Ta Da! NC Beer Explorer's Top Five for 2025
In the last 8 months, we’ve visited about 40 taprooms/breweries. Here are our Top 5 Favs for 2025.
BEER THERE DRANK THAT
Rebecca and Ben Marmaduke
1/8/20262 min read
Roads Less Traveled
Since May of 2025, we conservatively estimate we’ve traveled about 2000 miles in our North Carolina Beer Explorations. Officially, we’ve visited 30 taprooms/breweries, and unofficially about a dozen more. That sounds like a lot until you consider that there are more than 400 breweries in NC!
Throughout our beer journey, we have learned so much. So. Much. We were always beer lovers, but previously, you probably could have written what we knew about hops, malt, yeast, boiling, fermentation, and carbonation on the back of an envelope. Now, Ben has a stack of books on his desk that looks exactly like the one we encountered at Lesser-Known Beer Co. on our recent visit, and even I can explain a little bit about aeration and attenuation.
Worth Every Trip and Sip
Looking back over the last nine months, we can honestly say that we only had fantastic experiences everywhere we went, drinking, eating, and forming relationships at breweries. We were always treated with kindness and hospitality, and we could tell that our experience wasn’t isolated. Taprooms are intentional about cultivating community among customers and making everyone who comes through the door feel welcome.
Friends, please understand that we do not “review” or “rate” breweries or beer. We don’t feel qualified to throw numbers at someone else’s hard work and investment. We profile and promote. Every single brewery we have visited deserves recognition for simply existing in a realm where it’s difficult to differentiate yourself, much less rise above the ranks.
However, having said that, out of all the amazing experiences we had, there were about 10 that really stood out, and then there were the top five that blew us away. At these breweries:
We had extended learning and conversation with the brewers/owners/taproom managers.
Every beer we tasted challenged us to describe its flavor and complexity using our best poetic language.
We had an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at brewery operations.
We were treated with so much warmth and generosity that we became raving fans for life.
We won’t keep you in suspense. Watch this video to learn which breweries were our favorites in 2025.
Everything's Golden
As I said earlier, every experience was great. We thank all of the breweries for opening their doors and giving us their precious time. It’s an incredible honor when we know how much goes into every tank.
This feature has a fun one to write, but it’s not without the potential for (gasp) controversy. (Hold onto your pearls, Miss Fanny. This is just a couple of beer lovers sharing some thoughts from their teeny-tiny corner of the universe.)
So, come on, 2026! We are unapologetic Beer Nerds, and we plan to keep exploring the beers of North Carolina indefinitely or until our knees give out, whichever comes first.
We're constantly learning more about what we don't know!