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Pilot Brewing

4.5 (90 reviews)
InexpensiveBreweries
Closed 2:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Pilot Brewing Photos

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Recommended Reviews - Pilot Brewing

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Exterior
John E.

You can find Pilot Brewing at 1331 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205 - it's impossible to see from the street as it's on the backside of the building - facing, if you park along the left you're pretty much in front of the patio and you can walk up to the main entrance. You'll see plenty of signage and mural covered walls leading up to the patio and entrance. This is a very cute space with, what else, an aviation theme with renderings on the walls and plenty of airplanes and related materials to look at - the taproom is post-industrial chic with the bar extending along the right wall - they have about a dozen taps. Full disclosure we had started the day early at Wooden Robot Brewing where we pretty much sampled their entire taproom, then made it over to Burial Beer Co where we sampled everything again, finally over to Legion Brewing when we finally ate same sharables - by the time we hit pilot we were pretty wrecked and looking to slow things down a bit. With all the above in mind, there was a sign for $3 next to the Harvest Saison on their menu behind the bar so we ordered several of those. We all thought it tasted pretty foul - heavy malty, earthy backbone with odd spicy bitterness at the finish - we didn't complete our goblets. To be fair, when I later looked up the beer turns out it's a farmhouse with pumpkin, which explained the flavors - we just weren't prepared for it - turns out it's won some awards more into the pumpkin beer category which explains the cinnamon, all spice, nutmeg and ginger which felt so weird. I plan on hitting the complete menu the next time we're in Charlotte as I feel like we missed out on some great beers due to this misunderstanding. The service was really good but our taproom guy may have been put off a bit by how noisy and drunk we were, he was still very nice to us and answered any questions we had. Looking forward to coming back.

Giddy Goat Stout -- 5/5
Brynt L.

Enjoyed my recent visit to Pilot. I'm working my way through all of the Charlotte area breweries and this one truly stands out. The brews are all delicious and the staff is great! The tasting room is cozy but has ample space for games and plenty of small tables. During the week they also have great specials. Def worth a stop.

Menu
Tina C.

Nice place! Beers were great, atmosphere was cool (not too loud), games and TV available. There were free stickers and pens and a monthly calendar of events.

Menu 10.16.21
Neema B.

Mogogo food truck brought us to Pilot Brewing on a Saturday evening. After we ordered our food, we sat on the patio of Pilot Brewing. It was chilly that night, so we moved to the inside. This is a nice location in Plaza Midwood, near several eateries and shopping. The brewery is small but quaint and there are several tables inside. They also let us eat out food inside which I liked. Of course we bought glasses of beer. I'd like to return on a day where the weather is nice and we can really enjoy it.

Patio
Jordan B.

Pilot Brewing is a really great micro-brew located in Plaza Midwood area. They have seating inside, at the bar and some tables outside also on the patio. Parking can be a little challenging, but not majorly. They have a good variety of beers to choose from - lager, IPA, etc. They also have cans to go, which is a great option! Staff is super friendly and helpful on making decisions. It's a great patio to chill out and have a beer, so definitely try it out!

James D.

Small interior, with a decent amout of tables out front for seating. They also have a walk up window for ordering outside, which I always, always love. Beers are good, but beer is so subjective, so you can make your own decisions there. They do flights and they won't break your bank either. Less than 10 bucks for 4 and the beer tender threw in an extra one for us for free as well. Plenty of cans to take home if you wish. They open pretty early, about 11 am ish. Counter folks are super friendly and they do have free, strong wifi. Parking situation isn't too bad with a large dedicated lot. Free stickers and pens for you here.

Rick T.

Follow the parking signs and everything will be okay ! Don't immediately look for parking right beside the brewery go towards the first floor of the apartment complex. Do a flight of beers and grab some free stickers too ! Staff super friendly made it a point to make sure we had what we needed for the hour we were at the brewery.

Stephanie J.

Pilot Brewing is smaller but was still a fun time. There is a small amount of seating available both inside and out. I chose to have a flight and my friend and husband both had a pint. You get to choose 4 in a flight, I selected the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Southeastern IPA, Island Altus Hopper IPA, Oktoberfest and Spring Saison. It was the Mimosa Gose for my friend and the Cafe Latte Stout - Pure Intentions for my husband. My favorite was the Island IPA. This brewery is worth checking out if you are in the area.

The beer list and the flight chits
Leila R.

You're #clearedfortakeoff to try a flight at this small-batch Plaza Midwood brewery where you'll find an eclectic selection of beerstyles to expand anyone's beerpalate, whether pro or novice. ⁣ They also have boardgames, are dog-friendly and occasional entertainment + foodtrucks. Definitely worth checking out if in the area!

Shawn W.

Such a great chill place to come for a few drinks. They have a variety of beers on tap and in the can. Reasonably priced and you're able to enjoy drinks inside or outside on the patio. You can also order outside at the window without having to go inside. They switch the selections out so be sure to check back for new beers and selections. I haven't gotten the chance to try their bites but they do offer a big pretzel with mustard that looked great.

Julie P.

In the ever growing Charlotte brewery scene, pilot brewing markets itself as an ode to small batch beers. I really would give this place 3.5 stars, with the half star for the spot/accommodations. The spot itself is great - small inside, but a large patio space, great for summer and warmer Charlotte days. They have games and other activities for the table, as well as snacks for the tiny humans. The beer has some hits and some misses, just like any brewery in the area. I tried a flight and really loved the cinnamon bun brown, which isn't a normal beer on my radar, but it wasn't overly sweet and the cinnamon spice balanced the beer nicely. My least favorite was the crop dust pale - it tasted like a crop dusting - very malty and had an odd aroma that I couldn't shake when drinking it. If you're in the area, definitely stop by and try it, I just don't think it's in the list of breweries you would want to spend the day at.

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Photo of Bob B.
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8 years ago

The staff is friendly and the beer is good. It's a small neighborhood brewery that I enjoy. I would highly recommend checking it out.

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

Great beer, good brews, bathrooms even have supplies for families (changing pads and wipes)-good looking out!

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7 years ago

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8 years ago

Low-key, unique atmosphere with a really thought-through selection of beer! Looking forward to coming back!

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Page 3 of 3

Ask the Community - Pilot Brewing

Review Highlights - Pilot Brewing

You won't see Pilot Brewing from Central Ave, but it's tucked in the back of the building where Yafo is located.

Mentioned in 7 reviews

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I am glad this place was near my gate (D9) so I could grab breakfast, a coffee and work near an…read moreoutlet, while charging my devices. Standout server, Ashley, was fabulous and accommodated my request for iced coffee, even though it wasn't on the menu. Seeing her hustle and serve several tables, it was clear she goes out of her way to make customers happy. Loved her! Tables were clean and spacious and my breakfast sandwiches with egg, bacon and gouda was really tasty. It was a lot of food for one person, with the potatoes side too. A solid meal before flying home. I didn't try any of their brews because it was early and I was working...but next time!

Discovered a great German style Biergarten when visiting Charlotte, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery…read morewhere the staff are welcoming, attentive and knowledgeable on the beer and food selections. The German biers are some of the best I've tried. Both the Cooper altbier and Hornets Nest were excellent while their porter was a little too heavy for me. There's a full bar for the non beer drinkers . OMB features a huge selection of food items including German classics like pork schnitzel, wursts and the Bavarian or classic Jumbo pretzels. I'd recommend the sampler plate with the Jalapeño Cheddar Bratwurst as one choice ( you get three) and Jumbo Pretzel with Cooper Bier cheese & Düsseldorf mustard. The sides, such as their German potato salad, red cabbage and sauerkraut are very good. In addition theres a good selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads to choose from. The outside venue is amazing with ample outside seating featuring a fire pit, corn hole ( collect bags at the bar), children's playground and a water station for pets. Overall a great place to grab a beer and enjoy some authentic German style food at reasonable pricing. In addition OMB features private rooms for special events. One note parking could be problematic when it gets busy on weekends or special occasions but if you're willing to walk you'll find parking somewhere .

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I love a place that lives their motto. "drink good beer, do good things"…read more The place: wide open with plenty of seating inside and out. I feel even if it's packed, there's still ample room to not feel like sardines. The food: delicious in all of their offerings. Fries were perfectly crisp and not oily. The hummus was well balanced and tasty. The beer: my initial only reason to visit. But tasting their offerings had me sold and ready to give them all my money. So here's why they live their motto. The cans we bought started leaking, we went back and asked if the leakage was a problem. They asked a few questions and profusely apologized and gave us two six packs of their beer with no charge. I tried to pay but they refused. They could have just said "sorry to hear" and sent us on our way but they made us whole. Plus, their code of conduct is awesome and should be a standard for all businesses. We're fans forever. Not only of their food and beer, but their values. Thank y'all so much!!

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Suffolk Punch Brewing - SouthPark

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Fantastic spot. I had some visitors in from Japan and they really wanted to go to the SouthPark…read moreMall to get some shopping done. We popped in here for a mid-shopping break. They have a pretty good variety of beers. I wish they had more dark beer options. We didn't get any food. But the setting is great. Wide open community type seating. Great breeze when the doors are all open. Nice little playground nearby for the kids. The service was fast and friendly. We got a few samples and our server even recommended some things to taste. Recommended!

Someone finally capitalized on the brilliant idea of opening a brewery in SouthPark Mall, and the…read moreresults are so impressive you'll wonder why this wasn't a thing 5 years ago. Set in a fun, airy space next to the mall's outdoor plaza, Suffolk Punch serves up delicious beers, terrific cocktails and tasty grub that makes it a great destination for just about any occasion. In between mall errands, grab a table or a barstool and dive into a Hot Chicken Sammy or Pepperoni Flatbread, paired with a flavorful Joyride IPA, Daydream Lager or another brew from their extensive selection. The menu also has shareable apps, salads and burgers, along with a wide variety of wines and cocktails. Service has been excellent on all our visits, and there's ample seating inside and out. The huge covered patio can get a little steamy in the summer, but is a joy in cooler weather. And the younger kids can burn off their energy on the adjacent playground while you and your spouse tip back a few drinks. Suffolk Punch is the best addition to SouthPark in years, and will give even the most reluctant shopper a new reason to hit the mall.

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Visited this past Saturday and was absolutely floored. First, the hospitality was amazing. E had…read morethe attention of the bartender, or server and the taproom manager. They could not have been more attentive and accommodating. The beer is S-tier good. Both the selections brewed on site and the ones imported from Hanover. They had 3 different Bocks on. I love German styles, but malty is my wheelhouse and they had it more than covered. The Eisbock and Weizenbock were particularly amazing, but I drank around the board and didn't find a stinker. The food, which was largely trad Deustch dishes, was equally fantastic. They have few American dishes for less daring palates. On the same weekend, i hit nearly every other brewery in Loso and Gastonia. Gilde wins by a large margin in terms of beer and food quality. The next best classic Euro themed brewery in NC is Lesser Known in Greensboro. If you like German and Czech styles, these 2 have you covered. I plan to return to Gilde at the end of this month for their 500 year anniversary party. To the German leadership team, thanks for taking a chance on NC. The team over here is doing an amazing job.

Updated Review (2026):…read more We've been coming to Gilde since they opened their doors in 2022. When we first began coming, they served delicious authentic German food. Unfortunately, they've changed their menu a dozen times and have removed our favorites from the menu (the original braised pork (they changed it over time, but the original was amazing) and the goulash) :( They have slowly evolved their menu into bar food to cater to the party-going crowd as their street has become more trafficked -- which now means a greater likelihood of having to succumb to the paid parking garage. We're big fans of their beers and did a brewery tour & tasting when Gilde was at its peak. Their beers are the reason I at least give them 2 stars: the pale wheat and red rooster are especially delicious. We even spent our NYE 2025 there and did the stein-holding competition. We've tried new things on the menu, desperate to give them more tries... but we keep ending up disappointed. For example, the steak sandwich is not a steak sandwich, but rather a kebab. We've driven the 40 min drive to go there and show up and then they are closed for a private event (with no notice on their social media). We have also brought friends there and have waited an hour for a server. Last Mother's Day, we showed up for dinner at 7:45 p.m (sure, that's a tad late.. but we left our home at 7) and were told the kitchen was already closed. This Mother's Day, we waited 45 minutes, with no updates or warnings, to be seen by a server. When we tried to place our order, we were told that we couldn't yet place our food order and that we had to order drinks separately because their kitchen was slammed. I'm no expert, but why not still accept customer's orders and speed up the kitchen by bulk-cooking? Can't multiple brats be made at once? Or larger portions of sauerkraut or bacon? Also, only a third of the tables were taken.. so that sounds like some poor kitchen capacity. When we were finally served our food (still took awhile even after putting in the food order), they had served my husbands meal 10 min before mine and then I was served mine.. and it turns out they still had forgotten about our daughter's French toast and had to START it. The disorganization or perhaps just lack of effort/care has gotten ridiculous. So disappointed at the way our favorite restaurant went downhill!

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Gilde Brewery - Leberkäse Sliders: Seared leberkäse sliders topped with sauerkraut, pickles, and mustard cream. Served with mini-Kaiser rolls.

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Pilot Brewing - breweries - Updated May 2026

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