How to Enjoy NC Beer Month in Chatham County
Did you know that April is North Carolina Beer Month? In celebration of breweries across the state, North Carolinians have taken the month of April to enjoy local beers.
In all, North Carolina is home to about 100 breweries, and it’s got the most breweries in any state between Pennsylvania and Texas. If you’ve lived in North Carolina for a while, you’ll agree that craft beers have exploded onto the scene within the last 10 years. In response, the North Carolina Division of Tourism and the North Carolina Brewers Guild join forces each year in April to host NC Beer Month.
This is the third year in a row there’s been an official Beer Month, and the NC Division of Tourism has plenty of events and activities hosted across the state. More than 90 breweries – from the mountains to the coast – are participating, ranging from decades-old, award-winning brewhouses to breweries less than a few years old. It’s a month-long celebration offering dozens of beer-inspired festivals, tastings, dinners, special discounts, travel deals, giveaways and more.
As you probably know, Chatham County has no shortage of breweries. Pittsboro is home to unique places such as Cackalacky and the Pittsboro Road House, and Chapel Hill (just up the road) has even more options, including the Triangle’s oldest brewery, Carolina Brewery. Many of these breweries are celebrating Beer Month. Be sure you check out the following options if you’re in the area:
Bear Creek Brews – This nano-brewery is hidden in the middle of 38 acres of woods in the heart of North Carolina. Almost everything is recycled or made in-house, and all the ingredients are as fresh as possible, some are even homegrown. American malts, hops, and yeast constitute the majority of Bear Creek’s beers.
The Deal: Bear Creek is offering 10% off all growlers and growler fills throughout April.
Carolina Brewery & Grill – Recently 20 years old, Carolina Brewery in Chapel Hill is the oldest brewery in the Triangle. In addition to its award-winning beer (Carolina Brewery’s Flagship India Pale Ale won a Gold Medal in the 2006 Great American Beer Festival, and the Copperline Amber Ale is a Gold Medal winner in the World Beer Championships.), the brewery serves lunch, dinner, weekend brunch. The Hopshop is an adjacent quick serve spot that offers Counter Culture Coffee, breakfast, lunch, Carolina Brewery beer and Brewery merchandise to go.
The Deal: April 22, patrons can enjoy $1 off all beer to go, among other specials and new spring menu. Also, take advantage of the free tastings and brewery tours every Saturday.
Modern Life Deli & Drinks (The Mod) hosts a plethora of options for even the most stingy “foodie,” including soups, salads, and sandwiches through lunch, with wood-fired offerings and drinks after hours. Patrons can also try coffees from around the world, deli sandwiches featuring premium Boarshead meats and cheeses to go along with fresh-made soups and salads. Come visit at night to see why the Mod calls itself “the best kept secret in Pittsboro,” and take part in the Craft Beer Society, plus nine N.C. craft beers on tap. Enjoy the cold brews with a wood-fired pizza.
Cackalacky – Cackalacky, the nationally-famous sauce made from sweet potatoes is headquartered right here in Chatham County. Enjoy spiced nuts, cheerwine sauce or Ginger Pale Ale. Visit the Where House for a variety of N.C. craft beers during beer month!
Fearrington Village – I’ve blogged countless times about all that Fearrington has to offer, but it doesn’t hurt to mention them one more time. Head to Fearrington for a nice B&B experience, an elegant evening out, a spa treatment or a quick browse through a bookstore. The Deal: For NC Beer Month, Fearrington Granary, Fearrington House Restaurant, and The Goat will offer 10% off N.C. beers on tap.
Pittsboro Roadhouse & General Store: Take a trip to the Roadhouse and get a taste of true local flare. Complete with a full-service restaurant, full-service bar and retail store, you’ll find plenty of local-made goodies. The General Store inside the restaurant carries a selection of jewelry, aprons, handcrafted rugs, pottery, tea towels, regular and decaf Roadhouse Blend roasted by Carrboro Coffee, tea and accessories, hand-painted wine glasses, charms, beer mugs, handmade cards, and seasonal gifts. Try and say all of that in one breath!
The Deal: Head to the Roadhouse on Thursdays for $4 drafts.
Phoenix Bakery – What could be better than beer? Bread, maybe. So why not combine the two and enjoy a slice of beer bread, made with Carolina Brewery beer! It doesn’t get better than that.
There’s no reason you can’t enjoy all that North Carolina has to offer this month. As the temperatures warm up and the flowers pop out, take the time to try out the huge selection of NC beer. There’s no need to leave Chatham County!
Photo credit: VisitNC.com