Start your brewery tour at Burlington Beer Works. The brewery was founded around the idea of “truly local” beer. All of the Burlington Beer Works beers are crafted locally and brewed on site, with inspiration from local home brewers. The beers change frequently depending on what ingredients are in season, so you’ll always find something interesting on tap.
The beers range from soft amber ales to hoppy IPAs, American Porters, and some unique flavors as well, such as a peach Berliner Weiss. The brewery is located inside a two-story renovated space in downtown Burlington. Burlington Beer Works partners with local farms so the food is always in season and delicious. Try a charcuterie board with your tastings and don’t miss the housemade pimento cheese and bacon jam.
Up next is a stop at Bright Penny Brewing in Mebane. Come enjoy a local beer tasting and check out the menu, which boasts a “Grandma’s Eggs” section filled with creative and delicious deviled eggs to sample, and Mason Jar cheesecakes. Wine is also offered along with housemade pizzas, including a gluten-free option. Live music is often playing at Bright Penny, so be sure to check out the schedule. Relax and enjoy a beer, then be sure to check out the great local shops in downtown Mebane.
Head up the road to Graham and stop in at Forgotten Road Ales. The small craft brewery was started by husband-and-wife team Ben and Janee Farrar, who, in their words are, “living our dream.” After Ben returned from a deployment in Afghanistan, he dreamed about opening a brewery after being a home brewer for several years. He and Janee both became certified Cicerones and Forgotten Road Ales was born.
You’ll have several delicious varieties of beer to choose from, including an Irish Stout and Dry Hopped Pi. Enjoy a bite to eat from one of the exciting food trucks. Check out the brewery’s Facebook page to find out when the trucks will be at the brewery and what’s available. On a sunny day or cool evening, sit outside at the picnic tables, bring your dog, sip a beer, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Forgotten Road Ales.
Next is a stop at Haw River Farmhouse Ales. Situated in the heart of Saxapahaw, which is a fun and charming historic mill town, Haw River Farmhouse Ales is a family-owned brewery that loves to share its creative and eco-friendly practices. Haw River Farmhouse Ales prides itself on being sustainable and socially responsible. It utilizes solar panels and geothermal heating to control the temperature in the tasting room. The brewery uses as many local ingredients as possible and believes this gives its beer that special quality. Haw River Farmhouse Ales houses a 10-barrel system that allows the brewery to get creative with tons of fresh, local ingredients from its Farmland Exchange Program — in which they work alongside local farmers to grow certain ingredients used in their ale.
Some of the beers you can choose from include a Belgian oatmeal pale ale, a nutty chocolate “breakfast dubbel,” and many sour beers which are a local favorite.
Bring your thirst for small surprises!
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