Best beer garden in America? You can find it in Charlotte, according to USA Today

Chyna Blackmon
·2 min read

Charlotte is home to a long, long list of breweries — over 70 and counting — including some that have been named top beer spots in America.

As part of its annual Readers’ Choice awards, USA Today released a list of the best beer gardens across the country. Of all the fan-favorite breweries to grab a drink, three in North Carolina made the list with The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten coming in as the No. 1 pick.

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery customers enjoy German-style beer outside the business in Charlotte. Madison Communities is planning to build more than 300 apartments near its Lower South End location. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery customers enjoy German-style beer outside the business in Charlotte. Madison Communities is planning to build more than 300 apartments near its Lower South End location. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

“The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten is the largest beer garden in the southeastern U.S. and is wrapped in 100-year-old hickory, pecan, and oak trees,” the report says. “Arrive thirsty and hungry because the beers range from India pale ales to hefeweizens, and the food options include German pretzels, sausages, and pork schnitzel.”

The award-winning Mecktoberfest beer is now available at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and at bottle shops around Charlotte. Courtesy of OMB
The award-winning Mecktoberfest beer is now available at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and at bottle shops around Charlotte. Courtesy of OMB

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten is Charlotte’s oldest brewery, and has been a staple in the city’s beer scene since opening back in 2009 (in the space now home to Sugar Creek Brewing Co.). Now, you can find the family-friendly brewery in LoSo, the Charlotte airport — and in other locations opening soon.

[READ MORE: A look back at Charlotte’s craft beer scene, a decade after OMB started the party]

Known for “blending the spirit of North Carolina with traditional German brewing,” OMB’s got a full menu of German-style beer and seasonally-inspired foods, like German pretzels, currywurst, traditional sausages and sides, along with live music, trivia, brewery tours and other events.

For the third year in a row, Charlotte Beer Garden also ranked among the Top 10 as sixth on the list.

The Charlotte Beer Garden has three levels with multiple bars. Alex Cason/CharlotteFive
The Charlotte Beer Garden has three levels with multiple bars. Alex Cason/CharlotteFive

“Charlotte Beer Garden offers one of the largest selections of draft beers you’re likely to find in a single restaurant, with more than 400 beers on tap,” the report says. “Visitors can enjoy their beer of choice, as well as dinner and brunch menus, at the indoor-outdoor beer bar or on the heated patio.”

Aside from having the world’s largest draft beer selection, Charlotte Beer Garden is also one of the biggest beer spots in the city with three floors, four bars and a rooftop decked out with trees and plants — as if you’re in an actual garden.

Check out the view of uptown Charlotte from the rooftop level at Charlotte Beer Garden. Alex Cason/CharlotteFive
Check out the view of uptown Charlotte from the rooftop level at Charlotte Beer Garden. Alex Cason/CharlotteFive

The beer garden also has a variety of food options, from salads and small bites to burgers and pizza.

Two North Carolina beer scenes rank among the nation’s best — and we’ll toast to that

Its sister location, Raleigh Beer Garden, was also voted as one of the best in the U.S. You can find the full list of the country’s top beer gardens online at 10best.usatoday.com.