Field Trip! Clouds Brewing

Clouds Brewing is notable for a variety of reasons, but three seems to be a magic number for this iconic local brewery: it currently has three Triangle locations, and for the third year in a row, The Raleigh News Observer recognized Clouds as Raleigh's Best Brewery.

The Basics

Locations:
1233 Front St, Raleigh (Brewery/Taproom)
905 W Main St, #22, Durham (Brewcade + Kitchen at Brightleaf Square)
157 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill (Clouds Storm Cellar - Taproom/Bar)

Website: cloudsbrewing.com

Social media: facebook.com/cloudsbrewingnc, instagram.com/cloudsbrewing

Vibe/Atmosphere:
Raleigh: casual, industrial, improvisational, approachable
Durham: retro, historic, spacious, hospitable, family-friendly
Chapel Hill: cozy basement bar, casual, trendy, collegiate, lively (note: we haven’t been to the Chapel Hill location; the description is loosely based on web reviews)

Beers We Tried: Accumulation Amber, Clouds 9, Horseman’s Gourd, Rain Czech, Buzz Worthy, Witch’s Brew, Mean Girl, Hop Jam, Double Hop Jam

Parking: lot

Important NC Beer Explorer Tip: When consuming alcohol, always have a designated driver. Be safe out there, friends!

We knew first-hand that Clouds is top-notch, having been to the Raleigh and Durham locations many times since moving to the area in 2018. We particularly enjoyed the 4th Annual NC Holiday Beer Fest at the Front Street Taproom last year.

Triangle Trifecta

Like many Triangle craft beer aficionados, we were saddened to learn about the closing of Clouds’ West Street location in April 2024, but we had faith that Clouds Brewing would overcome the typical post-pandemic problems of rising rents and other challenges. We were glad to have our faith validated when we sat down with Owner Matt MacNeil and Brewer Mikey and learned about what’s next for Clouds.

“Any business needs to be constantly growing to survive,” Matt said. “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”

Rebecca blends in with the decor at last year's Holiday Beer Fest at Clouds Brewing, Front Street.

Thriving Alongside 5-0

Somehow, when we had visited the Front Street location before, we had failed to notice that the brewery and taproom were right next door to the Raleigh Police Department Headquarters and near the Police Department Special Operations and the NC Department of Corrections. You might think we had other matters on our minds (namely, beer) – and you’d be right.

When you look up the Google Map street view of the Front Street Brewery, you’ll notice a line of patrol cars in the nearby lot. Matt said that this actually worked in their favor when they were applying for insurance for the location almost 12 years ago – there wasn’t any question about the security of the location!

(And during our recent visit, we made sure that we were the most responsible of beer drinkers!)

Matt explained that each location has its own type of loyal following. The Front Street brewery pub evolved from walk-in traffic looking for Clouds’ beer, particularly after the closure of the original restaurant/taproom, which was a downtown hotspot for a decade. Ever eager to take advantage of a found business opportunity, they put in an improvisational bar where every Thursday through Sunday, the tables and chairs come out, and the thirsty crowds come in. Then, about four months ago, they had an opportunity to build out into the office space next door, and that’s when the pub area we sat in came into being. Still, it’s all a temporary situation, pending the identification of the next Raleigh Clouds location.

Speaking of the next location, Matt said that they are currently closing in on a potential new address. Watch for an exciting announcement coming soon from Clouds (and NC Beer Explorer) about the new site!

Something for Everyone

Matt explained how each site is unique to its geography. As stated above, the Front Street location is temporary, but it remains a flexible meeting spot for clubs, civic groups, and non-profits that routinely gather there. Clouds’ Brewcade + Kitchen in Durham is more neighborhood-centric, tucked away in Brightleaf Square and frequented by foot traffic of the surrounding apartment and condo communities. Chapel Hill definitely caters to the college crowd, with plenty of easy-drinking, low-cost beer options, as well as taps devoted to seltzers and ciders. As we’ve seen elsewhere, Matt said that 20-somethings aren’t drinking as much of what is considered classic craft beer, and the Chapel Hill Storm Cellar bar caters to their tastes.

Clouds' Storm Cellar location in Chapel Hill caters to a collegiate/younger crowd.

The Beer

Clouds started off in 2014 with a motto: “German-Inspired, American-Made Beers.” Co-owner/Co-Founder and Chief Beer Officer John Odendorf got his brewing education in Germany, and early in their history, Clouds leaned into Old World styles. But as time has passed, they have widened their menu, winning awards for their IPAs and their fresh takes on classic beer styles. Flash forward to 2025, and we would have to classify Clouds as often experimental and sometimes playful, but still grounded in mastery of German and Belgian brewing styles.

We tasted 10 samples with Matt and Mikey and were wowed by Clouds’ novel and zesty beers, including Mean Girl Kettle Sour with blackberry and dragonfruit, Buzz Worthy Honey IPA, Horseman’s Gourd Pumpkin Spice Latte Ale (with cinnamon and coffee). But two of our favorites were nods to the old world: Clouds 9 Belgian Golden Strong Ale, and Accumulation Red Amber Lager. See beer tasting notes below.

Silver Lining Beerbook

Clouds Brewing has been a pleasurable part of our craft beer journey since we moved to the Triangle, and we were overjoyed to talk to Matt and Mikey in their current Raleigh location before they move on. Clouds has weathered the storm of the pandemic and flowed with the changing tastes of beer drinkers over the years, only to emerge as a long-standing favorite. With the new Raleigh location on the horizon, it looks like sunny skies for Clouds Brewing.

NCBE's Beer Notes - Clouds Brewing

• Hop JAM*

  • Style: American IPA

  • ABV: 6.3%

  • Color: straw, clear

  • Aroma: grapefruit, a little pine

  • Taste: grapefruit, pine, cracker, bitter

  • Mouthfeel: medium-light body

  • Aftertaste: bitter with trace of cracker

• Double Hop JAM*

  • Style: Imperial IPA

  • ABV: 10.5%

  • Color: golden, clear

  • Aroma: intense citrus hops

  • Taste: grapefruit zest and a little malt sweetness, caramel, slightly dank

  • Mouthfeel: medium body

  • Aftertaste: bitter

• Rain Czech

  • Style: Dark lager

  • ABV: 5.3%

  • Color: black

  • Aroma: coffee

  • Taste: medium roasted coffee, smoke, medium malty sweetness

  • Mouthfeel: medium, crisp

  • Aftertaste: coffee, moderate bitterness

• Mean Girl*

  • Style: Blackberry/Dragon Fruit Kettle Sour

  • ABV: 5.5%

  • Color: pink (“On Wednesdays, wear pink”), cloudy

  • Aroma: blackberry, clean, sour

  • Taste: blackberry, tart/sweet, green tea

  • Mouthfeel: light, carbonated, refreshing

  • Aftertaste: tart, toasty

• Buzz Worthy*

  • Style: Hazy honey pale ale

  • ABV: 8.0%

  • Color: golden, hazy

  • Aroma: subtle hops

  • Taste: stone fruit, orange, malt sweetness with subtle honey note

  • Mouthfeel: medium body, pillowy

  • Aftertaste: bitter with touch of malt sweetness

• Witches Brew*

  • Style: Starburst Kettle Sour

  • ABV: 6.3%

  • Color: pink

  • Aroma: tart strawberry

  • Taste: sweet and sour strawberry (pink Starburst candy)

  • Mouthfeel: light, carbonated, refreshing

  • Aftertaste: tart

• Horseman’s Gourd*

  • Style: Pumpkin Spice Latte Ae

  • ABV: 5.5%

  • Color: light gold, a little hazy

  • Aroma: cinnamon

  • Taste: cinnamon, coffee, creamy, touch of pepper

  • Mouthfeel: medium body

  • Aftertaste: cinnamon, coffee

• Clouds 9*

  • Style: Belgian Golden Strong Ale

  • ABV: 9.0%

  • Color: straw/golden

  • Aroma: spicy

  • Taste: spicy, fruity (pear, juicy fruit), medium sweet, cracker

  • Mouthfeel: smooth, full bodied, creamy

  • Aftertaste: juicy fruit, a little sweetness

• Accumulation*

  • Style: Red Amber Lager

  • ABV: 5.8%

  • Color: red/amber

  • Aroma: honey

  • Taste: honey, bread/cracker malt, sweet but balanced

  • Mouthfeel: medium body, smooth, carbonated

  • Aftertaste: a little bitter

*NCBE Two mugs up!

What do you think about Clouds Brewing?

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