The Summer Beer Crawl

Most of Charlotte’s breweries live in two neighborhoods: NoDa and South End. Each brewery has its own style, from the design of the building to the beer produced within. Follow this what-to-drink-now guide to the (local) beverage of the season.

SOUTH END

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Copper has been a staple since 2009, but you’re missing out if you skip the Southside Weiss. This wheat ale has the zing of lemon zest and goes down smoothly. Stop by this month to toast Olde Meck, which is moving to a larger location July 19. 4150 Yancey Rd., oldemeckbrew.com

Triple C Brewing Company’s Coming in Hops is a chance to let your palate loose. This imperial IPA was brewed with a heavy amount of Citra, Centennial, and Amarillo hops and then barrel aged. It has the makings of being Triple C’s best beer yet. 2900 Griffith St., triplecbrewing.com

Session ales have become all the rage in the craft beer community of late, and The Unknown Brewing Co. has a great one in Pre-Game. This beer may have a full body and taste, but the hops are light, allowing for great drinkability. And the 32-ounce “bullet” growlers that Unknown sells are great for tailgating. 1327 S. Mint St., unknownbrewing.com

Lenny Boy Brewing Co. started out solely brewing kombucha, added wild ale, and has since become the state's only certified organic microbrewery. Creativity shines through in many of its new beers, but opt for De La Wit, a witbier brewed with orange peel and coriander. Refreshing doesn’t begin to describe it. 2224 Hawkins St., discoverlennyboy.com

Soon after Olde Mecklenburg moves into its new spot, Sugar Creek Brewing Company will open in OMB’s current location. Sugar Creek will be Charlotte’s first Belgian-inspired craft brewery. Think Dubbel, Saison, and Lambic as potential offerings. 215 Southside Dr., sugarcreekbrewing.com

Sycamore Brewing likely won’t be ready until August or September, but local craft fans are already in high anticipation. Sycamore’s Porch Swing Bourbon Pecan Porter stole the show at Brawley’s Black and Blue this spring; one can only hope that brew is among the 16 taps when the brewery opens its doors. 2161 Hawkins St., sycamorebrew.com

NODA

Although known nationally for its Hop, Drop ‘N Roll—which won the gold medal for American-style IPA in the 2014 World Beer Cup—NoDa Brewing Company’s go-to beer for summer is NoDajito. Infused with mint leaves and lime zest, this witbier provides a great escape from those 90-degree days. 2229 N. Davidson St., nodabrewing.com

Red House Wheat, Birdsong Brewing Company’s summer seasonal, includes hints of cherries and plums. But it's hard to pass up a pint of Jalapeño Pale Ale. Birdsong adds just the right amount of fresh jalapeños, resulting in a surprisingly crisp finish. 2315 N. Davidson St., birdsongbrewing.com

Heist Brewery changed its entire beer menu in March, and the results are impressive. Mussels From Brussels is a must try; it’s a smooth Belgian pale ale that gives off a hint of sweetness and zest thanks to Belgian yeast. 2909 N. Davidson St., #200, heistbrewery.com

Free Range Brewing, scheduled to open later this year, will be the neighborhood's newest brewery, completing so-called “Brewer’s Alley.” Expectations are high for Free Range, which has taken back-to-back N.C. Brewer of the Year honors at the North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival. Beers at recent festivals included Hop to My Heart My Darling IPA and Abbie Was Stout. 2320 N. Davidson St., freerangebrewing.com