North Carolina breweries focused on more than just great beer

Drink with purpose: 10 NC breweries that blend craft beer with community and sustainability.

Good news: Drinking beer can make the world a better place! Let me explain. Across North Carolina, there are breweries dedicated to making their communities —and the world —a better place. So, what’s our role in all of this? Simply showing up, ordering a brew or a snack, and supporting their mission.

With North Carolina being a hub for craft brewing, I’ve done the research to find the breweries that are not only putting out great beer but also doing good work in the world. Here’s what I found!

Mother Earth Brewing 

Location: 311 N. Herritage St., Kinston

Located in the humble town of Kinston, North Carolina, Mother Earth Brewing was founded by father-and-son-in-law duo Stephen and Trent. The two share a love for their community, sustainability, and great beer, and from that love, Mother Earth Brewing was born.

This brewery is committed to sustainable practices in every aspect of its operation, from green brewing procedures and locally grown hops to bamboo tap handles and a 100% solar-powered Tap Room and Beer Garden. In fact, Mother Earth Brewing is the first production brewery in the country to receive Gold certification from the LEED® program.

Even its beers carry the green theme, with names like Homegrown (an ale brewed with tomatoes—yes, really!), Reef Keeper, Endless River, Weeping Willow, and more.

You can sample its beers at the Tap Room and Beer Garden, or stop by the Kinston brewing facility for a tour and a chance to learn more about its beer and sustainability mission.

 

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Fonta Flora Brewery 

Locations:

Morganton Tasting Room: 317 N Green St, Morganton

Whippoorwill Farm: 6751 NC-126, Nebo

Optimist Hall: 1115 N Brevard Street, Ste. D, Charlotte

Fonta Flora is, well, fantastic. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist the alliteration.) This brewery uses beer as a way to bring people together while celebrating the biodiversity and bounty of North Carolina’s agriculture. When you sip a Fonta Flora brew, you can trust that it’s been thoughtfully crafted with local ingredients and a whole lot of passion.

With beers ranging from IPAs and lagers to double barrel-aged brews, goses, seltzers, and more, there’s something bold, flavorful, and unique for every kind of beer lover.

Fonta Flora also has a few locations where you can enjoy its creations: The Morganton Tasting Room, their farmhouse brewery at Whippoorwill Farm, and their newest spot at Optimist Hall in Charlotte.

Free Range Brewing 

Locations:

The Brewery: 2320 N. Davidson St, Charlotte

The Bar: 301 Camp Rd. Charlotte

With a name like Free Range Brewing, you know this brewery is doing all the right things when it comes to sustainability. Impressively, its beverages are made with an average of 95% locally sourced ingredients. That means every sip supports not just the environment, but the farmers, chefs, artists, and businesses that make up the heart of its community.

But this brewery’s commitment doesn’t stop with what’s in the glass: Free Range also regularly hosts community events, pop-ups, and collaborations that bring people together and celebrate the local talent that Charlotte has to offer.

You can experience it all at one of the two Charlotte locations: The Brewery, where it all started, and The Bar, a great spot offering drinks and a variety of food options.

Clouds Brewing

Locations:

Brewery Taproom: 1233 Front St., Raleigh

Brewcade + Kitchen: 905 W Main St. #22, Durham

Storm Cellar: 157 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill

Clouds Brewing is guaranteed to have your head in the clouds, in the best way. Known for its wide variety of quality beers (think lagers, pilsners, IPAs, stouts, and more), the brewery is also deeply committed to supporting its local community.

In 2021, it launched the Silver Linings Series, a rotating initiative that partners with a different local nonprofit every other month to raise awareness and funds for causes in need. This initiative lets you sip on a beer that’s good for more than just its taste!

You can visit Clouds Brewing at one of three locations: The Brewery Taproom in North Raleigh, its Durham spot, or the Storm Cellar in Chapel Hill.

 

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Wicked Weed Brewing 

Locations:

The Brewpub: 91 Biltmore Ave., Asheville

The Funkatorium: 147 Coxe Ave., Asheville

Wicked Weed West: 145 Jacob Holm Way, Candler

Cultura: 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville

Wicked Weed Brewing has been pushing boundaries in craft beer since 2012. Best known for its West Coast-style IPAs and barrel-aged sours, this brewery has also made a name for itself through a deep commitment to community and sustainability.

One standout initiative is Beers That Build, a program designed to support causes that focus on people—like food and housing insecurity—as well as the environment, civil service, and equality. Through rotating specialty beers, Wicked Weed donates $1 per pint to local nonprofits, while also encouraging volunteerism and community engagement. On top of that, they’re actively working toward zero waste and a more sustainable future. Very cool of you, Wicked Weed.

You can grab a beer that does good at one of three locations: The Brewpub, the Funkatorium (their sour-focused taproom), or their brewery and taproom at Wicked Weed West.

Wrightsville Beach Brewery 

Location: 6201 Oleander Drive, Wilmington

Located in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach Brewery is committed to two things: Brewing excellent beer and making a meaningful impact on its community. And for this brewery, the two go hand in hand.

Wrightsville does something truly special. It partners with 11 local nonprofits and supports them year-round through the Beer of the Month program, where it donates proceeds each month to a different organization. Wondering about the twelfth month, December? That’s when it goes big, donating 11% of all proceeds to all 11 nonprofits. Pretty incredible, right?

As you sip your beer, you can also enjoy locally caught seafood and oysters, plus burgers, pizza, and other delicious bites from the kitchen.

Highland Brewing 

Location: 12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville

Highland Brewing is an immigrant-founded, women-led brewery located in Asheville, North Carolina. Since opening its doors, Highland has been a trailblazer, not just in craft beer but in community impact and sustainability.

In 2019, Pints with Purpose was launched, a program that provides ongoing support and donations to five local partner organizations. These groups focus on essential areas like natural resource conservation, food insecurity, animal welfare, and supporting vulnerable communities. Through this initiative, Highland turns every pint into a chance to make a difference.

The brewery’s dedication to doing good extends beyond people—it includes the planet, too. Highland Brewing is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and works to do so through eco-conscious brewing techniques, sustainable packaging and operational practices, and more.

You can experience it all at the 40-acre campus, a family-friendly space with daily food trucks, live music, and community events throughout the year.

 

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Ghostface Brewing 

Locations:

Pizzeria: 215 S Broad St., Mooresville

Beer Lab: 225 S. Broad St., Mooresville

Scratch Kitchen: 138 Village View Dr Unit 107, Mooresville

Despite its name, Ghostface Brewing is anything but scary—the only frightening thing might be just how much it gives back to the community.

Driven by a commitment to economic, social, and environmental responsibility, Ghostface regularly donates to a wide range of charities. The brewery is especially involved in causes related to medical research, community development, human services, and animal advocacy. Beyond donations, it also hosts charity nights, giving nonprofit groups the chance to reserve a night at its BeerLab and receive 20% of all sales made during the event.

You can enjoy one of Ghostface’s exceptional beers at any of their three locations: the BeerLab, the Pizzeria, or the Scratch Kitchen. Honestly, you can’t go wrong.

 

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Sycamore Brewing

Locations:

Charlotte Taproom: 2151 Hawkins Street, Charlotte

CLT Airport: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Charlotte

Owned by a passionate husband-and-wife team, Sycamore Brewing is all about fresh beer, high-quality ingredients, and giving back.

Each year, it brews its signature Rising Hope IPA as part of a national initiative called Brewing Funds the Cure, which raises money for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. It’s a limited-edition release with a powerful purpose.

But there’s more! The brewery regularly partners with a variety of local charities, crafting exclusive small-batch beers to support causes close to home. Whether it’s a neighborhood fundraiser or a larger nonprofit collaboration, Sycamore Brewing uses its craft to build a stronger community.

You can raise a brew to these efforts at the Charlotte Taproom or grab a drink on the go at its Charlotte airport location.

Pilot Brewing

Location: 1331 Central Ave., Ste 104, Charlotte

I love everything about Pilot Brewing: that it’s woman-owned and woman-brewed, its bold, experimental approach to beer, and its dedication to the community.

Pilot crafts original recipes that span both traditional and inventive styles. But what really sets the brewery apart is its commitment to giving back. Each month, it spotlights a different charity to raise funds and awareness. The brewery also hosts regular Teacher Appreciation Nights, Education Nights, and community events that feature local food trucks and bring people together over great beer and good conversation.

You can cheer on everything Pilot Brewing stands for at its Charlotte taproom, with a gluten-reduced pint in hand!

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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