place to by beer for those only into craft beer because they think it is cool. It’s a good place to the to “check-in” on Facebook. Brawley’s is where the tried and true craft beer aficionados shop. And, their prices are 5-15% cheaper than Good Bottle Company. Brawley’s has been around for years and the owner has a plethora of knowledge beyond that of the young guns over Good Bottle Company. The only plus of Good Bottle is the tasting bar. Brawley’s does not have one, but is under construction to add one.
Thanks so much for the help with this one! On the few times I’ve been in that part of the state, I haven’t stopped by Brawley’s – but will now.
Appreciate the assist on this. The beauty of the Six-Pack Project.
Cheers!
Bestway.
We visit Bruisin’ Ales when we get up to Asheville for our quarterly trip and they have always treated us well and have a nice selection. We wish they had a few more NC-oriented beers, but they at least do have a very nice collection of NC growlers available.
That is one thing – for the local breweries that do bottle, you can’t miss their selection. Many of them haven’t gotten there yet, but something from the tap is good, too!
Have you been to the Wicked Weed in Asheville? Excellent beer, food, and atmosphere. Check it out.
That brewery is perhaps my (new) favorite in North Carolina. Utterly amazing brews. You’re a good person for suggesting them!
I mentioned them from a somewhat recent trip to the city: https://thisiswhyimdrunk.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/out-of-town-3-dos-and-donts-in-asheville-beer-city-usa/
Reblogged this on მაგიური სამყარო.