National Beer Day? Yes, it’s a thing (unofficial of course). More importantly, it’s the perfect excuse to check out some of Charlotte’s own local brews, especially the seasonal ones only around for spring, however short that season may be down here in the South (we’re already in the 80s this week).
The semi-legit holiday came about to celebrate the end of Prohibition, which went into effect on April 7, 1933 as a result of Roosevelt signing the Cullen-Harrison Act. Before the act, people had gone 12 years without a legal drop of booze. Talk about withdrawals. The new act allowed people to sell and drink beer less than 4 percent ABV (certainly not the case these days). 1.5 million barrels of beer were thrown back on that historical day.
Here’s a quick list of local brews to satiate your palate.
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is serving up a spring brew called Fruh Bock, fruh being short for the German word fruehling, meaning spring. This particular brew is “malty sweet with a touch of fruity, almost citrusy notes that linger on the palate,” according the brewery’s website. Beware, though. This adult beverage boasts a rather high alcohol content. Throw one too many back and you might have more to deal with than your average pollen-induced allergy.
NoDa Brewing Company has its own seasonal treat, too. The Ghost Hop is a white IPA boasting the hops of your typical IPA, but is gently fermented with Belgian Wit yeast. The brewery itself calls the brew “an American-Belgian love child.”
Birdsong Brewing Co., which just opened a new facility in the Queen City, has a few spring brews. One in particular is its EP Single Hop Pale Ale. It’s the first in their Single Hop series and features a mosaic hop variety. The ale boasts tropical scents like grapefruit and papaya with a subtle toasty, berry undertone.
Heist Brewery is serving up a Spring Swing saison brew, “a hoppy saison,” according to the website. Basically, Heist took a traditional saison and infused it with some American hops to produce a slightly tart, lighter beer perfect to ring in warmer weather.
Lenny Boy Brewing Co., Charlotte’s only organic brewing company, features the De La Wit brew, a Belgian Witbier. It boasts a bready malt background (thanks to all the wheat used to brew it) with orange and coriander flavors to top it off.
Last, but certainly not least, is Triple C Brewing Company‘s Zest-a-peel. This brew is a German Bohemian Pilsner, complete with a traditional lager malt character paired with a sweet citrus aroma from orange peel and cascade hops. In a quick Facebook conversation, Triple C had me wanting to try this easy-to-drink brew.
But even if you don’t make it out for a few pints on this celebratory Tuesday, we all know there are plenty of reasons, like finishing another workday, to try a new beer or throw back a few of your favorites.
This article appears in Apr 1-7, 2015.
