Give 5 "Cheers!" to Charlotte Craft Beer during NC Beer Month in April
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 3, 2018) – The Queen City’s craft beer scene is "lager" than life, and we've got the stats to prove it. Charlotte's craft beer community has continued to multiply to nearly 50 breweries in the region with 20 currently under construction or in planning. Notable favorites like The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery continually brings home accolades including the 2017 European Beer Star gold medal and has announced a major expansion to a second brewery outside Charlotte in Cornelius, North Carolina. This month, Charlotte salutes the brewery pioneers who blazed our local craft beer trail and welcomes the newcomers who have arrived just in time for the sixth annual NC Beer Month.
In addition to social media giveaway opportunities for fans who use #cltontap during the month, below are five ways locals and visitors can experience Charlotte's growing craft beer culture.
1. Local Craft Beer Tastings at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
For the second year, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) is partnering with HMSHost at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to offer local craft beer tastings throughout the month of April to travelers ages 21 and over. On Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m., three tasting stations will be set up in the airport at 1897 Market in the airport’s Atrium, which is located just before the A/B Concourse area, at Whisky River at Concourse E and at Carolina Beer Co. at Concourse D. Travelers will be notified via signage throughout the airport directing them to the tasting stations and will have the opportunity to take home giveaways like T-shirts, pint glasses and more. They will also be invited to enter the Ultimate Craft Beer Weekend sweepstakes for the chance to win a beer-themed trip back to Charlotte.
| Location | Friday, April 6 2-6 p.m. | Friday, April 13 2-6 p.m. | Friday, April 20 2-6 p.m. | Friday, April 27 2-6 p.m. |
| 1897 Market (Main Concourse) | Birdsong Brewing Co. | Birdsong Brewing Co. | NoDa Brewing Company | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery |
| Whisky River (Concourse E) | Sugar Creek Brewing Company | NoDa Brewing Company | The Unknown Brewing Co. | The Unknown Brewing Co. |
| Carolina Beer Co. (Concourse D) | The Unknown Brewing Co. | Sugar Creek Brewing Company | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery | NoDa Brewing Company |
2. CLT Clash of the Crafts
For the third year in a row, a March Madness-style bracket will seek to crown a winner that recognizes the Queen City’s most popular locally brewed beer. CLT Clash of the Crafts kicks off Wednesday, April 4, and a winner will be announced on Monday, April 30. Beer enthusiasts can vote for their favorite Hoppy, Malt/Roast, Crisp and Funky/Fruity brew selections. Visit cltontap.com to cast votes for the CLT Clash of the Crafts contenders and see below for the upcoming voting schedule:
| April 4-9 | Half Growler 32 Voting |
| April 10-15 | Sweet 16 oz. Voting |
| April 17-21 | Tailgate Eight Voting |
| April 23-26 | Final Four Pours Voting |
| April 27-29 | CLT Clash of the Crafts Championship Voting |
| April 30 | 2018 CLT Clash of the Crafts Champion Announced |
3. Ultimate Craft Beer Weekend Sweepstakes In celebration of NC Beer Month in Charlotte, the CRVA is giving away an Ultimate Craft Beer Weekend for one lucky winner and his or her guest. The sweepstakes is open until Monday, April 30 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. One winner will be selected at random to receive the prize, which includes:
- Complimentary two-night stay at an Uptown hotel
- Queen City Rides: Brewery tour for two
- Fitzgerald's Irish Pub: $50 gift card
- Birdsong Brewing Co.: Brewery tour and tasting for two and $30 gift card
- NoDa Brewing Company: $50 gift card
- Heist Brewery: Gift basket and $25 gift card
- GoodRoad Ciderworks: Tour and tasting for up to four people
- $50 Visa gas card
4. Hoppy Happenings
Throughout April, Charlotte will be hopping with events that showcase the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene. Release parties, beer dinners, festivals, tastings and more will fill the city’s calendar, showcasing a penchant for pints. Notable events include:
| March 30- April 8 | Multiple Locations | |
| April 7 | South End | |
| April 15 | The Fillmore Charlotte | |
| April 19-22 | U.S. National Whitewater Center | |
| April 21 | Uptown | |
| April 28 | AvidXchange Music Factory |
Find a full list of beer-related events in April at here.
5. Social Tap Takeovers As part of NC Beer Month, Charlotte breweries will take over the ‘Charlotte’s got a lot’ Instagram and/or Twitter accounts throughout the month, giving ‘Charlotte’s got a lot’ followers an insider’s view of each brewery and its events. Be sure to follow @charlottesgotalot on Instagram and @charlottgotalot on Twitter for a behind-the-scenes look at the following breweries:
- Birdsong Brewing Co.: twitter.com/birdsongbrewing; instagram.com/birdsongbrewing
- Catawba Brewing Co.: twitter.com/catawbabeer; instagram.com/catawbabeer
- Charlotte Brews Cruise: twitter.com/cltbrewscruise; instagram.com/cltbrewscruise
- Charlotte Brewery Tours: twitter.com/cltbrewerytours;instagram.com/cltbrewerytours
- GoodRoad CiderWorks: twitter.com/goodroadcider; instagram.com/goodroadcider
- Legion Brewing Company: twitter.com/legionbrewing; instagram.com/legionbrewing
- Lenny Boy Brewing Co.: twitter.com/lennyboybrew; instagram.com/lennyboybrewingco
- NoDa Brewing Company: twitter.com/nodabrewing; instagram.com/nodabrewing
- Sugar Creek Brewing Company: twitter.com/sugarcreekbrew; instagram.com/sugarcreekbrewing
- Sycamore Brewing: twitter.com/sycamorebrewing;instagram.com/sycamorebrewing
- The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: twitter.com/oldemeckbrew; instagram.com/oldemeckbrew
- The Unknown Brewing Co.: twitter.com/unknownbrewing; instagram.com/unknownbrewing
Request for access to high-resolution photos is available here.
With so much to do, see and sip, there is no better time to explore Charlotte. For more information on events, attractions, hotels, dining and more, visit cltontap.com or call the Visitor Info Center at 800-231-4636.
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand. For more information, visit charlottesgotalot.com.