Five Downtown Raleigh Breweries for More Than Beer

Clouds has become one of my favorite Sunday stops because I can combine yoga with a beer afterward. Its Plank and Drank class gives me a reason to get out, move a little, and then stay for a pint.

I was happy to see Clouds return to downtown Raleigh in 2026, this time at 505 W Jones Street. On a recent visit, I tried the Oktoberfest, which was crisp and tasted like fall. That’s the kind of visit I enjoy here: a seasonal beer after class, with time to sit and catch up.

I love Crank Arm’s cycling theme, and I have fond memories of meeting my friend Jordan here after her weekly group bike rides. The bikes are part of how people use the brewery, which gives the place a connection to Raleigh beyond the decor.

When Icycle is available, it’s one of my favorite beers here. It’s a winter beer, so if you’re visiting in the colder months, ask if it’s on tap.

Crank Arm also hosts puppy yoga with Blazin’ Trails Bottle Babies, the rescue group we adopted Viktor from. That connection makes these events especially appealing to me. You can take a yoga class, spend time with adoptable puppies, and support the group that helped bring Viktor into our lives.

At Burial’s Raleigh taproom, The Exhibit, the artwork is a big part of the experience. The dark, death-inspired imagery includes animal skulls. I’d suggest it to someone who enjoys looking around a space as much as studying the tap list.

IPA fans have plenty to explore here. Daniel and I aren’t big IPA drinkers, so it’s useful that there are also golden ales, sours, and other styles on offer. The selection changes, so the current tap list matters more than arriving with one particular beer in mind.

For a group that wants food as well as beer, the location beside Transfer Co. Food Hall is a real advantage. Everyone can choose from different vendors, and the outdoor courtyard is a lovely place to spend time when the weather cooperates.

Incendiary is across from YogaSix, where I take hot yoga classes, so it’s an easy stop after class. Its range of sours, IPAs, and other styles also makes it an option when friends want different things from the beer list.

If you’d rather give the evening a specific plan, Wednesday trivia starts at 7 p.m. And if you’re choosing a beer you haven’t tried before, the Raleigh taproom offers small pours rather than flights.

Wye Hill would be my pick from this list for taking visitors out to see Raleigh. The beer and food are enjoyable, but the view of downtown from above Boylan Bridge is the reason I’d choose it.

Daniel and I took my parents here during our first Christmas together, and it was a hit. The seasonal Halloween and Christmas setups give the place another reason to stay on my list, especially when I want an outing with family to feel a little special.

This is also the choice I’d make when the meal matters as much as the brewery stop. There’s a full restaurant menu, along with cocktails and wine for anyone who wants something other than beer. If you want that patio view, I’d make a reservation rather than leave the seating to chance.