North Carolina's Beer Timeline

A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

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Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

1585

Beer brewed in the homes of English settlers on Roanoke Island becomes a part of the colonial diet.

1756

A Moravian brewery and distillery in Bethabara is the first in the state.

1908

Before nationwide Prohibition, North Carolinians vote on a statewide referendum to outlaw alcoholic beverages.

1937

North Carolina passes the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act (ABC Law), which allows voters in each county to determine whether spirituous liquor should be sold at retail locations.

1986

After brewpubs are legalized in North Carolina in 1985, Uli Bennewitz founds the state’s first microbrewery, The Weeping Radish Restaurant and Brewery in Manteo.

1990s

A great number of breweries begin to open across the state, including Spring Garden Brewing Co. — later Red Oak Brewery — in Greensboro in 1991 and Highland Brewing Company in Asheville in 1994.

2005

The state legislature raises the 6 percent ABV limit to 15 percent thanks to the efforts of the Pop the Cap campaign, which is led by a group of local brewers and beer lovers.