Charlotte Sips and Celebrates at the NC Brewers Cup
Charlotte, North Carolina, is buzzing with excitement as the craft beer scene here continues to grow in leaps and bounds! Just recently, the city basked in the glory of its local brews at the annual NC Brewers Cup. This year marked the competition’s 13th anniversary, and it was nothing short of spectacular. With a whopping 934 entries submitted by 126 independent craft breweries across North Carolina, the NC Brewers Cup officially crowned itself the largest commercial craft beer competition in the Southeast United States.
The event provided a fantastic opportunity for both seasoned beer aficionados and curious newcomers to discover what NC breweries have been brewing up. Championship medals were on the line, and several Charlotte-area breweries shone brightly among the competition, each leaving with a shiny gold medal for their extraordinary offerings. Let’s take a look at the victorious breweries and their award-winning brews.
Rewind Lager Takes the Gold
First up is a standout from Charlotte itself! Rewind, an American-Style Lager brewed at a local favorite, snagged the gold in its category. The team at the brewery expressed their elation, stating, “We’re so honored that Rewind Lager took home gold at the NC Brewers Cup! This beer has been a favorite of ours since we first brewed it!”
Fresh Finds from Concord
Next on the winners’ list is Cabarrus Brewing with their delightful Sew Juicy, a Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale that took home the top prize in its category. The brewery celebrated on social media, thanking their fans for the ongoing support.
Divine Barrel’s Double Win
Divine Barrel, located in Charlotte, made waves by taking home not just one, but two gold medals! Their innovative Beer Flavored Beer won in the American Hybrid Styles category, while their Largesse, a European Sour Ale, dazzled the judges as well. The team shared their excitement on Instagram, saying that they were “humble” to earn recognition for their creativity.
Going Global with Hi-Wire
Meanwhile, Hi-Wire Brewing took home the gold for their Czech Premium Pale Lager. Released just in time for their 11th anniversary, this brew has rich flavors celebrated for subtle spice, herbal notes, and a pleasant maltiness.
Hoptown’s Town Ale Triumphs
Don’t overlook Hoptown Brewing‘s charm. Their Town Ale snagged gold in the British Pale & Bitter Ale category, capturing taste buds with its notes of biscuit and chocolate toffee. The excitement in their message to fans was palpable!
Raspberry and Tropical Flavors Unite
Lenny Boy Brewing charmed judges with their Raspberry Kaleidoscope and Tropicalus, both earning gold medals in their respective categories. Their team raised a toast to all the brewers and patrons, embracing the vibrant brewing community.
NoDa Brewing’s Triple Crown
With a medley of accolades, NoDa Brewing emerged gleaming, clinching gold for their Gordgeous in the Field & Spiced Beers category, alongside silver for Radio Haze Hazy IPA and bronze for Carolina Quencher Tropical Wheat Ale. Their playful spirit shined, enticing locals to savor each of their creations.
Pilots of Brewing Success
Last but certainly not least, Pilot Brewing celebrated their triumph with Beekeeper’s Ale, which bagged gold in the American Pale Ale category. Their other brews also garnered attention, winning bronze and silver in different categories.
Celebrating Community and Craftsmanship
As the craft beer scene in Charlotte grows, events like the NC Brewers Cup shine a spotlight on the creativity and dedication that our local breweries bring to the table. So next time you’re out and about in the Queen City, be sure to support our local breweries and try some of these incredible award-winning beers. Cheers to great brews and even better times ahead!
