A postcard from: inside North Carolina's barbecue scene

In the first of a series discovering beer culture around the world, PerfectDraft’s Content & Community Manager, Evan Hess, explains North Carolina’s laid-back barbecue scene and craft brewing culture. I n North Carolina, barbecue isn’t just dinner – it’s a full-day event. From the mountains in Asheville to the Outer Banks in the east, it’s all about hearty food laden on picnic tables and that perfect mix of sunshine and smoke in the air. North Carolina barbecue is pork, and whether you’re loyal to the sharp, vinegary Eastern style of sauce, or the sweeter, tomato-based Lexington kind, one thing’s always true: there’s a cold beer in hand long before the food’s ready.

 

And these days, it’s not just about backyards and smokers. NC has got a serious outdoor scene. Breweries are everywhere, usually with food trucks parked out front, fire pits crackling into the evening, and plenty of space to kick back. In Charlotte, NoDa Brewing Co. is a local favourite I grew up near: great beer, live music, and always a good crowd. Their Hop Drop ‘N Roll IPA is a personal must-have! Asheville gets all the beer headlines (and fair enough, it’s packed with great breweries and views of the mountains to match), but the fact is: wherever you are in NC, you’re never far from a pint and a plate. Beach towns? You’ll find fish tacos and pale ales. College towns? Ribs, brisket and sours. Mountains? Think smoky barbecue and stouts by the fire. Whether it’s a summer cookout, a tailgate, or just a lazy Sunday, North Carolina does barbecue and beer that just works. No fuss, just good food, better beer and great company.

 

Three North Carolina beers worth the trip
Hop Drop ‘N Roll
NoDa Brewing (Charlotte)
A classic West Coast IPA that clinched the gold in the IPA category at the World Beer Cup.

Highland Gaelic Ale
Highland Brewing (Asheville)
Asheville’s first beer? An amber ale with malty sweetness and hop bitterness, first brewed in 1994.

Tropical Lightning IPA
Wilmington Brewing (Coastal NC)
A West Coast IPA and perfect for drinks on the dock of the bay.

Discover other American beers in kegs : Budweiser, Goose Island Midway and Goose Island IPA.

Read more articles from our magazine The Taproom : PerfectPour: The community hall of fame, Questions from the community: tips and tricks and Perfect Geek: How to get the best beer from PerfectDraft.