There’s a different way to explore Charlotte’s brewery scene — and save money, too.
Each of Charlotte’s many breweries have their own creative vibe, but it can be difficult to visit all of them without putting a dent in your wallet.
Explore Charlotte Marketplace has found a cheaper way to explore the city’s brewery scene without spending the equivalent of two limited edition Pokemon cards and your right forearm.
The Charlotte Brew Badge is an electronic badge that will help locals and visitors alike explore what Charlotte’s brewery scene has to offer.
Don’t worry, it’s not an app.
How to get a badge
You can buy a 24-hour badge for $26.95 or a 72-hour badge for $42.95, which will get you access to deals at any of the participating breweries. The 24-hour pass will work for up to four breweries, and the 72-hour pass will work for all participating breweries.
You will receive a text message or email containing your pass. Just present the pass to a staff member at one of the participating breweries. Each participating brewery offers a $10 voucher when you use the badge. Some of the breweries on the list offer additional discounts, such as 10% off merchandise and 20% off pizza.
“It kind of works as a mobile passport,” said Kelly Greenfield of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. “It offers up the ability to mix up what you’re experiencing in terms of breweries and the brew scene in Charlotte.”
Participating breweries
There are currently 9 participating breweries. Here are the discounts they offer:
Blue Blaze Brewing
Location: 528 S Turner Ave, Charlotte, NC, 28208
Neighborhood: Smallwood
Discounts: $10 voucher
Blue Blaze Brewing is a small, family-owned brewery that offers hand-crafted beer, including Blue Blaze Altbier, Black Blaze Milk Stout and Carolina Thread Trail Pale Ale. It is about a mile from Uptown and is the first brewery located in the city’s West End.
Divine Barrel Brewing
Location: 3701 N. Davidson St. – Suite #203, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: NoDa
Discounts: $10 voucher and 10% off merchandise
Divine Barrel Brewing is nestled in NoDa, the city’s vibrant arts district, and serves craft beers including Carolina Cobbler Peach, Cadillac Rainbows and Defensive French Toast.
Free Range Brewing and Free Range BAR at Camp North End
Location: Camp North End, 301 Camp Rd Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28206
Neighborhood: Druid Hills South
Location: 2320 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Villa Heights
Discounts: $10 voucher
Since 2015, Free Range Brewing has been making creative beers and fostering strong relationships with the community. Meet some of the locals while sipping on My Heart and Soul, Taaza Walla, and Susie, Was a Real Peach.
Free Range BAR in Camp North End, an extension of the brewery, is also included as one of the participating breweries. You can explore some of Charlotte’s most creative local businesses after sipping on locally made beers like Camp Beer, Cream of the Crop and Therapy Session.
Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Location: 3000 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28217
Neighborhood: South End
Discounts: $10 voucher
Since 2011, Lenny Boy Brewing Co. has been creating non-alcoholic kombucha, and it started serving beer in 2013 when it became a licensed microbrewery. Try the Creature of Habit, Send It and Booty Call.
NoDa Brewing Company
Location: 2229 N. Davidson St. Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: NoDa
Location: 2921 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28206
Neighborhood: North End
Location: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy, Concourse A North Near Gate A29, Charlotte, NC 28208
Neighborhood: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
Discounts: $10 voucher
NoDa Brewing Company has four locations in North Carolina, and three of them are in Charlotte if you count the one at the airport. The brewery has had multiple beers win awards like Hop Drop ‘N Roll — it won gold at the 2014 World Beer Cup — Gordgeous — it won gold at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival — and Cavu — it won bronze at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival.
Pilot Brewing Company
Location: 1331 Central Ave., Ste 104, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Discounts: $10 Voucher and 20% off merchandise
Pilot Brewing is a local brewery created by Rachel Hudson and her husband Jeff, a professional pilot and homebrewer. The brewery made Top 10 at the U.S. Open Beer Championship and was the only brewery in North Carolina to make the list. Try some of its aviation-themed beers like Birds of Flight, Island Hopper and Layover In Hanover.
Suffolk Punch Brewing
Location: 2911 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Southside Park/South End
Discounts: $10 voucher
Suffolk Punch Brewing is a jack of all trades that houses a brewery, culinary cafe, taphouse and coffee bar. Try one of the specialty beers like A Patchwork Orange, Hyde in the Haze and Blue Daisy. If you’re not big on beer, try something from its coffee bar like Purple Rain — blue matcha, club soda, lemon juice, hibiscus syrup and simple syrup served over ice — a latte — with add-on flavors like vanilla, chocolate or cinnamon rose — and a Nitro Cold Brew — served iced.
Traust Brewing
Location: 128 S Main St. Mount Holly, NC 28120
Neighborhood: Mount Holly
Discounts: $10 voucher
Traust Brewing offers beers with rustic flavors inspired by Scandinavia like Headless Rydr, Arrøs and Musikka. Don’t limit yourself to just beer and try some of the food offered at the brewery like Loki’s Pretzel — served with beer cheese and stone ground honey mustard — Pork Sammie — topped with housemade coleslaw on a potato bun — and Pork Belly Fried Rice.
Triple C Brewing Company
Location: 2900 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Southside Park/South End
Discounts: $10 voucher and 20% off cheese pizza
Triple C Brewing Company not only serves beer, but it also has the second best burgers in Charlotte, courtesy of Izzy’s. Wash down a burger from Izzy’s with a cold beer like Decade of Evolution, Neon Lights and River Tube.
