By Brian Beauchemin

With beers ranging from sour to imperial pilsners, our local German heritage is well represented this May. Light drinking for the most part, these brews beckon summer providing flavorful options that strictly utilize traditional malts, hops, and yeast. For those who enjoy a twist on flavors, various fruits make their way into taprooms alongside the standard IPAs continuing to flourish with citrus and tropical touches. Unless otherwise stated, the beers are currently available in local taprooms or supporting establishments.  

On a separate note, we want to congratulate three local breweries who won medals at the 2025 World Beer Cup. Hosted by the Brewers Association, the World Beer Cup is considered one of the most prestigious worldwide beer and cider competitions. This event had 8,375 entries from 1,761 breweries representing 49 countries. 

North Carolina breweries won 11 medals with three Charlotte breweries celebrating new hardware. Pilot Brewing brought home the gold medal in the International Dark Lager category with Late Czech Out. Legion Brewing won a silver medal with Sláinte, a classic Irish-style dry stout, while Armored Cow Brewing won a bronze for Met at Midnight in the gluten-free beer category.

Birdsong Brewing

Pink Robots is a 5% ABV fruited sour ale brewed with raspberries and blackberries. The kettle-soured ale is bright, tangy, and deliciously fruity. Upfront berry aromatics and a lingering tartness come together for an easy-drinking experience. Releases May 22.

Better Days, an American pale ale, will be available May 29. The highly drinkable 5.3% ABV hop-forward brew is balanced with a pale ale malt bill. Intense Mosaic dry hopping, along with Belma and Comet hops, give this beer a nose packed full of berries and zest.

Cabarrus Brewing

Brewed with Carolina Malt House Tennessee 2 Row and Carolina Malt House Malted Corn, Luz Dorada is a 5.2% ABV Mexican lager. The brew is bright, crisp, and exceptionally smooth. Motueka hops lend notes of fresh lime and subtle tropical fruit aromas. The beer is brewed, and only available, at the brewery’s Towel City Tavern. The tavern is located in the right field section of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers baseball stadium. A great place to watch America’s past time while enjoying locally brewed beer. 

NoDa Brewing

The brewery’s first three releases this month will be available on draft only in their taproom. Mai The Force Be With You is a Maibock brewed with 100% local malts and German hops. The 6.2% ABV lager’s robust, malt forward character highlights sweet biscuit, shortbread, and slight toast notes.

Available May 9, Southern Diction is a triple-decocted Munich-style helles lager brewed with pilsner, Vienna, light Munich, and chit malts from Carolina Malt House. The helles style is light in color, yet not as light as a pilsner, and unlike a pilsner’s assertive hoppiness this beer is slightly cleaner and shows a purer malt character. Hopped with Hallertau Mittlefruh, the 4.7% ABV lager is complex yet extremely drinkable.

Rational Haze is a 6% ABV dry-hopped hazy IPA. Available May 16, the brew utilizes Citra, Strata, and Mosaic, and is then dry-hopped with Citra Cryo, Mosaic, Strata, and Nectaron for a juicy mouthfeel.

Available in the taproom on draft and in cans May 23, Peach Life is a 6.5% ABV milkshake IPA. The gluten-reduced hazy is brewed with Amarillo and Centennial hops, fermented on peach puree, and accented with vanilla and lactose to add body. The creamy, smooth, milkshake-inspired IPA features the brewery’s old logo on the cans as they are putting back-stock labels to good use.

Olde Mecklenburg Brewing

Berliner Weisse is a tart yet drinkable summertime guest favorite in their taprooms. The Berlin-inspired sour ale has been dubbed “The Champagne of the North” throughout its history. This 4.4% ABV sour is approachable and luxurious.

Releasing May 15, Giddy Up Imperial Pilsner is a Brewers Reserve beer that will be available only in taprooms. This amped up lager is a bigger version of their Captain Jack Pilsner, sporting a 7.5% ABV. Sweeter than their year-round style, it’s just as robust with notes of light fruit and citrus rind bitterness.

Triple C Brewing

Available May 9, Zest-A-Peel is a 5.2% ABV blonde ale with orange zest. The American blonde is brewed with a touch of local wheat and a healthy dose of sweet orange peel and then conditioned with fresh orange zest for a delicious and refreshing finish. 

Long Way Home is a 5.7% ABV West Coast pale ale specially made for the brewery’s friend and longtime patron Jason Long’s wedding. Available May 10, this pale ale was brewed with local Pilsner malt, wheat, and a touch of flaked oats. Expect a present yet balanced bitterness from Simcoe and Cascade hops followed by aromas of grapefruit, tangerine, and light lemongrass. Depending on how much is consumed during the wedding, there may be a very limited stock of cans and draft for the taproom.

Available May 16, Light Rail is a 4.7% ABV American pale ale brewed with Citra and Simcoe hops and dry-hopped with Bru-1 and Strata. Expect big juicy pineapple and dank aromas with a palate cleansing bitterness. 

Toes In the Sand is a draft-only 6% ABV fruited American wheat ale. Releasing May 23, the brew is a dry-hopped wheat beer brewed with sweet strawberries and tropical guava providing a refreshing summer beer. 

Available May 28, Umlaut is a 5.1% ABV traditional German-style Kölsch with aromas of bready malt and a subtle fruity yet spice character. A hybrid beer style using both lager and ale brewing and fermenting techniques make this a unique beer.

Wooden Robot Brewery 

Basil Exposition is a sour ale aged in oak foeders and infused with a fresh combination of Meyer lemon zest, basil, and a touch of lemon juice. This unique 6% ABV brew delivers a vibrant citrus aroma complemented by the herbal freshness of basil. The delicate sourness is balanced by a smooth, dry, and oaky finish, creating a refreshing and complex drinking experience that is spicy, citrusy, and tart. 

Dry-hopped with Amarillo, Citra, and Strata, Humulus Machine is a 6.3% ABV hazy IPA with pronounced juicy aromas of orange zest, mango, and passionfruit. A soft, pillowy body and balanced bitterness make for a smooth, flavorful finish.