Charlotte Happenings is your monthly guide to events and things to do in and around Charlotte, NC.
Issue link: http://charlottehappenings.epubxp.com/i/803895
Like most major American cities, Charlotte saw several craft breweries open—and then close—in the 1990s. It wasn't until 2009, when The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery planted its roots, that Charlotte once again had a local brewery to its name. Olde Meck's founder, John Marrino, opened the German-inspired craft beer haven for a couple of reasons: He couldn't find a fresh beer similar to those he enjoyed while working in Germany, and he was awestruck that a city the size of Charlotte didn't have its own brewery. Little did Marrino know, he'd be creating the linchpin for a craft beer scene that has furiously enveloped the city and surrounding communities over the course of eight years. Much has changed since Olde Meck opened its doors. Once surrounded by nondescript industrial buildings, it moved into an 8-acre biergarten in 2015 and is now nestled on a busy block that boasts another brewery (Sugar Creek Brewing Company), a distillery and an adjoining bar (Great Wagon Road Distilling Company and The Broken Spoke) and a cidery (Good Road Ciderworks). Like the South End and NoDa neighborhoods that became social magnets, this area, which is settled just a few miles from South End, has been ordained with hip names that add to its trendsetting allure. "LoSo," for Lower South End, and "Queen City Park" have both gained steam. Whatever you call it, the cozy enclave serves as a microcosm for Charlotte's local suds scene. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery PHOTO BY ERIC GADDY charlottesgotalot.com 41