Spend a Weekend Exploring Warm Sips & Winter Flavors

Winter is the perfect season to slow down, gather with friends, and enjoy rich flavors in welcoming spaces. In Greater Fayetteville, cooler weather brings new reasons to explore the area’s growing culinary and craft beverage scene. Across Cumberland County, veteran-owned breweries, creative taprooms, and cozy cocktail spots offer inviting places to warm up and connect.

From small-batch stouts brewed by former service members to downtown tea houses serving inventive hot cocktails, these local favorites highlight the flavor, creativity, and community spirit that define the Fayetteville Area.

Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom | Hope Mills

Founded by former Army medic Vernardo “Tito” Simmons-Valenzuela, Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom is a cornerstone of the Greater Fayetteville craft beer scene. Known for bold flavors and small-batch experimentation, the brewery features a lively taproom with local art, live events, and an onsite restaurant, Napkins, serving chef-driven pub fare.

Located just off I-95 in Hope Mills, Dirtbag Ales is a popular gathering place year-round. This winter, try the Coquito Stout, an American stout brewed with lactose and malted milk, featuring notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and toasted coconut.

Winterbloom Tea | Downtown Fayetteville

A favorite in downtown Fayetteville, Winterbloom Tea offers a modern take on the classic tea house. The café is known for premium loose-leaf teas, housemade syrups, and a relaxed yet stylish atmosphere. Winterbloom also features a creative menu of tea-infused cocktails.

For winter, order the Gin Toddy, a hot, gin-forward cocktail brewed with dried orange peel, honey, and cinnamon. It is an ideal stop after shopping downtown or before an evening out in the Fayetteville Area.

Gaston Brewing Company | Downtown Fayetteville

Located in downtown Fayetteville, Gaston Brewing Company is a veteran-owned nano-brewery run by a local husband-and-wife team. The brewery pairs handcrafted beer with a full restaurant serving hearty, Southern-inspired pub dishes.

A seasonal favorite is the Velvet Art Blackberry Lager, a crisp American lager finished with blackberry infusion. The fruit-forward flavor offers balance and richness that works well during cooler months.

Heckler Brewing Company | Northern Cumberland County

Heckler Brewing Company, Northern Cumberland County’s first microbrewery, is a neighborhood go-to for locally brewed beer, handcrafted pizzas, wings, sandwiches, and cocktails. The spacious taproom is family-friendly and features seven flagship beers along with rotating seasonal releases.

This winter, try the Pumpkin Spice Old-Fashioned, a warming cocktail that pairs well with wood-fired pizza and classic pub favorites.

North South Brewing Company | Fayetteville Area

Founded by James and Alicia Orlando, North South Brewing Company blends New England brewing traditions with Southern hospitality. Their military journey eventually brought them to Cumberland County, where they now focus on balanced, approachable beers.

A winter standout is Cold Winter Cabin, an American stout brewed with specialty malts that deliver roasted, toasted, and chocolaty notes, making it a great choice for cold evenings.

Experience Winter in Cumberland County

From seasonal stouts and craft lagers to tea-infused cocktails and classic winter warmers, the breweries and beverage spots across Greater Fayetteville offer more than great drinks. They provide welcoming spaces to relax, connect, and experience the region’s creative energy. Whether you are visiting for the weekend or rediscovering your hometown, winter is an ideal time to savor the flavors of Cumberland County.

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