For those who love the finer tastes in life, Outer Banks breweries and tasting rooms capture the spirit of the coast in every pour. From small-batch breweries to scenic vineyards and laid-back wine bars, the Outer Banks Brewery & Spirits Trail is your guide to exploring it all.
Stretching from the Northern Beaches down to Hatteras Island, this trail showcases the best breweries, wineries, and distilleries across the OBX. Please enjoy responsibly and take advantage of local cabs, Ubers, or the OBX Party Bus.
Craving local flavor? Check out our full list of Outer Banks bars and restaurants for even more can’t-miss stops along the way.
Northern Beaches
The Vineyard Voyage - Duck
A cool water excursion taking you from the chic town of Duck on the Outer Banks across Currituck Sound for a wine tasting and 4x4 safari tour of Sanctuary Vineyards on the mainland. Explore its 33 acres of viniferous grapes. Learn the vine-to-glass process, smell the French oak barrels and meet the master winemakers amid a setting with rich waterfowl and farming heritage. Sanctuary Vineyards produces over 7,000 cases of wine seasonally and has won over 100 accolades for their award winning wines.
TRIO Restaurant and Market - Kitty Hawk
TRiO is an exciting retail and tasting destination with an inviting yet cosmopolitan vibe. They're all about simple pleasures, authentic flavors and good times. A place to feed your passion — for wine, beer, cheese, casually inventive food and more. Comprised of both a gourmet wine, beer and cheese market as well as a restaurant with a wine bar and tap house, TRiO offers the best of the worlds of wine, beer and cheese on-site or in the comfort of your home.
Tap That OBX - Kitty Hawk
The robust selection of bourbons, tequilas, and beers on tap at this dog friendly, oceanside spot alone warrants a visit. Once inside, you’ll also find a cigar lounge and game room — featuring a variety of free games, like darts, pool, and foosball. With a laid back atmosphere, the cozy space invites relaxed, loungey visits. It doesn’t offer food, but with a place this accessible and luxe, you don’t need it. Bring your own snacks or grab a juicy burger from Art’s Place (located next door) for a perfect Outer Banks brewery pairing by the beach.
Chips Wine & Beer - Kill Devil Hills
No Outer Banks brewery guide would be complete without a mention of Chips Wine & Beer, which boasts over 2,000 wines and 600 craft beers. And for a sublime shopping experience, it also offers wine tasting machines, six beer taps, and a friendly and knowledgeable staff so you can sip while you shop. Its wares extend beyond beverages — in addition to items like cigars, pint glasses, and chocolates, you can also find 60 artisan-made olive oils and vinegars at Outer Banks Olive Oil Co., now located inside Chip's Kill Devil Hills location.
Outer Banks Brewing Station – Kill Devil Hills
Known as America’s first wind-powered brewery, Outer Banks Brewing Station delivers an unbeatable mix of live entertainment, great beer, and delicious food at reasonable prices. Brewmaster Scott Meyer’s creations range from crisp pilsners and IPAs to smooth stouts, all brewed on-site. The brewery continues to be a local favorite for its innovative energy and role as a community hub for craft beer, live music, and coastal culture.
Swells’a Brewery and Tasting Room - Kill Devil Hills
Upon entering Swells’a Brewery and Tasting Room, you’ll see why it’s been called “everyone’s favorite living room of the Outer Banks.” The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, and the seating is spacious and comfortable. It includes a tasting room, a large outdoor patio, and a beautiful rooftop deck with show-stopping ocean views. In addition to being dog and kid-friendly, Swells’a also hosts fun rotating events including live music, pizza nights, yoga sessions, and more. Pro tip: The rotating selection of local sips leans toward IPA-centric, and if you try something you like, you can buy some to take home.
Fish Heads Bar & Grill - Nags Head
Located on the Outer Banks Fishing Pier, this family-friendly bar and restaurant offers up fantastic views, live music, and classic, affordable beach fare, like fresh fish tacos, fish baskets, and killer burgers. To quench your thirst, choose between 33 craft brews, wine, bubbly libations, and sake cocktails. In addition to daily drink specials, Fish Heads offers a fantastic happy-hour shrimp special: 20-cent seasoned steamed shrimp from 4-6 p.m. With on-site beach access, parents can enjoy their meal while the kids play in the sand and hunt for shells.
Roanoke Island & Dare Mainland
Outer Banks Distilling Company - Manteo
After meeting years ago while working at a local brewery in Kill Devil Hills, the four owners became fast friends over their shared love for good beer and rum. Today, Outer Banks Distilling Company combines small-batch rum with rich local history. Located in the heart of Manteo, the distillery offers tastings, tours, and a behind-the-scenes look at how their award-winning Kill Devil Rum is made — inspired by the shipwrecks that earned this area its “Graveyard of the Atlantic” nickname.
NouVines - Manteo
For a refined yet relaxed wine experience, NouVines offers a rustic, intimate setting in downtown Manteo. This locally loved wine bar and shop serves carefully curated wines, charcuterie boards, and small bites in a cozy atmosphere. Stop by for Thursday night trivia, or visit on the weekend to pair smooth sips with live music. After a long day touring Outer Banks breweries, NouVines brings just the right dose of slower-paced charm.
The Mother Vine - Manteo
America’s oldest cultivated grapevine, the Mother Vine has been growing in Manteo on Roanoke Island for more than four centuries. This circa-1584 Scuppernong grape — a natural offshoot of the Muscadine that only grows wild on Roanoke Island — remains a living piece of Outer Banks history. Its story is deeply intertwined with the lore of America’s first attempted English settlement, The Lost Colony, adding a touch of mystery to its legacy. It’s a must-see stop for history lovers and wine enthusiasts alike.
Lost Colony Brewery - Stumpy Point
The Lost Colony Brewery specializes in British and Irish style beers. They use Marris Otter malt as their base and then add various combinations of Black Patent, Brown malt, Crystal malt, and Roasted Barley depending on the individual beer. Hop varieties include Fuggles, East Kent Golding and Challenger. Their brewery in Stumpy Point is housed in a 10,000 square foot former boat shop, capable of producing 1,000 gallons of beer at a time.
Hatteras Island
Lighthouse Sports Bar - Buxton
Heading south, you'll find Lighthouse Sports Bar, who took it upon themselves to sample thousands of the finest beers in the land to bring you one of the most extensive selections of local North Carolina beers and ciders. They offer a full bar featuring local beers and wines, along with the entertainment of pool tables, darts, live music, and more. Open for brunch, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, with late-night bites to keep the fun going.
Cape Cork & Bottle - Avon
Wine lovers will feel right at home at Cape Cork & Bottle, a new boutique wine and beer lounge in Avon. With a curated selection of fine wines, local brews, and artisanal snacks, this casual hangout invites guests to relax indoors or on the patio with a glass in hand. It’s a great stop for anyone exploring the southern tip of the Outer Banks Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail.
BONUS Outer Banks Brewery & Spirits Trail Extension: If you’re extending your journey beyond Hatteras, hop on the ferry to Ocracoke Island and visit 1718 Brewing. Known for their creative small-batch beers and friendly taproom, it’s a memorable way to cap off your Outer Banks brewery adventure.