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The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week’s news and events happening in the Charlotte, North Carolina area!

  • Wednesday, October 28th. NoDa Brewing Company’s Nine Year Anniversary! NoDa Brewing Company. 4 pm-9 pm.

We are so proud and excited to celebrate our nine year anniversary of brewing some of the best craft beer in the Carolinas. 🎉We are going to celebrate our anniversary all week long starting Wednesday, October 28th!Each day (Wed-Sun) will feature a new release while all week long you can have our anniversary special — $9 pour of any beer + Keepsake IPA glass you can take home!
⭐️ Anniversary Week Schedule ⭐️
Wednesday, October 28th (4pm – 9pm)• Maker’s Mark Barrel-Rested Melnā Jūra Baltic Porter Release (taproom only): Melnā Jūra means “black Sea” in Lithuanian. This brew, sitting at 8.2% ABV, is a smooth, rich, dark and strong porter that is further smoothed and rounded from Lager Fermentation. This Baltic Porter was brewed with traditional European hops to balance out the heavy malt bill. After brewing, we rested the beer for 9 months in a Maker’s Mark barrel, which gives the brew a nice bourbon note. This brew’s notes of chocolate, bourbon and subtle roast pairs perfectly with this fall weather. This release will be extremely limited coming from the one Maker’s Mark barrel.
• Anniversary Special
Thursday, October 29th (4pm – 9pm) – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DAY• Batch 1000 Release (taproom only): A funky saison done by blending a saison base brew which is a straight forward farmhouse ale with spicy notes from the saison yeast strain and a funky sour ale brewed with spelt and fermented on Brettanomyces.
• $9 Crowlers of World Beer Cup gold medal winner Hop, Drop ‘N Roll and GABF medal winners Coco Loco and NoDajito.
• Anniversary Special
Friday, October 30th (3pm – 10pm)• Hoppy Holidays Release (taproom and to-go)
• Anniversary Special
Saturday, October 31st (12pm – 10pm)• Hoppy Holidays with citrus peel cask (taproom only): All the goodness of Hoppy Holidays but casked with citrus peel to add even more flavor to this delicious brew.
• Anniversary Special
Sunday, November 1st (12pm – 7pm)• Coco Loco Cask (taproom only): Love Coco Loco? You’re going to love this even more! Double the coconut. Double the cocoa nibs. With sea salt. From a cask. Our mouths are watering already! Trust us, it won’t last long!
• Anniversary Special

  • Thursday, October 29th. “Black is Beautiful” Bottle Release. GoodRoad CiderWorks. 3 pm. In support of the nationwide Black is Beautiful initiative, we are excited to announce a special mead release this Thursday, 10/29 in our taproom at 3pm! This Dark Mead interpretation of a Russian Imperial Stout will be available in 500mL bottles and on tap while supplies last, with 100% of the proceeds going to Emancipate NC!
  • Thursday, October 29th. MexiCali Stout Release! Birdsong Brewing Co. 3 pm-10 pm.

You guys have been asking and here it is!
Charlotte’s FAVORITE cold weather beer is back, FINALLY! Join us for the release of MexiCali Stout on Halloween! Cans and draft will be available starting at 3p! Warm coffee and cinnamon complement a smooth chocolate flavor in our full-bodied stout. With just a hint of chile heat from fresh habaneros and the addition of cacao nibs and local coffee, MexiCali Stout captures everything you would expect from a traditional molé. Stay tuned for updates!

  • Friday, October 30th. “Kool Headed” Kolsch Beer Release. Town Brewing Comapny. 2 pm.

Crisp, light, and refreshing, this German kolsch-style ale features soft pilsner malt, subtle hop bitterness, and pleasant floral and herbal notes from Hallertau Mittelfruh hops. This hybrid style was fermented with traditional kolsch ale yeast, imparting subtle white grape notes, and was lagered for one month for optimal smoothness and drinkability.Available Friday October 30th beginning at 2pm.

  • Friday, October 30th. Hoppy Holidays Release! NoDa Brewing Company. 3 pm-10 pm.

Join us as we release Hoppy Holidays IPA (6.5% ABV). 🍺Whether you’ve been naughty or nice or a little of both, we wish you holiday cheer with this delicious medium-bodied beer brewed with spruce! 🎄Loaded with six scrumptious hop varieties and complemented by citrus notes and a brisk piney aroma, it’s the perfect beer for the most wonderful time of year. ✨Available on draft and in 4-packs starting Oct. 30 at the NorthEnd taproom and at retailers beginning Nov. 2.Spread Good Cheer with Hoppy Holidays Beer! 

  • Saturday, October 31st. Peach Crumble Can Release. Red Clay Ciderworks. 12 pm.

We’re bringing back those Peach Crumble cans y’all gobbled up one more time! Imagine Grandma’s peach crumble… now imagine that recipe baked in a can. This semi-sweet pastry cider is loaded with peach and vanilla, notes of caramel, and finishes with a touch of cinnamon. Peach Crumble will be available to purchase in person, or online for a fast, easy pick-up beginning Saturday, October 31st at 12pm. Online pre-orders & sales will open up Saturday, October 31st at 8 am.

  • Saturday, October 31st. Cacaoconut White Blaze Winter Ale Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 12 pm-10 pm.

Trick or Treat, give me something nice to…..drink! We are releasing Cacaoconut White Blaze on Halloween. Grab a pint and a crowler quickly, our White Blaze Winter Ale aged on toasted coconut and cacao nibs always goes quickly!! 6% ABV

Angry Chair Brewing & Westbrook Brewing Zoose Joose.

Posted on by Evan

Angry Chair Brewing & Westbrook Brewing Zoose Joose, 4% AVB is a collaboration between Angry Chair Brewing in Tampa, Florida, and Westbrook Brewing in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Zoose Joose is an Ambrosia Sour Wheat with Tangerine, Pineapple, Cherry, Coconut, Lactose, and Marshmallow. Zoose Joose pours a deeper cherry color with a light pink two-finger steady fading head. The aroma is sweet with a nice tangerine cherry flavor with a vanilla note from the Lactose and probably the marshmallow. The taste of Zoose Joose is quite similar to the aroma with a nice sweeter fruity flavor, and nice vanilla Lactose with a cherry tartness that has a coconut marshmallow finish that lingers into the sweet yet tart aftertaste with light to almost medium mouthfeel. Angry Chair Brewing & Westbrook Brewing Zoose Joose is surprisingly good and receiving an A. It has good sour beer quality to it with a nice Lactose sweetness add to gives you a flavor that is worth a try! Please stay safe and enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Mecktoberfest Märzen Lager

Posted on by Evan

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Mecktoberfest Märzen Lager, 5.4% ABV is from one of the oldest brewers here in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is a Gold European Beer Star winner. Mecktoberfest pours a lighter copper orange color with one and a half white finger head with a steady fade to it. The aroma is semi sweet with a bit of malt and faint bread note. Now the flavor is wha t you’d expect from an Octoberfest beer with nice light sweet malt led notes with a nice lager flavor. Mecktoberfest finishes crisp with a hint of malt and some lager and it has a nice light sweet lager after taste all with a medium mouthfeel. This is only available during the end of September and all throughout October. It’s a good solid Octoberfest beer that I give an A. It is one that is really worth trying. It is not to heavy with any one flavor or heavy over all. I always in enjoy a good Olde Mecklenburg Brewery beer. Please stay safe and enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Throwback Thursday: Mother Earth Brewing Old Neighborhood Oatmeal Stout

Posted on by Evan

Originally post December, 29th 2013.

Over the years brewers have been putting different things into beer to make a new taste sensation and/or flavor profile. But one ingredient has been used for quite some time now. Oatmeal is one item that is widely used in porters and stouts for a nice touch of sweetness and texture. He is a local North Carolina example of an oatmeal porter, Mother Earth’s Old Neighborhood, 5.5% ABV. This is almost a sessionable oatmeal porter ABV 5.5% ABV. Old Neighborhood pours a deep black color with dark ruby red edges, with a nice big three finger beige head what sticks around quite nicely and forms good looking lacing. I saw no light coming through and I found there to be very little carbonation bubbles. The aroma is like a nice sweet bowl of oatmeal on a cold day with hints of roasted malts. The taste is at first slightly roasted then comes a hint of the sweetness from the oatmeal. I did find a tiny bitterness from the roasted right before the sweetness. The mouthfeel is smooth with a slight creaminess and has a semi-sweet finish with a hint of a roasted character. The after taste is slightly sweeter still with a nice roasted quality. Overall Old Neighborhood Oatmeal Porter is a solid B+ beer. It is easier to drink than others in this style and has a great balance of flavors, and isn’t overdone on one particular thing. I would like to have this one again. So go out and try Mother Earth’s Old Neighborhood Oatmeal Porter and see what you think of it. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week’s news & events happening in the Charlotte, North Carolina area!

  • Thursday, October 22nd. Special Brownies Chocolate Stout 2020 Release. Sycamore Brewing. 4 pm-9 pm.

Special Brownies Chocolate Stout is coming BAAAACK!Pouring in our taproom, and available for pickup or FREE delivery at SycamoreBrew.com on 10/24/20.👩‍🍳 A pinch of this, a dash of that. Into the mixing bowl! These brownies will take you to another dimension.FOOD TRUCKS:
🌭 My Sausage Buddy
🥐 Strudelteig EuropeanLIVE MUSIC:
🎸 Falcon Heart

  • Friday, October 23rd. Small Batch Release: Strawberry Shortcakes on NITRO. Red Clay Ciderworks. 2 pm-10 pm. Next up in our small batch desert series is Strawberry Shortcake, a semi-sweet cider with strawberry, vanilla, just a touch of lemon zest and served on Nitro to give it that creamy mouthfeel!
  • Friday, October 23rd. Short Sleeve Tuxedo – Chocolate Rye Stout. Triple C Brewing Company. 4 pm-10 pm.

A rich chocolate stout with flavors of sweet milk chocolate and brownie batter. Rye and Chocolate Rye malt contribute to this full-bodied beer with added complexity and subtle malty spiciness. This stout finishes with burnt coffee flavors from Roasted Barely, giving it a balance of sweetness and roastiness. Draft and Crowlers.7.3% ABV

  • Friday, October 23rd. Hot Pistol Release. NoDa Brewing Company. 3 pm-10 pm.

Returning For 2020 — Hot Pistol Chocolate Raspberry Habanero Stout! 🌶🍫Rich chocolate aroma accented with the tartness of raspberries and subtle heat of habanero peppers (7% ABV).The winning brew from our first ever homebrew competition.Available on draft and in 4-packs to-go at the taproom and brew-thru starting October 23.Available at retailers beginning October 26.This Stout Is Smokin’! 🌶

  • Saturday, October 24th. White Blaze Winter Ale Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 12 pm-10 pm.

Our favorite winter ale is back on draft and in cans with a new look!White Blazes mark the entire 2200 miles of the Appalachian Trail leading weary hikers in the right direction. We brewed this Winter Ale with Ceylon Cinnamon and Vanilla Beans, in honor of the great App Trail that provides a respite from our chaotic city lives.6% ABV

  • Sunday, October 25th. Pups and Pumpkins. World of Beer (Epicenter, Charlotte). 1 pm. Bring your furry friends by in their best Halloween costume for a pet costume contest! Best dog costume will win a $50 gift certificate to Canine Cafe Charlotte! We will also be featuring a specialty pumpkin beers all day. Costume winner will be announced at 2:30 PM!

Allagash Brewing Company North Sky Stout

Posted on by Evan

Allagash Brewing Company North Sky Stout, 7.5% AVB, and is brewed in Portland, Maine, as a Belgian-Style Stout. This stout brewed with Allagash 2-Row Malted Barley Blend, Local Pale Malt, Local Oats, Torrified Wheat, Chocolate Malt, Roasted Barley, Midnight Wheat grains, Northern Brewer, Cascade hops, and Belgian Abbey-Style yeast. North Sky pours a rich black color with a three-finger beige head with a big ole bubble in it and is very foamy. The Aroma of North Sky is roasted, sweet with light fruity notes (semi-darkish fruits), and some malty scented notes. North Sky has a nice roast flavor that slowly hits the tastebuds with some nice malted sweet notes and light fruit notes with a medium to barely full mouthfeel is not as thick as some others and makes it easy to drink. North Sky has a roasted malt finish and an aftertaste of roasted notes with a faint hit of that fruit and some sweet notes. Allagash Brewing Company North Sky Stout was a bit of a surprise. I was not expecting it to be as non-heavy from a stout (light as in mouthfeel). It has good Belgian stout qualities to it and has good flavor overall, giving Allagash Brewing Company North Sky Stout an A., and something I think you should give a try! Please stay safe and enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Throwback Thursday: Fürst Wallerstein Weissbierpils

Posted on by Evan

Originally posted on August 4th, 2013.

My favorite beer style is hefeweizen or wheat beer. The best come from Germany and does this one, but this First Wallerstein Weissbierpils 5.10% ABV, it is not your typical Weiss beer, it is a hybrid. This is a combination of wheat and a pilsner. Fürst Wallerstein Weissbierpils is a Total Wine and More brewery direct product. Fürst Wallerstein Weissbierpils pours a hazy yellow/gold color with a big thick white three finger head that makes great lacing. There is not a lot of light streaming through the glass, but there are tons of great carbonation bubbles. The aroma is slightly sweet with a little citrus and a big banana scents. This beer has similar aromas to a regular German Weiss beer but just a little lighter. The taste is of light banana and even lighter citrus flavors. There is not a real heavy wheat flavor like you would get on regular Weiss or Hefe’s, it does have a lighter wheat taste. The mouthfeel is medium. Fürst Wallerstein Weissbierpils finishes nice a semi-sweet with a nice banana-like aftertaste that sticks for a little while after each wonderful sip. I like this so I am giving this A+.  This is a lighter version of a great German Hefeweizen. Fürst Wallerstein Weissbierpils is not overly done and too heavy to drink a lot of, and that is why I think it is good. IU would highly recommend that you try this one. So go and try Fürst Wallerstein Weissbierpils and see what you think of this hybrid style beer. Cheers! Please enjoy responsibly!

The Beer News

Posted on by Evan

Here are this week’s news and events happening in the Charlotte, North Carolina area!

  • Thursday, October 15th. Hazy Sexy Cool New England IPA Release! Birdsongs Brewing Co. 3 pm-10 pm. 

Thank you for waiting patiently! It’s been a crazy year but we are pleased to announce that we will be releasing Hazy Sexy Cool New England IPA on Thursday, 10/15! Draft and cans of this limited release will go on sale at 3p! Hazy, sexy, and cool. We’ve been making hazy, unfiltered beer for years, long before the haze craze and love for the New England style IPA. But why not haze it up? Brewed with Citra, Mosaic & El Dorado hops, this IPA is sure to deliver all that citrusy juiciness we’ve come to know and love. 6.8% ABV

50 IBU

  • Friday, October 16th. Watch it Fall – Juicy IPA Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 4 pm-10 pm. 

A nod to a topical song from one of our favorite musicians, Watch It Fall is a NEIPA packed with Citra, Amarillo, and Azacca hops for aromas of mango and papaya. Soft bitterness with flavors of orange pulp and dried apricot, and a touch of pine. 

6.9% ABV

  • Saturday, October 17th. Carolina Blue Sky Fruited Sour Can Release. Triple C Brewing Company. 12 pm-10 pm. 

This deep purple rendition of our sherbet series contains Blueberry, Blackberry, Boysenberry, and Vanilla. Smells and tastes like a berry smoothie straight out of the mixer. 7.0% ABV 16 oz 4pack / $15

  • Tuesday, October 20th. RBG Southeastern IPA Release. Pilot Brewing. 2 pm. Tickets at pilotbrewing.square.sit. 

Women Belong In All Places Where Decisions Are Being Made Southeastern IPA • 6.5% Southeastern IPA is a clear American IPA brewed with flaked maize and a tropical hop blend of Lotus, Citra, and Amarillo. Finishes dry and refreshing, leaving the palate wanting more.$2 from every 4-pack will be donated to the Dottie Rose Foundation, which aims to connect the dots within the technology and computer science sphere to educate, support, and inspire the next generation of young women. Other RBG swags will be available including button pins, stickers, and koozies. 100% of profits made from the merchandise will be donated to Dottie Rose.VE-GO Food Truck will be on-site for our Vegan Taco Tuesday from 5-8 pm

The olde Mecklenburg Brewery Hornets Nest Hefeweizen

Posted on by Evan

Brewed locally here in Charlotte, North Carolina, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Hornets Nest Hefeweizen, 5.3% ABV is a Great American Beer Festival bronze award win. This beer named after England’s General Cornwallis’ name for the area when Charlotte met more resistance than anticipated during the Revolutionary War. It’s an ode to the Charlotte Basketball team, The Hornets. Hornets Nest pours a golden color with a there and half creamy bright white head that slowly dissipates into great lacing. The aroma is what you’d expected from a Hefeweizen with banana and clove sweetness. Then you get a slight spiced noted that pops up briefly in the middle of your mouth. A tiny hop note in the back of your mouth with a nice almost creamy medium mouthfeel that finishes with a nice light sweet wheat flavor, and has a lingering aftertaste of banana wheat with hints of slight sweetness. This beer is a perfect example of a good Hefeweizen. A little on the lighter side and, I have had some pretty heavy/fuller examples of this particular style. But The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Hornets Nest Hefeweizen did not disappoint, and I give it an A+. I highly recommended The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Hornets Nest Hefeweizen. Please stay safe and enjoy responsibly! Cheers!

Bell’s Brewery Best Brown American Brown Ale

Posted on by Evan

Bell’s Brewery Best Brown American Brown Ale, 5.8% purchased from The Butcher’s Market and is brewed in Comstock, Michigan, and brewed with American hops. Best Brown bridges the gap between lighter-bodied beer and malty stouts and is a good gateway into porters and stouts. Best Brown pours a brown caramel color with a big creamy, fluffy beige three finger head that very slowly dissipates, leaving some pretty lacing behind. The aroma is sweet with some caramel nutty notes with some decent coca & roasted maltiness. The flavor is similar to the nose, with caramel nutty flavor at first, then cocoa and roasted malts with a little hoppy note on the end, with an almost full mouthfeel that finishes with a sweet hoppy note and a nice semi-sweet roasted cocoa aftertaste that lingers a bit. This brown ale is easy to drink. I give Bell’s Brewery Best Brown American Brown Ale an A- just the little hop note at the end held it back an inch. Best Brown was otherwise a wonderful brown ale that you should try it is a good fall beer and not too heavy or high in alcohol. I would have Bell’s Brewery Best Brown American Brown Ale again soon. Please stay safe and enjoy responsibly! Cheers!