Breweries

Crafty Delights

LKN Breweries are a big hit

BY RENEE ROBERSON

Lake Norman is craft beer enthusiast’s delight. Breweries and taprooms offer the perfect opportunity to gather and socialize, play a game of cornhole, and catch up with a group of friends, plus you can usually find them at festivals, street fairs, outdoor movies, and concerts.

Local breweries enjoy experimenting with new flavors and varieties, and the customers are more than happy to try them out. Not only that, LKN breweries can often be found supporting local nonprofits and hosting health and wellness events.

Ass Clown Brewing in Cornelius is an establishment that started out as a homebrewing venture. Owner Matt Glidden isn’t afraid to play around with ingredients like ghost chilies and boysenberries and offers more than 200 plus rotating beers with 31 different taps in the tasting room.

Located in Huntersville, Crafty Beer Guys offers a selection of beer plus high-end wine and those interested in delving into creating their own concoctions with homebrewing supplies. Featuring more than 350 labels of beer and 150 selections of wines, you’ll often find patrons relaxing at the end of the day on the covered front porch or outdoor patio. Owners Kristian Pedersen and Shawn Richards also offer their support to a number of event sponsorships and initiatives throughout North Carolina.

Cornelius-based D-9 Brewing Company was founded by two engineers and a doctor in 2014, so it’s no surprise that the brewery’s beer has garnered several awards (especially for its sour beers) and often hosts food trucks and a popular weekly “Yoga and a Beer!” class taught by an experienced instructor.

Eleven Lakes Brewing in Cornelius specializes in using a small batch brewing process to create brews such as Apricot Habanero, Coconut Porter, River Otter Red. They also offer live entertainment, the Ales and Autos car club, weekly yoga sessions and support area food trucks.

Owners David and Allison Hamme wanted to create a brewery with an “explorers club of yesteryear” with Lost Worlds Brewing in Cornelius. As a family who loves adventurous travels, they used their love of history, treasure hunts and travel for the concept of the brewery. Patrons can expect signature “basecamp” beers, lower-alcohol varieties, tableside service from a variety of local restaurants, Wednesday night yoga in the beer garden, and more. They also recently partnered with Carolina Raptor Center and plan to hold fundraising events at the brewery, promote the CRC and collaborate on a special release beer in the near future.

Huntersville’s Primal Brewery is the brainchild of two local residents who first experimented with home brewing with their friends, family and neighbors. The brewery now sits on more than three acres, and you’ll often find patrons gathered on the picnic tables outside and grabbing dinner from a variety of food trucks. Cheers!

LOST WORLDS BREWING PARTNERS WITH CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER.

The Scoop

Assclownbrewing.com Cbgdraftservices.com D9brewing.com Elevenlakesbrewing.com Lostworldsbeer.com Primalbrewery.com