Draft's Top 100 Beer Bars South Region

Most of the ones I've been to that are on that list have all been top notch. A little surprised that Growlers Pourhouse is on there. Sure its a decent place but I don't even know if it'd be in my top 3 in Charlotte.

 

Yeah, duckworths should have been selected over growlers

 

Another thread with this, but the shirt version of the derision I directed towards the list was: no kickbacks=fail

 

Duckworths has 3 spots and they only pick places with less than 3. So a craft bar that is good and successful and opens a couple new locations can't be among the best? That makes sense.

 

Maybe it is more that if they have more than two locations they are at the point where everybody knows about them already, so they don't need to be on the list. That, and there is a real tendency for places that become chains to start phoning it in at some point, though three locations might be kind of a low threshold to assume that is happening.

 

If the list was for best new or best unknown bars I would buy that. But the list is best bars and, in my opinion, it doesn't matter how many locations you have if they are good.

 

Ditto...the best means the BEST....what does it matter if they have 1 or 50?

I've been to Growlers and it was ok, but there is no way it is better that many other locations in Charlotte (not naming any).

This is sorta like saying the "BEST" car made but then limiting it to the Pinto or Mustang II....

 

Yes, it would be nice to see North Florida represented on these lists for once. Kickback's and Proof (Tallahassee) come to mind.

 

Growlers isn't bad but it isn't even the best place in NoDa, IMO. Did they get extra points for having a Cicerone on staff?

 

Don't get me started on the whole Cicerone thing.

 

By all means, get started. You don't like Cicerone certifications in general, or.....?

 

Brewer's Art has good beers and food, but is cramped, dark, smug staff and jerky customers.

Max's, yes. Great selection, good food, fun with a great staff.

Bier Baron, for sure. They have all the beers, and they know what they are pouring and are friendly and quick. The neighborhood gets very acting out gay after 10pm, not San Francisco street festival style, but enough it may not be everyone's cup of tea. No teenagers or kids after 9.

Churchkey has almost as good a selection, but gets insanely crowded. The staff is also almost as good as Bier Baron.

Hopcat, for sure. Their self brewed beer is so so, but otherwise world class service and selection.

Mitten Bar, not so much.

Ashley's, great for Metro Detroit, good to great draft selection and good bottle, okay food, decently knowledgeable and helpful staff.

I really like Falling Rock, but the service does not equal the selection or the quality of the crowd.

 

So me and my girlfriend went to Growlers Friday night specifically because of this list. We live about 2-3 miles away and didn't realize it was there. Needless to say, it was ok, but I don't even think it is the best bar ON THE STREET. NoDa kills it, and of course Duckworth's is my favorite in Charlotte.

So is the nature of 'lists' I guess.

 

The one thing I think Growlers is better at is the decor/vibe. When you walk in it feels like a good place to drink beer. Duckworths and some of the other places feel a bit too much like a nice restaurant rather than a place to put back some beers. Also Growlers vegan hot dog is pretty awesome.

 

I'll give you that. If I wanted a quieter (almost 'more romantic') place to grab a beer, I can see where Growlers would have that appeal.