By Brian Beauchemin

Although hops reign supreme with double digit releases of IPAs and hoppy pilsners, a myriad of other styles and adjuncts add complexity to Charlotte’s October craft beer options. Pumpkin spices remain in the mix as does coffee, chocolate, oysters, and maple syrup. One brewery celebrates eight years of brewing with barrel-aged imperial stouts. While the brewing community as a whole celebrates the memory of Dan Wade, a well-respected leader not only in the craft world but throughout the community.

Unless otherwise stated, the beers are currently available in local taprooms or supporting establishments.  

Birdsong Brewing

Wake Up Porter returns October 9 with locally roasted coffee beans from Central Coffee Co. and Madagascar vanilla beans. The irresistibly smooth brew uses locally roasted Sumatra Lintong in tandem with carefully chosen specialty malts to create a warm foundation and light body. Madagascar vanilla beans lend a subtle sweetness at the end of every velvety sip of this 5.8% ABV fall classic.

A French pilsner, French Exit utilizes the French hop Strisselspalt to provide floral, fruity, and spicy notes. The 5.5% ABV pilsner releases on draft only in the taproom October 16. 

Releasing October 30, Mexicali is a 5.8% ABV molé stout. Warm coffee and cinnamon complement a smooth chocolate flavor in this full-bodied stout. With just a hint of chile heat from fresh habaneros and the addition of cacao nibs and local coffee, Mexicali stout captures everything you would expect from a traditional molè.

Cabarrus Brewing Co.

The 4.7% ABV Pumpkin Spice Vanilla Coffee Blonde exudes everything the name says. Aromas are loaded with fresh baked pumpkin pie, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The flavor starts with a smooth dark roasted coffee vibe followed by a seemingly sweet, nearly latte-like vanilla and pumpkin pie finish.  

Brewed with fresh oysters harvested from the North Carolina coastal waters, Scout Oyster Stout has a light body with a creamy mouthfeel and a dry finish. Notes of coffee and chocolate lay down a smooth foundation, while the addition of whole oysters —including shells — imparts a subtle salinity and minerality that elevate the beer’s depth and complexity. The 4.7% ABV oyster stout is available on draft in their taproom only.

NoDa Brewing Company

October is a hoppy month for the brewery with four of its five releases being IPAs; three of which are longtime fan favorites. Available October 10, Hoppy Holidays is a delicious medium-bodied American IPA brewed with spruce. Loaded with a wide variety of hops providing citrus notes that compliment a brisk piney aroma, the 6.5% ABV brew emits hoppy holiday cheer. One dollar from each pint sold will be donated to MANNA Food Bank in Asheville, NC.

Jumping to a holiday closer on the calendar, Trick or Sweet is a candy-themed porter in time for the Halloween season. This robust porter is enhanced with chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and peanut butter. The 6.4% ABV porter has smooth drinkability and will be draft only in the North End taproom starting October 17. 

A NoDa tradition, Sticky When Wet is a fresh-hopped IPA, meaning the hops are utilized the day after harvest – hence a super fresh, wet hopped beer. An assertive bitterness is balanced with a bright aroma in tandem with peach and grapefruit flavors derived from heavy additions of Citra and Mosaic hops. The 6.3% ABV IPA  releases October 24.

To celebrate 14 fabulous years of brewing, 14K IPA releases October 25. The golden IPA is inspired by hops that have shaped the brewery’s IPAs over the years and is accented with a few newcomers. This 6.2% ABV West Coast IPA is hopped with Citra, Centennial, Amarillo, Mosaic, and Strata and double dry hopped with Krush and Nectaron. A limited release, enjoy this liquid gold on draft at the taproom until it’s gone. 

For those who love big, bold IPAs, Hop Cakes returns October 31. This 10.2% ABV imperial IPA flows with maple syrup goodness in tandem with sweet. resiny, citrus hops. 

Olde Mecklenburg Brewing

The brewery’s early winter release, Dunkel, will be available October 30. The 4.9% ABV dark lager sports dark Munich and Carafa malts emitting smooth caramel and roasted malt flavors.

Pilot Brewing

Turboprop Porter, a dark and full-bodied ale, starts with decadent flavors of chocolate and subtle hints of coffee followed by a smooth, pillowy finish. The 6% ABV porter is available on draught in the taproom and in four-packs to-go starting October 17.

Available the next day, October 18, is Pick Me Up Porter, a 6% ABV one keg, small batch beer. Inspired by classic tiramisu, this brew is dessert-like, rich in chocolate, with hints of coffee, and absolutely irresistible.

Starting October 22, Cosmic Ballet, a collaboration with local breweries will be available  throughout Charlotte Craft Beer Week (October 17 – 26). The beer was brewed to celebrate the memory of one of Charlotte’s most beloved brewers and co-founder of Wooden Robot, Dan Wade. The release will benefit the Dan Wade Memorial Scholarship, created by Dan’s family and friends to honor his life and passion for beer. Proceeds from every pint will go toward sending a future brewer to Appalachian State’s Brewing Short Course in the summer of 2026. Available at several local breweries, join them in a toast to Dan while helping carry on his legacy of mentorship, curiosity, and community.

GingerSnap Cookie Blonde, a holiday-inspired 5.4% ABV blonde ale releases October 24. A smooth, rich, gold-colored ale with the cozy warmth of gingersnap cookies. Rich ginger and spiced notes shine through, derived entirely from the malt — with no added spices. Brewed with Infusion Malts from Boormalt in Belgium, featuring their Gingerbread Cookie Malt infused with spices during the malting process. Available on draught and in canned four-packs. 

Harlequin IPA is a West Coast-style IPA brewed to showcase the unique character of Harlequin hops. At 5.5% ABV, this small-batch IPA delivers a crisp and clean profile layered with bright tropical and stone fruit flavors of passionfruit, peach, pineapple, and a touch of citrus zest. Only one keg available October 25.

Available on draught and in cans starting October 31 is Hot Cocoa Stout. Brewed with Ecuadorian cocoa nibs for deep, authentic chocolate flavor, then finished with a hint of marshmallow for creamy sweetness. Expect a smooth, dessert-like body with a velvety finish that softens each sip. A 6% ABV stout reminiscent of hot chocolate.

Resident Culture Brewing

A 5.5% ABV fresh-hopped pilsner, Sea of Flowers utilizes Centennial straight from Crosby Hops in Oregon, and is then dry-hopped with Centennial, Cascade, and Chinook. Soft, crisp, and layered with bright hop character that keeps it clean and crushable.

The Great Beauty is a radiant West Coast IPA showcasing Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra, Enigma, and Strata hops. Expect bursts of white grape, passionfruit, and citrus peel, balanced by piney resin and a touch of red berry. Crisp bitterness and a dry, snappy finish highlight the hop complexity while keeping it endlessly drinkable, even at 7% ABV. Available after October 10.

To celebrate the brewery’s eighty anniversary, prepare for four variants of their most prized imperial stout, Ego Death. The 2025 vintage is a blend of Imperial Stouts aged in Yellowstone Kentucky Bourbon and Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrels for a period of 28-30 months, then conditioned on Toasted Hazelnuts and Cacao Nibs. All variants are 12.5% ABV and include: BBA Ego Death (base beer); BBA Ego Death with Vanilla, conditioned on a blend of vanilla from Comoros, Brazil, and Timor; BBA Ego Death Compost Cookieconditioned on butterscotch chips, dark chocolate chips, potato chips, pretzels, and graham crackers; BBA Ego Death Salted Cashew Cluster conditioned on salted cashews and toffee. All are available for pre-order beginning the week of October 6 and at the brewery’s eighth anniversary party on October 11.

The next four releases are also available at the brewery’s anniversary party on October 11. Re-Up, is the brewery’s original keller pils. This crisp, 4.8% ABV unfiltered lager is brewed with Saaz, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, and Loral hops with notes of fresh bread, soft florals, a touch of citrus, and a delicate herbal complexity. The brew is exceptionally smooth and endlessly drinkable.

Free Skate is a hazy that is also the first IPA they ever brewed. Double dry-hopped with over four pounds per barrel of Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, and Ekuanot. The beer is a 6.5% ABV equivalent of an orange creamsicle. Soft and smooth, dank and fruity with a tad bit of dryness.

Team Scream is an 8% ABV hazy double IPA packed with Nectaron, Peacharine, Citra, and Strata hops. Bursting with flavors of juicy peach, tropical nectar, bright citrus, and rounded by hints of passionfruit and soft berry. Full-bodied and smooth, with a lush, pillowy finish.

A vibrant sour ale loaded with ripe raspberries, Vandalism Spree is tart and juicy with a burst of berry flavor. The 5.5% ABV fruited sour strikes a drinkable balance of sweet fruit and refreshing acidity. Bright, lively, and made for repeat sips.

Available after October 16 in taprooms and distribution, Unworthy Victor is a 4.5% ABV

American lager brewed with Lorien hops for a crisp, refreshing profile. Light floral and citrus notes brighten a smooth malt backbone, finishing clean and ultra-crushable.

These two beers will be available after October 23. Forever Alone: Eclipse is the latest in the brewery’s Forever Alone single-hopped series. This 7.5% ABV hazy IPA features Eclipse, an Australian variety touted for its intense citrus notes, delicate spice, and aromatic pine. Faithful Companion is a saison hopped with Hallertau Blanc and East Kent Goldings. This 7.5% ABV classic style saison has a delightful floral bouquet accompanied by subtle clove spice that dances on the palette.

Rounding out the month and available after October 30 are two final releases. Dreams from Yesterday is a classic 7% ABV West Coast IPA brewed with Amarillo, Simcoe Cryo, Idaho 7, Comet, and Citra hops. Bright notes of grapefruit zest, juicy orange, and ripe pineapple lead the way, layered with resinous pine and a subtle dankness. A New Zealand pilsner, Remember the Good Things I’ve Done bursts with vibrant aromas of juicy tropical fruit and bright citrus. A 5% ABV golden elixir delivering a wave of zesty flavor and a hint of herbaceousness, hopped with Peacharine, Nelson Sauvin, and Nectaron.

Triple C Brewing

Biketoberfest is a 5.9% ABV American pale ale brewed with, and in support of, Sustain Charlotte. Dry hopped with Galaxy, Citra, Motueka, and Motueka Cryo hops, the beer pours a clear and clean straw color and sports medium bitterness supported by aromas of passionfruit, pineapple, and lime. Brewed to enjoy after a long bike ride around Charlotte.  

Releasing October 10, Golden Gourd is a 5.1% ABV pumpkin spice golden ale available on draft only. Pumpkin purée is added to the boil along with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Flavors reminiscent of grandma’s pumpkin pie, notes of vanilla, and a touch of baking spice dance throughout its glowing golden hue.  

Tap Tap C is a West Coast pilsner brewed in collaboration with Lions Services and releases on White Cane Awareness Day, October 15. This 5.7% ABV pilsner delivers a delicious bouquet of Citra and Mosaic hoppy aroma. 

Brewed in collaboration with Town Brewing, Cabarrus Brewing, and Prairie Malt 12°, Rhapsody is a 4.4% ABV Czech Pale Lager. Available October 17 to celebrate Charlotte Beer Week, the Czech lager showcases Rhapsody Pilsner malt and whole cone Saaz hops. A simplistic approach was taken with this beer using only four ingredients and nearly 10 weeks of lagering to achieve a beautiful, natural carbonation.

Wooden Robot Brewery 

Mr. Nice Guy is a 6.0% ABV West Coast IPA that flashes citrus and pine with a clean, bitter snap. Comet and Cascade hops lead the charge, while Abstrax BrewGas Super Sour Diesel extract layers in a loud, herbal funk.

Juicy and electric, Tropic Static is a 6.6% ABV hazy IPA blending Mosaic, Citra, and Nelson hops for a bright, tropical zap, with a subtle dank finish.

An extension of the brewery’s popular coffee vanilla blonde, Cinnamon Roll Good Morning Vietnam is brewed with locally roasted Ethiopian Coffee from Enderly Coffee Roasters and rich Madagascar Vanilla Beans. The 5.0% ABV seasonal receives an added kick of cinnamon and double the vanilla of the standard Good Morning Vietnam.