Aceing Autism
T
he Fillmore in Charlotte was sold out. In the early afternoon of February, it was a beautiful, sunny, cold day at the Queen City Brew Festival. The sixth annual festival was kicking off in much the same fashion as previous years. Food trucks were serving local fare, festival-goers were walking among vendor tables serving fresh snacks, and primarily craft beer. Nils Weldy moves confidently through the crowd. He has organized the craft beer festival from the beginning. Initially, Nils’ passion for craft beer was the impetus for starting the first festival of the season. Then, Richard Spurling, the executive director for Aceing Autism and an old friend from Nils’ days from college tennis, reached out to Nils to see if he would partner with Aceing Autism. Richard and Dr. Shafali Jeste founded Aceing Autism in 2008. Nils knew Richard through tennis and thus the Charlotte program began in 2013. That is when the Queen City Brew Festival became a fundraiser for the effort to serve families with autistic children. By combining a mixture of hand-eye coordination, social involvement and exercise, Aceing Autism helps children with autism develop in innovative ways. Many tennis pros have gotten on board. Vania King started a program at her high school in Long Beach and Pam Shriver has made an appearance at events on behalf of the organization. Nils Weldy’s name does not appear in the same sphere as the professional tennis players’ but he is the greatest coach the small group at Charlotte’s Latin school has ever seen and in a big way today he is a champion for this small corner of Charlotte.
He is also the champion for many nascent breweries in and around North Carolina’s fastest growing city, Charlotte. Sweet Union Brewing Company opened less than a year before appearing at the Queen City Brew Festival. Travis, their head brewmaster, gets the opportunity now to showcase their European-style beers to a large crowd. Virtually unknown to most in Charlotte, this Indian Trailbased brewing company is getting one of its first chances to reach a market outside of Union County. Lauren, from Cavendish brewing off Highway 321 in Gastonia, which opened in April 2017, serves as bartender at the event. This is their first time at the Queen City Brew Festival, and their selection has something for everyone. Currently, they have 14 beers on tap with a limited offering of a visiting cider. Their partnership with the festival heartily supports the Aceing Autism vision. Among the vendors at the event are the volunteers who make the festival possible. The Charlotte Beer Babes work the raffle tickets at the entrance. The raffle prizes
Nils Weldy and Richard Spurling, Aceing Autism’s founder and executive director. Photo by Eric Gaddy
46 | Carolina Brew Scene | Summer 2018
Queen City Brew Festival makes a perfect doubles partner are enormous, something in the ballpark of $1,500 will go to raffle winners and every ticket is handled by Bethany Burr and her team. Bethany organizes a group of women who visit local breweries for the love of beer. These ladies also participate in homebrewing classes and volunteer at events such as the festival. This event would not be possible without their hard work and they are handsomely rewarded for their trouble with delicious samples of all that the festival can offer. Bethany recommends Sycamore Brewing Company’s Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Feats of Strength, which was served on tap across the dance floor. Tate and Stella, two festival-goers, have returned multiple times. For Tate, this is the best festival all year. The venue, selection and food make the Queen City Brew Festival a memorable and enjoyable event. Stella enjoys the opportunity to try local brews in one place. “This is the best of Charlotte’s brew scene,” she says, raising a coconut wheat ale to toast.
