If you have been following my blog post for the last couple of weeks you know that this is the next part and the last part about my trip down to North Carolina in the Summer of 2019. If you have not read the first two parts of the trip you can find them at
and
OK, now that you are caught up, I will chat about the 3rd day down there, which was also the last. We were flying out later in the afternoon so we had to find things to do to kill time. My wife insisted on bringing me over to Heist Brewery over in Charlotte, North Carolina then over to Wooden Robot Brewery’s The Chamber also in Charlotte, we also visited The Pump House Biergarden at The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.
My wife really wanted to bring me to Heist Brewery, but it was not open until later in the morning, so we ended up kayaking on Lake Norman in the morning, which resulted in me getting soaking wet and looking like I peed myself for the first part of the day. Of course, I had no where to change before we arrived at Heist Brewery, so there I was scrambling to change my soaking wet pants in the car. You I was not happy. After I changed, we took a couple seats at the bar in the front. My wife wanted to go here because she had seen it featured on a show on TV. I suppose that is a good reason for wanting to go.
It was a nice place, big place too. Bigger seating area than I thought when I walked in. Staff was friendly and prompt, no complaints there at all. We ordered lunch and some flights to try out. I unfortunately do not recall any beer that stood out while I was there, but I do remember they were all solid brews, no bad ones to speak of. After our quick lunch and beers there, we made our way to our next stop to kill time before our flight. As with all the other breweries I talk about, here is the contact info and the beers I tried below. Give then a try when you are in Charlotte for sure, a solid place to visit.
2909 N Davidson St #200, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 375-8260
Rideshare Contraband-India Pale Lager-4
Hive Fives-Blonde Ale-4
Blackberry Bake Shop-Berliner Weisse-4
Blurred Is The Word-New England IPA-4.25
Draw Four (Mosaic, Azacca, Amarillo, Cascade)-New England IPA-3.5
Bonheur Du Jour-Farmhouse/Saison Ale-3.75
Next we head over to the U.S. National Whitewater Center on the out skirts of Charlotte. Now I know what you are thinking, what the hell are you doing at a place like this for a beer venture. The truth is we were just killing time and thought it would be cool to visit, turns out they have a decent craft beer selection for the spectators and visitors. So I grabbed a pint and sat down to watch people practice white water rafting. It was actually a lot of fun. Mostly because it was different. I enjoyed a beer from Foothills Brewing called Craft Happiness Project Nautical Hazy IPA. It was OK, no complaints. If you get a chance go check the place out, and give the Pump House Biergarden a try! Contact info below.
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
(704) 391-3900
So after we killed to little time at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, we did visit a market in downtown Charlotte, then once we knew that Wooden Robot Brewery’s The Chamber was open we started that way. We got there a few minutes early, so we were one of the first thru the door. Now I like to keep my reviews honest, while trying to see the positive. Keep in mind too, we all have our own taste. So with that being said let’s talk about Wooden Robot Brewery’s The Chamber.
This brewery was recommended to us by one of our friends, this is their second location, the original location is else where in Charlotte and we did not go there this trip. This is set conveniently right off of several main roads and has a commuter rail right next door, so it’s very accessible. Inside was a clean seating area with an industrial feel to it, some of the production was visible and was clean as well. Upstairs they feature a roof top seating area over looking parts of the city. It was a cool atmosphere. This was one of those instances where my hobbies sort of collided. I could sit and watch the trains go by (which I did) while I drink some craft beer. I liked that part.
Staff was fine, no complaints there at all. No food at this location, which again is fine, nothing wrong with that at all.
The beer, well the beer. I did have one that I did like. It was the Razz Hands and the Good Morning Vietnam wasn’t terrible either. After that, the beer was in my opinion, not so great. One of them was a Cabernet Barrel Aged Sour, definitely was not a fan of it. It actually made me a little nauseous. Again I must point out that we all have our own taste and preferences. For me anything aged in Red Wine of any type is not going to be good to me. But I also will try anything once. The other beers just simply did not stand out for me. Again just my opinion and I do want to be respectful here because there was time and work put into the beer, so I still respect the beer, I just don’t like myself. I am sure others feel differently.
With that being said, my experience was not terrible there by any means. In fact I would give them a try again, perhaps at the original location next time to really get a full perspective on the beer they offer. I also would encourage you to give them a try for yourself, perhaps you will like the beers I did not like. So I included the usual contact information below and the beers I have tried from them.
416 E 36th St #100 Charlotte, NC 28205
https://woodenrobotbrewery.com/
After a long day of activities and well….a long but fun filled few days of breweries, beer, good food, good friends, and great places we visited, it was time to catch our flight home to New England. I hope that you have enjoyed my reviews and these three blogs on my trip in July of 2019 down to the Charlotte and Lake Normal Areas of North Carolina! Thanks for reading and remember to go have an adventure, go try new things, and please drink responsibly!!
