What’s In A Name: Charlotte Craft Brewers Tell All

In the Queen City, craft brewing is an art form. Look no further than the names of these local Charlotte breweries—and their brewers’ inspiration—for insight into the quirky approaches that led to celebrated results.

Legion Brewing Company

Make a quick study of the company’s logo and you’ll learn something about how Legion Brewing Company got its name. Two arrows crossed at the center pay homage to Native American tribes who used this symbol to represent the union of two clans. In short, it symbolizes friendship. Sharing good beer with good friends is the simple culture lived daily at this Plaza Midwood neighborhood staple known for its trivia nights, open-air feel, live music and, of course, Juicy Jay East Coast IPA.

Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Named after Lennox, the rescue dog of owner and native Charlottean Townes Mozer, Lenny Boy Brewing Co. opened in 2011 producing non-alcoholic kombucha. By 2012, Lenny Boy had its first storefront in the historic South End district. By 2013, the dog-friendly brewery became the only certified organic kombucha producer in the southeast. Now, with offerings that include organic and gluten-reduced brews (opt for the Life in the South lager), the popular spot among Charlotte breweries is also host to weekly art shows, yoga classes and a running club.

NoDa Brewing Company

At NoDa, make sure to try the signature Hop, Drop ’n Roll. Photo Credit: @nodabrewing

Founded by partners Todd and Suzie Ford, NoDa Brewing Company gets its name directly from its original location in Charlotte’s artsy “NoDa,” or North Davidson, district. “It felt like home,” says Suzie. “NoDa is the arts hub of the city, and we believe brewing is an art, so what better location and name for a brewery?”

If you’re visiting NoDa, don’t pass up the chance to sample Hop, Drop ’N Roll, Todd’s original homebrew recipe and the 2014 World Beer Cup Gold Award Winner for American-Style IPA. Stopping through on a Tuesday? Ask one of the friendly bar staff about the “NoDable Series,” a creative concoction rolled out by the brew master each week.

Wooden Robot Brewery

Founded by a pair of middle school besties, Wooden Robot Brewery unites two seemingly contrasting elements, says President and Head Brewer Dan Wade. “The wood represents the brewing tradition that inspires us: high-quality ingredients, expressive yeast strains and extended aging in oak barrels. The robot represents innovation: the unique, creative beers that we craft using these traditional methods and ingredients.” The inventive Good Morning Vietnam—a vanilla coffee blonde ale made with locally roasted Ethiopian coffee from Enderly Coffee Roasters and Madagascar vanilla beans—is worth a try.

Birdsong Brewing Co.

Birdsong Brewing Co. serves up a variety of year-round beers, seasonal specialties, limited releases and barrel-aged beers. Photo Credit: @birdsongbrewing

Chris Goulet, principal owner of Birdsong Brewing Co., recounts a 2010 research trip when three of the brewery’s founders (Chris and Tara Goulet and head brewer Conor Robinson) road tripped to nearby Asheville to learn about two things: beer and the ale business. The goal? Visit eight breweries in a day, and find someone at each brewery from whom they could learn. After much success, they settled in at a hostel near the last stop.

During the night—his head swirling with new information about breweries—Chris thought he heard a bird trapped in the room. When he got up and opened every window to free the bird, he discovered a snoring Conor. At that moment, Birdsong was coined. Offering five year-round favorites—Higher Ground, Lazy Bird Brown Ale, Jalapeño Pale Ale, Paradise City Session IPA and Free Will Pale Ale—plus weekly, small-batch releases, today Birdsong is anything but tired among Charlotte breweries.

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