Eleven Lakes Brewing
Oct. 18. The Lake Norman area has no shortage of watering holes and craft breweries have made their mark on the pub scene.
Despite some recent closings and financial troubles, there is still an influx of breweries in the area.
Denver’s Royal Bliss plans on bringing a 10,000-square-foot microbrewery and restaurant to Cornelius in late 2025.
Construction of Suffolk Punch in Birkdale Village continues and reports of the foundation being poured recently could mean we’ll see an opening sometime soon.
Fruitful Roots has an anticipated opening date in 2026 on North Main in downtown Cornelius.
That’s a lot of options to keep your beer mug full. For now let’s look at the present list craft beer options.
—Story and photos by Jason Benavides
760 Craft Works’ 12 tap options include sours, stouts and several IPAs
100 Gilead Rd., Huntersville
704.274.5216
Owners Wagner Ramsey and his son Trey fell into fate when the old Huntersville Police station in the heart of downtown— and sitting at the head of the Huntersville Downtown Greenway— became an option for the brewery location.
760 Craft Works celebrated the one year anniversary in May and Wagner attributes the success amidst a hectic year to that location. Foot traffic will only increase as the neighboring 186 unit Holbrook Apartments are completed. The newly expanded outdoor space contributes to the family friendly atmosphere.
760 branding gives a lot of nods to the community. From the name derived from the 760 elevation line where Lake Norman is at full pond to Wagner’s favorite beer, The Bob, an American IPA named after the Robert Blythe Building where the brewery stands.
Danielle Bradley serves up an Orange Citrus IPA at Ass Clown Brewing
10620 Bailey Rd. E, Cornelius
704.997.8490
Founded by brewing enthusiast Matt Glidden in 2011, Ass Clown is one of the oldest breweries in the region. The name may not be so serious but the commitment to quality and use of local ingredients is.
Ass Clown boasts to have the “largest selection of any brewery around” and I’d have to agree. The 31 tap system wields a multitude of unique flavors most have never seen like Smoked Maple Bacon Stout and Ghost Chili IPA.
In early 2024, Glidden opened Alongside Brewing a block away from the Panther’s Stadium in Charlotte. The welcoming lounge offers the full lineup of Ass Clown beers along with unique cocktails, bourbons, wines and more.
The outdoor patio of D9 Brewing
11138-C Treynorth Dr., Cornelius
704.457.9368
D9 was founded by Andrew Durstewitz and John Ashcraft in 2014. The original mission was to “inspire and support community through the creation of exciting and original crafted ales.” D9’s exploration of original crafted ales has definitely borne fruit…sour fruit as they are highly recognized for their sour beer program.
The award-winning brewery filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in March after claiming more than $1 million US debts. The Cornelius taproom is still currently operational.
10228 Bailey Rd., Suite 201, Cornelius
704.998.9017
Eleven Lakes opened in 2017 and was founded on the idea of “local, local, local.” Owners Ray and Christy Hutchinson, Jack and Teri Lippy are proud to serve up quality beer in the most traditional style.
Named for the 11 major lakes along the Catawba River, Eleven Lakes’ success can be attributed to the attention to detail of their traditional style beers and the family feel inside the taproom.
St. Patrick’s Day at Lost Worlds Brewing
19700-D One Norman Blvd., Cornelius
980.689.2467
Lost Worlds was founded on the premise “that great beer and adventure go hand-in-hand.” Looking around the taproom you’ll find artifacts that tell a tale and beers brewed from classic styles and those with “roots from around the world.” The signature Basecamp Beers also follow that path with discovery inspired names like Equator Island IPA and Trek Porter.
Despite opening at 50 percent capacity amid the global pandemic in 2020, Lost Worlds has made a lasting impact on the community by continuing to innovate and differentiate their brand with new collaborations and partnerships. Founder Dave Hamme opened a new taproom in Metropolitan in Midtown in Charlotte in April 2024.
A sunny day at Primal Brewery
16432 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville
704.947.2920
Primal Brewery can trace its roots to the sidelines of a Huntersville soccer field that Co-founders, Ray Steimel and David Hoy first met on. The flagship location in Huntersville was opened in 2014 and after learning the business side of brewing a second location in Belmont opened in 2020.
The home brewers strongly believe in “the experience of bringing people together and having a good time with great beer and good food.”
MORE OPTIONS ON TAP
121 Depot St., Davidson (Recently opened)
980.689.0849
1753 Triangle Cir., Denver
980.525.5562
14220 Oakhill Park Ln., Huntersville
704.727.0051
7532 Royal Bliss Court, Denver
704.951.8388
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