Raise your glass for a toast to Greater Raleigh's 11 breweries! April is officially N.C. Beer Month with the state alone claiming 61 breweries and brewpubs. Won't you help us celebrate these fantastic craft breweries located in Greater Raleigh and throughout N.C.?

Greater Raleigh is a leader in the state's brewing community with an additional three breweries opening their doors in the next few months. Breweries in Greater Raleigh include: Aviator Brewing Company, Big Boss Brewing Company, Boylan Bridge Brewpub, Carolina Brewing Company, Lonerider Brewing Company, Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing, Roth Brewing Company, Raleigh Brewing Company, Sub Noir Brewing, Trophy Brewing Company and White Street Brewing.

N.C. Beer Month is not only a celebration of excellent local beer, but gives you an excuse to try a new Greater Raleigh brewery and attend special events focused on beer. Numerous events will be occurring throughout Apr. including tours, VIP tastings, interactions with brewers, special beer dinners and cooking classes at local restaurants. Mark your calendars for the following events:

2nd Annual Chili Peppers Brewfest (Apr. 6) at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre features more than 75 craft beers and 10 different types of chili.

Pull Back the Curtain on N.C. Breweries (Apr. 3) invites beer-lovers for a rare, behind-the-scenes look into brewers and their beers from Aviator Brewing Company, Big Boss Brewing Company, Lonerider Brewing Company and Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing.

Beer Cooking Class (Apr. 6) at Lucky 32 in Cary with Executive Chef Jay Pierce and Big Boss Brewery brewer Brad Wynn. Chef Jay Pierce is quite the rock star chef. Lucky 32’s menu is filled with eclectic Southern dishes using locally grown products. You'll be in for a treat as you learn to pair foods with N.C. beer.

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World Beer Festival Raleigh (Apr. 13) in downtown Raleigh's Moore Square features more than 100 local and national craft brewers. World Beer Festival Raleigh will feature more N.C. breweries than ever before! I always enjoy meeting local brewers and discussing beer with other beer enthusiasts. Plus, World Beer Festival Raleigh supports a great cause. For the third year, Artsplosure is the benefactor, an organization responsible for orchestrating First Night Raleigh on New Years Eve.

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Multi-Course Beer Dinners at all Eschelon Hospitality restaurants including: Sono Japanese Restaurant (Apr. 1), The Oxford (Apr. 8), Mura at North Hills (Apr. 15) and Cameron Bar & Grill (Apr. 22) and Zinda (Apr. 24). Let the chefs tickle your taste buds as they surprise you with innovative dishes. Get great deals on these events here.

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Brewgaloo (Apr. 27) is a local craft beer festival presented by Shop Local Raleigh. Brewgaloo will feature N.C. craft beer and the taps will be flowing from 3-9pm in downtown Raleigh's City Plaza. Entertainment will also be provided for guests by local bands. Of course, the event wouldn't be complete without local food trucks. Food will be offered from Klausie's Pizza, Cafe Prost, Baguettaboutit, Big Al's, Chirba Chirba, Lumpy's Ice Cream, Hibachi Xpress, Only Burger, American Meltdown, Sweet Stacey Cakes and more.

brewgaloo_logo_3_copyThere are also numerous Greater Raleigh deals, discounts and special offers for N.C. beer during Apr.'s N.C. Beer Month. You'll save money while supporting a local brewery, what could be better?

Cheers! Written by local Foodie, Kristen. Follow her foodie adventures on Twitter!