Join the Bull City Beer Challenge

With seasonal brews, outdoor spaces big enough to gather your crew, fire pits and heaters to keep you warm as the sun goes down, snacks to keep you satiated and more, Durham’s beer scene is made for fall. And with 23 local breweries and taprooms participating in the all-new Bull City Beer Challenge, it’s time you venture outside your routine to find some new favorite spots to add to your lineup.

The Discover Durham app is more than an interactive way to find new things to do in Durham; it’s your handy tool for finding events, curated itineraries and small businesses you can visit while you’re here. For those of you who love playing games and winning prizes, you can also take part in the Bull City Beer Challenge. This October 5 – December 31, download the app and complete objectives to earn prizes that will prove your Bull City beer expertise.

What is the Bull City Beer Challenge?

The Bull City Beer Challenge is an app-based challenge that allows you to earn prizes for visiting and checking in at participating breweries and taprooms around Durham. There are 23 participating businesses, and players will win a branded T-shirt after visiting 12 spots between September 13 and December 31, 2025.

Participating Breweries and Taprooms

How Does the Bull City Beer Challenge Work?

A few easy steps and we’ll have you basking in your hard-earned credit for trips to Durham’s breweries in no time:

• Download the Discover Durham app on iOS or Android.
• On the app’s homepage, click the Bull City Beer Challenge. There, you’ll find a list and map of the participating businesses to start chipping away on with a brewery-hopping excursion. The app will help you map your journey so you can enjoy a few different spots within proximity of each other – responsibly!
• Once you arrive at a participating business, find challenge signage including a QR code near the check-out or on tables. Open the business listing within the app challenge and click “scan QR code” to check in.
  • If you’re not able to scan the QR code, you can instead type into the app a passcode listed on the same sticker as the QR code. These codes are not case-sensitive and are unique to each of the 23 stops and six events.
  • The check-in radius is limited to 150 meters from each business address, so make sure you scan the QR code or enter the passcode while you’re still inside! You won’t be able to check in remotely.
  • You should receive confirmation of your check-in instantly.
• Once you’ve completed 12 of the 29 objectives, you’ll be eligible for a t-shirt.
  • The app will prompt you to fill out a submission form (name, home zip code and email address) and then will provide you with a completion badge.
  • To claim your prize, visit the Visitor Info Center at 212 W. Main St. downtown and show your completion badge in the app to one of our friendly staff or volunteers to receive your pint glass, koozie and T-shirt. Visitor Info Center hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Bull City Beer Challenge Event Check-Ins

There will be six events held during the challenge where you can check in to earn points toward your challenge total. Attend an event and look for the A-frame sign where you can scan the QR code using the app to get your credit.

• 15th Annual Durham Oktoberfest — Oktoberfest event complete with music from The Little German Band & Dancers, a special German menu and, of course, beer.
  • When: Saturday, Sept. 13
  • Where: Motorco, 723 Rigsbee Ave.
• Durham Oktoberfest — Grab a 1/2 liter commemorative sign and get your polka on with The Oak City Polka Kings.
  • When: Saturday, Sept. 20
  • Where: The Glass Jug downtown, 545 Foster St., Suite 10
• Oktoberfest at Ponysaurus — Join for a jam-packed calendar of Oktoberfest events, German food and more.
  • When: Sept. 20 - Oct. 5
  • Where: Ponysaurus Brewing, 219 Hood St.
• BCB Octobullfest — Join for Bull City Burger and Brewery's Oktoberfest weekend with music, food, and lots of beer.
  • When: Sept. 26-28
  • Where: Bull City Burger and Brewery, 107 E. Parrish St.
• Fullsteam RTP: Oktoberfest — An Octoberfest celebration complete with pretzel cutting competitions and German word pronunciation games.
  • When: Sept. 26
  • Where: Boxyard RTP, 900 Park Offices Dr.
• Blacktoberfest — Don't miss Proximity Brewing's annual celebration of beer, food, music, art and more.
  • When: Oct. 18
  • Where: Garland Court, 491 Driver St.

Don’t miss the chance to show off your prize, available starting October 1, and wear proof that you’re a true connoisseur of Durham brews. While you’re at the Visitor Info Center picking up your winnings, be sure to check out Durham Drinks: A Craft Beverage Guide to Durham. It’s a handy pocket guide to Durham’s breweries, distilleries, cocktail bars, wine bars, bottle shops and more, so you can continue to expand your beverage prowess.

If you’re having any technical difficulties, please email us at mobileapp@discoverdurham.com.

Download the App

All Aboard! North Carolina Ale Trail by Rail

Once you get a taste of Durham’s beer scene, you’ll be thirsty for more. Luckily, it’s easy to come back again and again, or explore more of North Carolina’s breweries, on a whistle-stop crawl by train. Explore the NC Ale Trail by Rail with stops between Raleigh and Charlotte where you can taste locally made beers and explore communities at nine stops along the way.

Buy Tickets

Please drink responsibly. Never drink and drive.

*Have a designated driver. Click here for Go Durham bus routes and schedules. Major ride-share options are available in Durham.

*Prizes mentioned above are available while supplies last and only until Jan. 31, 2025. Must be 21 years of age or older to redeem prizes. The Bull City Beer Challenge is managed by Discover Durham. Discover Durham is not responsible for physical or legal injuries arising out of participating in the Bull City Beer Challenge.

If you have any comments, suggestions or technical issues, please email them to mobileapp@discoverdurham.com.