This brewery was just named the very best in Raleigh. Here’s why
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Clouds Brewing won Raleigh’s Best brewery for a third consecutive year in 2025.
- Public nominations and votes determined winners across 220+ Raleigh’s Best categories.
- Clouds operates a Raleigh taproom plus Durham brewcade and Chapel Hill storm cellar.
The Triangle is buzzing with breweries, but the votes have poured in for the top-rated in Raleigh.
For the third year in a row, Clouds Brewing has claimed gold in the annual Raleigh’s Best awards for the best brewery category.
Built as a “passion project rooted in German-inspired, American-made beers,” the brewery was founded in 2014. Though its OG downtown location is no longer open, Clouds has a taproom in Raleigh, a brewcade and kitchen in Durham and a storm cellar in Chapel Hill.
“From our team behind the tanks to everyone who’s ever stopped in for a beer, brought friends, or spread the word — this win is yours as much as ours. Raleigh showed up, and we feel it every single day,” the team said in an Instagram post about the award. “Here’s to the community that keeps us brewing strong.”
At the Raleigh location, there are 18 beers on tap, along with wine and ciders, plus special events like weekly trivia and yoga.
Raleigh’s best brewery winners
Along with Clouds Brewing, Compass Rose Brewery won the Silver award and Trophy Brewing Co. won Bronze.
The nomination period for the Raleigh’s Best awards began on Monday, June 9, and voting ended Friday, July 25 for people, businesses and establishments in 220+ subcategories. The official results were announced Sunday, October 26.
Nominations and winners are solely chosen by the public through online nominations and voting, as stated on the Raleigh’s Best Awards website. Additionally, “business associates and advertisers of The News & Observer and any other owner-affiliated company are not given special treatment, including but not limited to our presenting sponsor.”
You can find the full list of this year’s Raleigh’s Best winners online at votedraleighsbest.com/categories/2025.