Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill Beer and Travel Guide

Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the Research Triangle in Eastern North Carolina, but don't fret, it's more than nerds doing computer science! There is a fantastic beer scene here as well

​Triangle Tips: 

• This area is pretty large, so be sure to plan ahead for your adventures.

• Chapel Hill is all centered around UNC’s campus, so keep in mind the college vibe and throngs of students as you plan.

• If you only have time to visit one of the cities definitely go for Raleigh, but each area has it’s own vibe so I’d recommend visiting all 3 if you have the time!

Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations—Raleigh:

• Burial Brewing: Burial is based in Asheville, NC and opened their second taproom in downtown Raleigh at Transfer Co. Food Hall. Burial has incredibly phenomenal beers, not visiting their taproom and bottle shop would be a mistake!

• Funguys Brewing: Some of the best Sours in the state! They’ve got a small little industrial taproom but their Fruited Sours and Juicy IPAs are worth the trip!

• Trophy Brewing and Pizza: Delicious pizza and a sweet brewery, what more do you need? 

• A Place at the Table: A great spot for breakfast sandwiches and you can support others through their pay-what-you-can model. Extremely delicious + doing good!

• The Morning Times: A super cute newspaper themed coffee shop that is the perfect way to start your morning. However, the bagels here are not great FYI.

  • If you’re looking for bagels in particular I would definitely recommend Benchwarmer’s Bagels located at Transfer Co. Food Hall. Be aware that it can be packed on weekends though!

• State of Beer: Owned by Trophy Brewing, this is a nice beer bar with a solid tap list and a large outside patio.

• Crank Arm Brewing Company: A bike themed brewery with lots of board games, a small patio up front, and quite a large beer list to choose from. I’d recommend a flight to try as many beers as you can!

• North Carolina Museum of History: I had low expectations for this museum but was pleasantly surprised. Extremely good exhibits on the Civil Rights Movement in particular. Free to enter!

• Boulted Bread: Delicious breads and pastries in a cute little bakery!

• Heyday Brewing: A new brewery in Northeast Raleigh with Louisiana vibes. They’ve got impressive beers, a great outdoor space, and yummy food.

• Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing: A great spot for brews, food, and a view! Their patio overlooks downtown and their food is absolutely delicious.

• Altered State Brewing: A new brewery in central Raleigh. Don’t be scared off by their tiny taproom they have outdoor seating as well and the beers are worth it!

• Stay at The Origin! This boutique hotel is conveniently located right downtown and is super cute. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure you are happy, they are super dog friendly, and they have a great onsite bar and restaurant Good Day Good Night that I would highly recommend!

• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences: Dinosaurs and hands on activities galore. Perfect for kids. Free if you just want to pop in and wander for a bit!

Fullsteam Brewing

Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations—Durham:

• Fullsteam Brewing: Fullsteam has incredibly delicious food and a large variety of beers to choose from. They’ve got a large taproom and some outdoor space as well. I’d definitely recommend one of their North Carolina-shaped flight boards to try a few of their brews.

• Ponysaurus Brewing: Ponysaurus has a massive outdoor beer garden definitely worth checking out!

• Barrel Culture: Barrel Culture’s original taproom is in Southeast Durham. They specialize in Sours and Wild Ales and have a small patio as well.

• Hi-Wire Brewing: Hi-Wire is based in Asheville, NC and has a wide variety of beers to choose from. Their Stouts are my personal favorite style that they make!

Adventures & Ales Top Recommendations—Chapel Hill:

• Steel String Brewery: Yummy beers, a cute outdoor patio, and super friendly beer-tenders

• Stay at: The Carolina Inn—it was amazing. It was like traveling back in time to the 1920's. Highly recommend!

• Carolina Brewery: The traditional UNC brewery and restaurant, pop in for a UNC themed beer like the Sky Blue Golden Ale

• Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery: Plan ahead if you are thinking of checking out Top of the Hill, it is definitely the most popular spot in town so be sure to go during off-peak hours or make a reservation if you'll be visiting while school is in session

Breakfast Sandwich from A Place at the Table

Other ideas—Raleigh:

• Raleigh Brewing Company: Your standard brewery with average beers. That have a lot of special events here though so be sure to check out their calendar!

• Clouds Brewing: They have several locations in the Triangle area, but I wasn’t super impressed with their beer or their food unfortunately.

• Lonerider Brewing: Average beer in a cowboy-themed space. The Shotgun Betty is solid.

• Gizmo Brew Works: Located right near the Northwest border of Raleigh and Durham, Gizmo did not live up to the hype. I found their beers to be mediocre at best, but their patio is nice, though it is in the parking lot.

• Humble Pie: A popular restaurant with a large patio in downtown Raleigh, but I found their food to be below average and the service to be mediocre at best.

Other ideas—Durham:

• Durty Bull Brewing: They’ve got a large patio space and are in walking distance from Fullsteam!

My Favorite Places I've Stayed Around The World

I get asked all the time where I stay when I travel and it is 100% dependent on where I am at. Generally speaking I am a somewhat frugal travel. I try not to spend too much on hotels/Airbnbs because I would rather plan another trip with that money. Sometimes where I stay is based on a hosted collaboration, sometimes it is a basic, reliable chain hotel that is reasonably priced (usually a Hilton), sometimes it is an Airbnb—it all just depends on the circumstances.

I have spent hundreds if not thousands of nights at different lodgings around the world and here are my favorite places I have stayed at:

Latin America

Tortuga Del Mar

Tortuga Del Mar: Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

I absolutely loved my beachfront room. The owners are so sweet and it’s nice and small so there’s barely anyone else around. The black sand beach is gorgeous and there are a couple of restaurants and a store within walking distance. Check out my Costa Rica guide here.

La Casa Verde: Banos, Ecuador

This eco-hostel is super relaxing, and the hosts are incredibly nice. There are hammocks, delicious snacks, and great views. Don’t let the word hostel throw you off—I had a private room and bathroom and nothing about it felt hostel-style, it was just a normal hotel with a variety of lodging options. Check out my Ecuador guide here.

Popa Paradise

Popa Paradise: Bocas del Toro, Panama

This is a gorgeous property! The pool, beach, walking trails and facilities were all stunning. The team here is also super nice and helpful. The food was fantastic and the place is quite small so you’re not overwhelmed by other guests. Check out my Panama guide here.

Arakur Resort & Spa: Ushuaia, Argentina

If you find yourself in Ushuaia at the very bottom of the content, Arakur is a must-stay. The outdoor pool and hot tub was one of the highlights of my entire trip! The views from the entire hotel are unreal. is Check out my Argentina guide here.

New Zealand

Edge Hill Hut: Taupo

The views from this Airbnb are superb! It is overlooking Lake Taupo and Mount Tauhara with sheep and farmland abound. The outdoor deck is packed with amazing amenities—an outdoor tub, fireplace, grill, comfy seating and more. There are thoughtful touches throughout the home and it was very clean and comfy. This airbnb is only a 15 minute drive from downtown Taupō and a little over an hour away from Tangariro National Park. It was also ridiculously affordable for such a nice spot. Check out my guide to New Zealand’s North Island here.

The United States

Kinn Guesthouse

Kinn Guesthouse Bay View: Milwaukee, WI

The set-up of Kinn Guesthouse is very cool. Each room feels more like a loft apartment and there is a shared kitchen and living room. It is housed above an Italian restaurant and walkable to several great coffee shops, bars and restaurants. Check out my Milwaukee guide here.

Fenway Hotel

Fenway Hotel: Dunedin, FL

The Fenway Hotel is a delightful spot. The hotel is gorgeous, the views from the rooftop bar are superb and the food and drinks are delicious. There is a trail on along the inlet in front of the hotel and you can easily walk into downtown Dunedin which is full of breweries, restaurants, shops and coffee shops. Check out my Dunedin blog here.

Orchards Inn

Orchards Inn: Sedona, AZ

Orchards Inn is right in the heart of downtown Sedona and the rooms offer spectacular views of the red rocks. Each room is a bit different, but my suite included a lovely fireplace, a spacious balcony, and an extremely comfortable bed. They have their own restaurant as well, 89Agave Cantina, which is delicious. Full Sedona guide coming soon!

North Carolina

Bryson City Cabin

This cabin on Airbnb: Bryson City, NC

This cabin had magical mountain views and was the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Outside there is a fire pit and inside their is a fire place so that you can have cozy vibes inside or out. The hot tub was excellent and there were lots of thoughtful amenities. Bryson City & Western North Carolina guide coming soon!

Aloft Wilmington: Wilmington, NC

Aloft Wilmington has loft-style vibes and is right on the Cape Fear River. The rooftop bar has great views and it is centrally located in downtown Wilmington. Check out my Wilmington guide here.

Glamping Unplugged

Glamping Unplugged: Boone, NC

Glamping in a dome on a creek in the middle of nowhere? Yes please. This is a fun and unique stay just 20 minutes from Boone. Make a fire, stargaze, fish in the creek, go for a hike—the outdoor possibilities are endless. Check out my Boone guide here.

Where are your favorite places you’ve stayed around the world? Let me know in the comments! Cheers—Alexis

2 Days in Raleigh, NC

Raleigh is such a fun beer city to visit nestled in The Research Triangle of North Carolina. It is absolutely booming and one of the fastest growing areas of the country, so there are plenty of things to do and a plethora of breweries to explore! Below is a two day guide to hit the highlights of Raleigh. If you’ve got more time to explore check out my full guide to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill here!

Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

Day 1

Today you will conquer downtown Raleigh!

Start your day at A Place at the Table. This is a delicious spot for breakfast sandwiches plus you can support others through their pay-what-you-can model. Do good for the community you are visiting!

Next head over to the North Carolina Museum of History to get your nerd on, an 11 minute walk from breakfast. It is free to enter and they have some fantastic exhibits!

Okay we’ve eaten, we’ve learned, now let’s get to the important things—beer! From the museum walk 15 minutes to Burial Brewing: The Exhibit. Burial’s Raleigh location is a must visit and some of the best beer in the city.

For lunch or a snack, Burial is nestled in Transfer Co. Food Hall that has a plethora of food options to choose from that are each fantastic!

Next take a longer stroll (22 minutes) or a quick Lyft (5 minutes) to State of Beer, a beer bar with a solid tap list and a large outside patio to enjoy your brews on.

From State of Beer head over to Raleigh Beer Garden, a 12 minute walk to the world’s largest selection of beers on tap. Seriously, check out their Guinness World Record.

For dinner we’re heading to Trophy Brewing and Pizza, a 19 minute walk or 4 minute drive from the beer garden. They have delicious pizzas and a wide variety of beers to choose from!

End your night at Crank Arm Brewing Company, a 15 minute walk from Trophy to work off some of your pizza. This bike themed brewery is super fun and has a large selection of beers to indulge in.

Altered State Brewing Company

Day 2

For day 2 where you will explore some really fantastic breweries on the northwest side of Raleigh!

To start the day, there are two routes you can go:

• Option 1: Grab breakfast pastries from the incredibly delicious Boulted Bread and then go for a hike! There are a plethora of options in the Falls Lake Recreation Area ranging from 2 miles to 26 miles and from easy to hard, so pick your own adventure and enjoy your time in nature!

• Option 2: Brunch at Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing! This is a great spot downtown with views of the skyline and great food and drink.

From your breakfast/hike or brunch head over to Barrel Culture Brewing & Blending, a 10 minute drive from the hiking area or about 25 minutes from brunch downtown. Barrel Culture has particularly fantastic Sours and Wild Ales.

After Barrel Culture check out one of the newer breweries in Raleigh, Heyday Brewing, a 15 minute drive away, on your way back down towards the city. They’ve got Louisiana flair, great beers, a nice outdoor space, and tasty food if you’re ready for some lunch after your hike! Brunch folks you can eat again too, no judgment here!

Your next stop is Funguys Brewing, a fantastic brewery 15 minutes from Heyday. They specialize in Fruited Sours and juicy IPAs in their little industrial taproom and are well worth checking out!

From Funguys make the 5 minute drive or 14 minute walk to Altered State Brewing, another newer brewery in Raleigh. They have a tiny taproom but plenty of outdoor seating and great beers! Black Fire Brewing is right next door as well!

For dinner walk 5 minutes over to Wilson’s Eatery which shares a space with Lynwood Brewing Concern. If you are still looking for more brews afterwards Big Boss, Bowstring, Nickelpoint, and Neuse River are all in the area as well.

Need a place to stay? We absolutely loved our time at The Origin in downtown Raleigh! It is within walking distance of most things downtown, super new and cute, and dog friendly!

If you’ve got more time in Raleigh, here are the rest of my recommendations!

The Origin Hotel

Have you been to Raleigh? What are your favorite spots? Let me know in the comments! Cheers -Alexis

My Top Beers in March 2021

March was full of fantastic beers and a trip to Raleigh visiting some amazing breweries and sharing some fantastic beers! You can also tell from my selection here that we’ve finally seen a turn in the weather—this month includes many more fruity and refreshing beers!

In no particular order, here were my top beers in March 2021:

Lunchbox Series Blackberry PB&J from Funguys Brewing in Raleigh, NC

Funguys releases different variants of their Lunchbox Series of Smoothie Style Sour Ales, each that are Peanut Butter and Jelly inspired. This one is brewed with peanut butter, blackberry, and lactose, and truly tastes like you’re biting into an elementary school lunch sandwich. All of their Sours are incredibly delicious so you really can’t go wrong, but this one really exceeded expectations.

Deferred Stimulus from Cerebral Brewing in Denver, CO

Deferred Stimulus is a Double IPA with Galaxy and Cashmere hops coming in at 8.4% ABV. Cerebral makes some of the best Juicy IPAs in the game and this one is no exception! The color is warm and inviting, the smell is fresh and hop-filled, and the flavors are powerful and smooth. I absolutely love getting my hands on Cerebral’s brews and can’t wait to visit them again in the future!

Summer Jam: FrosE Collaboration from Barrel Culture Brewing and Blending in Durham, NC and Kings Brewing in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

This collab is a tiki-drink inspired Fruited Sour Ale with pineapple, mango, coconut, and key lime. At 7% ABV, this is a powerful Sour from two fantastic breweries. It is thiccc, packed with flavor, and super easy to drink. I had this one on tap during our visit to Raleigh and it was so good I also scooped a 4-pack to go!

Abstract Harvest from Heist Brewing and Barrel Arts in Charlotte, NC

Abstract Harvest is a Fruited Berliner Weisse with passionfruit, pink guava, pineapple, and lactose. It is extremely refreshing but super packed full of flavor. At 7.8% ABV it is definitely a boozy brew, but the fruits hide the alcohol and it is super easy-drinking. Pair this with a pizza from Livy’s and you won’t be disappointed!

Self-Reliance: Motueka from Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend, VT

This batch of Hill Farmstead’s Farmhouse IPA, Self-Reliance, has hand-selected Motueka hops from Freestyle Farms, their agricultural partner in Upper Moutere, New Zealand. It was conditioned in oak puncheons for 3 months and then bottled since March 13, 2019. This was truly phenomenal and will probably be one of my favorite beers of the year.

Intern Backpack collaboration from Other Half Brewing in New York, NY, Shared Brewing in Maplewood, MO, and Monkish Brewing in Torrance, CA

Intern Backpack is an Imperial IPA with hand selected Centennial and Nelson Sauvin hops plus Vic Secret and Galaxy hops. This is a true juice bomb coming from three of the best breweries in the country—Other Half, Monkish, and Shared. Shared is by Side Project Brewing and where they create their non-Barrel Aged beers. I look forward to getting to try more of their fantastic creations!

Soft Parade from Short’s Brewing in Bellaire, MI

Soft Parade was my original favorite craft beer! I grew up in Michigan so Short’s and Soft Parade were everywhere, but now as a North Carolinian I rarely get to revisit this delicious classic. Soft Parade is their flagship Fruit Ale brewed with pureed strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. It is fruity and refreshing but still 7.5% ABV!

Extra Extra Juicy Bits from WeldWerks Brewing in Greeley, CO

Juicy Bits is already a phenomenal beer and one of the best IPAs in the country. Extra Extra Juicy Bits is the Double Dry Hopped Double IPA version of this classic beer with Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops. This is an incredible beer and one of the top IPAs I’ve personally had. Don’t want to take my word for it? This brew won a gold medal at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival in the Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale category.

Check back next month to see my top beers of April!

Cheers -Alexis