East Bower Cider Company

East Bower Cider Company is one of the most genuinely singular craft beverage destinations anywhere in Raleigh, NC — the first cidery to open in the state capital and one of the youngest additions to the city’s growing craft beverage scene. Set in the East End Market complex, East Bower brings a genuinely different beverage tradition to a Raleigh market dominated by craft breweries — pouring dry-to-semi-dry ciders made from apples sourced within 350 miles of the taproom.

The cidery’s origin story is a wonderful piece of craft beverage folklore. The founders — veterans of the craft beer industry — discovered cider’s complex and diverse flavors during a chance visit to a cidery, and eventually decided to bring that same appreciation for craft to a category still relatively rare in NC. Today, East Bower’s 3,000-square-foot outdoor patio (with fire pits and green space), pet- and kid-friendly atmosphere, curated guest beverage program, and Sunday live bluegrass music have made the cidery a genuine downtown Raleigh gathering spot.

Be sure to check out the pictures below to get a feel for East Bower Cider Company before you go — or to relive the visit after.

Raleigh’s First Cidery — A Craft Beer Veteran Origin Story

East Bower earns its distinction as Raleigh’s first cidery — a genuinely rare designation given the depth of the city’s broader craft beverage scene. The founding team came from the craft beer industry and stumbled into cider through a chance visit to a working cidery, where they were struck by the range and complexity of what cider could actually be beyond the mass-produced options most Americans encounter.

That epiphany shaped the cidery’s approach. Rather than chasing sweet, mass-market cider styles, East Bower leans into dry-to-semi-dry ciders — showcasing the nuanced apple flavors, tannins, and acidity that make craft cider genuinely distinctive. The result is a beverage program that appeals equally to craft beer enthusiasts curious about cider, wine drinkers looking for something drier, and cider fans who want an authentic craft experience.

Apples Sourced Within 350 Miles, Fire-Pit Patio, and Bluegrass Sundays

East Bower’s commitment to regional sourcing gives the cidery a genuinely rooted character. All of the apples are sourced within a 350-mile radius of the taproom — pulling from the apple-producing regions of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and beyond. The cider program reflects that regional focus: signature offerings include the citrusy Citra Mango and the honey-infused Queen Bee, both of which have become customer favorites.

Beyond the house ciders, the cidery pours a curated selection of guest beers, wines, and cider-based cocktails — giving visitors options beyond the core cider program while keeping the venue’s craft focus front and center. Cider flights are available for visitors who want to sample the full range.

The 3,000-square-foot outdoor patio anchors the East Bower experience. With multiple fire pits, generous green space, and a pet- and kid-friendly setup, the patio has become one of downtown Raleigh’s genuinely comfortable outdoor drinking spots. Sunday afternoons bring live bluegrass music — adding a distinctly Appalachian musical dimension that pairs naturally with the regional apple sourcing story.

Good to Know

Location: East End Market complex, Raleigh, NC
Distinction: Raleigh’s first cidery
Founded by: Veterans of the craft beer industry who discovered cider during a chance cidery visit
Cider style: Dry to semi-dry ciders showcasing nuanced apple flavors, tannins, and acidity
Sourcing: All apples sourced within a 350-mile radius of the taproom (spanning apple-producing regions of NC, VA, and beyond)
Signature ciders: Citra Mango (citrusy), Queen Bee (honey-infused)
Beverage program: House ciders, curated guest beers, wines, cider-based cocktails; flights available
Outdoor space: 3,000-square-foot patio with fire pits, generous green space, pet- and kid-friendly
Live music: Live bluegrass on Sundays
Hours: Check the East Bower Cider Company website for current hours
Best for: Craft cider enthusiasts, craft beer curious about cider, wine drinkers looking for something drier, families with children (thanks to the kid-friendly patio), pet owners, and downtown Raleigh regulars looking for an outdoor gathering spot
Pair with: Other Raleigh food and beverage stops like Brewery Bhavana (Belgian-inspired brewing + dim sum), Burial Beer Co. Raleigh Taproom, Crank Arm Brewing Company, Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen, or Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque for a broader Raleigh dining day, plus downtown Raleigh museum stops at the North Carolina State Capitol, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, or the North Carolina Museum of Art

A Raleigh Highlight

East Bower Cider Company is the kind of stop that stays with you for the sheer distinctiveness of the concept. In a downtown Raleigh craft beverage scene dominated by breweries, finding a dedicated cidery — founded by craft beer veterans who discovered cider by accident, committed to sourcing apples within a 350-mile radius, and pouring nuanced, dry-to-semi-dry styles — offers a genuinely different beverage experience that few other Raleigh venues can match.

The outdoor patio rounds out the appeal. Between the 3,000-square-foot space, the fire pits, the pet- and kid-friendly atmosphere, and the Sunday live bluegrass music, East Bower has become one of downtown Raleigh’s most comfortable outdoor drinking spots — a place where craft cider enthusiasts, families, and downtown regulars build their weekends around the cidery’s rotating tap list and outdoor experience.