Breweries
Bull City? Beer city.
We brew it, sell it, and drink it (responsibly) here. With dozens of local breweries, bottle shops, and craft beer-conscious bars and restaurants, you won’t need to settle for an uninspiring beverage.
Whether you want to sample flights from a few different breweries or sit down and enjoy a pint after sightseeing, each of these breweries adds a refreshing component to the Durham beer scene and definitely deserves a spot on your itinerary. Cheers!
Bull City Burger and Brewery pairs an emphasis on local agriculture and grass-fed beef with a serious taste for beer. At Durham’s oldest brewpub, local pride prevails in beers like the Parish Street Pale Ale. You can also find their beers at their sister restaurant, Pompieri Pizza. Tours are available most Saturdays.
Bull Durham Beer Co. connects with fans of beer and baseball. The brewery is the home base for one of the first breweries in the country located inside a professional sports stadium. The beer is brewed at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and is available for sale during games and at local bottle shops. It’s nothing less than a home run.
Durty Bull Brewing Company has a 6,000 square foot, 15-barrel production brewery and tasting room in downtown Durham. They age many of their beers in oak foeders, bourbon barrels, and wine barrels and feature an extensive sour beer program.
Flying Bull Beer Company is fairly new to the local beer scene on 9th Street. In addition to brewing their own beer, the taproom has 24 taps from breweries all over North Carolina. This spot is also dog-friendly and has a beer garden in the back.
Fullsteam Brewery aims to make "distinctively Southern beer," often partnering with other local businesses and sourcing their ingredients from nearby farms or local foragers. Brews like Carver, a sweet potato lager, show what these folks are all about. Enjoy one in their popular tavern or take a tour.
Gizmo Brew Works has expanded to Durham with a new location at UHill Apartments. Try one of their flagship beers or latest taproom-only small-batch release. They are family-friendly and pup-friendly, so stop by with the whole crew.
Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt consists of 8,844 square feet of interior space, as well as a 1,678 square foot outdoor covered patio and beer garden. Game and activity heavy, featuring full-sized shuffleboard courts, soccer pool tables, ping pong, and more, the bar’s 24 taps feature year-round, seasonal, specialty, sour, and one-offs, as well as wine, local cider, and guest taps from neighboring breweries.
Ponysaurus Brewing describes their mission as: "the beer beer would drink if beer could drink beer." If that doesn't make sense quite yet, just try their Scottish Ale to see what they mean. Visit their East Durham brewery and taproom and tour the 6,000 square foot facility. You can even rent one of the brewery’s outdoor grills in the warmer months to pair your beer with smoky food. It’s a fun activity for the whole family.
Starpoint Brewing has partnered with Beer Study to open a dog-friendly bottle shop and brewery in the Rockwood neighborhood. Sample beer from their 38 taps, including Starpoint brewed from the facility out back, and stay to play old school arcade games.
The Glass Jug is a popular craft brewery, bar, and beer and wine bottle shop located in south Durham. The beers brewed on-site are often one-off experimental batches, which you’ll need to visit to try. The Glass Jug downtown taproom, adjacent to Durham Central Park, will be opening this spring serving exclusive Glass Jug beers on draft.
