Best beer in NC? This brewery ranks as one of the nation’s favorites
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sierra Nevada Taproom in Mills River ranks No. 9 on a list of the nation’s best breweries.
- The brewery was the only one North Carolina to make it into the rankings from Yelp.
- Fans praised the mountain destination’s beer, scenery and tours.
A North Carolina destination is a “staple” for beer lovers — and it ranks among the nation’s best breweries.
Sierra Nevada Taproom in Mills River is No. 9 on a list of fan-favorite places to grab a cold one.
To determine the top “25 breweries pouring happiness by the pint,” the review website Yelp said it studied beer spots across the United States. It focused on the “volume and ratings of reviews” left over time from Elite users, who are active on the platform.
Why fans love the NC brewery
Sierra Nevada Taproom was the only brewery in North Carolina to earn a spot on the national list. The destination in the mountains has seating options indoors and outdoors, with live music on the weekends, according to its website.
“A staple among beer lovers, you can visit this celebrated brand in-person at one of their two taprooms in the U.S.,” Yelp wrote in its July 6 report. “Sierra Nevada not only prides itself on crafting excellent beer, but also on sustainable business practices.”
Sierra Nevada’s other taproom in California missed out on the national list. Meanwhile, fans helped the North Carolina location earn 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp.
Many took to the website to praise the opportunity to enjoy food and beer — including lagers and ales — while taking in scenic views from the patio. Others loved going on brewery tours, which range from the one-hour “hoppy hour” experience to the three-hour “beer geek” experience.
The taproom is in Mills River, a roughly 20-mile drive south from Asheville. For years, Asheville’s beer scene has been named one of the nation’s best, with ranking websites highlighting its beer prices and volume of breweries, CharlotteFive previously reported.
Across the country, Yelp said the No. 1 brewery is Pure Project in Carlsbad, California, a roughly 35-mile drive north from San Diego.
This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Best beer in NC? This brewery ranks as one of the nation’s favorites."
