breweries Archives - Handmade NC

#CLTBeer — Staying Local with Great Beer

Great beer under Carolina blue skies is right up our alley over here at Handmade NC, and we want to talk more about great North Carolina beer. In 2009, the beer scene in Charlotte was limited to big brands with little imagination. That changed when John Marrino opened Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in 2009, leading what was to become a booming business across the Charlotte region. North Carolina now has more craft breweries than any other state in the South.

Ilina and I both enjoy a good beer and love that craft beer is a seasonal affair. We go from saisons in the spring to summery IPAs, Oktoberfests in the fall, and round our palette out with stouts and porters in winter. When I’m looking for a new beer to try, I personally head over to my favorite Charlotte purveyor, Brawley’s Beverage on Park Road.

Just how many breweries does Charlotte have? To be quite honest, I’ve lost count. But Charlotte’s Got A Lot has a list of all the breweries in the Charlotte metro area, as well as breweries that will be opening soon. Each one of the breweries are unique, all bringing their own style to the Charlotte beer scene.

To celebrate North Carolina’s Brewconomy and the Charlotte craft beer scene, we are going to give away a fun package from Charlotte’s Got A Lot, the official travel and tourism resource of the Charlotte metro area. Entrants must be 21 and over to enter and live in North Carolina.

What’s in the Box?

Lenny Boy Brewing Co. Kombucha

Birdsong Brewing Co. Growler

Smoked Amber Triple C Beer Soap

Lenny Boy Brewing Co. tap handle

Beer of the Carolinas book by Daniel Hartiss

Sycamore Brewing T-shirt (size Large)

Do you want to learn more about the Charlotte Craft Beer Scene? Click here to go to the landing page over at Charlotte’s Got A Lot. There you’ll find out more information about Charlotte breweries, beer and bottle shops, festivals, and beer tours.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Brewconomy Film on Tap to Showcase NC’s Beer Economy

Beer tourism is a thing. People flock to North Carolina for its beer. We are lucky to have a zillion breweries within arm’s reach. Hyperbole aside, there are breweries every which way you turn. And here’s the thing, quality abounds. This is not basement brewed swill I’m talking about.

The beer industry in our state is blossoming. It’s not just about getting hopped up on cans of cold beer at a backyard shindig. Beer is contributing to North Carolina’s economy in profound ways. The documentary film Brewconomy, to be released later this year, tells the story of craft brew and its impact on our state.

“Through the voices of brewers, community leaders, government officials, scientists, farmers, business owners and others, Brewconomy tells the story of craft brewing’s affect on agriculture, community, and economy. These effects include providing jobs, increasing tax revenue, strengthening community ties, encouraging agricultural innovation and production, and generally improving the overall state economy.”

Filmmaker Camden Watts Roessler is a friend of mine and guest posted about this film venture on Dirt & Noise when the idea was in Kickstarter incubation. It’s been an incredible journey to watch unfold as Camden and her team took this rice grain sized idea and turned it into a film. Camden is a driven, creative spirit who sees a story where some might see none. From the first time I ever met her I knew she’s the kind of whip smart gal I’d like to enjoy a beer with.

Head to your favorite bottle shop to pick up a mix of North Carolina beers. Sit back and watch Brewconomy with an extra dose of satisfaction that you are helping our state’s economy. Let’s support both independent craft breweries and independent film makers! Share this trailer and help the film make its way to your community. Brewconomy will run first in the Triangle and make its way across the state with our help.

So tell me, what are you drinking these days?

I’ll start. I’m a fan of Trophy Brewing. It doesn’t hurt that I can walk there.

Camden tells me she’s enjoying Raleigh Brewing, Trophy, Crank Arm, Fullsteam. Her partner Shane Johnston is indulging in Raleigh Brewing, Nickelpoint, Fullsteam, and Crank Arm. You should know that Shane’s Ignite talk about craft beer’s impact on North Carolina’s economy sparked this film. I was at that talk and I think about it every time I buy an NC brew. Cheers to all the great things brewing in North Carolina!