7 Breweries in Concord That You Shouldn't Miss

Reviewed By Great_Beer_Now - Houston, United States

Small breweries often give it their all. They know that have to excel in order to compete and many of them set lofty goals. Some of them achieve those goals while others meet and exceed them. A good example of the latter is High Branch Brewing. I paid a visit to High Branch Brewing in support of my beer blog, Great Beer Now. It was my final brewery visit/tour of the area but one I knew I had to find the time to visit, given its reputation in the craft community. It is located in historic Gibson Mill on the second level of a building that is occupied by other businesses also. You can enter from the front or the back, but I would bet that most visitors enter from the back and many people who visit are likely drawn here by the fact that it’s right next to another brewery, Cabarrus. High Branch Brewing has indoor seating and a small amount of outdoor seating on a patio. If you bring your dog, you are welcome to use the patio and while there is no kitchen you can sometimes find snacks and there is almost always a food truck within walking distance. High Branch Brewing is a very relaxed place where anyone would feel comfortable but the standout at High Branch is the beer. I loved everything I sampled here, particularly the Double IPA named Is It Hoppy. I was quite impressed by the quality of the beer overall and after chatting it up with the co- owner, I learned that he developed his interest starting with a homebrewing kit he received many years ago. He loved it so much that it led to the opening of High Branch Brewing and we, the beer drinking public, should be ever- grateful. Aiming high is important in the world of craft beer. The competition continues to heat up with each passing week as more and more breweries enter the fold. Cabarrus County has many excellent places for beer and I can say with confidence that High Branch Brewing rates among the very best in terms of beer- not just in the local area, but also in the United States. It’s a must- visit place if you love crafted suds!