headed to charlotte..tips?

NODA Brewing in Charlotte.

 

Event Horizon still at Brawleys as of last week.

Skip Frugals and go to StateLine Elite and Southern Spirits instead (better selection IMHO). Both of those places are within a half mile of each other and right on 521 (same distance from CLT as Frugals).

As for tips: Use the search. There are lots of recent threads detailing everything you would want to know. And yes, Noda Brewery is a must stop for a beer geek.

 

Doubtful.....but those queen city BAs would be more up to speed on that. I was there a few weeks ago and did not see any. I would recommend going to Duckworths. Always a nice taplist and good pub food. NODA is a must stop and you might as well hit Birdsong since its next door. hit up Old Meck too. Great group over there.

 

No Sexual Chocolate.

Also, if you go to the SC beer stores I suggested for Westbrook goodies (Stateline and Southern Spirit) there is a Duckworth's on the way (Ballantyne location).

As for trade bait, Westbrook sours, barrel aged, and stouts (only available at the SC beer stops, not in CLT). Noda Hop Drop n Roll is top 50 american IPA here on BA (no idea if that is trade bait). Most trade bait in Charlotte gets sucked up from bottle shops in hours here anymore. Kinda sad really. The majority of Charlotte's top locally produced beers never see the inside of a bottle (even more sad).

 

Couldn't agree more with this statement.

 

How can you say this? Hop,Drop n Roll, Copper, CocoLoco, and Up All Night all see the inside of a bottle (or can). You may like others better, but these are certainly in the top tier of each respective category or Charlotte beers.

 

We/I said the majority of top locally produced beers. I luv all the beers you mention above but they don't account for the "majority" of the best beers brewed in town. So many great seasonal offerings from all the breweries that never see a bottle (expect for Olde Meck who does bottle most everything).

 

All those mentioned above are fantastic brews. But how about Hop Cakes, Gordgeous, BA Hop (NoDa), Lenny Boy brews & Unknown Brews. Triple C just started getting up my way in the Triad but I'm not sure how long they've been bottling. And as @NoMoreBeerBelly stated, Old Meck bottles a lot but one gem that did not see a bottle was the BA Mecktoberfest. Phenomenal brew! My point was that there are many only available off the tap. not that the bottles/cans we currently have are not top quality.

 

I agree with him. It's only been very recently that you could really get anything outside of OMB's beers (which I love) with any regularity. It has been nice to see Triple C bottling and more cans from NoDa, though.

 

NC advice:
Check out Salud on North Davidson St. Its a great bottle shop with a nice rotating draft selection.
On your way back hit NoDa/Birdsong who basically share the same parking lot.
I'd be happy to forward you draft/bottle lists for any of the Duckworth's while you're in town, just let me know.

SC advice:
Echoing a post above: Southern Spirits & Stateline Liquors. Both have great growler stations, but Southern Spirits has the better bottle selection IMHO. Bonus being that they are less than a mile apart.
Grapevine is also a good spot for good brews.

 

Yes, Stateline and Southern Spirits are both just over the SC border. They have a better selection of SC beers than Frugals (especially Southern Spirits and Westbrook). You would take I485 to Johnson Rd South exit (Hwy 521). Continue south on 521 until you cross the border. Just after you cross you will see Southern Spirits on the right and just down the road is Stateline on the left. Less than a mile apart.

Grapevine as mentioned above (Exit 85 on I77 in SC) also has a small but good selection.

 

I know Stateline does (they usually post their growler lineup on https://www.facebook.com/StatelineElite). Not 100% sure on Southern Spirits but I think it is just 64oz.

 

SALUD!

Make sure and stop by both Common Markets as well and I would suggest visiting gallery 22 if you get the chance. Neat art gallery that has an awesome beer selection. Brawleys is a must of course and I'd second visiting any of the Duckworths for a quick pint or 2.

Cheers! Hope you enjoy your visit.

PS: Don't slay all of our shelf whalez