What better way to beat the heat than to grab a cold beer and relax? Here in Lake Norman, we have a few breweries that will get the job done. From seasonal to year-round drinks, we have compiled a list of places in the area that offer great drink options that will cool you down!
Ass Clown Brewing Company
10620 Bailey Rd, Cornelius
With over 200+ recipes, 31 rotating taps, and 65+ places to buy, Ass Clown Brewing Company is the place to be. They specialize in bold and unique flavors with ingredients such as boysenberries and ghost chilies.
Ass Clown Brewing Company
For summertime drinks, we recommend checking out “Under A Sombrero” a zested lager with lime zest to give a nice lime nose and taste to make you feel like you are on a beach with this summer lager. For something nice and hazy to drink, consider “Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Fun,” a hazy IPA with notes of apricot, red grapefruit, orange, candied fruit, cherry and pineapple. Check out Ass Clown's newest beer, "IPA 5:55", this tropical brew is perfect for the summer with a hazy IPA Double Dry Hopped with Nelson and 1320, and massive nose of mango, papaya and pineapple. If you are in need of a nice IPA that is easy to drink and not too bitter be sure to check out the "Orange Citrus IPA". This Staple of Ass Clown is brewed with orange peel and Double Dry Hopped with Citra. For pet-owners, they offer dog-friendly patio seating that will be great for your furry friends!
D9 Brewing Company
11138 Treynorth Dr, Cornelius
With a passion for science and community of craft beers, D9 brewing has won multiple prestigious medals in the sour beer categories. D9 has 3 micro-breweries, 1 production brewery, and 1 distribution center that makes them one of the largest breweries in the Charlotte area. D9 also hosts events like "Rig Fest for Cool Kids" on July 23rd which is a charity event to support children fighting cancer. Whether you are coming for an event or just a summer evening, D9 definitely has you covered.
Splashed with tangerines and waves of pineapple, mango and stone fruit hops, “Swell Rider” will keep you refreshed throughout the day. For something more balanced and less bitter, “Hakuna Matata” offers hints of mandarin orange, pineapple, grapefruit, and elderflower. If you want something refreshing and light, “Oh Be Hazy” is made with Calypso and Bravo hops to make it a great option for the lake. For a more relaxing drink, “Brewer’s Day Off” has a cool crisp taste of cucumber and the sweet mellow splash of melon that will ease you into deep relaxation.
D9 Brewing Company
Eleven Lakes Brewing
10228 Bailey Rd, Cornelius
Eleven Lakes Brewing is on a mission to brew exceptional beer in hopes to bring people together to celebrate life and community. As they began in the summer of 2007, the founder's Jack Lippy and Ray Hutchinson began brewing small batches of beer in Ray’s kitchen. As their experience, volume, and the smell of boiling wort grew, their attention to detail and high-quality standards were frequently shared with lucky neighbors out for a walk on the weekend. After many months of hard work and labor, Eleven Lakes opened doors to the community in 2017.
Eleven Lakes Brewing
With the smooth character of American wheat mixed with the bright taste of raspberries, “Teri’s Berry Ale” is the perfect choice for a hot summer day. The sweet and tart flavor of raspberries in this drink provides a great balance for a refreshing experience. “Orange is the New Pale” is another great summertime choice that offers a generous amount of orange zest married with the citrus flavors of Amarillo and Citra. For a craft beer newcomer, “Sandbar Blonde” is a great option. This golden ale showcases a reserved level of malt and bitter, yet the complexity of flavors keeps this ale solidly grounded in its craft beer roots.
Primal Brewery
16432 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville
Great food, great beer, and a great time. Primal Brewery offers beer styles that appeal to both first-timers and craft aficionados. From homebrew to a full-blown business, co-founders Ray Steimel and David Hoy carry a true passion for sharing great beer with friends and family. They were both very excited to start this business as they look forward to many more years of collaboration and great times.
“Watermelon Salted Lime Grenade Gose” is Primal’s German-Style Gose brewed with a generous amount of Watermelon, Lime & Sea Salt. Massive notes of fresh watermelon and a hint of lime making for a crisp, tart finish, “Pool Boy Italian Pilsner” is another great option, with a symphony of delicate flavors and aromas, this light-bodied brew delights with a crisp, refreshing finish, while the Saaz hops lend a beautiful floral nose. Perfect for those who appreciate a finely crafted, elegant beer that balances tradition with a modern twist
Primal Brewery
Lost Worlds Brewing Company
19700 One Norman Blvd, Cornelius
For like-minded adventure seekers, Lost Worlds Brewing was founded to create a basecamp for people who enjoy a quality brewed beer in their community. With their 95-seat taproom and 10BBL brewing system, there will always be something new being crafted. In addition to their taproom, they also have a 150-seat outdoor biergarten where you will be able to enjoy the weather while sparking up a conversation with locals.
Lost Worlds Brewing Company
Introducing their newest summer craft beer, "Islamorada Shandy". This beer is a delightful escape in a pint glass that transports you to sun-kissed shores, lazy afternoons and the moment when a community comes together to celebrate. Expect a harmonious blend of White Wheat Malt, Pilsen Malt, and Acidulated Malt, meticulously selected to provide a smooth and balanced base, with hints of lemon and dill, amplifying the citrusy character of the beer. Next up, this is a beer that is made for the outdoors, the “Emmer Cherry Wheat” is an American wheat beer with sweet cherries added that gives it a fresh balanced flavor. Lastly, the “Euchre Golden Ale” is a beer that is perfect for out on the lake with its light flavor and color that resembles sunshine in a glass and will help you relax and make your worry's go away.
Neoteric Brewing Company
14220 Oakhill Park Ln, Huntersville
There is always something new at Neoteric! Hence the name, which means modern or new. With its 2200+ Sq. ft taproom, event space, outdoor seating and innovative new ideas and recipes, Neoteric lives up to its name. This brewery sets a family friendly atmosphere and even supplies cards and board games so you can have some good ol' family time. They even allow you to bring your furry family members, as it is dog-friendly as long as the dog is on a leash.
Drinks perfect for the summertime are certainly something Neoteric does not lack. The “Glass Stratacaster” while being made with Citra, Mosaic and Strata hops still offers notes of tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus and a hint of berry making it a great drink to enjoy this summer. If you’re just trying to enjoy a classic light American lager, Neoteric offers “Cap'n Crush” which acts as a crushable lager with notes of citrus that are perfect for a warm summer day. For any fruity beer lover, Neoteric has you covered with "Mango Passionfruit Sour", a fruited sour ale made with mango and passionfruit puree, making for a tart and refreshing taste.
Neoteric Brewing Company
760 Craft Works
100 Gilead Rd, Huntersville
Having opened just last year in Huntersville, we have 760 Craft Works. Located in a modern venue, this brewery has brought new and unique beers to our area ever since opening this past spring. 760 Craft Works is definitely worth the trip if you are looking for a new summer evening adventure!
760 Craft Works
“A Trip To Lake Como”, an Italian Pilsner with notes of lemongrass, champagne, unripened strawberry, perfect for a warm summer day. If you are more of an IPA type of person, 760 Craft Works has you covered there as well with its “Knowers Arc” which includes flavors of passion fruit, melon rind and citrus zest. If you are looking for a beer that is light, bready and floral, be sure to check out the “Full Pond Czech Style Premium Pale Lager”. There are obviously different flavors and styles at 760 Craft Works to fit whatever kind of mood you are feeling that day. Stop by and try this great spot to enjoy a cold beverage!
We highly encourage you to give one or all of these places a visit this summer because they all have their own unique history and flavors behind them. While you're there, be sure to tag us on social media @VisitLakeNorman so we can join in on the fun!
