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Ponysaurus Brewing opened in Durham in 2015. Their motto is “Beer beer would drink if beer could drink beer.” Unlike many small breweries, Ponysaurus is open seven days a week. The taproom is rather small, with seats surrounding the bar and a few high top tables available inside. Most of the seating is outside. The downstairs has long picnic tables and both fans (for when its hot) and heaters (for when its cold). There are additional tables on the open rooftop deck, which is a magical place during the summer.
This place has something for everyone. Don’t like beer? They have a few wines. Want a snack? They sell a variety of snacks by the scoop. Hungry? Food trucks are scheduled to fill tummies. This place is so child-friendly that I have seen children’s birthday parties held here! Dogs run around outside, but they cannot go inside the taproom.
Although we visited Ponysaurus before, I wanted to go through my usual process in posting. I ordered a flight of beers – featuring four glasses with four-ounce drinks. I tried the Golden Rule Saison, Reserve Ale, Biere de Garde, and Dunkelweizen. The variety of beers means that there is something for each type of beer lover. Guest taps also feature other North Carolina breweries.
Ponysaurus serves Don’t Be Mean to People: A Golden Rule Saison. Golden Rule is a collaborative beer between Ponysaurus and Mystery Brewing with input from almost 40 other North Carolina craft breweries. The beer shows North Carolina’s brewers’ opposition to HB2 – the bathroom bill. Not only is the beer tasty – it sends a message.
Here is an unusual option – rent out a grill through the online reservation system. Other than dessert, no outside food is permitted. You order various meat and veggies to grill, and choose from plenty of sides, from salads to beans. As long as $50 minimum of food has been ordered, there is no fee for the grill. When you arrive, pick up your food at the bar and the staff shows you to your grill. There are no refunds if the weather does not cooperate but you can take the food home since you paid for it.
Favorite beer: Biere de Garde
If you want to try more local flavors, Bull City Ciderworks is a short walk away. Or explore all the craft beverage locations in Durham!
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Annick, The Common Traveler
Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. Now that the children are gone, but still saving for retirement, she enjoys traveling in an affordable way and wants to share those ideas.