By Brian Beauchemin

Fruits reign this month as lemons, limes, oranges, and blackberries — to name just a few — are in recipes conjured up by our Charlotte area brewers. Rice finds its way into a couple releases with the grain helping provide light, thirst-quenching beers. Rounding things out is a tribute to the German city of Köln with a locally made Kölsch, a style that originated there and is a Protected Geographical Indication in the European Union. Unless otherwise stated, the beers are currently available in local taprooms or supporting establishments.  

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Birdsong Brewing

Better in Color, the brewery’s annual Pride month beer, is a citrus ale made with Meyer lemon, mandarin orange, and grapefruit. Made to be enjoyed sitting by the pool, the bright ale exudes zesty citrus aromas, is soft on the palate, and light in body. The 5% ABV ale is on draft only in their taproom.

A classic Belgian wheat ale is another summertime favorite. Lovely Day hits the mark with notes of citrus and coriander that perfectly compliment the beer’s wheat body. The 5.1% ABV beer is available on draft and in cans June 12 in the brewery’s taproom and June 16 in wholesale distribution.

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Cabarrus Brewing

Pedro Carvalho, formerly head brewer at the shuttered Devil’s Logic Brewing, now runs the brewhouse at Cabarrus and June 13 they introduce a classic German brew in tandem with a traditional West Coast IPA. Köln-Hearted is a 4.8% ABV German Kölsch. The pale gold beer has a slightly grainy, bready maltiness rounded by a soft sweetness. The light-bodied brew is clean and crisp with just enough hop bitterness to balance the malt. A delicate fruitiness, low floral notes, and a dry finish round out this easy-drinking and refreshing beer. 

A yet-to-be-named West Coast IPA will be on draft at the brewery’s Towel City Tavern adjacent to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers baseball stadium. The 6.9% ABV medium-bodied old school westy is brewed with Chinook and Centennial hops delivering resinous piney and citrus notes leading to a bitter, dry finish with very low residual sweetness.

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Olde Mecklenburg Brewing

Fruity notes envelop both of the brewery’s brauhaus-only drafts this month. Surf Bock releases June 12 and is a 7.1% ABV fruity bock. The lager emits notes of juicy, fruity pineapple and grapefruit with aromas of strawberry. 

Although not standard fare for a German brewery, Hazy IPA returns June 26. The 6.0% ABV hazy evokes a wide range of flavors including pineapple, citrus, peaches, coconut, and mango, with a tart creamsicle twist. The two beers will be available in both taprooms on draft and in growlers only.

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Pilot Brewing

Fonio Fusion Cream Ale is a collaboration beer with Tha Community Brew, a multi-brew initiative in Charleston, S.C. to promote more diversity in the taproom. A modern twist on a classic style, the ale is brewed with fonio, an ancient West African grain known for its light body and distinctive flavor. Expect a crisp mouthfeel and bright, white wine-like character, with subtle notes reminiscent of sauvignon blanc: citrus zest, light minerality, and a refreshing, dry finish. Two dollars of every four-pack sold will be donated to Tha Community Brew. The 5.5% ABV ale is available in draught and cans.

Blackberry Gose returns June 13. This 4.2% German-style tart wheat ale is brewed to refresh, then conditioned on blackberry purée for an enjoyable balance of tangy fruit and crisp salinity.

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Triple C Brewing

Float On, a 5.5% ABV American amber ale harkens back to a time when craft beer was much simpler — no double dry hopping or experiential ingredients with this beer. A biscuity malt forward profile engulfs taste buds thanks to Maris Otter and CaraAmber malts. A touch of Cascade hops makes this a smooth and easy drinking brew.

A 4.2% ABV Japanese rice lager, Kei Truck releases June 13. It’s brewed with flaked rice for a crisp, light, dry flavor. Natural carbonation and late addition Heull Melon hops provide a floral and clean finish. 

Available June 20 on draft only, Key Lime Pie Sherbet is a 5% ABV fruited American sour ale. It’s brewed with local pilsner and wheat malts from Carolina Malt House and fermented with a lactic acid producing yeast plus 84 pounds of organic key limes. Expect an initial candied-lime flavor with a touch of sweetness, followed by a palate-cleansing sourness. 

Flat Brim, a 5.2 % ABV hazy India Pale Ale, returns June 27. This super juicy and tropical IPA has low bitterness and alcohol with a delicate mouthfeel. Abundant hop aromas of fresh mango and perfectly ripe pineapple are courtesy of Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Galaxy hop additions. 

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Wooden Robot Brewery 

West Friends is a 6.9% ABV West Coast-style IPA brewed with Salvo+ flowable hops from Hopsteiner and then loaded with Mosaic, Comet, and Strata hops. This IPA offers bold aromas of tropical fruit alongside dank pine and sticky resin while being clear, crisp, and endlessly crushable.

Miso Magic is a rice lager brewed with locally grown Tidewater Gold rice and a touch of white miso from Miso Master. This unique, light-bodied 4.5% ABV lager is crisp, clean, and quietly complex while finishing with a smooth, savory whisper of umami that sets it apart.