The cute exterior and hearing about this place from a friend drew me in. I was pleasantly surprised to see the variety of their offerings. I am a dry cider fan and was excited to see they offered Citizen Cider, an awesome Vermont creation. I like the original flagship cider as well as the Lake Hopper, a dry cider with a hoppy aroma. I am not at all an IPA fan but the hops in the LH are wonderful and really add to the flavor. Probably more of what is important though is how their House beer is. They had a great range that they did well, showing a lot of potential for this young brewery. We got the flight and were not disappointed. The only disappointing thing is that some beers were excluded from the flights. All in all, get a flight. Sit out on the grey porch. Get a citizen cider if you aren't a huge beer fan, or even if you are and want to try a really amazing cider. read more

We stumbled on a flyer for Steel String while picking up some dinner before a show. They are apparently the new guys on the Carrboro brewery block and I can certainly say that our stop was a quality way to spend a Sunday afternoon. As of when I was there they had 5 house brews and a few other locals to fill out the taps. Their Soundcity Alt and Maggie's Farmhouse were definitely my favorites (in that order). They also had a hefeweizen, an IPA, and session ale. While the latter three didn't knock my socks off like the alt or farmhouse, they were all good, solid beers. Since these guys are new they are not yest on the allowable parking sign for their building's lot but do not fear you are good. They have some tables out front which should be nice during the summer, but they make navigating your way in and out a bit difficult. One of the brewers mentioned that they were working on getting some more outside space in the future. If you are a glass hoarder like my husband you will have to wait a little while. They have branded mason jars for sale, but not their (really awesome) actual branded glassware. I look forward to seeing how Steel String grows and will definitely be stopping back again. read more

Love the location and space that Steel String has. Their patio is a great spot to people watch, & there's plenty of seating inside. The bartenders are always really friendly every time I've been there. I wish they had a larger beer selection, or at least rotate new ones in every now & then. Their flagship IPA is really good, and the Rubber Room session ale has enough hop flavor for me to still enjoy it, even though it's an ale :) read more

Steel String Brewery - Beer list - Breweries Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

See all

I'm from Asheville- beer city. I think this beer actually beats out any I've ever had. Smooth and very drinkable!

Great patio where you can bring your own food. After a long week and a long trip, our experience at Steel String was a welcome delight. Their easy, no-nonsense style exemplifies the Carrboro vibe. They have a delightful assortment of beers with flavors for the craft-beer aficionado and the newly initiated alike. The flavors range from the more standard (fruit infusions - does every craft beer place get their ideas from the same place?) to the more eclectic (coffee-flavored - at least more coffee taste than I've ever had in a beer before). And they have your seasonal varieties too, e.g., I saw a pumpkin-flavored beer on the menu. What I loved is that they had a simple menu with only a handful of beers, and they were all different and described in detail. You can tell they put a lot of care and work into designing the menu. At the same time, there was a chalkboard with a few more beers if you happen to be a regular. For my first time, I appreciated this catering to newcomers. With reasonable prices ($5-6 for a pint) and nice overall presentation (i.e., they tell you the alcoholic of each beer, and each has a little bit of a story), you can't ask for much more from a craft brewery. The beers themselves were similar to a lot of other breweries, so I can't really say that the tastes were that fantastic. There's a lot of interesting flavors (again, try the coffee one just for its uniqueness), but I think I also would've appreciated something more traditional too as an option (although maybe I have boring tastes). All in all, it's the best experience you can get at a Craft Brewery, and a perfect way to wind down the day or week. Very Carrboro! read more

Beer is pretty good. Nice outdoor area. They offer wine if you aren't a huge fan of beer. Friendly staff. Kind of bare on the inside with furnishings but it does the job. read more

I'm conflicted with Steel String. A friend and I bought a sour beer of theirs from a bottle shop and were really impressed. We were going to Chapel Hill/Carrboro a couple days later and let it be known that Steel String brewery was a must. Once we arrived I even ordered two flights as I wanted to try every single thing they had on tap. Imagine my disappointment when I wasn't really impressed with any of them. How is that possible? How could a brewery make such a sophisticated sour and then mediocre offerings for all their normal styles? I still enjoyed my time there. As many others have mentioned it was a cool place to hang out and the bartenders were all very friendly. Just sadly disappointed in the beer when I had high hopes. Oh well. read more

Probably the worst way I've been treated in 10 years! I brought my wife and her best friend. The bartender was extremely rude when we first walked in. We asked about the different brews, specifically IPAs, her crappy response, "they all are either hoppy, light, and bitter....". Really!? And offered not one sample. We were willing to spend our night here. I never write reviews, and after feel like we were treated like crap, I emailed the owners too, no response. I'm a local, will never go back again!!!! read more

Went to this place during their soft opening this spring, and I was impressed with their offerings. Now, I'm more of a wine drinker than a beer drinker, but I had the Maggie's Farmhouse and loved it. When I was there they did not offer food, but did have little signs on the tables listing places to order in from, which I thought was cool- kind of a fun concept. I have heard about them having subsequent technical issues with taps and such, but overall think its a good place in a great location. read more

I was excited about Carrboro getting a local brewery centrally located by everything else, but I have been underwhelmed by Steel String. The beer here is okay, not great. For example, they have a large variety of IPAs (big mon, a black, a double) but none of them is remarkable. The biggest issue is space. The owners for some reason designed a brewery with very little space for people to actually sit and so people regularly spill out into the parking lot. They have a tiny space inside and the atmosphere is only average among bars is the area. Steel String is relatively new so I'm going to hold out until the beer is better and I don't have to sit in the parking lot to enjoy my drink. read more

Unfriendly and uninformative bartender. Really??? Can't even list drafts? Not worth the beautiful patio I .am afraid until Ms Bartender gets some hospitality going read more

I am a big fan of Steel String Brewery. The location is convenient (close to many parking options and close to my house), the customer service is fantastic and most importantly the beer is great (and affordable). My friend and I were contemplating going to the establishment next door (not Wendy's) but beer sounded better than wine (as did the prices at Steel String). I had the Big Mon IPA which I enjoyed. It was very hoppy. I hear that Maggie's Farmhouse is also great but they had run out. I'd love to go back for a flight. To echo the sentiments of my fellow Yelpers, there isn't enough outdoor seating. We were at the brewery and a beautiful night but we were unfortunately stuck inside since all of the outdoor seating was taken (and no one was in a hurry to leave). I'm not sure where they could add more outdoor seating but it would be a nice addition. read more

First and foremost, they make as good beer as anyone else in ch/carrboro (carolina brewery, top of the hill, yesteryears, to my knowledge). And they're maybe a little more creative than the rest. The space is nice--stacks of beer making products casually lie around, they have bands sometimes, the patio is good and allows dogs, the restrooms are gender neutral, they serve pizza now (I haven't had it--I don't they make it themselves, because then I don't think you'd be legally allowed to bring your own food). And as suggested in the last parentheses, you can bring your own food, which is a nice thing about non-restaurant breweries. Trivia here is pretty good, a little easier than most other places around. One thing I'll note is that beer here is pretty expensive. I'm used to places having at least some kind of special, and $5 is usually the most I'll pay for beer and I definitely would rather pay less. Here $5 is the cheapest beer and many cost more. BUT I'm willing to support it for the reason that this is a small space and there's a lot of upkeep to brewing. Having to pay that cost without relying on selling their beer elsewhere (grocery stores, other bars) is a lot of debt for a small business, and I frankly don't understand how it's viable. TLDR--Casual atmosphere, good beer, a little pricey. Recs--neutral milk porter and the German Amber (don't remember the name) read more

Steel String is my favorite place to hang out in Carrboro. The staff is always friendly and knowledgeable, and the beers are consistently delicious. Living in town, it's a quick walk from my home, and as a "regular," I am pleased that the selection is constantly rotating with new brews. My favorite is always the breakfast stout-- so smooth and chocolatey and brewed with coffee from Carrboro Coffee Roasters, but I enjoy all of their standards like the Rubber Room and Big Mon. Don't come here expecting to get a Bud Light. It's not that kind of place, and that's why I like it. read more

This is one of my favorite craft breweries! The value is good, about $6 for four 4-oz samples (you pick), they always have 6 or so home-brewed and several other brews, usually regional that are all very tasteful. The venue is really cool too, a decent sized bar, lots of seating in the tap room and outside seating as well. They don't have a TV, at least never when I've been there, so more of a place to enjoy company than see a game. The beer here is solid. My fiance and I really like the breakfast stout (probably our favorite). They had two IPA's, the Big Mon was my fav (more traditional hoppy IPA), where the other was a little higher gravity, more grapefruity. They had a holiday ale which was interesting and spicy, but probably more palatable in samples rather than full pint. Some of the guest brews they had were great when we were in. The barley wine was awesome! They also had a really light wheat that we loved. They often have a homemade soda which is usually pretty unique also. The staff here has always been great too. When they aren't jam packed, they love to talk about the brews and are really friendly. You can tell they take pride in the place. Overall, it's a cool place to hang out and drink great local beer; keep up the good work! read more

If you're looking for some good beer with a quiet-ish environment, Steel Strings is the place! Well at least for me, it was. I always go after dinner and there's not a lot of people there. You can try a wide selection with the flight, and will often find people doing work on their computers! It's a good place to wind down or just get some work done. read more

Steel String Brewery - Breweries Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Excellent little brewery. All the varieties (8 or 9)?tasted great. Friendly staff and unequaled environment. Nice alternative to the big boys in Chapel Hill. Caveat is no food, but they welcome you to bring your own. And Glasshalfull right next door! Run don't walk. read more

My beer loving BF and I first visited this place when we lived in Carrboro about 2 years ago and whenever we're in the area again we usually stop by! They're a quaint little brewery that delivers some pretty tasty beer. They have good variety in their brews and have a style of beer for everyone. Their drinkware is super adorable and has changed throughtout the years, but I'm loving their current designs! My BF and I even bought a pint glass and a flight glass! The place overall is super casual and chill, a good place to just hang out! read more

Fun place to hang out with some friends, but the beer isn't mind-blowing. The flight option is nice, and its nice and big so you can really get a group in there. They have some games to play, and apparently a good record selection (according to my friend). I enjoyed the music they played throughout the night and the bartenders were extremely friendly. read more

Nice indoor space and working on outside. It's about time Carrboro sprouted its own craft brewery. :) Best of all, the beers are good and worth trying again. Really looking forward to trying more of their seasonal offerings! read more

This is for the location in Chapel Hill. This is just a taproom, no food. The beer is excellent. We ordered a flight and I wound up selecting their Big Mon IPA. The gentleman at the counter were very helpful and informative. read more

Steel String Brewery - A flight of four! - Breweries Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

The problem with Steel String is that their beer is JUST OKAY. It's not Great. They have plenty of options though and even a cider, which makes me very happy for broadening their horizons! However, bar food would be nice to accompany the alcohol but I think their location is too small for a kitchen unfortunately. Not their fault. The location is actually prime for business in downtown Carrboro. And I love to go here to check out the music and art by Señor Tim Lee. What talent! But, i digress... give me beer that makes me want to quit my job and live in a trailer and watch nascar all day. And if you supply it with sweet tater tots then Ill give you 5 stars. read more

Steel String Brewery - What a beautiful day - Breweries Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Great beer selection, all of which tasted great. Bartender was attentive and knowledgeable. One turnoff was the large mural on the wall that was quite certainly made to represent a Communist propaganda poster. Somewhat of a turnoff drinking beer made through capitalistic means while having to look at some college students artistic persuasion of a "good" economic model... Wonder how many good successful microbreweries they have in Venezuela or Cuba........ read more

Asked for 3 different beers on the menu (menu was like 7 beers total hahaha) that he said they were out of. At 8pm on Saturday night. And then asked for a bottle of a different beer on the menu, he said they were out of singles even though there were 12 six packs in a to go fridge right next to the bar. Asked if he could crack one of the six packs to sell individually and he said it would mess up his inventory and he'd get in trouble. So I asked to buy a six pack and he said I couldn't drink it on premise. Big waste of time, major divas at the bar. Also couldn't find my card when I closed even though there were like 8 people there. Downloaded yelp just for this review hahahaha don't come here. read more

We ordered 3 kegs from Steel String for our wedding early September. The customer service was great and the ordering process was simple. . We were able to reserve the kegs in advanced and all of their available beers could be selected for kegs. They provided three 5 gallon kegs, 3 ice buckets and 3 party taps. Staff also offered to help load and unload the kegs. The deposit was reasonable and refunded promptly. And, of course the beer was great and enjoyed by our guests! Thanks you Steel String! We will be back to enjoy your beer garden. read more

Cute! Beautiful patio out front. Nice place to bring a friend and/or a dog for a drink. The Big Mon hits the spot for me, tho to my taste as a lover of big bold IPA's it's fairly meek. Always had great service and was able to get a table even when it was busy. read more

Hey guys - thanks again for a really great place. Casual, with outdoor seating available (go in and grab your favorite brew first). We visited on Columbus Day Weekend - and the weather was sunny / 80's - perfect beer-drinking weather! Excellent brew - great friends - good company. Truly enjoyed. read more

Steel String Brewery - Steel String Brewery - Carboro (Chapel Hill) NC - Breweries Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Steel String Brewery has a super casual, semi-eclectic vibe with a hit or miss on their beer. The brewery is located in downtown Carrboro, which doesn't have a plethora of parking spots in general. It's beer only here (although you're welcome to bring your own food) with six of their own taps and a handful of guest-rotators (including cider, as well as a wine option for those inclined). My favorite part about Steel String is the large, covered, outdoor patio. It's lighted in the evenings and makes for a perfect spot in warmer months (good for groups and dogs!) The downside of Steel String for me is the beer selection, I haven't found anything that I'd go back for. They've got some tasty brews, but they're a small batch company, and seem to kick the good stuff fast. Also, I can't help but say I'm always a little confused by the overall "theme" of the bar: music, line drawings, industrial, robots...what's going on here guys? As someone who loves clean lines and graphics, I can get a little overwhelmed by everything going on, it's too cutesy and funky at the same time. Overall, good spot for a group or someone that is really chill, not a great spot if you're picky about your beers or a very straight edged person. read more

Another local brewery in the Triangle! This time, Carrboro gets its neighborhood brewery, and it's a really good one. Enjoyed all of the beer I tried and also a great place to hang out. I don't make it out to Carrboro too often, but whenever I do Steel String is going to be on my list. read more

I really wish I could give 2.5 stars and not 3, because I'm afraid that giving it 3 stars makes it seem better than it actually is, but it's not horrible either and I can't justify only giving it 2 :-/ I'll start off by saying the bar is fine, it's clean, the bathrooms are nice for a bar, being able to see where the beer is made is cool. The location is good too. But the most important thing about a bar/brewery is the beer, and unfortunately this is where Steel String falls short, at least the offerings on the day I went did. I only tried about half of their beers, but I told the bar tender up front that I wasn't a fan of overly hoppy beers, but what he gave me were beers that were so hoppy that it took a lot of willpower to get them down! Seriously beer should not be so bitter it hurts my throat. I can't imagine what the other ones must taste like if these were the least hoppy? The Big Mon was the worst, I have never tasted anything so hoppy in my life. And it's not just the hops I brew beer myself, and their beer almost tastes like it's not aged enough, it's just really harsh and tastes like the beer hasn't had a chance to mellow out. The only one that I semi enjoyed was a black IPA that had a hint of coffee flavor and wasn't so astringent. I'd probably go back and give this place another try if they had some different beers on tap, but it really seems like they are a fan of hops to the extreme, and I'm sure there is a following for that type of beer, but they should at least have some other options for those of us who don't appreciate beer that is overwhelmed by the taste of hops to the point where that's all you taste. It's kind of like people who douse every kind of food they eat with hot sauce! read more

Gave Steel String another few tries and glad I did! Have been in 3 more times since my initial review, with two other bartenders and the same one from first visit. Brews were great, nice selection, good company from the bartenders. Love the funky beers they have occasionally. They have games to play, which is also fun. Really chill place on a Saturday afternoon (the only times I've visited). Will definitely be back. read more

The space may not be large, but what Steel String lacks in roominess is more than compensated for by creative yet approchable beer offerings, making this little brewery a gem of the NC beer scene (and what a scene it is these days!). You'll find your IPAs and pale ales, which will delight the unadventurous but which are still tasty and distinct enough to please a more experienced palate, and you'll also find stand-outs like their Zupfen gose which is the perfect salt-tart ultimate weapon in a beer lover's fight against a sweltering Southern summer. More interesting options include their Picklemania Dill gose, a surprisingly addictive dilly take on the gose style, and most recently their Obvious Child sour, featuring wild-foraged North Carolina ingredients and a good bit more of a pucker than many beers that assume the mantle of sourness. Their draft lineup often features guest taps and the selection of bottles is available for on or off-premise consumption; if you drink in, there are nuts and Route 11 chips available (get the dill pickle variety to pair with a Zupfen if the Picklemania isn't around) plus Steel String has paired with a local pizza truck for delivery should a more substantial meal be in order. Some nights they offer trivia and live music; if you're a little deaf like me and make it a point to avoid amplified music whenever possible, the small interior space can get too loud too fast but the lovely, dog-friendly patio offers shade, seating and fans to keep you comfortable and able to hear the conversation, too. Parking is available in front of and to the lot beside the building, or you can park in one of the many municipal lots nearby. The people behind Steel String value their community as well; their annual Cardinal Directions beer festival benefits Farmer Foodshare, a program to assist farmers and hungry people alike, and for those familiar with the political debacle that is North Carolina's HB2, the two single-stall bathrooms are open to whoever needs to use them at the time - plus they, like the rest of the space, are wheelchair accessible. While the beers might not reach the hype levels of Wicked Weed and the like, whether you like an offbeat brew or you never venture past a lager or pale ale, you'll find a beer that's for you and a friendly community welcome at Steel String. read more

Thank god Chapel Hill-Carrboro finally has a brewery! I love Steel String, every beer I've tried of theirs has been interesting and delicious. Overall it's also such a fun environment too to hang out in. They have an awesome patio and often have live music which makes for a fantastic evening. One of my favorites places to take friends to when they come visit. read more

We stopped in for the first time to catch the shuttle to thier Sour Barn Bash event. What a great local brewey! I love the decor and feel of the place. Simple but comfortable. And the service is fantastic. They were brewing a collaboration at the time and even from the bar you feel right in the middle of the action. They had several on tap and the beer was very good. They brew some nice fruited grisettes which are perfect for those new to craft beer or those long in the game. I look forward to another visit. read more

I would have to agree with other yelpers and state this place does have a great vibe to it. Great place to enjoy some beers with friends and play one of the many board games they have available. Nice outdoor, covered patio that is dog friendly. They only had four of their beers on tap and all four of them were delicious. Something for every palate with the Bustle in your Hedgerow being my fav because of my love for Belgian style ales. The No Quarter Stout was a close second and a very solid coffee stout overall. They also had several guest taps available which rounded out my experience nicely. Since they don't serve food, a group of us hit up Acme for brunch and walked over here for a quiet afternoon of beer and games.Even though their selection is small I thought they were overall better than Fullsteam but not to the level of Mystery Brewing. I look forward to seeing what else they offer as the seasons change and if you are in the area I would recommend them. read more

See all

I was very surprised by the quality of the beer here. I had the Maggie's Farmhouse (the name is about to change due to copy right issues), and it was floral, but not overly so, and crisp.Very well done. They also have bags of pretzels at the tables, which thoroughly delighted me. What I am not so impressed with is the amount of ales and IPAs on the menu. I like IPAs, but I think they are over-done. I would like to see a hefeweizen and/or a larger on tap. I do look forward to coming back though. read more

Really enjoyable, laid-back place to have some good beer. So far the bartenders have all been really cool. A little outdoor seating too. They don't offer food, but they encourage bringing it over from Weaver Street or wherever and they give out free peanuts and pretzels. Clean bathrooms too. Nothing bad to say yet. Trivia night and Cards Against Humanity have both been fun, too. read more

Have been wanting to try this place for awhile. I used to live in the Pittsboro/Chapel Hill area and loved to hang out in Carrboro. Things have gotten even better and now a brewery!! Got there right when they opened and had a flight. Cozy tap room with a seasonal outdoor patio. Super nice bartender to chat/reminisce with and talk about their beer. Cool looking Big Mon hat that I must have next visit! The flight: Der Schneid Berliner Weisse = smooth and sour without being bitter, Rubber Room Rye Pale = just a hint of Rye - not a fan of "the Rye" in general, but this was pretty good, No Quarter Coffee Stout = smooth and smoky, Guest tap = Harpoon Dunkel. Was kinda disappointed they didn't have any Big Mon IPA as that's my true current love. They do cask ales too and are getting ready to unleash some very soon. Very cool place to have a good brew in Carrboro. Can't wait to go back this summer! read more

See all

Steel String, you were sorely needed, but your acoustics are terrible! Add live music to the mix and you've just killed the conversation. Beer selection is A-OK; bartenders are friendly and they offered generous samples as I decided on what to order. I refuse to give less than 4 stars (even if I couldn't hear anything anyone was saying), only because this is such a great addition to Carrboro. Hoping those sound issues can be worked out soon! read more

I'm updating my review now that I've lived in Carrboro for 2 years. Upon first glance, Steel String is not much to look at on the inside. A couple mismatched tables and chairs with some beat-up board games. The bartenders are nice but you have to go to the bar to order each drink, no wait service. HOWEVER, this place is truly a Carrboro staple. The patio is really lovely and the location of the brewery is great. They're always making new beers and rotating their offerings. Some of the beers are very good! They do live music most evenings and host lots of community events. I'm a fan. So if you're just visiting the area, keep your expectations low and remember this is a favorite local haunt! read more