Going Primal at Huntersville’s new brewery and taproom
If you drive down Old Statesville Road on a nice Friday or Saturday, you could easily miss Primal Brewery. With its unassuming exterior, you wouldn’t expect much from this new craft beer hub (just opened Dec. 26).
But if you look closely, chances are you’ll see groups of local beer lovers packed into picnic tables, grabbing food hot off the grill. There’s also a good chance you’ll run into co-owners David Hoy and Ray Steimel, who met seven years ago when Ray coached David’s daughter in soccer.
Once you step inside, a few things stand out:
(1) No TVs: This is not a sports bar. Instead of TVs, the walls are decorated with local art, apart from a wall lined in reclaimed wood from a 100 year-old Huntersville barn from East of Eden (soon to be the name of a new brew).
Hoy wants the taproom to be more of a gathering spot. “It’s really about bringing the community together.”
(2) The Beer: Some breweries go a bit experimental in flavor, but you you won’t find anything particularly crazy on Primal’s beer list — and that’s on purpose, with only 13 recipes in the mix.
Hoy and Steimel originally started as homebrewers. They say they don’t want to overdo the beer, and are diligent in brewing to the middle of the road.Hence the name, Primal.
(3) Logo and Tap Handles: Primal’s logo channels Scotland, a nod to Huntersville’s roots. By the way, both owners live in Huntersville – hometown boys.
(4) The People: When I visited Primal, I went by myself — and remarkably it wasn’t awkward at all. Everyone was friendly. Don’t be surprised if someone strikes up a conversation or wants to play a game of Shut the Box (it’s rather addicting). There are regulars already, and people remember your name. The owners will even (reluctantly) tell your their favorite beer on tap:
David: Devil’s Gas Pumpernickel-rye IPA
Ray: Grimm Creeper Imperial IPA
Me: Obsidian Lager
(5) Wine: The taproom also offers selections of white and red wines. You no longer need to alienate your non-beer friends when you want to try a new brewery. Primal Brewery is an all-inclusive experience.
Details
Taproom is open Fridays and Saturdays from noon-10 p.m. You can try out Primal’s brews at a tap takeover at the Kilted Buffalo-Langtree on March 26 or at the North Carolina Brewer’s and Music Festival at Rural Hill on May 8-9.
Photos by Katie Coleman. In the flights, the beers are from left to right: Devi’s Gas Pumpernickel-Rye IPA, Obsidian Lager, Primalfest Marzen, Hazelnut Stout, and Primal Pale Ale.
This story was originally published March 26, 2015 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Going Primal at Huntersville’s new brewery and taproom."