Taproom boom: Why several of Charlotte's best-known breweries are headed in new directions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte’s experiencing a taproom boom as breweries continue to push to expand market share. A growing number of breweries are planning second — and even third and fourth taproom locations. And it’s likely more will follow suit.

“Charlotte is growing at an exponential pace, so why wait? Why not invest and continue to grow Charlotte,” says Phil Buchy, co-founder of Legion Brewing Co. “We’re far from saturated.”

Legion started with a 15-barrel brewery and taproom in Plaza Midwood in 2015. Last year, it spent $3-plus million to add a taproom, restaurant and brewing facility in SouthPark.

Next is a $9 million investment in two new taprooms and brewery locations in the upcoming year.

Further expansion is a necessity, Buchy says.

“We’ve run out of beer,” he says. “We’re basically at the point, we can’t make another drop of beer here (at the Plaza Midwood brewery).”

Legion joins a growing list of breweries looking to grow with additional taprooms. That list includes: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, D9 Brewing, Legal Remedy Brewing Co., Free Range Brewing, Suffolk Punch Brewing. The combined investment will total nearly $23 million, for those that have disclosed financial details.

Others, such as NoDa Brewing Co. and Wooden Robot Brewery, have already opened their second facilities.

Read this week's CBJ cover story for an in-depth look at how the thirst for market share is driving many of Charlotte's long-standing craft brewers into expansion mode.

Cox Media Group