Brewgaloo transforms downtown Raleigh into the ultimate craft beer block party
BY DATHAN KAZSUK
Each April, the streets of downtown Raleigh swell with the sound of live music, the scent of sizzling food truck fare and the collective clink of beer glasses as North Carolina’s largest craft beer festival—Brewgaloo—takes over Fayetteville Street for one massive weekend-long celebration.
Hosted by Shop Local Raleigh, this two-day street party isn’t just about the beer (though let’s be honest, the beer plays a big part). It’s a full-on showcase of local flavor, from the taps to the tunes to the handmade goods scattered up and down the downtown corridor.
The main event kicks off on Friday night with a laid-back ticketed session. Think of it as a sampler platter for your weekend—a chance to casually sip your way through more than 100 NC beers served in 3 oz. pours. The vibe is easygoing, the lines are shorter and the energy is just right for easing into the chaos that hits full throttle on Saturday.
When Saturday rolls around, all bets are off. Brewgaloo becomes a sprawling, open-to-the-public block party with full pint pours and more than 110 breweries pouring everything from IPAs and sours to porters and obscure seasonal experiments. And it’s not just about quantity—it’s about that hyper-local quality that makes North Carolina one of the best beer states in the country. Whether you’re in the mood for a juicy NEIPA from somewhere in the Triangle or a dark-as-night stout from a small-batch operation out west, there’s a tent for that.
The weekend brings out the heavy hitters we all know and love—Trophy, Resident Culture, Appalachian Mountain and Olde Mecklenburg holding down the fort like seasoned pros. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll uncover some of the lesser-known gems slinging equally impressive suds. Keep an eye out for the likes of Outer Dunes, Nacho Brewery, Timber Waters and Local Time—names you might not recognize, but beers you won’t forget.
But this isn’t just for the beer nerds. The festival smartly ropes in over 50 food trucks and over 100 local vendors, offering everything from handcrafted jewelry and clothing to art and homemade sauces. It’s the kind of event where you might grab a bacon-stuffed grilled cheese, buy a new hoodie from a local screen printer, and then wander over to discover your new favorite saison—all within a five-minute radius.
When it comes to the food trucks, it’s a full-on culinary free-for-all. You’ve got Korean BBQ tacos getting the spotlight at Bulkogi, beef empanadas stuffed just right from Che Empanadas, and burgers grilled to perfection by the crew at Smash Masters. Basically, if you’re hungry, you’re in the right place.
Music plays a major role, too. Four stages light up the city with more than two dozen bands and artists across multiple genres. Whether you’re into rootsy folk, soul, alt-rock, or jam bands, the live soundtrack keeps things buzzing all weekend long. It’s the kind of lineup that adds just the right kind of energy to a Saturday spent day-drinking in the street with several thousand of your closest friends.
And let’s not forget the mission underneath it all. Brewgaloo isn’t just here to get you buzzed—it’s here to boost the local economy and champion small businesses. It’s Raleigh doing what it does best: spotlighting the makers, brewers and dreamers who keep this city vibrant and weird in the best way possible.
So if you’re looking for a reason to raise a glass this spring, Brewgaloo’s got you covered. Just bring your ID, your appetite and maybe a little sunscreen. Raleigh’s largest party is about to tap in.
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