Buckle up, we’re going on a cruise around the Queen City's breweries. Beyond the brews, these spaces are central to Charlotte’s social scene, with venues featuring live music, food trucks, weekly trivia, and charitable events.

We made a comprehensive guide to breweries, meaderies, and cideries within a 30-to-45-minute drive from Charlotte. And to make the brewery crawlin’ as easy as possible, we’ve listed these spots by their respective sections of town.

Concord

Cabarrus Brewing Co. | 329 McGill Ave NW., Concord
This brewery can be found behind the Gibson Mill Market and boasts ample indoor and outdoor seating + elevated pub food.

Pro tip: Visit the taproom when you're hungry and try the fried brussels. You won't regret it.

High Branch Brewing Co. | 305 McGill Ave. NW., Ste. 100, Concord
High Branch was founded in November 2015 and was the first operating brewery in Concord. Expect to find a range of ciders, lagers, and IPAs.

Amor Artis is a family-owned brewery in downtown Fort Mill with plenty of South Carolina pride to share. | Photo by CLTtoday

Echo Hills

Vaulted Oak Brewing | 3726 Monroe Road, Charlotte
Sip on crisp shandies and ales at this family and dog-friendly brewery + it boasts a covered and uncovered patio while being housed in a former bank.

Fort Mill

Amor Artis Brewing | 204 Main St., Fort Mill
Amor Artis can be found in downtown Fort Mill. You'll savor a variety of pilsners, sours, and IPAs at this homegrown spot.

Replay Brewing | 1317 Broadcloth St., Fort Mill
Enjoy a cold pint while playing classic arcade games or dining in this 80s themed venue.

Untamed Waters Brewing | 415 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill
Expect to find craft brews and seltzers using a combination of different hops and flavors.

Huntersville

760 Craft Works | 100 Gilead Rd., Huntersville
Bring your dog to this 8,000-sqft brewery and enjoy a cold glass in a taproom designed to honor Lake Norman.

Neoteric Brewing | 14222 Oakhill Park Ln., Huntersville
Craft beer fans will find a variety of ales on tap + ample indoor and outdoor seating.

Primal Brewery | 16432 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville
Visit the flagship location in Huntersville (or its other location in Belmont) to savor its rotating list of sours and IPAs.

King Canary welcomes beer lovers via foot traffic, by car, or by paddleboard, as its backyard area has access to Lake Norman. | Photo by CLTtoday

Mooresville

King Canary Brewing Co. | 562 Williamson Rd., Mooresville
This brewery boasts a small but mighty selection of ales and sours + allows guests the chance to paddle to the taproom sitting near Lake Norman.

Ghostface Brewery | 215 S Broad St., Mooresville
Fans of this popular brewery can visit one of its three taprooms to enjoy a variety of pilsners, lagers, and craft cocktails.

Boondoggler's Brewing Company | 239 Singleton Rd., Ste. F1/F2, Mooresville
Expect to find plenty of seating at this taproom serving beers brewed on site + take a bite from visiting food trucks.

MoRa

Edge City Brewery | 6209 Old Post Rd., Charlotte
This three-barrel brewery offers a relaxed atmosphere with crisp lagers and sours + weekly trivia, makers markets, and food trucks.

NoDa

NoDa Brewing Company | 50 W. 32nd St., Charlotte
This taproom is proud to call Charlotte home — decorated with items from local artists, you'll be surrounded by talent while ordering Hop Drop and Roll or a seasonal favorite.

Divine Barrel Brewing | 3701 N. Davidson St., Ste. 203, Charlotte
Relax inside this taproom while sipping on a range of crisp, hoppy, or sour ales.
Pro tip: The "Defensive French Toast" lives up to its name.

Birdsong Brewing | 1016 N. Davidson St., Charlotte |
One of Charlotte’s first breweries, savor brews with names inspired by songs + small-batch releases every Thursday.

Plaza Midwood

Legion Brewing | 1906 Commonwealth Ave., Charlotte
Known by many as “Legion,” the brewery features $5 pints daily at their Morehead and Plaza taprooms + a food menu featuring flatbreads, wings, and more.

Resident Culture | 2102 Central Ave., Charlotte
The selection of beers changes. Expect draught, bottled, and canned beers available for purchase with funky flavors.

Pilot Brewing | 1331 Central Ave., Ste. 104, Charlotte
Paying homage to the state that's "First in Flight," Pilot's taproom features small-batch brews that are light and crisp.

Enjoy a drink while playing trivia at Lenny Boy Brewing. | Photo by CLTtoday

South End

Wooden Robot | 1440 S. Tryon St., Ste. 110, Charlotte
Beer lovers will find a variety of sours and ales on tap but it's the Good Morning Vietnam (a popular vanilla coffee blond ale) that keeps us coming back.

Suffolk Punch Brewing | 2911 Griffith St., Charlotte
This popular brewery boasts ample indoor and outdoor seating + a full brunch and dinner menu — perfect for spending a full afternoon on the town.

Town Brewing | 800 Grandin Rd., Charlotte
Sip a drink in a welcoming atmosphere with award-winning beers, a creative menu featuring various dietary options, and a range of community events, from fitness classes to live music.

Monday Night Brewing Garden Co. | 2217 S Tryon St., Charlotte
This brewery offers a vibrant space with a full bar, award-winning beers, Neapolitan-style pizza, and a welcoming atmosphere featuring indoor and outdoor seating.

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten | South End + Ballantyne
Enjoy a blend of Southern hospitality and traditional German brewing in this spacious biergarten, serving handcrafted beers made with four ingredients since 2009.

Lenny Boy Brewing | 3000 S Tryon St., Charlotte
Sip kombucha, beer, wild ales, and cocktails in this favorite local shop.

Special mention

Heist Brewery | 2909 N. Davidson St., Ste. 200, Charlotte
While Heist is known for its IPAs, be sure to also enjoy one of its many sours or cocktails + order dinner from its extensive menu.

Editor's note: Heist's NoDa taproom is currently closed. Heist's Barrel Arts is open daily and offers a full menu.