The Charlotte Brewery Pass Guide
With more than 60 breweries in the Charlotte region, the amount of sudsy beverages to consume is abundant. That’s where the Charlotte Brewery Pass comes in.
by Hayden Pigott Oct 14, 2024
Get a free Craft Beer Passport - earn points & redeem prizes when you visit Charlotte breweries.
The Charlotte Brewery Pass allows you to choose between a one-day (visit four breweries for $26.95) or a three-day (visit up to 12 breweries for $42.95) badge and instantly receive a $10 voucher to participating alehouses.
How the Charlotte Brewery Pass Works
The badge is mobile exclusive, but no app download is necessary. As soon as you obtain a Brewery Pass, you’ll receive a text. Then, make your way to one of the many participating breweries and present your phone to the bartenders for your discounts. You’ll have 180 days after purchasing the badge to experience a Queen City brewery adventure. Please drink responsibly.
Here's your guide to Charlotte Brewery Pass’ participating breweries.
Birdsong Brewing Co.
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
With a 75-kW solar array on the roof, Birdsong Brewing uses renewable energy to brew its craft beer. Sip on a Rewind lager or savor in the brewery’s version of hoppy heaven with the Paradise City IPA.
Brewers at 4001 Yancey
Neighborhood: Lower South End
Brewers at 4001 Yancey is a beer-lover’s paradise, offering a range of craft brews and ciders from renowned breweries like Victory, Sixpoint, Southern Tier Brewing and Bold Rock Hard Cider. Pair a pour from one of the more than 30 taps with a sandwich, burger or pizza.
Divine Barrel Brewing
Neighborhood: NoDa
Divine Barrel loves an experimental brew. Named after its peanut-butter adoring sales manager, the We’re Out of Peanut Butter porter is a sipper made with multiple scoops of creamy peanut butter.
Brewery Pass Bonus: Take 10% off merchandise
Fonta Flora Brewery - Optimist Hall
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Fonta Flora brings a taste of the Appalachian Mountains to its Optimist Hall taproom. Order a Mary’s Gold, a bière de coupage-style blended spontaneous ale aged on marigolds from the brewery’s Whippoorwill Farm.
Free Range Brewing
Neighborhood: NoDa
With familial relationships with farmers and foragers, it won’t surprise you that Free Range’s beers average 95% locally sourced ingredients. Marvel in the brewery’s dedication to the community with a Familiar Feelings oatmeal stout on nitro.
Free Range BAR at Camp North End
Neighborhood: Camp North End
In addition to the NoDa taproom, Free Range has a second location at Camp North End. Pick up a Cream of the Crop ale and walk over to the Ford Building for a free outdoor movie in the summer and fall.
Gilde Brewery
Neighborhood: Lower South End
What started 475 years ago in Hannover, Germany, has come to roost (literally, the logo is a rooster) in Charlotte. This brewpub aims to make the purest beer you’ve ever tasted. The Worth the Wait semi-sweet helles accomplishes that.
Hi-Wire Brewing
Neighborhood: South End
Have you ever played a giant game of pool with balls the size of volleyballs? You can at Hi-Wire Brewing, with a Mountain Water easy-drinking ale in hand.
Brewery Pass Bonus: Free sticker
Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Neighborhood: South End
This plant-filled brewery was the first certified organic kombucha producer in the Southeast and took that expertise to launch Lenny Boy’s beer line. The Spaghetti Handshake Italian pilsner is a fan favorite.
NoDa Brewing Company - The OG
Neighborhood: NoDa
The OG location of NoDa Brewing, covered in a hop mural, opened in 2011. The brewery hit almost instant success in 2012 with the Coco Loco porter that won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival that same year.
NoDa Brewing Company - North End
Neighborhood: NoDa
This is where the magic happens for NoDa Brewing. Take a free tour of the main production facility as you indulge in a Jam Session pale ale that perfectly balances hop and malt.
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Neighborhood: Lower South End
When you walk through the doors of OMB, you’ll feel transported to Germany. Choose a long biergarten-style table outside to imbibe the flagship, Copper altbier, and devour a pork schnitzel.
Petty Thieves Brewing Co.
Neighborhood: Uptown
Petty Thieves could only be described as steampunk meets stave church meets Sherlock Holmes’ Diogenes Club that you have to see for yourself. Purchase a tart I Dream A Highway saison made with currants and pineapples.
Pilot Brewing
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
While half of the duo that owns this taproom is a pilot, the name also comes from the brewery’s small-batch experimental beer. Order the extra crisp and clean Kölsch Me If You Can.
Brewery Pass Bonus: 20% off merchandise
Red Clay Ciderworks
Neighborhood: Lower South End
The Queen City’s first cidery makes gluten-free creations from fresh-pressed North Carolina apples. Attend Drag Bingo on the third Wednesday of every month and watch hijinks ensue with an In the Buff dry cider.
Traust Brewing Company
Area: Mount Holly
Named after the Vikings’ central meeting place, Traust always keeps the metaphorical fire burning so you can meet up with friends and enjoy the Lingøn. This is a lingonberry-smoothie sour ale with marshmallow that can’t be missed.
Triple C Brewing Company
Neighborhood: South End
Triple C is the oldest brewery in South End, offering beer, wine, cider and even wood-fired pizza from an on-site truck. From soul to indie rock, the brewery regularly hosts concerts that are best watched with a cereal-inspired Cinnamon Honey Crunch brown ale in hand.
Brewery Pass Bonus: 20% off cheese pizza
Article originally written by Hayden Pigott. Updates by Arielle Patterson in October 2024.
