5 Black-Owned Restaurants to Watch in Charlotte – Hippin’ Hops Brewery

By Rosanny Crumpton

Hippin’ Hops Brewery

Clarence Boston, CEO of Hippin’ Hops Brewery is one of the less than one percent of Black-owned brewers in the U.S. Boston has three Hippin’ Hops Brewery locations in Atlanta, and his fourth is coming to Charlotte in August 2022. While it was difficult for Boston to find real estate in Charlotte, he ultimately found the right space in Noda. Each of his breweries offers a unique culinary experience. Boston said: “Our vibe and the service we provide is what attributes to our success.”

With encouragement from his friends in Charlotte and being a North Carolina native, “it was only right to bring Hippin’ Hops to Charlotte.” Boston’s inspiration to brew beer came from his grandmother, a winemaker. He jokes that making wine was not his forte, so he experimented with his first beer kit at 22, and the rest is history.

Boston said he’s looking forward to being one of three Black-owned breweries in North Carolina, and one of two in Charlotte. While Hippin’ Hops doesn’t focus on sour beers, they are excited to bring some of their sours and new flavors to town along with their specialty craft beers.

The brewery opens occasionally and offers free beer, Boston said. “We don’t promote it on social media. We sit a sign outside that reads ‘Free Beer Today.’” Charlotteans can look forward to a soft opening before the Grand Opening. Boston said they’ve offered free beer at their other locations sometimes and the community joins in the excitement.