USA, NC: Sugar Creek Brewing coming to Charlotte this summer

A new Belgian-inspired craft brewery plans to open in Charlotte this summer in the soon-to-be former home of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Charlotte Business Journal reported on March 24.

Sugar Creek Brewing Co., headed by Joe Vogelbacher and Eric Flanigan, has signed a lease for the 30,000-square-foot property. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is relocating to a nearby property it purchased last year after the city made a change in zoning rules to boost the growing industry.

Vogelbacher is a Charlotte native who moved away after graduating from college. Now he’s moving back to Charlotte to launch Sugar Creek with Flanigan, an old friend who is a general manager at Whisky River.

Vogelbacher says Sugar Creek’s beer menu will likely include a Belgian-style pale ale as well as a Saison, Dubbel and perhaps a fruit beer as well.

“In my opinion, the characters that the Belgian beers have can rival even the best wines,” he says. “They just have a long, rich history. We’re going to aspire to take the best from there and infuse it with our own American ingredients.”

Sugar Creek is purchasing on-site brewing equipment from Olde Mecklenburg and will make some interior renovations to put its own stamp on the taproom.

“When we move into the space, we should be ready to brew,” Vogelbacher says.

Sugar Creek’s scheduled launch date is June 7, with a grand opening expected in July.

26 March, 2014