Love at First Sip: February’s Bold Brews & Exciting Events

Jess getting ready for Valentine's DayLove is in the air, and we want to take a moment to say: We truly appreciate YOU, our incredible Blackbird family! Whether you’ve been with us from the start or are just now discovering our brews, we’re so thankful for your ongoing support. This Valentine’s month, we’re toasting to great friends, exceptional beer, and the welcoming community that makes Blackbird Brewery a place like no other. So, come join us and celebrate—whether you’re out for a fun ladies’ night, a cozy date, or simply enjoying some peaceful solo time with a book and a pint, we’ve got something for everyone. Let’s make this February one to remember!

Brew Highlights: New Creations & Timeless Classics

This month, we’re excited to unveil some thrilling new creations alongside a few incredible brews making their triumphant return—including a true gem we’ve resurrected from 2009! We’ve poured our heart and soul into crafting these bold, fresh brews that are sure to captivate. Whether you’re exploring something new or rediscovering a classic, you won’t want to miss what’s on tap. Here’s to legendary beers and the epic stories they bring to life!

New Beer Releases

Dovedelic Dreams – West Coast IPA (Collab with Tha Community Brew & Rare & Vintage)
Dovedelic Dreams ColabBrewed for the Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting in Durham, this IPA features local Epiphany pilsner malt and NZ Superdelic hops, offering a funky, citrus-forward twist. 8.0% ABV. Dovedelic Dreams was very well received at the Rare & Vintage Beer Tasting. Read more about this fantastic collaboration for a cause.

It’s Time for the Percolator – Coffee Porter
It's Time For The Percolator Coffee PorterWe started with our favorite full-bodied porter recipe, added a touch of coconut for a smooth, creamy balance to the roast, and infused it with freshly roasted Honduran coffee beans from our friends at Sunny Days Roasting Co. The result? A rich, flavorful coffee porter that’s bold yet easy-drinking. Does NOT contain lactose. 4.0% ABV

The Next Episode – West Coast IPA
The Next Episode West Coast IPAWhoopty whooped up crisp and clear West Coast IPA that blends Strata, Citra, and Mosaic hops for a dank, citrusy experience. 6.8% ABV

Rifle Larry – Raleigh Style Brown Ale
Some legends never die—they just get tucked away in a garage for a decade. Back in 2009, Ian crafted a Brown Ale that was nothing short of spectacular. This brew went on to rack up multiple medals in 2010. The same week a customer randomly inquired about the elusive brown ale, Ian stumbled across an old brew log buried deep in his garage—the original recipe, perfectly intact and primed for a glorious return. Some might call it coincidence, we call it destiny. And so, in tribute to Ian’s old coworker Mark who never missed a chance to shout his legendary catchphrase, “Rifle Larry,” we’re resurrecting this Brown Ale from 2009 in all its award-winning glory. We’re beyond stoked to share this masterpiece once again—because some beers simply deserve another round.

Brew masters talking strategyBombadil – Hazy IPA
Ring a dong a dillo! Ring a dong! Hop along! This hazy is dry hopped along with hops that hail from New Zealand & America. Featuring Waimea & Krush provides waves of tropical fruit, coconut and citrus vibes. This beer is as silly and as Whimsical as old Tom Bombadil. Hopefully it provides you a little joy and happiness as you sing along with old Tom. 6.6% ABV

NEW West Coast IPA
After an inspiring hop-sensory day—a rare treat outside of the West Coast, where most hops are grown—Ian was thrilled to bring this tropical, hop-forward brew to life. Infused with the bold, pineapple-forward kick of Idaho 7 hops, this vibrant, hop-packed beer is bursting with flavor. We can’t wait for you to try it—don’t miss out!

NEW Rice Lager
Get ready for the much-anticipated, ultra-clean, and crisp rice lager we’ve been perfecting. We’re so proud of this one, it’s deserving of its own blog post coming soon—stay tuned!

Returning Favorites

Yellow Submarine – Hazy IPA
Yellow Submarine Hazy IPA cansFan favorite back in time for Valentines Day! We’re cruising through a sea of hazy IPAs, and this one’s a standout. Packed with double dry-hopped Citra for that juicy punch, it’s brewed with oat malt and London yeast for a smooth, opaque body. Mid-fermentation, we hit it with Citra Cryo to enhance those biotransformation flavors, then topped it off with hand-selected Citra T90s. 7.6% ABV

Big Trees – Celebration-Style IPA
Big Trees Celebration Style IPABrewed with freshly harvested whole Cascade hops, this pleasantly bitter old school red IPA is our tribute to Sierra Nevada’s iconic Celebration Ale. 7.0% ABV

Birdvar – Czech Pale Lager
We packed this lower ABV lager with quality ingredients and traditional brewing techniques. Using floor-malted Bohemian barley, we triple decoction mashed for five hours—a classic process that hits five enzymatic temperature zones. Then we hopped it with spicy, mild Saaz hops, fermented cold and slow, and aged in a horizontal tank for two months, giving it a rustic finish and natural carbonation. 4.0% ABV

February Events

Upcoming Special Events at Blackbird

Galentine’s Day Celebration: February 13th From 6-9 PM

Gather your girls and toast to friendship with an evening of live jazz, featured wines, and hands-on fun!

Live Jazz with Cam Cokas | 6–9 PM: Relax and enjoy smooth live jazz while you sip and socialize.

I Can Buy Myself Flowers Bouquet Workshop | 6:30–7:30 PM: Create your own stunning bouquet with expert guidance from Tamara Riddick—because who needs to wait for flowers when you can make your own? Reserve your spot now!

Relax & Unwind: Chair Massages by Jacob Hall’s Holistic Healing | 6-8 PM: Jacob, a board-certified massage therapist, will be offering soothing 10-minute chair massages—perfect for relieving stress and helping you unwind. Tips are greatly appreciated.

Galentine’s Wines | $13 by the glass or $30 by the bottle

Wine Tasting in the Taproom: February 13th From 6:30-8:30 PM

Join us for an unforgettable evening of wine exploration with Dominic from Winebow! You’ll get to taste four expertly selected wines while learning about their origins, flavors, and perfect pairings.

Upcoming Special Events at Bird’s Nest

Silent Book Club: February 5th From 6-9 PM
Valentine’s Wine Tasting & Charcuterie Night: February 14th From 6-8 PM
Siempre Tequila Tasting with Don Cervellini: February 19th From 6:30-9 PM
Vermouth & Charcuterie: February 20th From 5-9 PM
Live Music with Miss Candice, Jazz Chanteuse & Cabaret Performer: February 22nd From 7-9 PM

We’re excited to share that Bird’s Nest at Blackbird has been featured in Raleigh Magazine’s February 2025 issue!

Returning Special Events

The Family Bees-ness LLC

The Family Bee’s-ness LLC Booth will be Indoors: February 8th From 4:30-7:30 PM
Crystal and James from The Family Bee’s-ness LLC are bringing their incredible products indoors for the winter months! Stop by their booth every second Saturday of the month from January to March. The Farmer’s Market returns in April!

CrokinoleCrokinole League: February 12th From 6-8 PM
Test your precision and strategy skills in Crokinole, a fast-paced tabletop game that’s a mix of shuffleboard and curling. Challenge friends and have fun—game boards are provided!

Weekday Happenings

We’ve got something to keep your spirits high all week long:
Mondays: Put your knowledge to the test at Hammered Trivia from 7–9 PM.
Tuesdays: Sing along and win fun prizes at Music Bingo from 7–9 PM.
Wednesdays: Treat yourself to Wine Flight Wednesdays and join our Run Club from 6-8 PM for a midweek refresh.
Thursdays: Enjoy live tunes from 6–9 PM with our weekly Live Music lineup.

February Live Music Lineup

Thursday, February 6th: Just Us, 6-9 PM
Saturday, February 8th: The Dan Davis Group, 3-6 PM
Sunday, February 9th: Jazz Sunday with Michael Jones Duo, 3-6 PM
Thursday, February 13th: Jazz with Cam Cokas, 6-9 PM
Thursday, February 20th: Michael Hodgdon, 6-9 PM
Saturday, February 16th: K-Bomb & the Kool Whips, 7-10 PM
Thursday, February 27th: One Block Over, 6-9 PM

This February, Blackbird Brewery is more than just a place to enjoy great beer—it’s a community where love, laughter, and unforgettable moments take center stage. Whether you’re exploring our new brews, rediscovering beloved classics, or joining in on one of our fun-filled events, there’s no better way to make this month special. From Galentine’s Day celebrations to cozy evenings at the Silent Book Club, we’ve crafted the perfect setting for you to connect with friends, family, and fellow beer enthusiasts. So come by, raise a glass, and let’s create lasting memories together. Cheers to love, great beer, and the warmth of the Blackbird family!