Charlotte Thread

[beerman6686]

Absolutely...one of my favorite lager breweries. Could drink their helles or pils all damn day.

Cool, I'll have to check it out soon.

 

[kbuzz1]

I go for hazy hop bombs with minimal malt presence, a little hop bite, slightly lower pH, and a super dry finish. Very few breweries can touch what Monkish does on a consistent basis. Yes their beer generally taste the same...but they all are pretty damn good. My favorites cans are from Bissel, Monkish, Triple Crossing, and Foam. They all do variations on a theme. I personally like the hoppy vegetal character of a NE IPA that is served super fresh. Currently we don't have consistently great hoppy beer in the state...and definitely not up here in the Triangle. Things are looking a little up with the addition of Brewery Bhavana and Casita Cerveceria, but we'll see. I got excited when Bond Brothers put out a couple of really well done IPAs, but they're consistency is so bad I don't even try anymore.

I'll just say it again then...you need to get to High Branch. For serious.

 

[wuntrikpony]

I'll just say it again then...you need to get to High Branch. For serious.

 

[kbuzz1]

 

[Kraftster]

Driving with the family (wife, 6 and 3 y/o) to Orlando for our first Disney trip next month. The plan is conceived around minimizing awake time for the kids in the car. So, we are aiming to to drive Saturday evening to NC with the hope of getting up in the morning to do a short hike (2-3 mi?) with a decent payoff (waterfall?). Head back to the hotel for a late check out. Then head to a brewery for a late lunch/early dinner before getting on the road to drive most of the way to Orlando that evening/night.

I was kind of pegging Asheville as the stop more than Charlotte, even though it's more direct, mainly to give us access to hike options. But maybe there's something cool to do in Charlotte for a 6 and 3 year old for half a day? And a worthwhile kid-friendly brewery to hit for the late lunch/early dinner?

I didn't see an Asheville thread, so maybe someone can comment if Asheville is the way to go, what brewery would be the best option under the circumstances? And outside shot at any good hike options?

 

[kbuzz1]

Driving with the family (wife, 6 and 3 y/o) to Orlando for our first Disney trip next month. The plan is conceived around minimizing awake time for the kids in the car. So, we are aiming to to drive Saturday evening to NC with the hope of getting up in the morning to do a short hike (2-3 mi?) with a decent payoff (waterfall?). Head back to the hotel for a late check out. Then head to a brewery for a late lunch/early dinner before getting on the road to drive most of the way to Orlando that evening/night.

I was kind of pegging Asheville as the stop more than Charlotte, even though it's more direct, mainly to give us access to hike options. But maybe there's something cool to do in Charlotte for a 6 and 3 year old for half a day? And a worthwhile kid-friendly brewery to hit for the late lunch/early dinner?

I didn't see an Asheville thread, so maybe someone can comment if Asheville is the way to go, what brewery would be the best option under the circumstances? And outside shot at any good hike options?

You want to hit up Sierra Nevada just south of Asheville. I've driven out there from Charlotte multiple times for the exact things you mentioned (wife, 5 y/o and 3 y/o twins). So that should be saying something.

Not that there aren't things to do and family-friendly breweries around Charlotte (some even have kids areas with toys and books and chalkboards), but Sierra Nevada is seriously a beer mecca/campus...the cream of the crop for what you're after. Great food, great hiking all around...and the brewery has just a ton for kids to do. There's even a little playground with a sandbox...there's live music...bocce ball, cornhole...I love it there. Would go every weekend if it was just a little bit closer.

 

[kbuzz1]

If you're hell bent on Charlotte though, I would say you could probably head over to King's Mountain for a hike which is maybe 45-60 mins west of Charlotte (someone else can prob chime in on this better than I can...I'm not as active as I should be). Then, seriously, mostly any of the local breweries are kid-friendly...some more so than others but I think all of them allow kids. Wooden Robot and Heist prob aren't the best options for kiddos, necessarily. You can bring them, but they'd prob get bored. Olde Meck, Noda, Free Range and Birdsong are prob the four best breweries in the area for kids, IMO.

 

[Kraftster]

Great stuff! I was always leaning more towards Asheville, but I figured if there was something really worth doing in Charlotte I'd consider it since it's a bit more direct. But honestly, when you're driving 15 hours, an extra hour or so isn't that big of a deal.

 

[kbuzz1]

Great stuff! I was always leaning more towards Asheville, but I figured if there was something really worth doing in Charlotte I'd consider it since it's a bit more direct. But honestly, when you're driving 15 hours, an extra hour or so isn't that big of a deal.

Yeah...and that was the lens I was looking through: you'll already be pissed about the driving...what's an extra hour so you can maximize the experience when you get to stop.

Enjoy the trip, man! We actually just moved down here from Pittsburgh a year or so ago and we love the area so far.

 

[kbuzz1]

Anyone know if resident culture does crowlers/growlers?

 

[zieglemt]

Great stuff! I was always leaning more towards Asheville, but I figured if there was something really worth doing in Charlotte I'd consider it since it's a bit more direct. But honestly, when you're driving 15 hours, an extra hour or so isn't that big of a deal.

This isn't exactly the hike that you seem to be looking for, but a cool facility close to Charlotte. Idk, maybe it could get expensive, depending on the activities. I've only walked around there when visiting family in the area, but there are definitely miles of trails to hike on (which is free).

http://usnwc.org/

 

[kbuzz1]

Drinking Unstable right now. This is the third or fourth straight home run from high branch. And with a new can release nearly every week these days, I think I’ll officially call them my favorite area brewery. Their IPA game is stronger than Heist and without the lines and they dabble enough in other styles to keep it honest. I’m a huge fan of these guys.

 

[kbuzz1]

Wooden Robot's first canned release next week. They don't get a lot of love in here from some. But I'm a fan and looking forward to grabbing some of this.

 

[2plums4one]

Anyone know if resident culture does crowlers/growlers?

They just started, 2pp no limited stuff

 

[JohnnyNC1]

Wooden Robot's first canned release next week. They don't get a lot of love in here from some. But I'm a fan and looking forward to grabbing some of this.

Are you picking up a full case?

 

[kbuzz1]

Are you picking up a full case?

Not likely...unless you wanna split one?

 

[youbrewidrink]

I like a side of service & atmosphere with my beer. My last visit the the greater Charlotte area generated these results (my order of overall preference)

Sugar Creek
Legion
Wooden Robot
Legal Remedy (a bit out of the way)
Noda
Birdsong
Heist

 

[2plums4one]

dat sugar creek sweet malt baby.

 

[kbuzz1]

Anyone in the area have or know where I can get a six bottle styrofoam shipper? Been calling around and can’t seem to locate any place that sells them.

 

[ASUBeer]

Anyone in the area have or know where I can get a six bottle styrofoam shipper? Been calling around and can’t seem to locate any place that sells them.

If you’re going to be in Raleigh anytime soon drop me a line and I’ll give you a couple.

I’ve also had luck calling wine stores before and asking if they had extras.

 

[2plums4one]

(704) 596-1476
8009 Old Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269

I pestered these guys to order them for a few years, they usually have them in stock now, but not all the time.

 

[kbuzz1]

(704) 596-1476
8009 Old Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269

I pestered these guys to order them for a few years, they usually have them in stock now, but not all the time.

This is awesome...thank you!

 

[2plums4one]

Nothing since March 27th, so I'll just chime in here...not beer related. But the food at heist has gone from bad to worse. Really a shame, as the facility and beer are great. The chicken "wings" I had last night tasted like they had been frozen for a year, more cartilage than meat, and were basically rubber. Seriously disgusting.

 

[beerman6686]

Nothing since March 27th, so I'll just chime in here...not beer related. But EVERYTHING at heist has gone from bad to worse. Really a shame, as the facility and beer SUCK TOO. The chicken "wings" I had last night tasted like they had been frozen for a year, more cartilage than meat, and were basically rubber. Seriously disgusting.

FIFY

 

[2plums4one]

hah, haven't had the beer in a little while (2 months probably) but my favorite pales and IPAs were just fine up until that point. Guess I'll have to revisit.

 

[2plums4one]

I tried the new batch. Straight juice, and not in a good way for me personally. Zero hop bitterness. Like you could have told me there were no hops in this beer and I probably would have believed you. Now it was "straight juice" so I'm sure all the corporate south end yuppies and basic chicks will ABSOLUTELY love it, but it doesn't taste even remotely similar to the citra I've had in the past. Cmon Heist, you just built the new facility and we're all rooting for you. Change the menu and don't forget to add hops to the beer please. Maybe blurred is the only beer I can trust them with now.... I dunno.

 

[2plums4one]

HIGH BRANCH DINNER* at Duckworths uptown
$55 bucks i a pretty sweet deal for this and you get to try two unreleased beers.
1pm on opening gameday for the panthers. I really want to do this, but I can't see going unless I'm going to the game as well, as uptown is gonna be a shitshow. I think its well worth $55 either way

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/high-branch-brewing-beer-dinner-tickets-48883253126

 

[kbuzz1]

High Branch is the ****, but I just don't "do things" any more.

In other news, I see CitraQuench'l is on shelves now...guess that means it's jumped the shark?

 

[2plums4one]

High Branch is the ****, but I just don't "do things" any more.

In other news, I see CitraQuench'l is on shelves now...guess that means it's jumped the shark?

Where are you seeing it on shelves?

 

[2plums4one]

If you're talking about the raleigh/boro/durham area I think that was just a favor from heist. As far as I know its not fs anywhere in CLT except the brewery....but more importantly, is blurred on the shelves where you are? I much prefer blurred