The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild has partnered with NC By Train to create "NC Ale Trail By Rail" to provide a travel experience where train riders can explore several breweries throughout North Carolina.

What You Need To Know

  • NC Ale Trial By Rail is a brewery hop by train that takes riders to cities featuring certain breweries

  • NC Ale Trail By Rail will make a stop at the North Carolina State Fair from Oct. 18 through Oct. 27

  • To see routes and breweries along the rail route, visit NC Ale Trail By Rail

Beginning in October, also known as N.C. Beer Month, riders can explore breweries and communities in Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary and Raleigh, the guild said.

“We are delighted to partner with NC By Train to introduce this new and novel way for visitors and residents alike, to explore the craft breweries of North Carolina. As community gathering hubs, our North Carolina breweries offer welcoming taproom and tasting experiences,” said Lisa Parker, the executive director of the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild.

This partnership allows riders to access breweries and communities along the rail route. People can disembark, visit a new brewery and community and board the train again, heading to a new location and brewery.

The new year-round program is “a great opportunity to encourage riders to explore everything North Carolina has to offer, including the vibrant craft brewery market and support local businesses,” said Jason Orthner, the North Carolina Department of Transportation rail division director, according to the guild.

This year, the NC Ale Trail by Rail is making a stop at the North Carolina State Fair from Oct. 18 through Oct. 27. Riders are encouraged to stop at the N.C. Public House where breweries, cideries, wineries and craft sodas from across N.C. are showcased, the guild said.

The N.C. Public House can be found on the south side of Dorton Arena, facing the train stop. Riders will find the “perfect pairings” of daily wine and beer and their favorite fair food, according to the guild.

Community members can plan their trip by visiting NC Ale Trail By Rail. There, future riders can find an interactive map “allowing visitors to explore brewery locations along the route and get direct links to each brewery’s website for more details on their offerings, operation hours and special events,” the guild said.

Each brewery is conveniently located within five miles of the train stations, making the experience easy and fun for riders.