Bulldog Beer & Wine is like the coffee shop on Friends, but with beer
It’s simple, but I love it. Feels neighborhoody and I dig that. I’ve been there several times and it’s kind of a hidden gem in my opinion. Every time I go, I don’t want to leave. It’s part wine shop, part beer shop, and part bar. I sat down with Bulldog Beer & Wine’s owner, Rob, to chat. First, a map.
Here are 6 things you should know about Bulldog:
(1) Rob, the owner, was born and raised in Charlotte. Went to East Meck High School and has owned a house in the Dilworth neighborhood since 1997. He had a successful career in commercial real estate, but then in 2008, he decided – “I’m done with it.” Corporate life wasn’t for him. He bought some land with his brother and moved to Boone.
(2) The inside reminds me of the coffee shop on Friends – Central Perk.
(3) Top sellers at the store? IPAs. Top selling draft beer? Triple C’s 3C IPA. I had it. Delightful. Washed it down with Heavy Seas’ Small Craft Warning Pilsner.
(4) The first Bulldog Beer & Wine was in Boone. Rob thought: “People like craft beer. Chicks like wine. I have bulldogs.” Top seller at his Boone store was PBR (college town). Rob has 4 bulldogs – Winston and Dixie (mom & dad) and their kiddos, Buster and Elvis. It’s dog friendly, but there are rules.
(5) They use the hashtag #beerporn on twitter for hard to get, delicious beers that hit the shop. This made me chuckle.
Big bottles of @DuClawBrewing Retribution are in da house @CraftBeer_Jrnl @DrinkCraftBeer @CheersCLT #beerporn #750’s pic.twitter.com/i9ezkZUp08
— Bulldog Beer & Wine (@bulldogbeerwine) February 11, 2015
(6) Don’t be fooled my Rob’s gruff, beer-loving appearance. He’s a sharp businessman. Has an accounting degree. I’m watching what he does next in terms of expansion. He’s at the store Wednesday – Saturday. When you see him, tell him I said “hi.” The busiest times are Food Truck Thursday (6pm-9pm), Friday evenings and all day Saturday.
Photo: Google Maps
This story was originally published February 17, 2015 at 1:15 AM with the headline "Bulldog Beer & Wine is like the coffee shop on Friends, but with beer."