NC Ale Trail By Rail

Discover the NC Ale Trail by Rail! Experience the perfect blend of convenience and adventure with NC By Train, offering an exclusive journey through local breweries between Raleigh and Charlotte. Whether you're planning a day trip, an overnight getaway, or a week-long whistle-stop crawl, this unique excursion lets you savor locally crafted beers while exploring vibrant places along the way. Gather your friends and family, hop on the train for a memorable craft beer adventure.

Discover by Destination

  • Raleigh

    Kick off your journey in Raleigh, the City of Oaks, known for its impressive museums, vibrant craft beer scene, and historic charm.

    Visit Raleigh

  • Cary

    Stop in Cary to enjoy local brews amidst scenic parks, renowned cultural arts, and a friendly, small-town atmosphere.

    Visit Cary

  • Durham

    Explore Durham's thriving brewery culture, renowned universities, and dynamic culinary scene in the Bull City.

    Visit Durham

  • Burlington

    Discover Burlington's hidden gems, including its rich railway heritage, lively downtown, and welcoming craft beer spots.

    Visit Burlington

  • Greensboro

    Experience Greensboro's eclectic breweries, historic battlegrounds, and vibrant arts and entertainment district.

    Visit Greensboro

  • High Point

    Enjoy a pint in High Point, celebrated for its world-class furniture market, scenic parks, and innovative brewing

    Visit High Point

  • Salisbury

    Savor Salisbury's unique brews while exploring its historic downtown, cultural festivals, and beautiful architecture.

    Visit Sailsbury

  • Cabarrus County

    Wonder what's brewing? Cabarrus County’s craft beer and cider scene features plenty of flavor and endless fun.

    Visit Cabarrus

  • Charlotte

    End your journey in Charlotte, a bustling hub for craft beer enthusiasts, professional sports, and dynamic nightlife.

    Visit Charlotte

Start Your Journey

Embark on a flavorful journey through North Carolina's craft beer landscape! Use our interactive map to discover new favorites, plan your visits, and enjoy the unique tastes that each brewery has to offer.

  • Navigate the Map: Click, drag, and zoom to explore different areas.

  • Find Breweries: Look for the markers that indicate brewery locations. Click on a marker to see the brewery's name, address, and additional details. (Breweries on the map are located within 5 miles of the train stop).

  • Plan Your Route: Identify the train stations along your route and find nearby breweries.

  • Learn More: Each brewery marker provides a link to the brewery's website, where you can find more information about their offerings, operating hours, and special events.

  • Enjoy Responsibly: Utilize the train system to travel safely and responsibly between breweries!

 FAQs

    • No. The NC Ale Trail by Rail is a self-directed tour of the breweries along the Piedmont and Carolinian routes between Raleigh and Charlotte. Passengers build their own itineraries for a day trip, weekend, or longer to enjoy the breweries and the communities along the way. Find pre-planned stops in the participating communities on this page.

  • Go to Train Station Schedules | North Carolina Amtrak Service to learn more about the stations on the NC Ale Trail by Rail.

  • Go to N.C. Ale Trail By Rail to purchase tickets online.

  • Tickets can range from approx. $6 to $27 with business class tickets on the Carolinian being more expensive because you can reserve your specific seat. Go to Train Tickets | North Carolina Amtrak Service for more information.

  • Scroll up to explore our slider that highlights participating breweries!

  • There are 10 daily trips. Go to Piedmont Schedule | North Carolina Amtrak Service to see when the trains run.

  • No, there is no additional transportation once you leave the train, however, all the breweries are within 1.5 miles from the train station stops and should all take less than 15 minutes to walk to, most being around a 5-10 minute walk!

  • No, you cannot take your beer on the train. At this time, NC trains do not serve alcohol on board either. 

  • You have to purchase tickets for each train stop.

  • You can start anywhere along the Piedmont corridor.

The NC Ale Trail by Rail is a partnership between the NC Craft Brewers Guild, NC By Train, and local destination marketing organizations.

*Alcohol is not available for purchase on Piedmont trains and no open containers of alcohol are allowed on NC By Train and Amtrak services.