Charlotte's best craft-beer playground is hidden behind NoDa's new and easy-to-overlook North End brewery. We went up on a Friday night and it looked abandoned. At the back, however, we found a packed playhouse of brews (pints $4 to $7) and boccie ball, plus cornhole, Frisbee golf, a fire pit, a massive patio and Charlotte's top food truck, Tin Kitchen.
Their Hop, Drop 'n Roll bested more than 200 international American IPAs to take gold at the 2014 World Beer Cup, but NoDa’s got more; give their DIPA with Vermont Maple Syrup or chocolate, raspberry and habanero stout a try, too. When it eventually reopens, their original brewery, at 2229 North Davidson St, will concentrate on barrel-aged and sour beers.