Drinking Beer in Charlotte

[grodney]

Yesterday I went to Unknown and CRAFT for the first time.  Unknown was dead while we were there from 4:15 to 5:30.  I like their canned offerings, but the rest of their beers continue to be unimpressive to me.  CRAFT was jumping, wow!  I realize I was there a little later (5:30-6:30), but there were tons of people, inside and out.  They appear to have that 20-something crowd locked up.  I'm pretty loyal to The Beer Growler, but CRAFT was really impressive.

[ah59396]

Yesterday I went to Unknown and CRAFT for the first time.  Unknown was dead while we were there from 4:15 to 5:30.  I like their canned offerings, but the rest of their beers continue to be unimpressive to me.  CRAFT was jumping, wow!  I realize I was there a little later (5:30-6:30), but there were tons of people, inside and out.  They appear to have that 20-something crowd locked up.  I'm pretty loyal to The Beer Growler, but CRAFT was really impressive.

 

Honestly goes to show how we are no where close to critical mass on bars in this city.  Every time a new place opens, it's slam packed with people...and not at the expense of already established businesses.  

 

I went to Duckworth's Uptown last night and was impressed.  I'll echo what others have said in "HOLY TV'S", but it was a good place to have a beer.  The bar was packed with people watching and cheering on the Hornets and they had the garage doors open to let the breeze in.  They were also smart and have those screen mesh things over the windows to avoid bug influx in the spring.  Also, they have an armada of wait staff there.  Very happy with the end result.

[grodney]

4-pack cans of Golden Boy and 3C IPA now available at the Triple C taproom!

[tozmervo]

DukBone is showing off a new tap handle design on social media, but it still sounds like they don't have a home yet. 

[km1789]

Brief anecdote....

 

Two weeks ago a good friend of mine had their birthday fall on a Saturday so we decided to surprise him with a bikes and breweries tour. 8 of us started at noon and left Plaza Midwood and biked straight to Olde Meck staying mostly on the Greenway and the Rail Trail.

 

We then worked our way up to NoDa stopping for a single beer at Olde Meck, Sugar Creek, Triple C, Sycamore, Unknown, NoDa, and Bird Song. We only skipped Heist and Lenny Boy, as we had a set time to be back in NoDa for a surprise party for him at 8:30, but it was a fantastic time. The breweries are so well spaced so that a bike trip between them is relatively short, safe, and enjoyable, the longest distance on our route that day being between Unknown and NoDa. We did not feel rushed at each brewery and we were able to get small foodstuffs at the food trucks that were at each one throughout the day.

 

I had not been to any of the breweries during the day on a Saturday in a while, and I was blown away by how crowded the earlier ones we visited were. Olde Meck was standing room only, not many were outside as it was quite cold but the bar was accessible, as we all know it is huge. Sugar Creek and Triple C had a good crowd as well. I will say however, that Sycamore was crowded to the point of being unpleasant... We were there around 3-4ish and you could not get to the bar or even make it to the rest rooms without flexing some considerable Limbo prowess. This excursion only verified for me that we are no where near a saturation point for breweries, as long as they are quality experiences with good/decent beers.

 

All that being said, we absolutely plan on doing this again, especially now that it is warming up.

[kermit]

The excellent post above reminded me that Sycamore has recently doubled the size of their patio. Patio space is now the entire north side of their building. 

 

Despite Sycamore being within walking distance of my house I have still only been once -- this was largely due to crowds. Sadly I have also been to Craft less often lately due to crowds. Despite being a grouchy, antisocial beotch, I am glad all the breweries are doing well.

[InSouthPark]

Update on Legion Brewing in Plaza Midwood on their anticipated summer opening:  http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/restaurants/article13794413.html

[grodney]

"summer", huh?  And they don't have building permits yet?  Other than pessimism/skepticism on the date, I like the way it sounds.

[InSouthPark]

"summer", huh?  And they don't have building permits yet?  Other than pessimism/skepticism on the date, I like the way it sounds.

 

If he has the capital to already order the tanks and other equipment (don't know that he has) but I don't see a late summer opening all that bad. Since he is a contractor himself with brewery building experience, I assume he would have his ducks in a row and is probably doing a lot of the work himself which I am sure can speed up the project.

 

Of course that is assuming he is well into the permitting process, not just starting it. 

[CLTProductions]

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2015/03/20/construction-ramps-up-for-south-end-brewery.html?page=all

 

Wooden Robot still on target for early June opening. Excited for this place to open up! The Brewery line in South End is incredibly awesome. Remind me again though, where exactly in this warehouse thing is this going? Is it replacing Apostrophe lounge? Or in the back, basically on Winnifred?

 

I can't seem to find our Brewery map, can someone help a brotha out?

Edited March 20, 2015 by Jayvee

[InSouthPark]

Wooden Robot debuted a beer a Brawleys Black and Blue, a sour IPA collaboration with Fullsteam, and it one of the bigger hits of the night. That doesn't really mean squat since it was brewed on Fullsteams system with Fullsteam's help...but a good step in getting your name out on a high quality product.  Look for it around at a few places...it was called Hop Rocks.

[nonillogical]

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2015/03/20/construction-ramps-up-for-south-end-brewery.html?page=all

 

Wooden Robot still on target for early June opening. Excited for this place to open up! The Brewery line in South End is incredibly awesome. Remind me again though, where exactly in this warehouse thing is this going? Is it replacing Apostrophe lounge? Or in the back, basically on Winnifred?

 

I can't seem to find our Brewery map, can someone help a brotha out?

It's in the old Marigny spot, at Summit and Winnifred. So they'll have that small patio. Brass Tap is going in the old Dharma Lounge space, so they'll be neighbors with only those few spaces between. I also noticed that the Available sign at the State Farm storefront is down, so hopefully that is becoming something too. Apostrophe Lounge is still open some nights, I think. 

 

It also looks like the renovations to the 1-story warehouse building with the loading areas opposite on Winnifred are complete, and I am wondering what kind of places could go in there. Its actually kind of begging for yet another brewery in one spot or another, as they could build in some serious patio space in front. 

[CLTProductions]

Agreed I think all these weird abandoned warehouses and such scream for breweries, lets keep them goin in South End!

[Guest]

It's in the old Marigny spot, at Summit and Winnifred. So they'll have that small patio. Brass Tap is going in the old Dharma Lounge space, so they'll be neighbors with only those few spaces between. I also noticed that the Available sign at the State Farm storefront is down, so hopefully that is becoming something too. Apostrophe Lounge is still open some nights, I think. 

 

It also looks like the renovations to the 1-story warehouse building with the loading areas opposite on Winnifred are complete, and I am wondering what kind of places could go in there. Its actually kind of begging for yet another brewery in one spot or another, as they could build in some serious patio space in front. 

Culinary School and Office/Retail Space.

[videtur quam contuor]

I promised myself that I would sneak over to Marigny one night and correct their French window signs that said "Laissez les bon temp rouler".

Ah, that feels so much better.

[kermit]

Birdsong tweeted an April 4th opening date in their new place.

Edited March 21, 2015 by kermit

[tozmervo]

I'm at birdsong tonight. I have conflicting feelings of nostalgia and excitement. Change is scary!

[CLTProductions]

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2015/03/20/charlotte-knights-to-have-more-craft-beer-on-tap.html?page=all

 

More overpriced craft beer @ BB&T Ballpark this year! They're gonna have a craft beer garden (going to be near section 102 down the right field line), called Crafts of the Queen City. "The craft-beer space will be dedicated to beverages from six Charlotte-area breweries. Plans call for six taps, with each brewery providing one selection." So thats really cool.

 

Love this, only issue I have is that area by 102 is already REALLY congested, not sure where they are finding the room for this unless they do it on the party deck.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Jayvee

[ah59396]

Saw this guy between OMB and Sugar Creek. Any intel?

[abttown]

Saw this guy between OMB and Sugar Creek. Any intel?

image.jpg

The distillery is moving from Pineville and partnering with OMB for it's spirit production.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/incoming/article10432325.html

[grodney]

CBJ has a 64-beer tournament bracket, featuring lots of #cltbeer.  http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/madness/beer-madness/

 

I'm not a fan, as all these breweries will be clogging up my tweeter feed for the next month, linking and re-tweeting the bracket and begging for votes.

 

Anyway, the Final 4 will be Hop Drop (cruising) vs Wicked Weed Freak (beating both Jalapeno and OMB Baltic on its way) on the left side, and Cold Mountain (edging OMB Copper) and Mecktoberfest on the right.  Hop Drop will beat Freak, while Mecktoberfest will finally defeat that syrupy sweet Cold Mountain, with Hop Drop claiming its rightful place by winning the whole thing.

 

 

 

UPDATE:  We're down to the Elite 8.  2 of my Final 4 are gone.  I really thought the OMB fans would come out and get Mecktoberfest into the Final 4, but it lost decisively to Baby Maker.  Also, in another region, a double upset with Green Man ESB beating Cold Mountain (what?  I mean I don't like Cold Mountain, but people go CRAZY for it), and Heist Spirit of 77 (what?) beat Sexual Chocolate.  Can't explain either of those.

 

So anyway, here are the matchups:

Hop Drop vs. Sierra Nevada Pale -- Hop Drop currently in a SLIM lead, it shouldn't be this close

Freak of Nature vs. Sycamore Countryside IPA -- wow Sycamore's coolguy status with the 20s crowd is amazing, Sycamore currently leading

Heist Spirit of 77 vs. Green Man ESB -- Heist is killing, and I don't get it

Baby Maker vs Higher Ground -- Baby Maker leading pretty big right now

 

I realize the results are just click contests by fans spurred by social media, BUT STILL.

 

Vote: I think this link will work:  http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/pulse/survey/cbjs-carolinas-beer-madness-round-4/16875821  If not, go here: http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/madness/beer-madness/

 

Bracket:  http://media.bizj.us/view/img/5398011/carolinas-beer-madness-round-4-final.pdf

 

p.s. My predictions were predictions, not my votes.

Edited March 26, 2015 by grodney

[km1789]

Birdsong just posted their new space opening on April 4th on their facebook page.

[grodney]

OMB changing packaging for their bottles, proudly displaying "Brewed in CLT".  Also, their Hefe is available in bottles for the first time, starting Apr 24.  And apparently Fat Boy Baltic Porter bottles (sixers not bombers) coming too, though no date given.

 

Also below, Birdsong test-print of the Jalapeno cans, featuring the CLT skyline.  They're still saying "spring" for availability.

 

NoDa continues to ramp up their canned offerings, promising NoDajito this summer and Gordgeous this fall.

 

I believe I am now officially drinking nothing but #cltbeer.  This is amazing and wonderful.

 

 

Edited March 27, 2015 by grodney

[Guest]

OMB badly needed this redesign. 

Birdsongs Cans are freaking amazing.

[grodney]

I wondered what you people with taste/style would think.  I have no taste or style, but I liked both!