Tasting North Carolina Beers

Beers from some of the breweries pouring at the North Carolina Brewers Celebration in Charlotte on June 27. (Photo by Daniel Bradford)

On June 27, All About Beer Magazine will host the North Carolina Brewers Celebration in Charlotte. The festival is a showcase of North Carolina’s finest breweries, specialty beer bars, hop and grain farmers and more. In the weeks leading up to the festival, we’re posting tasting notes on beers from breweries attending.

Lenny Boy Burn Down Brown

Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Charlotte, North Carolina

5% | Brown Ale

From the only certified organic brewery in North Carolina, this ale pours a dark brown. Look closely and you will find deep garnet highlights and some suspended floaties. Passing this one by our nose, cocoa powder and pralines are dominant. With some added chocolate and a creamy mouthfeel this is a straightforward brown ale that is very well made.

Availability: Charlotte

D9 Viking Fraoch

D9 Brewing C0.

Cornelius, North Carolina

5% | Scottish Sour Ale

Not having a clue what to expect out of this style, we dive in head first. A pungent nose of vinegar, sweet smoke and sour cherry pour off of this muddied, deep orange sour. It was quite tart, reminding more than one of us primarily of green apple candy but with a hint of peach and tobacco. A great beer that we want to try along side a plate of North Carolina BBQ.

Availability: Charlotte

Check Six Harley Pope Imperial Porter

Check Six Brewing Co.

Southport, North Carolina

10.2% | Imperial Porter

This beer has all the makings of desert in a glass—a dangerous desert at over 10%. A soft nose of milk chocolate and marshmallow fluff takes you back to your childhood. The milk chocolate transitions to some darker chocolate, fresh vanilla bean and cream soda. Surprisingly enough this creamy ale finished with a moderate dryness and we just couldn’t stop sipping. Enjoy but beware!

Availability: Greater Wilmington

These beers were tasted by Chris Rice, Daniel Bradford, Dylan Stroupe and Adam Harold. Click here to learn more about the North Carolina Brewers Celebration. 

Read tasting notes on beers from the Triangle and Western North Carolina.