Charlotte’s eclectic blend of cultures and ideas shines brightly in the city’s art scene, local music venues, and exquisite restaurants. But that creativity seems to spring to life through the incredible variety of hand-crafted beers on tap around the city. Whether you prefer light and mellow pilsners or punch-packing stouts, classic hoppy beers or unique artisan flavors, old-school brewing styles or new-school experimental techniques, this city has it all. To help you start planning your next personalized pub crawl, we’ve put together a list of the most popular breweries near Charlotte, NC.
D9 Brewing
Originally started as a passion project in 2008, D9 opened its first commercial location in 2014. With three respective taprooms in Charlotte, Hendersonville, and Lake Norman, there’s no excuse not to stop in and sample some of their award-winning beers. The Carnaval Sour Ale and Swell Rider Tangerine Session are both perfect for a hot summer day, and their Hakuna Matata Tropical IPA will leave you singing for more. There’s always something fun going on at D9, so be sure to check out their special events page for more info.
Lost Worlds Brewing
Just off the shores of Lake Norman you’ll find Lost Worlds Brewing Company. From their impressive and atmospheric tap room you can take a gander at their 10BBL brewing system while you sample their selection. Their biergarten is a great spot to spend a sunny afternoon, and the food trucks outside will ensure you don’t leave hungry. We suggest trying out their prize-winning Euchre Golden Ale, the Equator Island IPA, or seasonal brews like the Emmer Apricot Wheat Beer.
Primal Brewery
Down the road in Huntersville you’ll find Primal Brewery. This behemoth facility came from humble beginnings; just two friends, a home brewery, and a shared love of high-quality beer. Nowadays the folks at Primal have set up shop on a sprawling 3 acre property complete with a beer garden and taphouse, with local food trucks stopping in regularly to serve up excellent eats. Year round beers include the Grim Creeper Imperial IPA, The Lemon Haze Pale Ale, and the Mother of Human Kindness Hazelnut Stout. Make sure to check out their limited releases and seasonal brews while you’re there.
King Canary Brewing
Another Lake Norman favorite, King Canary is a family-owned establishment with a broad range of brews on tap. This small but impressive brewery offers indoor and outdoor seating, and visitors are free to bring their canine companions to enjoy a sunny day out on the patio. From classic styles like their Dream Weaver Cream Ale to fun and funky pours like the Don’t Mess With My Marbles Banana Pudding Imperial Stout, you’ll want to sample a little bit of everything on the menu.
NoDa Brewing Company
With 3 locations across Charlotte, NoDa Brewing Company is one brewery you can’t miss. With a plethora of exciting events happening throughout the year, it’s never a dull moment at NoDa. Their year-round brews include the Jam Session Pale Ale, Hop Drop’n Roll IPA, and Coco Loco Porter. The real treat is sampling their seasonal brews, specialty IPAs, and coveted limited-release brews.
Wooden Robot
This self-proclaimed urban farmhouse offers a wide variety of beers, all handcrafted with only the freshest artisan ingredients. Visit their main brewery, taproom, and biergarten on South Tryon Street, or check out the Chamber on 36th Street for a rooftop tasting experience. The brewers at Wooden Robot have produced over 140 unique beers since opening, with their most popular being the Good Morning Vietnam Coffee-Vanilla Blonde Ale, What He’s Having Juicy IPA, and Street Fruit Sour with Loquat Fruit.
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
To experience one of the most well-known breweries in the area, head to The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on Yancey Road. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, or OMB for short, offers a vast selection of award-winning beers including their Copper altbier, Captain Jack Pilsner, and 704 Hazy Wheat Ale. OMB believes that beer should be simple, fresh, and most importantly, local. Grab a bite to eat in the Brauhaus, or enjoy a stout drink and some live music in the biergarten. (Tours are temporarily canceled due to COVID-19, please visit their website for the most up-to-date information.)
Sugar Creek Brewing Company
Sugar Creek prides itself on high-quality Belgian-style beers. While they respect traditional brewing methods, they explore unconventional ingredients, creating complex flavor profiles and one-of-a-kind concoctions. While you can find their beers in stores all over the Carolinas, and even a few overseas locations, the best way to experience their brews is to get them straight from the source. Try out their award-winning Big O Blood Orange IPA, Sugar Creek Pale Ale, or their latest flagship brew, the Hazy Creek NE IPA.
Legion Brewing
Friends & Beer is the motto for this brewery, founded by Charlotte native and beer-enthusiast Phil Buchy. Legion has two impressive locations in Charlotte, with a third set to open in 2021. Enjoy excellent food, trivia nights, and most importantly, some outstanding beer. Their flagship brews include the Penguin Pils American Lager, Juicy Jay East Coast IPA, and the Carolina Sparkle Party Weisse Ale. Their seasonal beers are especially unique, and beer enthusiasts will have a blast experiencing the creative flavors on tap at Legion.
After a day spent sipping Charlotte’s finest brews, head back and relax at Davidson Village Inn. Located in Davidson, NC, you’ll be conveniently close to the city while enjoying all the charm our small town has to offer. While you’re exploring the area, don’t miss out on the incredible breweries right here on Lake Norman. For more information on the best ways to experience Charlotte, Davidson, and the surrounding areas, browse our latest blog posts.
