This place is a great find! Friendly staff and amazing beer selection with a little bit for everyone. Even if you aren't a "beer expert" there's plenty to venture out with here. Cool atmosphere with some retro and throwback paintings and art. If you're around Central Park area in Durham this is the place you've got to go! read more

Fullsteam - Beer Flights! - Breweries Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

My go-to brewery. I've been a member for a few years now because it's just an amazing place. The people are wonderful and helpful, the beer is fantastic (and there's a wide variety). The vibe is laid back, casual, awesomely Durham. Just my favorite brewery around. Update: The food is also fantastic! Still my go-to place in Durham. The Fullsteam crew is the best around! read more

Love the local beer! Keep up the great work guys for putting Durham on the map for local brewery

i went for opening night, and to be succinct...the beer tasted awful. I tried the cream ale.. the IPA was OK.. I didn't try the porter after smelling it--the smokiness was too pungent for me. My friends concurred. I will probably give Fullsteam another go... maybe after they perfect their craft. Also, during the dog days of summer--the lack of air conditioning--lead everyone to sit/stand outside either on the lawn of a nearby business or in the back of the brewery on the driveway. Quite an interesting sight! read more

Ooookay, so I've changed my mind about Fullsteam. Before, I thought, sure, this joint is a solid four stars (yay! I *am* a fan!). But, now, after several more visits and very thoughtful consideration, I feel confident saying here that Fullsteam is in fact ... as good as it gets! Woohoo indeed! The following simple additions have increased my opinion of this fine establishment: now there is always at least one---often two, even three---food trucks parked outside. The usual suspects include, but of course are not limited to, Pie Pushers, Farmhand Foods, Chirba Chirba, Only Burger, and The Parlour. There really is nothing better, in my opinion, than enjoying a pint of Summer Basil with a slice of basil pizza from Pie Pushers (the beetza, too, is where it's at!). Also, now the bar area is fully closed and air conditioned / heated. No more freezing your arse off in winter / getting right melted in summer. Hurrah! Fullsteam are wicked awesome sponsors and I see them (and set myself up with an IV drip of Summer Basil, where available, Working Man's Lunch or Rocket Science IPA or Carver when it's not) at all manner of events, and I love how much time, effort, and delicious, delicious beer they have contributed to the community. Plus, they always be Tweeting at me. Or, should I say, I Tweet at them, and then they'll respond and retweet. They make me feel so speshul! They have a ton of events, too, so keep an eye on their Twitter and facebook pages for timely updates. Now, too, with Motorco, Geer St. Garden, and Surf Club in the vicinity, there's a straight-up pub crawl just waiting to happen, a thing of beauty not yet born when I first rolled down the mountain from Asheville only to land in the increasingly glorious Durham in 2003. Viva la Warehouse District! read more

This was my first time at Fullsteam. It seemed like they have a good variety of beers (IPA, common beer, farmhouse ale, imperial stout, brown ale). Durham is a little further than I usually venture but I'd visit Fullsteam again. I liked that their beer menu had descriptions of each beer (in words that I could understand). Normally I feel a little lost ordering beer unless there's something on the menu that I've had before, just because I don't know much about beer. The menu made it easy to have a sense of what I was selecting. I ended up with "Working Man's Lunch" which was a brown ale and I really liked it. They also had live music playing (Sunday afternoon) and darts, boardgames, pinball available. read more

I hate to say it, but I have a man-crush on Fullsteam. In my book, they seem to be doing everything right. From using innovative/strange locally sourced ingredients such as grits, sweet potatoes, and basil in their brews to 'getting' what it means to be a local business in the internet age. The owners are active in the community (go-go Durham) and in social networking circles which has created quite a strong following. The beer being awesome doesn't hurt things either. The brewery/bar is in a warehouse 'off the beaten path' in Durham near the the old athletic park. The renovation inside is really something to see. The brewing portion is super modern with floor to ceiling glass windows allowing you to see all the tanks and equipment from the common area. There is a large room to hangout in with picnic tables and a stage for bands in addition to the bar area where you can get your cold ones. Pints are $4 and half pints are $2. The only drawback is the lack of AC, but when I was there during a hot afternoon opening weekend, the fans made it very comfortable. I see this as a wonderful place to come have a casual drink and enjoy good company. After talking with the brewers on several occasions, I am really excited to see what is next on the horizon. Expect many off the wall ingredients and tasty concoctions. read more

Perhaps its because I set the bar a little too high for this place, and I know it makes me a bad Durham resident, but I'm just not a huge fan. The building is pretty cool and there's usually a food truck around, but its not air-conditioned (and in an NC Summer there is not enough beer to keep you comfortable in a metal and brick warehouse) but there are also so damn many kids running around it makes for a strange bar experience. Then there's the beer. I do appreciate their experiments and the whole southern-beer thing, its just not that great. Its not even the best beer in downtown Durham (that would Bull City Burger). So if you're looking for a cool/unusual spot with the hipster vibe and don't mind mediocre beer and rugrats, Fullsteam is your place. read more

How could I not write a review of Fullsteam? Sean Lilly Wilson created a craft brewery masterpiece in this newfound Durham staple. With master brewers Chris Davis and Brookes Hamaker, these three gents helped bring the craft beer movement to the front in the Triangle. What's not to love about Fullsteam? You may not like every beer. That's okay. There's also something new in development for the seasons; the brewery promotes the utilization of locally-grown ingredients for the brews: sweet potatoes, persimmons, basil, and more. The environment is relaxed and friendly. Sean opens the doors for community events frequently and is not afraid to try out new activities for patrons (most recently last night was the first trivia night -- fantastic!) From the Summer Basil to the Rocket Science IPA, from Carver Sweet Potato to Working Man's Lunch, Fullsteam offers a beer for each palette. Food trucks are frequently parked nearby to satisfy your hunger. And, the newly installed door closing the tavern will be a cool respite from the North Carolina heat this summer. Some people have complained about children at Fullsteam. I think it's fantastic that the doors are open to children as well. We worry as children grow up, they will make poor choices, especially involving alcohol. What better way to demonstrate how to be responsible about beer and what it should look like rather than sheltering them from such places and treating it as such a taboo topic? I would certainly be amused to see patrons "battling" with children at Fullsteam. I don't think most of them could even reach the bar. If you pass through Durham, definitely give Fullsteam a try. Maybe sneak in a run with Bull City on Wednesday nights or check out yoga Sunday mornings before it opens. read more

I love, love, looooove their Beasley's honey white. It's a little peppery and spicy like my favorite Belgian beers (Duvel is an old favorite) but really light, smooth, and drinkable. I also love the food trucks parked outside. If you're around for lunch and want to pick up a sandwich at King's, you can bring it over to Fullsteam and eat it there with a beer because they allow outside food. Or you could get food delivered too. I think Fullsteam might be in Heavenly Buffaloes range. Wings and beer, what could be a better combo! This brewery is kid friendly. There was a cute toddler running around. They have board games and arcade and pinball machines. There was also a dad with the cutest, smiliest, happiest baby that gave us a little wave. Dog friendly too! If you're allergic, maybe that's a problem for you but oh man, I have never met a dog I didn't want to pet. I also like that they took a stand against HB2. It makes for a very welcoming environment, and you don't have to worry about being discriminated against based on your gender identity and sexual orientation. I know trans and gender non-conforming people who have been denied access to bathrooms based on their gender identity in local triangle businesses DESPITE the fact that HB2 only affects bathrooms in government owned buildings (public schools and universities, state owned museums, legislative buildings, courthouses, etc) and NOT private businesses. So it's important to me to support great local businesses that support equality for all! Thanks, Fullsteam! read more

What's not to love about this place? They have great brews, there is something for every mood and taste. They carry some decent IPAs which is usually my mood. You can bring your dog to hang out with you. Just make sure you clean up after them. Seriously, I've seen and had to yell at some a-holes who think it's ok to leave their dogs crap around this place. Before you do that, just know that it's a privilege to bring our dogs, don't ruin it for everyone cause you suck. There are some yummy food trucks that swing by. So you can grab a bite with you brew. I do have two pieces of advice here. If you don't like kids, it's not the best place before 9. Some parents treat this place like a playground and let their annoying kids do annoying things - like go through someone else's purse... TRUE STORY. also, parking is not the best in the area. just be careful where you're parking so you dont' get towed. read more

Recently I have discovered that all of my favorite beers were from other states (Virginia and Florida). With me being so North Carolina proud I decided that I had to fix this situation so I have set out on a Triangle Brewery Tour throughout the rest of the summer to discover some new favorites. If the rest of the tour goes as well as my first stop I am in for a great summer. Now I currently live in Raleigh, but my sister had brought to my attention some of the more interesting choices that Fullsteam offered, and because of that I figured it would be a good first choice. Getting there was not hard at all, plus anytime I get to drive past the old Durham Bulls park I consider it a plus (still love that place). Parking was easy on this day, but I could imagine it might be a problem on busier days, especially if they closed the street like they sometimes do. I kept wanting to give Fullsteam a 4 star review, but every time I "found" a problem with it I found a solution that was so much better. For example: I was kind of bummed that they did not have any food on site, oh what's that, they have food trucks. They didn't have A/C, who cares, they have ping pong as well as other cool games. They had a limited selection of beers available in growlers, no worries, there are Fullsteam growlers for sale at Beer Revolution right around the corner from where I work. I love what Fullsteam is doing with trying to keep as much as possible in the state of NC. Sure some things that do might seem a bit hippieish but who cares, their beer taste great. My top two winners are the Working Man's Lunch (seriously a beer based off of Moonpie and RC Cola) and the Cackalacky Ginger Pale Ale (and it is a real Ginger taste, like Northern Neck Ginger Ale not Canada Dry Ginger Ale) read more

I feel like a bad Durham resident for not loving Fullsteam but while I am fine with hanging out here it just isn't my favorite place. I appreciate what they have done for this area of Durham and I appreciate what they stand for in theory...but the execution just isn't great for me. They are a brewery first and foremost and I am just not a big fan of their beers. While their IPA and fullsteam lager are fine there have been many fullsteam beers I've tried and have been disappointed with. Bull City makes better brews in Durham and Lonerider/Big Boss out of Raleigh are also stronger. As an area to hang out...sorry, call me a terrible person but I don't like having a bunch of kids around when I am hanging out a bar and that is generally the case with Fullsteam. Even on Saint Patricks day friends of mine had to deal with a toddler who got lost from his mother...taking care of a kid while at a bar on Saint Paddys, not exactly what they had in mind. They also have many times where they get crowded and don't have enough bartenders so getting a beer becomes a grand endeavor. The warehouse feel can be cool and it is a great place to hit check out some food trucks but I just don't love Fullsteam even though I wish I did. read more

I've been to Fullsteam several times to have a beer after work with coworkers and to attend events. While I don't mind going there, I've definitely had a better time at other locations in Durham. The reasons why I don't like Fullsteam: -there are very few places to sit (just picnic tables) -the ambiance is very poor--you're basically inside an industrial building (I realize it is a working brewery, but they could have spiced it up a little bit) and the bar area is extremely bright -there is no air conditioning EDIT: Full Steam management responded (see below)--I did not realize that they are working to improve their facility. The space has potential, so I am looking forward to the changes! read more

Great time on a Friday night :) Long line of specialty craft beers to choose from, and the space is huge! We came on night when they had live music, i loved sitting outside on the benches and enjoying the singer while we chilled. Great place to meet friends and relax with a drink. read more

Here I was, thinking Fullsteam was just a brewery. How was I wrong! Admittingly I'm not a beer fan, but I fully support everything that Fullsteam does. Spacious bar, game room and outdoor patio. Bar staff is very friendly, the beers (from what I hear are great) and they have a decent selection of other drinks (wine). What I really think is cool is their snack selection: Reliable cheese plate, bags of chips and water-blanched peanuts from Rocky Mount (a jar for $5. double triple bonus points for this!). They also have a game room with a number of arcade games and a ping-pong table (just need to leave your license at the bar for the paddles). Fullsteam is a great place to meet up with friends for a drink and especially so when they have visiting food trucks! Trucks typically park outside, making a great excuse to try enjoy some food and brews. Will definitely visit again soon, and support this local, cool business anytime I can. read more

Fullsteam gets my vote for both favorite beer and best overall brewery experience in the area, hands down. There's definitely a lot of contenders for that title, and it seems like there's a new microbrewery popping up around here every week, but in my opinion none of them can touch Fullsteam in either the flavor of their beer or the setup of their hangout space. I honestly don't think I've ever had a brew here I didn't like, although my go-to is either their Cackalacky (pale ale with a hint of ginger) or El Toro (cream ale). Their seasonal offerings tend to incorporate adventurous ingredients, but they are still very tasty. That's a testament to the talent of their brewers, as I definitely cannot say the same for all microbreweries who attempt "creative" flavors (as my recent run-in with an unfortunate jalapeno-flavored beer can attest to). For instance, I never thought I would like a basil-flavored beer, but their Summer Basil made me a believer. The space is another one of my favorite parts about Fullsteam. It gets pretty crowded, but they provide a ton of seating so that usually isn't an issue. It's got an industrial vibe, but it still manages to feel really friendly and relaxed. People bring their dogs, kids, whatever...it's got that "everybody is welcome" feeling. To me it feels like you're hanging out in the garage of an awesome friend who also happens to be selling beer (the dart board and arcade games definitely add to that atmosphere). Oh, and there's usually at least one food truck parked outside, and they post a schedule on their website so you can stalk your favorite ones. Given that the quality of the food trucks around here is generally awesome, it's like a constantly revolving menu of deliciousness! For those not in the immediate area, it's definitely worth the trek to Durham to pay them a visit. read more

The beer is great, the space is great, awesome "shabby chic industrial" block, etc. (Probably more kids and dogs than you bargained for.) My one complaint is that the bar service is pretty amateur - slow, without a good "system", and their 1987 way of ringing up your credit card always creates a traffic jam. read more

Fullsteam is one of our favorite regular haunts in Durham for a host of reasons. So, I'll just name a few highlights... Very chill, laid-back atmosphere - pinball, corn hole, picnic table seating and the cool kids in Durham (hipsters, hippies, very fun parents with tots, dog lovers and their dogs, Dukies, Tar Heels...well, just about everyone fun). The beer selection is awesome. Don't care for Fullsteam's beers? You're in luck...they feature a rotating selection of other local breweries on tap too! Not a beer lover - they have wine, and non-alcoholic bevvies! Seriously, how many breweries do that? The food trucks. Between Fullsteam and neighboring Motorco, it's hard to NOT find a food truck outside. The local food trucks love this place. This place loves the food trucks. There are frequent community and social events at Fullsteam (and props for tons of collaboration with Motorco). This place is one of the reasons that Durham rocks. read more

I'm by no means remotely close to being a beer connoisseur. That being said I feel like I know a good beer when I taste one, and Fullsteam has given me a number of good ones. Given the seemingly bizarre ingredients they use to make some of the brews (basil, sweet potatoes, rhubarb, etc.), I was not expecting to enjoy their stuff as much as I did. They're kind of like the Ben & Jerry's or Willy Wonka of brewers around here. The El toro cream ale and Carver sweet potato lager are probably the two standouts for me. The brewery itself is seems pretty typical with it's warehouse atmosphere. The huge sliding door on the front makes it seem like you'd be walking into some sort of government laboratory. They've got some pinball machines, a couple of arcade games, and a ping pong table for those looking to do a bit more than just sit and savor the goods. The bar area is warm and inviting. Beyond the beer they do serve a few items such as peanuts, chips, pork rinds, etc. There's a small stage for live performances such as their open mic nights. If you're looking for somewhere to chill out and have a good beer, Fullsteam is your place. read more

Fullsteam is currently one of my favorite bars in the triangle, and I like what they're trying to do. They only serve local brews, but of course being a brewery, you generally want to come here for the beers they brew themselves. They also serve a random assortment of snacks, including cheese plates from Reliable cheese. They have a large amount of space indoors, with a handful of arcade machines, a couple pinball machines, and usually have a ping pong table set up as well. I'm not a fan of their "Working man's lunch" beer personally, but the rest of their beers are pretty solid. The rocket science IPA is very hoppy, and generally what I tend to go for. They also do some pretty good seasonal beers, but they're usually a little on the fruity side. I really prefer the vibe of this place compared to any of the bars I've been to in Chapel HIll or Raleigh, and it's good even compared with other bars in Durham. I find it hard to rate bars in general because so much of my experience is based on the vibe of the place and the location, but for the time being, Fullsteam definitely has what I'm looking for. Of course, it doesn't hurt that I'm also within walking distance. read more

This place is the $hit! Just completed a brewery tour here today given by owner Sean. The tour was kicked off with the El Toro cream ale (it was creamy and delicious!) which we drank while Sean guided us through and explained the beer making process. He knew we were anxious to get to the goods! After completing our tour, we sat at the tables in the open warehouse-y feeling place and sampled our way through the rest of the beers. Next came the Carver sweet potato beer (delicious), then the Fullsteam lager (not a personal favorite: this was a bitter one), then the Sparkling Pear (loved it!), Summer Basil (loved it!), and Hogwash (interesting). The place has a very hang-out, come one, come all type of vibe. They use local agriculture in their process such as corn, sweet potatoes, and other items when in season (this is where specifics get a little gray). The garage / warehouse building had the door open bringing in the fresh air. There are always things going on like the Wednesday night running club, contests to incorporate their beer into food, and movie nights. I was so impressed by the innovation that produced the flavor variety, all while using local ingredients. I'm typically a wine drinker and don't go for beer but Fullsteam has a beer (or two, or three) for every palate. Check them out: once you go here, you'll want to stand behind these guys (and drink their beer)! read more

Brew Basics: new, with a lot to work out, but a lot of potential as well. Overall Rating: Double, but could be a solid triple at the next at bat. This one really could be a triple someday - they'd only been open for three weeks when we visited, so we're assuming they'll figure out the kinks, and it will be smooth sailing soon. For now however, the bartenders needed to be engaged, and were not forthcoming about specials or a terribly knowledgeable staff, Having no food, Fullsteam is truly just a brewery and a bar; tucked away in a warehouse district that still had a solid, consistent crowd, especially for a Sunday afternoon. It's a big, open spot that could use a coat of paint, and some warmth; and while they do have some pinball machines, ping pong and a small stage, the set up didn't use the square footage to its best potential (the bar is squashed into a tiny hallway, and cut off from the main area). Noteworthy positives: the guest taps are all locals and they don't upcharge or promote their own beer over the others, so we had opportunity to sample several Carolina specials, and the taps themselves are hooked directly into a brick wall, adding a really cool touch. Brew Breakdown: Out of 8 taps, 6 were hooked up, but only had three of their own beers were available. Sweet Potato Lager was the first, not a ton of taste upfront, but a sweet, smooth aftertaste. El Toro Cream Ale - not a beer style we were terribly familiar with. Very light, smooth, but not thick and or creamy. Actually tasted a lot like a Coors. Hogwash! Hickory Smoked Porter - hands down the best beer available. Considering the first two did not have a ton of taste, we were shocked first by the aromatic and unmistakably smoky smell, and then by the full frontal assault on your taste buds. This beer was like drinking a glass of beef jerky. Bonus beers: As mentioned, we were able to try some other local beers from Lonerider Brewing, even though this Raleigh based brewery is closed on Sundays. One was intentional - Gillian ordered a Sweet Josie Brown which both bartenders likened to a brown ale, but was reminiscent of a stout with a strong coffee taste. The other we tried unintentionally; when Jim ordered the El Toro, the bartender poured him a Lonerider Peacemaker instead. To her credit, she admitted the error about 5 minutes in, and poured Jim a glass of his original order for free. This beer was definitely hoppy, as any good IPA should be. Both Lonerider beers had such strong, complex flavors, they took some getting used to, but we ended up enjoying both, and will make it a point to visit the brewery itself next time we are in the Raleigh/Durham area. read more

I love fullsteam! I think its a great place to hang out with friends for a low key night out. There are numerous board games as well as a small game room type area when you come in through the main entrance. Two dartboards are located in the back as well. They have trivia on thursdays (@ 9PM) - this is something I recently found out when I was there on a thursday. I enjoyed trivia here a lot more than I have at other bars. I think the open space, lighting, and projector help make it a lot more enjoyable. Something to keep in mind is that it can get really hot inside - especially during the summer months. Also, it gets pretty loud as well. Indoor Seating. Outdoor Seating. Board Games. Trivia. Beer Flights. Pet Friendly. Definitely check this place out! read more

Suffice it to say, I'll be really scared if Fullsteam starts putting out "Sour Ales". While Fullsteam's beer is a great addition to the local and national microbrew scene, some of their development ales can be a little tough to take at times. However - that does not preclude them from offering a keg/cask to the masses to sample and get feedback on. That's what makes the R&D aspect of a locally driven, locally sourced, highly motivated group so great. Early on consistency is a difficult thing to achieve. As time has passed their standard offerings have come to be consistent time and time again. Favorites thus far are the "El Steamo." Which Lauren P. introduced me to. Half El Toro, Half Fullsteam Southern Lager. The mix tones down the "corniness" of the cream ale, and adds some body to the California Common, while the nuances of the common come through to accentuate some of the domestic big box beer qualities El Toro has. It is definitely a session beer, and that'll be my growler fill option for the time being. Another beer that is a shining spot is their First Frost 2010. Great depth and complexity, with a good aroma, and clarity. Sweet with a light bite and a faint woodsy finish. The bar staff is awesome - some much more knowledgeable than others. The venue is cool beyond imagination. Open mic nights, trivia, bands and food trucks. It's a party any time of the week. read more

Being a worker in a Buffalo brewery, this place really blew my mind. The beer was great, the flight boards were awesome, and the board games supplied were even better. Mr Bacons big adventure was the funniest game I've ever played while enjoying beer. Also- I am thrilled with the idea of dog-friendly breweries in NC- I would definitely return to Raleigh and make a stop here!! read more

This is more than a brewery. The beer is great, but the ambiance and community feel can't be beat. Don't worry about food options, there are always 3+ food trucks (Some of the best in the nation, btw) outside. Just go. Play some ping pong, some darts, listen to some live music, get some food.. It's basically what I wish my apartment could be. The vibe they've established here just means you _will_ have a good time. Period. You are buying more than beer, you are buying temporal happiness. read more

Every time I come to Fullsteam, I wish I could come more often. This is the kind of spot that, given the chance, could be equivalent to a Cheers (you know... where everybody knows your name.) Even though the AC'd inside bar section can get crowded, I never feel ignored, and never feel disrespected. The seating on the outside, though not AC'd, is cozy and great for meeting with big groups or just a friend. Heck, if I brought a good book, I'd even be down to sit alone, relaxing and having a beer! The beers are delicious, and their ingredients (and use of community to get those ingredients) always keeps me excited and interested! I'm a HUGE fan of the Summer Basil (and it's younger sexy cousin, the Summer Basil-rita) for the hot weather, and look forward to seeing (and drinking) whatever comes out next! read more

Feel free to accuse me of having no soul, but I absolutely hated my experience here. Why? Because I seem to have mistakenly went here on "Bring your annoying little fucktard child to the bar" night. They were everywhere. And it ruined the whole damn place. First of all, the main room isn't air conditioned or even really shaded. Which is among the worst decisions imaginable in the fourth circle of hell that is a North Carolina summer. Combine that with the fact that they don't have food or waiter service, and you've got a high school gym with crappy bench seating that happens to serve beer. The games they have are outdated, though they are there. And the god-damned kids. They occupy anything even remotely decent (e.g., ping pong) and are loud and constantly in the way. They even let them in the bar area, which is absolutely unforgivable. The only thing that kept this from being a 1-star review? The beer is actually pretty decent. But I won't be back until late on a school night. read more

If the beer was nasty, it'd be worth coming for the laid back, fun atmosphere. If the atmosphere sucked, it would be worth coming for the creative and delicious beers. This place has neither nasty beer or a sucky atmosphere. It's an awesome place to hang out. I try to stop by anytime I make it in the area, which isn't often since I'm 45 minutes away. The few times I have made it out on weekend night its always been a fun crowd and a good time. The only minor complaint I have (and I have this about alot of bars, so its probably just me), is that music is usually too loud for my tastes. I'm of the opinion if you cannot talk to someone at your same table, its too loud. I can totally understand at a concert, but I come to places like this to socialize with my friends. The music is just bonus. read more

My brewing partner and I participated in Fullsteam's nod to homebrewers, the Big Brew on May 1st 2010. The guys at Fullsteam opened their doors and hearts to homebrewers to come and use their facility on this holy occasion. Though their alcohol wasn't yet ready, they provided food for the masses while we got to work on brewing our own. This nod meant an awful lot to the many Durhamites who craft beer and it was great to meet Sean and Chris. There's something to be said for this kind of genuine customer appreciation especially since none in attendance were technically customers yet. read more

Fullsteam is a great brewery with lots of seating, plenty of drink options other than beer, and their food is delicious! I've been here several times and I've been very impressed with everything I've ordered. Will definitely continue to visit! read more

The beers at Fullsteam are good. But what makes this place GREAT is the vibe. Having moved to Durham a mere few weeks ago, I can proudly say that I'm already a regular at Fullsteam Brewery. I've gone for trivia, a nonprofit's fundraiser, their first (and amazing) anniversary party, a yoga class, and for no reason except that it's a welcoming environment with cool people, food truck options, and, of course, good beer. And I'm pretty sure the beer will get better, too. If I could buy stock in Fullsteam, I would. read more

Overall Experience: 4.5 Stars ------------------------------------- Food options: 1.5 Stars Food quality: 2.5 Stars Drink options: 2.0 Stars Drink quality: 4.0 Stars Ambiance: 5.0 Stars Service: 4.0 Stars Entertainment: 4.0 Stars Other (Community): 5.0 Stars ------------------------------------- Items sampled and impression: So, the first thing you will notice is that this is a brewery and not a restaurant. However, since they dared offer food, they fall victim to the critical hand of judgment. Mwahahahahaha *cough*. Excuse me. The fact that they even offer food is amazing. Not many breweries even try to feed their patrons. However, the selection is limited to about 5 things and the quality was nothing to brag about. I tried the veggie and meat tamales, plus some peanuts. The veggie tamale was flavorless cornmeal with specs of some overcooked vegetables mixed in. Not what Mexico intended. The meat tamale was much better with discernible ingredients and flavor, but was still only ok. But no worries. Although the food inside was only "menh", there were two food trucks outside selling sliders and pizza, both of which looked amazing. Again, as a brewery, the libations are limited to the seven or so taps that they have on, plus soda and water (I presume; can't say anyone was drinking either). That said, the beers were great. Everything was true to the genre and their selections were ambitious by regional norms. For instance, the smoked porter was like a caramelized-sugar version of the Schlenkerla Rausch Bier, one of the better rauschs in mass distribution. Quite a triumph. They also made a pear cider/lambic, which was crisp, refreshing and agreeable. Very cool. But the real reason to come here is the atmosphere and community. There are an assortment of games (pinball, ping pong, darts, etc.), entertainment (music, trivia, etc.) and other distractions. Additionally, the crowd was very social with people wandering between tables, dogs wandering between legs and children wandering where ever they felt like. Very chill. Very cool. ------------------------------------- Highlight: social scene plus quality refreshments Lowlight: having to give them low marks in the options category due to a limited number of offerings On Balance:Fullsteam and Wedge (Asheville) have been the best breweries on my tour of NC, thus far, because of the crowd they draw and the quality of the brews. Absolutely worth going to as often as you can make it. read more

Craft brewing is an art with many facets. Concocting great beer is certainly one of them, but the "flavor" of the brewery is dependent on location, marketing, and more. Happily, Fullsteam is succeeding on all accounts. I've had the good fortune to try all 5 of the beers currently available, and each is a well-balanced, honest beer without the pretension that is beginning to creep into some craft brews. The Summer Basil Farmhouse is especially delicious; it's not hard to imagine it perfectly complementing a margharita pizza piled high with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. I'll be sad to see it go, but their commitment to seasonal ingredients means that sort of bittersweet give and take. The marketing push of Fullsteam has also avoided pretension, in a perfect mirror of their beers: honest, down-to-earth guys who work their tails off to provide the Durham community with more than just beer or a bar. Stop by the brewery, chat with the Fullsteam folks, and enjoy. These guys will (hopefully) be around for a long time. read more

Fullsteam is, quite possibly, the best place in the history of the world to grab a beer after work. They have a lovely and very unique selection of house-brewed beers including the fragrant summer basil (an ale, I think), Hogwash hickory-smoked porter, and a nice sweet potato something-or-other. All beers are $4/pint, $2/half-pint, and they let you taste any of them without hassling you. I'm told there are swell prices on the growlers as well (with a free pint when you return the container), but I don't drink at home, only before I drive home. The place smells curiously wonderful, like the inside of a wooden chest that has beer spilled on the floor. There is a open, outdoors-ish atmosphere with a stage which, I presume, will be used at some point for shows. Seating is picnic tables-- something I would ordinarily hate, but here it is perfect. There is a foosball table, pinball, a weird shuffleboard bowling game, and free, absolutely free, ping-pong. And above it all, a giant, murderous fan looms reminding you to enjoy the time you have for one day you will return to the bowels of the universe. If you're the type that likes to drink while your kids roam about, there is a odd wall of defunct switches for them to play with and an organ which they're sure to want to climb on and ruin. read more

For all the butthead reviews that there is no food offered in the space...there are food trucks out front EVERYDAY/NIGHT. They are scheduled BY Fullsteam. They also have a cheese plate by Reliable Cheese. Open your eyes Jack A$$. Wait service in a brewery? Go back to living at home with your Mama for Chrissakes, maybe she will have some warm milk in a bottle for you. There are also a lot of gripes about kids here...I think its pretty awesome that parents can go out and have there kids entertained (even if it means having them run like around like girls in a Scream movie...there are no waiters that are going to drop drinks or food bc of a kid) while they drink some beer and have an iota of a social life. I for one am grateful this place exists in Durham. It might not be heaven on earth but its friendly, delicious, has lots of games for the non-drinking adults and is overall one of the best social environs in the downtown area. The A/C issue is a legitimate gripe. It is only in the bar area, drink more beer and this problem will dissolve. When it is "4th circle of Hell" hot in NC I wish the beer would be a bit colder but maybe thats the temp they want it at so it tastes the way they want it to. Currently they are serving some aged 2011 beers that are 8.5%-9% alcohol. Go git yourself a fix! read more

This is a great local brewery with a great scene. I went to grab a growler for a party at our house. I ended up sitting at the bar and enjoying a half pint of two different beers: summer basil ale and one of the regulars. They were both excellent and went home with a growler of the summer basil. I was so tempted to bust out a Baywatch pinball game or a round ping pong, but was in a hurry. I can't wait to go back for some good times. Also, you can pre-order a growler online and pick it up on Saturday mornings at the Durham Farmers Market. read more

Fullsteam is the perfect hang out spot in Durham - seriously, whatever the weather it's serving up great beer and tasty snacks, it's dog and kid friendly, and it has a wide array of games and activities to keep you entertained for hours. I've never actually seen a show there or done a brewery tour but they always have a lot going on. The vibe is laid back and basically I don't know how you can make a trip to Durham without a stop at Fullsteam. With Motorco, food trucks, and The Pit nearby - it's pretty darn magical. read more

This place makes me want to move to downtown Durham. It's a fun environment that happens to have a brewery attached to it. You walk in through a big red door and are welcomed by a smaller area with high ceilings, there are arcade games and a wall covered in cool old electrical gauges. If you walk a bit further, through another large opening, it brings you to the main affair - a huge open community room with tables, a stage and a huge barrel that, if open, leads to the bar. The far wall is made of large windows that frame the working brewery. There are two doors (in addition to the massive barrel that slides open) to the bar / bathroom area that generally remain closed during the summer since the bar it self is air conditioned while the majority of the open space is not. They have a huge ceiling fan and on occasion I've seen them bring in Big Ass Fans that push enough air flow that it's not been bad in the unconditioned area. The bartenders are nice, and as proven at the recent brewery birthday party, very hard working. Now, as much as I like the place, I don't *love* their standard beers. I did, however, really enjoy their cask fresh hopped IPA (note, this is not a west cost IPA but the fresh hopped version helped it out a bit), the sparkling pear was quite tasty, and the First Frost was fantastic. Unfortunately those beers are generally only available at special events or are one-offs. On the positive side they do have guest taps to keep me happy while I enjoy the atmosphere. They do have a few food items on their board, but it's pretty light fare. You can generally find at least one food truck here on thursday through the weekend if you find yourself hungry though. read more