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
- Tom and Carla of Hoperatives
The numbers are funky this time around with some last-minute changes so I’ve decided to even things out 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:
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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
