Charlotte Thread

[2plums4one]

See post above....haha...I love WR...probably my favorite brewery overall actually.

Haven't had anything other than their hops mostly (other than that coffee blonde, which is good for what it is), but I think they are all extremely well made. I wouldn't call them unique, necessarily, but I'm not sure what I would actually consider unique within the beer landscape these days. Everyone just copies each other. What brewery in the Charlotte area do you think is putting out unique beer (that doesn't suck)? Heist copies the Tree House/Alchemist/Trillium/NEIPA trend. Legion seems to be following more of a farmhouse thing. They are all predefined genres if you ask me. Not trying to **** on the opinion...just curious specifically as to what "chances" they should be taking maybe?

High Branch. All of their beers do not taste like copycat beers. Their blueberry saison is unlike any sour I've had, their ninja slippers is probably the second best stout ever produced in the charlotte area, and literally haven't been disappointed by any of their beers on draft. None. I'd say my favorite two in the area are hiest and high branch. WR is definitely well made beer, but I was just a little disappointed that there wasn't much to their sours other than fruit. I understand I'm in the minority there. The mango vs wild one I didn't care for at all. The IPAs I've had from them are pretty good, but the ones labeled "new england style" aren't really new england IPAs. Nothing wrong with that, as hop juju is my favorite IPA of all ime. I like them, I just don't love them. I know Heist does a lot of styles similar to treehouse, but that also means I don't have to trade for that style of beer, which I appreciate. Their fruited berliners are pretty good, not great, and that is where I see some need for improvement. Too-quench was absolutely delicious, and cat 3 speaks for itself. Brunch junkie is a little coffee forward for me, but I'll take some of their normal offerings over almost any of wooden robot's. Yea heist is trendy, but they are doing a good job of it.

If you haven't had high branch's best offerings, do yourself a favor and make the drive. Most beer experts I know (I am not an expert) feel the same way about high branch.

 

[2plums4one]

Long story short, its only copying until that style becomes a staple in the beer world. I like WR, high branch, and heist all for different reasons. I just can't get over the playground that is the WR taproom. More kids than adults on the patio. I'd much rather drink at heist, and that whiskey selection taboot!

 

[CavemanRamblin]

Had a couple High Branch beers when I swung through a few weeks back and thought they were just okay. Only tried hoppy ones though.

 

[2plums4one]

I actually haven't had many of their hoppy ones. Try their other styles if you get a chance. All well done and unique imho.

 

[2plums4one]

I'll just say this. If wooden robot or heist would have put out ninja slippers or blueberry hill, they would be sold out within a day. Their location is their biggest challenge imho.

 

[kbuzz1]

High Branch. All of their beers do not taste like copycat beers. Their blueberry saison is unlike any sour I've had, their ninja slippers is probably the second best stout ever produced in the charlotte area, and literally haven't been disappointed by any of their beers on draft. None. I'd say my favorite two in the area are hiest and high branch. WR is definitely well made beer, but I was just a little disappointed that there wasn't much to their sours other than fruit. I understand I'm in the minority there. The mango vs wild one I didn't care for at all. The IPAs I've had from them are pretty good, but the ones labeled "new england style" aren't really new england IPAs. Nothing wrong with that, as hop juju is my favorite IPA of all ime. I like them, I just don't love them. I know Heist does a lot of styles similar to treehouse, but that also means I don't have to trade for that style of beer, which I appreciate. Their fruited berliners are pretty good, not great, and that is where I see some need for improvement. Too-quench was absolutely delicious, and cat 3 speaks for itself. Brunch junkie is a little coffee forward for me, but I'll take some of their normal offerings over almost any of wooden robot's. Yea heist is trendy, but they are doing a good job of it.

If you haven't had high branch's best offerings, do yourself a favor and make the drive. Most beer experts I know (I am not an expert) feel the same way about high branch.

I need to get to High Branch with an endorsement like that one...I keep hearing little bits and pieces of good feedback. But that's well above and beyond anything I've heard to date. Do they do crowlers or growlers or anything?

I've sort of fallen off the sour train recently for whatever reason, don't get as excited about them as I used to...so can't speak to the WR sours at all. I do agree about their NE style beers not being NE style. But they do an amazing job of producing hop forward beers. I could easily go through a keg of Mosaic Ain't So on my own in a weekend...

I'm sure all those beers that you're mentioning by Heist are great, but they are too hard to get. Never had Cat III, prob never will, or most of their more hyped IPAs. I thought Thirst was pretty perfect and enjoyed a couple other things they did. Looking forward to increased production so I don't have to deal with the hype nonsense. At this point in my craft beer career, I just can't be bothered with waiting in lines and getting tickets and ****...if I can't bring at least one of my three kiddos with me and have them be entertained, it ain't happenin...lol. And with that, I know that I'm in the minority. I'm a whiny old cranky bastard when it comes to craft beer hype anymore.

While it's not on the level of a Heist beer, I'll probably stock up on Yard Breather and the other DC cans coming out this weekend and just have that be my go to for the "haze" fix until I can get Heist beer.

 

[kbuzz1]

Long story short, its only copying until that style becomes a staple in the beer world. I like WR, high branch, and heist all for different reasons. I just can't get over the playground that is the WR taproom. More kids than adults on the patio. I'd much rather drink at heist, and that whiskey selection taboot!

I think we're opposites with this. If I can bring a kid, you'll get more patronage out of me...haha.

 

[2plums4one]

I think we're opposites with this. If I can bring a kid, you'll get more patronage out of me...haha.

Yea, we 100% disagree on that issue, and I have no interest in having that debate lol.

 

[kbuzz1]

Yea, we 100% disagree on that issue, and I have no interest in having that debate lol.

For real though, I understand both sides of the coin...it's just a reality for me. If I can't bring my kid, I'm going to frequent the establishment less cause I'm not getting a damn babysiter to go buy a 4 pack or a crowler or two. I'm not talking about going to a bar and hanging out for an hour while I drink and my kids run around. My days of hanging out at bars are limited to like 2 days a year...and I do that kidless. I'm just talking about showing up, getting beer, and bailing. If there's a line, that precludes me from being able to accomplish that with kid(s) in tow.

If I were still going out to places to booze, I wouldn't want to go to a kiddie playground to partake either. I get it.

 

[kbuzz1]

Had a couple High Branch beers when I swung through a few weeks back and thought they were just okay. Only tried hoppy ones though.

Do you remember what you had? I'm looking at their website right now and there are a couple hoppy beers that look mighty tasty just from the pics - Double Dry Hopped Pounder and Big Sister. You have either of those?

 

[2plums4one]

Oh no I'm talking about the married couples who let their kids roam the patio while they sip beer for hours. Nothing wrong with a little in and out. That's how kids are made in the first place haha

 

[CavemanRamblin]

Do you remember what you had? I'm looking at their website right now and there are a couple hoppy beers that look mighty tasty just from the pics - Double Dry Hopped Pounder and Big Sister. You have either of those?

Pounder (regular one I guess) and McGill Ave for sure. There was a 3rd that I liked the most but can't remember the name of. I'll have to try some of their other styles next time.

And don't get me wrong, I definitely liked them. "Just Ok" is probably not how I should have described it, I just was surprised to see them mentioned as better than some of the other Charlotte-proper ones.

The place is not exactly the easiest to find either. Even once you get to the building, it's not really clear where the taproom is.

 

[CavemanRamblin]

But I do agree that Wooden Robot's hoppy beers aren't great. I like everything else they do a lot though and like the brewery itself. That, Heist, and Legion are all pretty solid in my book.

 

[kbuzz1]

Wow, there must be something wrong with me that I enjoy WR's hoppy beers as much as I do...

 

[2plums4one]

But I do agree that Wooden Robot's hoppy beers aren't great. I like everything else they do a lot though and like the brewery itself. That, Heist, and Legion are all pretty solid in my book.

Legion is really bad imho. I had a full flight of beer at that place and none of it was even average imho. Also, lol at 40-60$ plus the cost of liquid for one of those crowlers. One batch of juicy jay was pretty good. Even their grisette was a sorry excuse for a beer imho. They have an awesome location so I'm not convinced their beer will get any better and I'm not convinced their prices will get any lower. Legion isn't in the same ballpark as high branch imho.

 

[CavemanRamblin]

I must have had the good batch of Juicy Jay then ha.

 

[kbuzz1]

Also, lol at 40-60$ plus the cost of liquid for one of those crowlers.

What is this in reference to? Not this right?

 

[kbuzz1]

Thoughts from this crowd on Lenny Boy's Citraphilia?

 

[kbuzz1]

Pretty sure you jinxed me 2plums4one

Finally had my first bad WR hoppy beer. Generously Hopped Vol 1. Not sure what hop(s) is used, but it basically tastes like dirt. Might have to thieve some of the What She's Having growler that my wife got because this is upsetting me too much.

 

[2plums4one]

What is this in reference to? Not this right?

No I think they looked different than that.

 

[kbuzz1]

Has anyone seen Founders Doom 4 packs around yet?

 

[pugsandsuds]

I'm a degenerate and not reading through the whole thread. Any recommendations for good food and decent beer in Concord? Guessing this doesn't quite qualify as charlotte but hoping you fine folks might still have a suggestion or two.

Also, if anyone knows anyone interested in general construction labor employment at $13/hr, give me a holler!

 

[kbuzz1]

Concord?

High Branch.

Apparently. Have not been there yet, but many in the previous 10+ pages have highly endorsed their liquid.

 

[pugsandsuds]

High Branch.

Apparently. Have not been there yet, but many in the previous 10+ pages have highly endorsed their liquid.

I appreciate the tip, thanks man. My better half is headed out there to run a job fair for a solar farm construction project, and I figured this would be an easy place for beer/food tips. I passed along the suggestion!

 

[kbuzz1]

Imperial Yard Breather coming next week from Dreamchaser's.

 

[kbuzz1]

Anyone know anything about resident culture brewing? Looks like they have a legit coolship for wild fermentation. Set to open in Plaza Midwood?

 

[2plums4one]

Anyone know anything about resident culture brewing? Looks like they have a legit coolship for wild fermentation. Set to open in Plaza Midwood?

I hear the ipas they've let out have been good, looking forward to trying them and barrel culture.

 

[kbuzz1]

Has anyone been to resident culture yet? Thoughts?

Updates from me:

Dreamchasers Imperial yard breather is ******* fantastic. My fave beer made in this area so far.

Finally made it to high branch. Easily more impressed with them than heist. It's a hike, but worth it. McGill is great, Off the Record is next level. Was happy to have gotten cans. The hazy stuff is on point for sure.

My most local establishment Sweet Union is still in the midst of a learning curve, but they no longer taste like homebrew. And I think their house IPA, pale and the Astro Pteroudactyl are really solid beers. This was my second visit in since opening week and you can tell they're heading in the right direction.

Cheers Charlotte...let's get this thread rolling again.

 

[kbuzz1]

beerman6686 - it's no Pittsburgh thread but let's get this **** rolling...

 

[ASUBeer]

I'll be down in Charlotte tomorrow for work. Any new breweries that have bottles/cans available that I should check out?

I usually swing by Heist and grab some growlers but feeling like I should try something new.