The Top 9 Best Breweries In Winston-Salem Are…

Winston-Salem, NC, has a storied beer history. It was once the site of a Schlitz brewery for 30 years – the largest brewery of its time! Foothills Brewing, established in 2004, has gained national popularity, and other breweries exploded on the scene in the city in 2013 and have grown in popularity. Now, we have 9 of the best breweries here in Winston-Salem, each offering its unique quality and flavors of craft beer. We have listed them here alphabetically for your convenience.

Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing

Fiddlin’ Fish is family-owned by Stuart and Lindsay Barnhart and cousin David Ashe. It is named after their love of hiking, fishing, and listening to mountain music in the Blue Ridge Mountains during childhood summers. The brewery has a 15-barrel brewhouse that produces traditional styles as well as seasonals and one-offs. There are eight TVs, including two on the large covered patio, for games, plus they have regular live music and events. Every Wednesday, Tasting Flights are 30% off, 4pm – 10pm.

Fiddlin’ Fish Website

• 772 N Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-999-8945
• Hours
  • Mon-Thurs, 4pm – 10pm
  • Fri, 2pm – 11pm
  • Sat, 12pm – 11pm
  • Sun, 12pm – 8pm

Foothills Brewing

Foothills Brewing is one of the largest regional craft breweries in the Southeastern United States. It has a 48,000-square-foot brewing space and serves its craft beers at three locations. They have a 28-tap Foothills Tasting Room, where they host food trucks, events, and music. Dogs and kids are welcome, but they must stay with you. They hope to restart brewery tours soon. Foothills Downtown Brew Pub, which features daily food and drink specials, events, and Bluegrass Wednesdays, is their second location. Their menu offers appetizers, soups and salads, fish and chips, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps, as well as craft beer on tap, wine, and a full bar. Footnote is Foothills’ newest location, serving freshly roasted coffee and pastries in the morning and craft beer on tap, signature cocktails, wine, and small plates later in the day. Monday nights feature Siren Series Jazz.

Foothills Brewing Website

• Tasting Room
• 300 Kimwell Drive, Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-997-9484
• Hours
  • Mon-Thurs, 3pm – 10pm
  • Fri & Sat, 12pm – 10pm
  • Sun, 12pm – 8pm

• Downtown Brew Pub
• 638 W 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-777-3348
• Hours
  • Mon-Sun, 11am – 12am

• Footnote
• 634 W 4th Street Ste. #120, Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-602-1087
• Hours
  • Mon-Thurs, 8am – 9pm
  • Fri & Sat, 8am – 11pm
  • Sun, 10am – 5pm

Hoots Beer Co.

Hoots Beer Co. is in the corner of the co-op, West Mill Works, located in the West End, sharing space with The Porch Kitchen and Cantina, Dabble Bar, The Breathing Room, and Sutler’s Spirit Company. What started as a developing brewery now has between 6 – 9 of its own craft beers on tap at any given time. They also serve select wines and cocktails. It’s a neighborhood bar with a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. You can enjoy your beer there or take it to go. They can fill 22-ounce cans or six-packs with the craft beer of your choice and seal them. They host Tacos and Turntables every month featuring a guest DJ. See their Facebook page for dates for this and other events.

Hoots Website | Hoots Facebook

• 840 Mill Works Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• Hours
  • Mon-Thurs, 4pm – 10pm
  • Fri, 4pm – 12am
  • Sat, 2pm – 12am
  • Sun, 1pm – 10pm

Incendiary Brewing

Incendiary Brewing is a popular brewery and has made a name for itself for its IPAs, Stouts, and outdoor space known as the Coalpit! Many concerts are held at the Coalpit by Incendiary during the warmer months with large turnouts. Offering over 20 different craft beers on ever-rotating taps and in cans, Incendiary has a big following of craft beer lovers. They also serve wine, hard seltzer, and hard cider. There are tables inside and picnic tables outdoors. Food can be ordered from the next-door restaurant, Cugino Forno, brought in or delivered. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed. Dogs wearing Incendiary bandanas may get extra treats. Children are permitted under the strict supervision of their parents. Events are listed on their website and Facebook page. Coalpit Concerts will return in May of 2024.

Incendiary Website | Incendiary Facebook

• 486 N Patterson Avenue, Suite 105 Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-893-6714
• Hours
  • Mon-Thurs, 4pm – 10pm
  • Fri & Sat, 12pm – 12am
  • Sun, 12pm – 10pm

Joymongers Barrel Hall

Joymongers in Winston-Salem produces unique barrel-aged beers. Serving the craft beers brewed in Joymongers, Greensboro in their taproom, they also create new beers by aging them to perfection in Winston-Salem in fresh bourbon and wine barrels and serve them on tap as well. Many of the 17 beers on tap are only available in Joymongers Barrel Hall, Winston-Salem, and are constantly changing. They also serve wine, cider, liquor, and coke products. Located in a 90-year-old garage in the West End, Joymongers Barrel Hall seats over 200 people at its 50-foot bar and tables and benches. They host events such as trivia, bingo, food trucks, and live music. See their website for more info.

Joymongers Barrel Hall Website

• 480 West End Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC
• Hours
  • Mon-Wed, 4pm – 10pm
  • Thurs, 4pm – 12am
  • Fri, 2pm – 12am
  • Sat, 12pm – 12am
  • Sun, 12pm – 10pm

Lesser Known Beer Co.

Lesser Known Beer Co. promotes underrepresented beer styles, ingredients, and processes. Their beers are meant to be pleasant and undemanding. There is a lot of foam on their beer because it is a significant part of quality beer service, aromatics, and flavor. On tap, they have tank-pour beer, poured from their horizontal lagering tanks, and draft-pour beer, kegged and poured from their draft lines. They also serve wine, hard cider, and non-alcoholic drinks. They offer guest drafts and guest bottles as well. Food trucks are hosted on some nights. Otherwise, they serve hot dogs from their cart. Well-behaved children and dogs on leashes are welcome, but be vigilant, as they are near a busy street. Dogs must remain outside due to limited inside space.

Lesser Known Beer Website

• 901 S Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• Hours
  • Mon, Wed, Thurs, 4pm – 9pm
  • Fri, 3pm – 10pm
  • Sat, 12pm – 10pm
  • Sun, 12pm – 8pm
  • Closed Tuesday

Radar Brewing Company

Radar Brewing Company is a relatively new brewery and taproom located in Winston-Salem’s newest arts and entertainment district, Industry Hill. As a brewery, they are motivated to experiment and try new things. They love discovering new ingredients and yeast strains and bringing unique beers and new flavors to their customers, like Deep Space Black IPA, pomegranate, dark chocolate, and roasty or Spice Runner Pumpkin Pie Spice Ale, pumpkin pie spices and cinnamon waffle cone. Those are just two of the brews they offer in their taproom. They also serve wine and soft drinks. They have plenty of space with indoor and outdoor seating. Radar Brewing hosts events like Trivia Tuesdays and Yoga Wednesdays. They also have 1/2 off wine every Wednesday. See their Website for more details.

Radar Brewing Website

• 216 E 9th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-999-8090
• Hours
  • Mon-Thurs, 4pm – 10pm
  • Fri, 3pm – 11pm
  • Sat, 12pm – 11pm
  • Sun, 12pm – 8pm

Small Batch Beer Co.

Small Batch is a warm, friendly place with a big bar and 13 taps serving their craft brews. A large blackboard on the wall lists all their available beers. Many new ones keep changing, but some, like Lemonhead IPA and Hefevice, have been with them since they opened. They also offer carefully selected wines, bottled beers, and handcrafted cocktails. There is seating inside and outside. They have a great food menu, too, with snacks like Sunshine Fries and Best Brussels, sandwiches like the Chilango, and burgers like The Winston or Build Your Own Burger. See their menu for more selections.

Small Batch Website | Small Batch Menu (PDF)

• 241 W 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-893-6395
• Hours
  • Tues & Wed, 11am – 10pm
  • Thurs & Fri, 11am – 12am
  • Sat, 10am – 12am
  • Sun, 11am – 10pm
  • Closed Monday

Wise Man Brewing

Wise Man Brewing is a family-friendly, pet-friendly place with a laid-back community vibe, where they encourage people to gather together and celebrate the “great invention that is beer.” They love trying new recipes, and they have a long list of brews on tap to choose from. Categories like Hops! Hops! Hops!, Kettle Sours, The Lighter Side, and The Darker Side offer many craft beer selections from their list. They also have ciders, hard seltzer, beers to go, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. Wiseman hosts food trucks every day, so you can always find something to eat, and they hold a variety of events, including Live Music, Pub Trivia, Yoga, Open Mic Night, and more. See their extensive calendar on their website.

Wiseman Brewing Website

• 826 Angelo Bros. Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC
• 336-725-0008
• Hours
  • Mon-Wed, 4pm – 10pm
  • Thurs, 4pm – 11pm
  • Fri, 2pm – 12am
  • Sat, 12pm – 12am
  • Sun, 12pm – 8pm

What About The Best Cocktail?

Winston-Salem definitely has its share of craft breweries, but where do you go if you are looking for a night out with some good signature cocktails? We have you covered. Check out our list of places with the best cocktails in the city.

What is the most interesting craft beer you have had? Tell us in the comments.