Fortnight Brewing Company, Cary

A fortnight is an English term for a period of two weeks, which is coincidentally the amount of time needed for an ale to age to full maturity. In England, the beer often spends that time in casks. It's these principles that inspire the name and techniques of Fortnight Brewing Company, whose cask and keg ales—made in the English tradition—are rich yet balanced in flavor. The founding brewers, who hail from the US and the UK, use English malts and hops to craft six main beers: a Blonde Ale, English Session Ale, ESB, X-pat IPA, Coffee Amber, and Porter. Special seasonal releases experiment with flavors and tours give visitors a closer look at the exotic brewing process.