Pilot Brewing

Brewery · Plaza Midwood

Pilot Brewing

Brewery · Plaza Midwood

1

1331 Central Ave Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28205

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Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null
Pilot Brewing by null

Highlights

Experimental nano-brewery with ever-changing beer selection  

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1331 Central Ave Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28205 Get directions

pilotbrewing.us
@pilotbrewing

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1331 Central Ave Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28205 Get directions

+1 704 802 9260
pilotbrewing.us
@pilotbrewing
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@PilotBrewingCLT

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Last updated

Sep 7, 2025

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15 Best Breweries in Charlotte

"Pilot Brewing, a beloved and experimental nano-brewery, doesn’t have flagship beers; instead, it brews in small batches and offers an ever-changing menu, so don't expect to drink the same thing twice. Although it just opened in August 2018, Pilot has already established itself in the industry, and within the Charlotte craft beer scene, bringing home two silver medals at the North Carolina Brewers Cup. As for the name, it honors co-owner Jeff Hudson’s career as a pilot, as well as the three-barrel Pilot system that actually brews the beer." - Lauren Levine

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-breweries-in-charlotte-nc
View Postcard for Pilot Brewing

Michele Kim

Google
First off: Pub Ale- Just do it and thank me later- deserves all its validation. Only can buy in a tall can. Other than that, the place is cute and cozy and I love their menu as it suits a variety of palates. Definitely would go back and try more.

Dave M

Google
Enjoyable brewery! I’ve heard great things and it lives up to the hype. Had three beers while here; a kölsch, pub ale, and hazy IPA…everything was tasty for its style. Place has a nice mojo and the staff were friendly and attentive. I’d definitely visit again when in the area. Add it to the list of quality Charlotte breweries!

John C

Google
Def my favorite brewery in Charlotte! Always has a great selection of beers that can satisfy any beer palate. I really like their small batches where they make a less common beer such as the current schwarzbier. I also really like their seasonal offerings such as the current dunkel. They have lots of interesting events going on too and they do a great job communicating them on their socials.

Deanna Mapes

Google
Personable and friendly owners! Great little brewery that makes you want to come back again and again! The beers taste great and is offered in various ounces. Snack foods offered for purchase, but there are local restaurants nearby, if you need to satisfy your hunger before enjoying libations. Their German soft pretzel is delicious. They support local charities, too with various events. Looking forward to spending a little more time here!

Bruce InCharlotte

Google
Pregaming for a ball game and had a pleasant time here. The beers are cold and delicious, the air conditioning was comfortable and I was even able to write up a Yelp review or two before heading into Uptown. The bartender was friendly and let me do my thing at a table where I could sit in peace. They do have an outside patio but it was a bit too hot today.

Raquel S

Google
Came here with some friends to play music bingo and had a fun night! Service is good too! The inside is small and there is a little area outside with seating too. The first thing I noticed when I entered was the smell. It stinks when you walk in, but your nose will adjust after a few minutes. They don’t serve food but they have a surprisingly large variety of snacks you can purchase. You’re free to bring in outside food too. If you start a tab they hold onto your card, so don’t forget to close out and get your card before you leave! Kid friendly and lots of games available to play. There is parking in front but if it’s full you can park in the retail area of the apartment complex parking deck located across the drive.

Linzee Ott

Google
So great!!! The beer was all delicious! The patio is perfect, and the staff was super friendly. Made us feel welcome. Pups were welcome too! Very good vibes, and even better brews. Parking was easy. Love that they support local charities each month, too. They know a good time, and they know good beer! Highly, highly recommend.

Chris Bachman

Google
One of the top breweries in Charlotte. Great beers with a good variety that rotates regularly. Excellent, friendly and welcoming staff. Small space but it makes for a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Reguarly host events, including a variety of food trucks
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Stephen D.

Yelp
Really good beer. Had to get a flight as they have 2 award winning beers (English Pub Ale and a Dunkel) with several IPAs to choose from. The pub ale was exceptional and the IPAs were good but the Pub Ale was the standout amongst the 4 beers. Service was exceptional here. I can't wait to go back
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Bruce K.

Yelp
Pregaming for a ball game and had a pleasant time here. The beers are cold and delicious, the air conditioning was comfortable and I was even able to write up a Yelp review or two before heading into Uptown. The bartender was friendly and let me do my thing at a table where I could sit in peace. They do have an outside patio but it was a bit too hot today. [Review 514 of 2025 - 4114 in North Carolina - 24075 overall]
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Raquel S.

Yelp
Came here with some friends to play music bingo and had a fun night! Service is good too! The inside is small and there is a little area outside with seating too. The first thing I noticed when I entered was the smell. It stinks when you walk in, but your nose will adjust after a few minutes. They don't serve food but they have a surprisingly large variety of snacks you can purchase. You're free to bring in outside food too. If you start a tab they hold onto your card, so don't forget to close out and get your card before you leave! Kid friendly and lots of games available to play. There is parking in front but if it's full you can park in the retail area of the apartment complex parking deck located across the drive.
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M W.

Yelp
Pilot brewing competes/hangs with the amazing breweries in Charlotte! It is a small space but has parking and is centrally located in Plaza Midwood. They have many events and reasons to return.
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John E.

Yelp
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.
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Brynt L.

Yelp
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.
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Tina C.

Yelp
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.
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Neema B.

Yelp
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.
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Jordan B.

Yelp
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!
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Valarie J.

Yelp
Excellent little semi hidden gem in the area. I'm sure if I lived in the area, it wouldn't be hidden to me especially after our visit. It's not big on the inside. I would say they have 8-10 tables and the tables seating varies between 2-7 people. We went on a rainy Saturday night so it was a little packed more my liking but it wasn't overly crowded by any means. We thoroughly enjoy cider and I checked the menu out here before we came and noticed they had all our favorites. We ordered a Chai Jacked and Carmel Apple Crumble and let me just tell you - Delicious ! They were playing trivia as well which added a fun interactive element to the evening. They do offer some snacks but no food; however, there was a food truck outside that you could eat from or you could also bring your own food from a neighborhood joint as well. No question 10/10 would absolutely recommend!
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Rick T.

Yelp
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.

Cindy M.

Yelp
Nice little brewery. Had a few holiday events while we were there. They do not serve food, but do have munchies and are close to a few restaurants.
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Mike S.

Yelp
Perhaps one of the smallest but mightiest breweries in the Queen City I have heard Pilot Brewing described as a nano brewery not a microbrewery. I had never heard this term before but if you stop by this Plaza Midwood gem you will know what they mean. It's a small but charming little taproom where they are constantly switching up their beer offerings and experimenting with new brews. They have board games, cool merchandise, and a small but passionate staff. Don't let the small operation fool you though if you look on their website you will find that they have been killing it by raking in awards for their small batch offerings. They are dedicated to giving back to the community and take pride in what they do. Really this is an all around great stop for any beer lover. Also a side note/bonus point but I bought a hat from them on a whim my first time there and it is one of my favorite hats I own.
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James D.

Yelp
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.
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Stephanie J.

Yelp
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.
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Shawn W.

Yelp
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.
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Leila R.

Yelp
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!
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Shane R.

Yelp
Small batch done right. Local owners, local brews. This micro brewery offers indoor and patio seating with Thursday night trivia and occasional live music. Flavor focused brews often feature other local collaborators for pairings such as coffee blends, sours, and more. They also offer small bar snacks, like popcorn, but allow any outside food to be brought in. My go-to is YAFO, right next door. The backside of the building reveals a local artist's depiction of their logo, and inside the craftsmanship shows through, with tables crafted from pallets and barrels and an artist made menu board. Named in ode to co-owner, Jeff's, career as an airline pilot, all employees are required to brew, so not just anyone can work there. Owner's, Rachael and Jeff, keep the inside clean and well stocked with games to enjoy with friends as you enjoy your craft beer. They also support various local charities with proceeds monthly. This small batch brewery is easily one of Charlotte's hidden gems located right in the heart of Plaza Midwood. It's very walkable from several surrounding neighborhoods.
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Kate S.

Yelp
Looking for a cozy or more intimate brewery experience? Pilot Brewing is exactly that! A nice breath of fresh air and an escape from some of the more crowded and large scale breweries, Pilot Brewing offers a neighborhood feel with your pint. They have a few tables set up outside for good social distancing, including a window to order outside so you don't even have to go in to order if you're not comfortable. They are always running specials that benefit animal shelters, which warms my heart. Hungry, try the on site vegan food truck! Don't prematurely judge just because it's vegan. That truck's food is packed with flavor!
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Julie P.

Yelp
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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Jen L.

Yelp
Great little spot that is worth checking out. Their beer selection is pretty good as well. We were only there for one round (as it was near last call), but we will definitely return another time!
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Jeff R.

Yelp
tucked away behind Snooze and Yafo Kitchen, this is a quaint, cozy, welcoming microbrewery with some excellent beers, friendly service, pleasant patio and quirky taproom. check it out!
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Salvatore A.

Yelp
Wonderful local Craft Brewery with fresh rotations provided by knowledgeable and skilled staff. Cozy environment with interior and outdoor seating. Great nearby food choices too.
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Anna P.

Yelp
Great beer and super friendly and knowledgeable staff. Was visiting from out of town and the beer tender made me feel welcome. Will visit again before I leave.
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Abby L.

Yelp
I did not know this place has been here so long! I stumbled upon it while I was waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant. It's a small space, but yet big enough to stretch out with tables as well as a bar area. They have a lot of games on all of the tables to play, which is fun! I liked the table bowling game a lot. The beer selection is great! I had a nice sour and it was delicious. I would love to stop back sometime and have a beer, play some games, and just hang out. It's a cool place.
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Chris S.

Yelp
Me and a group of six ended up at Pilot for the debut of a brand new food truck in Charlotte. Admittingly, I'm not much of a pub crawler, much less a brewery regular, with Unknown being my only real beer of choice. More often than not I usually find most beers unpalatable, but I'm coming along. While most of us were more than happy with the soft drinks the food truck offered, I figured since the Brewery was hosting the new truck, I should give them a try. I wish I had got the bartenders name because he was very friendly and took some time to suggest something I'd like. I explained to him that I'm not really a "beer person" and that my favorite beer is Unknown's Featherlight which is a light version of their Berliner-Style Panama. He stepped over to the taps and grabbed a sample of their Wing Suit Wit and I was very happy with it, so I went with a pint. Heavy citrus flavor and astringent, obviously I'm not big on stouts so this is right in my wheelhouse. The bartender explained that this is a Witbier along with other bits of info, to which I politely nodded and pretended to know exactly what he was talking about. I'm just glad he was able to quickly find something I'd like. Occasionally I'll order a beer somewhere and not even be able to finish it, but this was great! The brewery itself is clean, but very tiny. Just a handful of tables and spots at the bar, and of course being Plaza Midwood it was slammed on a Saturday afternoon. Parking is also a nightmare, with most people we saw parking right in front of the brewery just to go to Yafo Kitchen next door. Not really the brewery's fault, again it's Plaza Midwood where ample parking is notoriously rare. That streetcar can't come fast enough. I probably won't be a regular, but I wouldn't hesitate telling my beer-loving friends to give this place a visit. Who knows, if they become a regular food truck destination, I'll gladly get another pint or two.
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Michael N.

Yelp
Pilot is one of the newer breweries in town. Around six months old. The location is almost perfect right in the heart of Plaza Midwood, at the back corner of building that houses Yafo. My first impression was that of - "hey this place is cute" - there were some outdoor tables with people drinking and soaking up the sun. The tap room is a bit on the small side and if they really hit the ground running, they may outgrow it pretty quickly. For now, it's pretty cozy and nicely decorated. My favorite part is all of the cool fixtures like church pews and tables made from pallets. I also love the old fashioned games on some of the tables - we had a blast with the kids playing table top bowling. I ordered a flight that had the following: Island Hopper IPA - nice, refreshing tropical tasting IPA - not too bitter, just right Crop Duster Cream Ale - probably my least favorite - a bit on the bland side - not for me Chocolate Blackberry Weizenbock - A wheat version of a German style Bock bier and heavy on the ABVs - very nice - smooth and not too boozy - impressed to see this style Raelle's Chocolate Brown Ale - probably my favorite - dark, robust and very easy to drink I like that they are sticking with small batches and Firkins. Parking is ample right now but that could change - it looks like there is something that is opening next door. Pretty chill little place with some good beer. Great place to pre game before dinner. And if you're eating at Yafo, heck, you have no excuse not to come here. You can even cut out the middleman and have your Yafo delivered to Pilot!
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J M.

Yelp
Super cute little local microbrew in the most convenient of spots! We were placed on an hour wait for brunch, so we headed right next door to catch a brew while we waited. Their Coffee Latte milk stout (Undercurrent) was delicious and was almost like sipping a cold brew - perfect start to the day! This place also came stocked full of board games, card games and table top games to entertain us while we relaxed. They also have a lot of advertisements for local entertainment, artists, charity events and other fun stuff! I personally loved all the tie in's with puppies...brews and doggos - it doesn't get much better than that! While they don't have a kitchen, there is a small selection of snacks to order while ya wait! I will be definitely be back.
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Lori L.

Yelp
Fun brewery. I like that it's not huge. Good seating and the staff is friendly. I came here with some friends. My husband got the flight and liked everything he got. They have a good selection of beer and a non alcoholic option. They also have games you can borrow to play. One cool thing is that you can order from Yafo and they will deliver it to you so that's a plus!
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John H.

Yelp
Finally got a chance to check out Pilot. I had been meaning to get over here for quite some time, but I am glad I went and checked it out. Nice, well-kept space (neighborhoody brewery vibe)... I can see it getting fairly crowded on the weekends, but good for them, there is outdoor and indoor space with the trendy garage doors that will be great for the fall/spring weather. Lucky for Pilot, a new YAFO just opened up next door. You can order online and LITERALLY have food walked over to you in about 15min... How do I know that? It's because I did it!! Just make sure you specify you are in Pilot Brewing in the special instructions. I sampled about 2 beers the evening of my visit. Both IPAs and good drinking beers. Solid beer experience... the names of the beers weren't as "creative" as some of their other Charlotte counterparts, but I'm sure they will hit their stride soon.
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Matt B.

Yelp
Great brewery! They have good beer and games at every table. Staff was friendly and the place had a great atmosphere!
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Megan F.

Yelp
Great coffee beer! I enjoyed the cafe latte stout beer from Pilot Brewing!! The beer is strong on coffee notes and flavors of milk. We ordered food from Yafo next door. They have free delivery set up that makes it easy on door dash. I liked the board games and laid back atmosphere. They're next door to Snooze, new breakfast place too. They didn't have a changing table but the chest of drawers in the restroom included a disposable changing pad and wipes in the bathroom, which is nice for parents. We appreciated the supplies. Parking is busy in Plaza but we lucked out with a space for afternoon on July 4th.
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Sarah H.

Yelp
Just tried Pilot Brewing for the first time, and I really liked it. The taproom is a pretty good size, and they have a great outdoor area. I really like that the tables are made from recycled pallets, and they've done a good job of weaving the pilot theme throughout, from the names of their beers to the naming of their brewing equipment. I ordered a flight of 4 beers - the Island Hopper (an IPA that was great!), the White IPA, a cinnamon bun beer, and the passion fruit blonde ale. All four had good and unique flavors. The service was great - Jeff was quick to help us and also very friendly. Another thing I really liked about this place was the bathrooms (weird, I know... but hang with me). The bathrooms are gender-neutral and feature a changing table WITH supplies that you may need like wipes. This is awesome if you have kids and need someone to go (mom or dad). Lastly, they seemed to have good bar games including Klask (one of my favorites) and a fun-looking bowling game. In addition to those two unique games, they offered a good variety of your typical board games (like Operation). I will definitely be back to Pilot Brewing, and you should check it out!
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Rhea K.

Yelp
I love this low-key, unique brewery addition to Charlotte. You won't see Pilot Brewing from Central Ave, but it's tucked in the back of the building where Yafo is located. There's an awesome patio and windows that allow the bar to open up to the outside. The tables are made of reclaimed pallets and I think I may have noticed some old church pews for seating. The venue is low-key and really comfortable feeling. The beers change regularly - my husband and I both went with a flight ($8 for 4 pours), and enjoyed a large variety of beers. You can also order local kettle corn and a cheese plate from Orrman's. Go visit - if you like beer, you won't be disappointed!
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Shane P.

Yelp
My one my top new breweries in Charlotte, this small batch brewery is a great place to kick back on the weekends or during the week. Located right near moo & brew and mid wood smoke house it's a cozy place with delicious beer, many releases and a lot of space inside to sit inside and play games or enjoy the beautiful patio area. Fast service, great staff and I and highly recommend stopping
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Trey W.

Yelp
There's nothing better than a venue that really embodies its theme! Pilot brewing has a great space in the plaza area. From the decor around the bar to the pictures in the bathroom this brewery has the ambiance covered. I tried a flight of their brews and pretty much liked everything I tried. They have a bunch of board and card games at the tables which was a great way to keep everyone engaged and off of our phones during our visit. It was a week night when we stopped in so it was relatively quiet. would love to see this place in full swing with a good crows. Kudos to whoever the DJ was, great 90's music !
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Jessica R.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this new brewery nestled away in Plaza Midwood. It's a nice size and has plenty of tables and lots of cool games to play with your group. It was raining cats and dogs while we were there but they do have lots of garage door windows for a great open air space and patio when the weather is nice! Lots of beers to choose from too! Good sour/gose and ipa options, which happen to be my favorite styles. Go for the flight option - you get to choose 4 small pours. They also have a few collab beers and a guest cider on tap! They offer snacks too! I also like how they had a charity they support with one of their pints each week. You can order Yafo next door and they will deliver it too you as well! Or I did see a group who had brought some pizzas with them! Great space and good beer overall!
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Nicholas L.

Yelp
Small batch. Yes please. Lots of different beers other than IPAs like everywhere else you go. But hey do have them. They charge extra for ya pilots lol. So I don't show my pilots license anymore. Lol. But it's all a joke of course. Service is friendly. Beer is good. In right between plaza and Elizabeth neighborhood. Cool area. Walkable around other places and near uptown and take the gold line near by. Very cool spot
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Kelly C.

Yelp
We came here on Sunday afternoon and the place just got busier the longer we hung out! They have a nice little patio with a variety of seating and tables and chairs inside along with the bar chairs. The service was quick and everyone was friendly. They don't have a huge selection on tap but they did just open so I'm definitely looking forward to coming back and seeing what they create!
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Mike K.

Yelp
Best beer in town! Rachel really knows beer! Great staff, fun crowd! I'll be back every time I'm in CLT!
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Dawn B.

Yelp
Beer was good. Service was so-so. It's a bit of a turnoff when you spend $27 for the Thanksgiving dinner, which includes 2 beers but only a goblet not a pint, which isn't mentioned, and as soon as I finish my meal the owner Rachel is telling people seats will be opening up soon at the bar now that we appear finished. Rachel honey, I like to linger and enjoy the atmosphere as my food digests, not eat, drink and run. I waited until you were at the other end of the busy bar to order my 3rd goblet which was a but overpriced at 6.50 when you advertise new release day at $3. It was disappointing to not feel like you were as thankful we showed up as we were thankful you were open. Smile once in awhile. You have a lot to be thankful for.
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J H.

Yelp
Great regularly changing beer, lots of variety and diversity of focus, strong IPAs, English bitters, blondes, belgians, etc. While avoiding "Paint by numbers" each with a unique twist or notable ingredient. Regarding Coronavirus response, 10/10, shaded distanced outdoor only seating with fans running, mask policy in place, masks for sale, prompt sanitation was visible after every order and every party left their seats, the indoors is closed, they have a lot less seating, so I will keep supporting them especially during odd hours. If you were hesitant to go out after seeing some of the less responsible breweries, this is one you can support safely. Good luck Pilot!
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Khalik H.

Yelp
KC was a great bartender! Great conversation and even recommend some good eats from the Ve-Go food truck on the premises!
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Chelsea C.

Yelp
I am a very picky person when it comes to craft beer and breweries. I like a brewery that has a lot of variety and options and not just the same type of beer (i.e. all IPA's). I visited Pilot Brewing for the first time this past weekend for a brewery tour. And I have to say, after trying a flight of their beers and talking to one of the owners and the staff, I think this place is great and definitely underrated. First thing you should know is that they only brew small batches. I feel like that is a pretty cool concept for people who want to always try something new, instead of going to a brewery and just getting your same old beer that you get every time you come. And What makes this place really great is that all the staff create and brew their own beers for the brewery! We all got a flight of beers and I think our whole group really enjoyed it. The staff were also very friendly and joined in our conversations. We had a great time here. It is very small, but that is what I like about it. It felt more personable. I definitely will plan to come back here again!
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Thom C.

Yelp
Great little brewery and great people. My only complaint is they are not within walking distance! Will visit again and again.
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Schaccoa B.

Yelp
Came here to utilize a Groupon with a friend and definitely will come back just to try. But if you can't find it by GPS (like I did ) it's on the side of the building beside the restaurant. The Groupon was for a Flight, Logo Pint Glass, and Sticker for Two. The selections were plentiful that me and my friend ordered different beers and were able to test all majority of them between the two of us. I'm sort of a beer newbie so both of the beer-tenders were helpful in picking out selections that best suit my tastebuds! We came on NYE and they have snacks and plenty of decor and NYE accessories laid out which I thought was a nice touch. That, along with the $3 Goblet specials made for a nice beginning to the evening. I will be back to visit next time I'm in town.
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Apiffany G.

Yelp
This small batch brewery is such a find! We love the laidback atmosphere and their beer. We live for the Cinnamon Bun Brown Ale, the Pumpkin Saison, and the Crop Dust Ale and we love to grab some of Popcorn Dave's popcorn when we go. Parking isn't usually that bad as it shares parking with Yafo but there's a decent lot. The crowd is usually nice and the bartenders are always friendly. The facilities are always clean and fully stocked as well!
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Jess L.

Yelp
Pilot is definitely low key, a great way to use that little corner. In fact, if you didn't know it was there, I bet you wouldn't find it. And I'm totally okay with that. The inside environment is very low key (actually, the whole place is low key). Complete opposite of somewhere like Sycamore or Wooden Robot. There's a great patio as well, and an outside-in bar that connects both spaces. They have a great beer education program and are continually putting out new brews - for example, at the time of writing this, they're doing Firkin Fridays where they're not only releasing new, employee brewed beer (like the brewers are also going to be serving your beer, how cool is that! Shout out to Raelle!), but I also went there and learned what the Firk a Firkin was! The beer is fresh, crisp, and very flavorful - they've obviously put time into creating really quality products. They don't have a ton of food, but they do usually have snacks, both bagged and fresh, like a cheese plate from Orrman's Cheese! I'm excited to see how Pilot will grow, and will definitely support them on nights when I'm just not feeling the crowd scene.
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Kendal Ann M.

Yelp
Welcome to Plaza, Pilot Brewing! Pilot is a welcomed addition to the neighborhood. With a brewery down the road, the possibilities are endless. On Tap - It looks like Pilot has loads of beers to offer and they aren't just offering them from their brewery either. If you are looking for a guest beer, which they showcase as Co-Pilots (how clever is that?!), you have those options as well. Hoping to see some non-alcoholic options popping up on the menu soon, too! Grub - No food offer, as far as I could see, but I bet that means you could carry something in from Midwood Smokehouse or Yafo. The Vibe - Incredibly friendly and relaxed. I felt right at home the moment I entered Pilot. Dog-Friendly - Yes! Bring those poochies. I am unsure if you can bring your furry friends inside, but they are welcomed outside. We just need to get a few more water bowls for them. Looking forward to seeing more of Pilot in the future! The hours are a little limited right now, but you can visit them on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday. Also, it's important to mention that there is parking, but it's also limited. Try to Lyft, Bird, Uber, Lime, Bike, or park on the street.