Author name: achisolm2769

Charlotte’s Award-Winning Craft Beers Charlotte’s got a lot of breweries, sure—but did you know the Queen City is also home to dozens of award-winning craft beers? by Alicia Valenski It feels like new beers are being released all over the greater Charlotte area every day of the week, from hop-forward IPAs to funky sours and beyond. But in addition to these innovative new brews hitting taps near you, did you know there are also award-winning brews to be found in cans and kegs all over the city? Here’s a round-up of the locally brewed beers that have received national (and some even international) recognition in the craft beer community: Americana Beer Company Neighborhood: Monroe New Slang2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship, Bronze Medal Winner A fruity beer with a bit of a kick, providing a tasty and lively option for those who enjoy a flavorful and slightly bold brew. Birdsong Brewery – Photography by Justin Gollmer Birdsong Brewing Company Neighborhood: NoDa Key Lime Kolsch2021 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Honorable Mention With a hint of graham cracker sweetness, this 4.3 percent ABV Key Lime Kolsch is pleasantly tart with a lingering finish and a bright ribbon of key lime flavor. Jalapeño Pale Ale2021 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Honorable Mention This 5.5 percent ABV brew starts with a Free Will Pale Ale, then adds in a hefty dose of fresh-picked jalapeño peppers with the seeds removed, so you can enjoy a subtle flavor and aroma without the heat. Be Easy Berliner Weisse2018 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Bronze Award Winner This traditional German-style Berliner Weisse is refreshing, tart and easy-drinking at just 3.5 percent ABV. Honey Pie Double IPA2015 Best Seasonal Beer, BOB Awards In this limited release brew, a solid malt foundation is complemented by a generous. amount of locally harvested honey, with a unique blend of hops will deliver aromas of honeydew and grapefruit. Lazy Bird Brown Ale2015 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Silver Award Winner This smooth, sessionable American-style brown ale boasts a rich mahogany color and hints of coffee and chocolate. Take note of the mild citrus hop flavor paired with pleasant aromas of roasted malt. MexiCali Stout2014 Best Beer for the Dark-Beer Love, BOB Awards A strong coffee and cinnamon aroma complements this beer’s smooth chocolate taste, along with just a hint of chili spice. Brewers at 4001 Yancy Neighborhood: LoSo Victory Brewing Company Slow Breeze2022 World Beer Cup, Gold Award Winner This refreshing Belgian style beer offers hints of honey and lemon that provide a cool relief from the heat. Victory Brewing Company Sunny Monkey2022 World Beer Cup, Gold Award Winner A fruited sour ale that offers a slightly tart and bright tropical flavor. Blue Blaze Brewing – Photography by Cody Hughes Blue Blaze Brewing Neighborhood: Wesley Heights Pink Blazer Hefeweizen2018 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Gold Award Winner This traditional, unfiltered German-style wheat beer offers subtle flavor notes of pineapple and spice from noble hops. Yellow Blazer Kolsch-Style Ale2018 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Bronze Award Winner This classic German golden ale boasts a mild, sweet malt balanced with a subdued spicy flavor from German hops. Cabarrus Brewing Company Neighborhood: Concord The Oath2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship, Bronze Medal Winner A robust imperial stout offering dominant aromas of black coffee and roasted malts, with flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, tiramisu, and creamy vanilla. Devil’s Logic Brewing – Photography by Cody Hughes Devil’s Logic Brewing Neighborhood: Midtown Control Alt2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship, Gold Medal Winner A medium body brew with aromas of baked bread and a balanced bitterness. Komunity Kolsch2022 World Beer Cup, Silver Award Winner This light beer offers a balanced flavor and fruity aroma. Get a free Craft Beer Passport – earn points & redeem prizes when you visit Charlotte breweries. GET A FREE PASSPORT Divine Barrel Brewing Neighborhood: NoDa Beer Flavored Beer2021 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Silver Award Winner If you need tasting notes on this American Lager… please reference the beer name! A crisp, clean American Lager that’s beer flavored. The Big Lubelski2021 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Gold Award Winner2018 Great American Beer Festival, Silver Award Winner This Polish style Gratzer is brewed with 100 percent oak-smoked wheat malt and Polish Lubelski hops. It is mildly sweet and bready with a restrained bitterness and a clean oak smoke finish. The DreamChaser’s Brewery Neighborhood: Waxhaw Barrel Aged TJ’s Ale2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship, Bronze Medal Winner A rum aged in barrels with cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, creating the hearty base for the fall spices, offers a flavor reminiscent of grandma’s holiday cookie recipes. Heist Brewery – Photography by Jamey Price Heist Brewery Neighborhood: NoDa Brockwell2016 World Beer Cup, Bronze Award Winner Brockwell is a light bodied, yet flavorful Dark English Mild with subtle roasted toffee flavors, accentuated by a light carbonation. Hi-Wire Brewing Neighborhood: South End Café de Olla 20W502022 U.S. Open Beer Championship, Bronze Award Winner This decadent imperial stout offers a delicate mix of blueberry, cinnamon, caramel, and roasted chocolate flavors. Legion Brewing – Photography by Kyo H. Nam Legion Brewing Company Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, SouthPark Penguin Pilsner2020 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Silver Award Winner This flagship American Lager features US-grown Saaz hops lending it a mild, floral aroma. Sláinte2021 North Carolina Brewers Cup, Bronze Award Winner2021 Best of Craft Beer, Bronze Award Winner2018 World Beer Cup, Silver Award Winner A medium-bodied stout with a creamy mouthfeel, deep maltiness and a clean, dry finish. Roasted barley contributes strong coffee notes and a touch of cocoa.

The Ultimate List of Craft Beer in Charlotte Charlotte is booming with craft breweries, with new spots steadily on the horizon. Don’t know where to start when sipping your way across the Queen City? From pilsners and blondes to stouts and IPAs, these 20 must-try beers are perfect for any beer lover’s bucket list. by Rosa Sprinkle Charlotte Brewery Pass Looking to check some of these local brews off your list? Grab a Brew Badge to an easy way to save time and money while supporting local. MORE INFO Follow the NoDa Craft Beer Trail and make your way from one hotspot to another. START HERE Blue Blaze Brewing – Photography by Cody Hughes Yellow Blazer Kölsch Where to Order: Blue Blaze Brewing Co., Brew Badge participantNeighborhood: Wesley Heights With 5% ABV, Yellow Blazer Kölsch is both mild and sweet as malts balance nicely with a subdued spicy flavor from German hops. Universal Language Where to Order: Divine Barrel Brewing, Brew Badge participant; NoDa Craft Beer Trail stopNeighborhood: NoDa Universal Language, Divine Barrel’s flagship West Coast IPA, is hopped with Citra, Simcoe and Mosaic hops. With an ABV of 6.5%, this beer illustrates both the juicy and bitter nature of the hops, finding the perfect balance of these distinctive flavor profiles. Free Range Brewing at Camp North End – Photography by Robin Eve Therapy Session Where to Order: Free Range Brewing, Brew Badge participant; NoDa Craft Beer Trail stopNeighborhood: Villa Heights, Camp North End Champion of Charlotte Magazine’s 2022 Summer Sips Beer Bracket, this bright Hazy IPA refreshes with tropical and citrus flavors and 5.3% ABV. With a goal of “bringing local closer to home,” Free Range Brewing emphasizes local ingredients and is a must for all locavores. Lenny Boy Brewing Co. Citraphilia Where to Order: Lenny Boy Brewing Co., Brew Badge participantNeighborhood: South End With an ABV of 6.4%, this American IPA is made with majority Citra hops, blended with Amarillo and Ekuanot hops. It boasts a signature citrus flavor and aroma that earns high marks with craft beer lovers near and far. NoDa Brewing – Photography by Cody Hughes Hop Drop ‘N Roll Where to Order: NoDa Brewing Company, Brew Badge participant; NoDa Craft Beer Trail stopNeighborhood: NoDa This local-favorite IPA is packed with intense hop flavor and is made with five different varieties of hops, including Chinook, Warrior and Centennial, and a blend of multiple malts. One sip will make it clear why Hop, Drop ‘n Roll was a gold medal winner at the 2021 U.S. Open Beer Championship and 2014 Great American Beer Festival. Hazy Skies Hefeweizen Where to Order: Pilot Brewing, Brew Badge participantNeighborhood: Plaza Midwood Hazy Skies is a pale, refreshing German wheat ale brewed with three different types of wheat malt. A Bronze Medal Winner in both the 2021 Great American Beer Festival and the 2020 U.S. Open Beer Championship, this beer has a fluffy mouthfeel, banana-clove character and dry finish. NÜPTIAL Where to Order: Traust Brewing Co., Brew Badge participantArea: Mount Holly This rich, dark and smooth brew is a double Imperial stout brewed for Traust’s brewer to use as a wedding toast. It has an almost-decadent big-bodied flavor and is a great addition to Mount Holly’s budding beer scene. Suffolk Punch Pulp Prescription Where to Order: Suffolk Punch Brewing, Brew Badge participantNeighborhood: South End To feature the flavors of pulpy orange juice and tropical fruit, this 7% ABV 2020 U.S. Beer Open winner is double dry hopped with Citra, Lemondrop, and Motueka hops and is a refreshing brew to be enjoyed in the lush taproom or on the light-rail-trail-adjacent patio. Triple C Brewing Company Baby Maker Where to Order: Triple C Brewing Company, Brew Badge participantNeighborhood: LoSo With an 8.5% ABV, this double IPA packs a punch. Containing massive amounts of Amarillo, Azacca, Cascade and Glacier hops in three different dry hop additions, the 2020 Great American Beer Festival Silver Medal winner has an intense fruitiness and spicy grapefruit hop aromas. Its rich amber color that complements its bold malt flavors. Get a free Craft Beer Passport – earn points & redeem prizes when you visit Charlotte breweries. GET A FREE PASSPORT Belgian Dubbel Where to Order: Sugar Creek Brewing CompanyNeighborhood: LoSo Brewed in traditional Belgian style, this Dubbel boasts complex flavors of plum, raisin, clove, cherry, brown sugar and caramel, with a warm boozy finish. As one of only 19 Master Cicerones in the world, Sugar Creek co-founder Joe Vogelbacher has helped create a 7.6% ABV brew that is winning awards and pushing boundaries. It most recently won Silver at the 2021 U.S. Open Beer Championship and gold in the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Best-of Craft Beer Awards and Beer Army Wars in 2018. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Copper Where to Order: The Olde Mecklenburg BreweryNeighborhood: LoSo OMB’s Copper is the brewery’s flagship and a Charlotte staple. The German amber ale is brewed only with the sacred four ingredients of water, malt, hops and yeast, then stored at cold temperatures for several weeks. The result is a refreshing ale/lager hybrid that is clean and refreshing, with hints of graham cracker, toffee and caramel. Salud Cerveceria and Beer Shop – Photography by Cody Hughes Del Patio Where to Order: Salud Cerveceria, NoDa Craft Beer Trail stopNeighborhood: NoDa Del Patio is a light and refreshing Mexican style lager made with flaked corn and is an easy drink pairing perfectly with a pizza from Salud’s wood-fired oven. Glow Where to Order: Midnight Mulligan BrewingNeighborhood: Wesley Heights Glow is a light-bodied golden ale with peach and tropical fruit undertones and tasting notes of honeysuckle and melon. It’s a refreshing ale from Midnight Mulligan, a recent addition to the craft brewing scene. Birdsong Brewing – Photography by Justin Gollmer Jalapeno Pale Ale Where to Order: Birdsong Brewing Co., NoDa Craft Beer Trail stopNeighborhood: Optimist Park Fresh jalapeño peppers are hand-chopped and added to Birdsong’s Free Will Pale Ale, creating a spiced beer with a crisp flavor. By removing the seeds, the flavor and aroma of the jalapeño peppers are preserved without adding heat to the herbed brew. It’s been a perennial favorite since it was first introduced by the NoDa-area brewery in 2011 and received an Honorable Mention at the 2021 North Carolina Brewers Cup. Petty Thieves Brewing – Photography by Cody Hughes Joyride Where to Order: Petty Thieves Brewing Co.Neighborhood: North End Joyride is a

Where to Drink Wine in Charlotte Whether you’re looking for a laid-back white or a full-bodied red, Charlotte’s got it all. Check out these 20 places to drink wine around the Queen City. by DeAnna Taylor Charlotte’s wine scene features plenty of places that boast award-winning vintages from the world’s best wine regions. Whether you want to unwind with a glass of merlot and live music or get the night started with a bottle of bubbles, you’re sure to make the perfect pairing with these wine bars and restaurants. The Artisan’s Palate Neighborhood: NoDa The Artisan’s Palate is an inclusive space home to a curated wine list with global by-the-glass selections, as well as a wall of retail options. Pair your wine with a dish or bar bites from the carefully crafted food menu, then stroll through the in-house art gallery. Assorted Table & Orrman’s Cheese Shop Assorted Table Wine & Shop Neighborhood: Uptown Purchase a bottle of wine to-go or sip a glass within The Market at 7th Street. Assorted Table’s global wine selection features bottles for every price range. Enjoy your pour alongside a cheese board from neighboring Orrman’s Cheese Shop or with fresh pasta from Mano Bella Artisan Foods. Barcelona Wine Bar Neighborhood: South End Transport your taste buds to Spain at Barcelona Wine Bar. In addition to a tapas menu, this full-service restaurant also features an extensive wine list with award-winning selections from Spain, Portugal and South America. In fact, Barcelona Wine Bar boasts one of the largest Spanish wine programs in the country. Bloom & Bottle Neighborhood: Belmont Combining a love of beautiful floral arrangements and international wine varietals, this cute bottle shop in the Belmont neighborhood is a perfect outing for friends or a date night. Enjoy wine from around the world then create your own floral masterpiece to take with you. The Bohemian: A Wine Bar Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood Settle into this cozy, Spanish-inspired wine bar, complete with ornate tilework. Browse more than 400 bottles of wine available to buy, as well as 18 seasonally rotating wines by the glass. Pair your vino with food items, from exotic cheeses to flatbread and salads. The Common Market Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, South End, Cotswold A local favorite, each of the Common Market locations provides a selection of unique wines, at various price ranges, to sip inside the market, on the outdoor patio, or later on. Split a bottle of wine with friends while you enjoy a sandwich, wrap, or snack from the market. The Coterie Concept Neighborhood: South End For a luxe wine-shopping experience, visit The Coterie Concept, a tasting room and boutique that specializes in high-quality wine and fine champagne from North Carolina and beyond. Visit during one of the Sip and Shop pop-up markets or for weekly specials like half-off wine flights and discount wine spritzers. Davidson Wine Co. Area: Davidson Lawyer-turned-winemaker Lindsey Williams is behind Davidson’s first urban winery. Try the brand’s private wine label or create your own vintage that you can bottle and cork yourself. These personalized bottles are a great souvenir or gift. Pair your wine with a charcuterie board, flatbread or dessert from the bistro menu. Dilworth Tasting Room Dilworth Tasting Room Neighborhood: Dilworth, SouthPark Dilworth Tasting Room is a unique wine bar reminiscent of enotecas in Europe. Take a seat on the open-air patio for a glass of wine and seasonal plates. Weekday specials include wine flights with complimentary cheese on Tuesdays and half-off select bottles of rosé on Thursdays. Foxcroft Wine Co. Neighborhood: Dilworth, SouthPark, Waverly Foxcroft Wine Co. combines a retail wine shop with a full-service restaurant. Order a small plate from the scratch-made food menu, complemented by a glass of wine in a cozy, inviting setting. Foxcroft offers a top-tier selection of wines, by the glass or bottle, from around the world. The Hobbyist Neighborhood: Villa Heights This neighborhood bottle shop and café has an assortment of bottled wines to enjoy in-shop or take with you. This warm and inviting atmosphere, paired with roll-up garage-style doors opening to a street-side patio, makes for a relaxing wine-drinking experience, alone or with friends. Mere’s Neighborhood: Dilworth Planning a wine and charcuterie party? Stop by Mere’s, a gourmet wine and cheese shop with offerings from around the world. Shop the wide array of contemporary international wines that you won’t find in the average wine store or enjoy samples during one of the wine tasting events. Napa on Providence Neighborhood: Myers Park One of the first wine bars in Charlotte to introduce wine on tap, Napa on Providence has an upscale feel with a neighborhood vibe. Take a seat on the Tuscan-inspired patio and enjoy a wine tasting that includes four pours, small bites, and a discount on retail wine. NoDa Company Store Neighborhood: NoDa A gem in the NoDa arts district, NoDa Company Store is the ultimate weekend hangout. Grab friends for an afternoon of wine, sitting on the perfectly shaded porch swings. Join NoDa Company Store’s wine club to receive six or 12 bottles of white, red or a mix. https://www.instagram.com/p/CsuWg9zJylE/embed/?cr=1&v=8&wp=520&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.charlottesgotalot.com&rp=%2Farticles%2Feat-drink%2Fwhere-to-drink-wine-in-charlotte#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A936.0999999996275%7D Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden Neighborhood: Belmont Come for the wine, stay for the photo ops in the garden. Rosie’s is a charming spot located in the two-acre McGill Rose Garden. Sip beneath twinkling lights as you marvel at the property’s perfectly sculpted garden. Join the Calico Wine Club to try new varietals and elevate your palate. Salud Cerveceria Neighborhood: NoDa A curated selection of natural wines is just a small part of what makes Salud Cerveceria a wine-lovers destination. Pair the rotating varietals with unique wood-fired pizza and vibe out with friends. The weekday specials, like half-price sparkling wine bottles and $10 wine tastings, will keep you coming back. Tap & Vine Neighborhood: Ballantyne, Indian Trail Both locations of Tap & Vine are social hangouts for wine lovers thanks to the laid-back atmosphere and upscale menu items. Tap & Vine serves a diverse selection of wine from around the world, perfect of a night out with live music at the restaurant. Village Tavern Neighborhood: SouthPark Village Tavern impresses with an award-winning wine list that features more than 60 wines by