New self-pour craft beer taproom opens in south Charlotte

State of play: OpenTap is the brainchild of husband and wife duo Scott and Brooke Thorne, and they’re showcasing their love of two things in their new business: an active lifestyle and beer.

• “We feel like the best beer happens after you’ve done something active. Then you go back to your campsite or your cabin,” Scott told Axios during an OpenTap tour, “and crack that beer, I don’t think it gets any better than that.”

Details: You’ll find the 7,500-square-foot indoor/outdoor space at 5010 Carmel Center Dr. with 64 taps: 

• 52 will serve beer, wine, hard seltzer and cider.
• 12 will include craft sodas and other non-alcoholic drinks like ginger beer, kombucha and non-alcoholic beer.

Of note: The self-serve iPourIt tap system tracks your pours and charges you per ounce. The ghost ginger beer by Devil’s Foot on the non-alcoholic wall, for instance, costs 25 cents per ounce, and an ounce of wine may cost around $1.80.

The multi-level space includes a village green, tree house mezzanine, plus an integrated food truck stall, starting with True Pizza tonight.

• OpenTap will also be kid-friendly. The Thorne’s 7-year-old son Benjamin curated their craft soda section. Benjamin, who has his own OpenTap business card, has the title of “kid coordinator.”
• “This is a place where you [can] bring mom, dad, grandma, grandpa. Bring your pastor,” Scott said. “It’s totally appropriate for everyone.”

Zoom out: OpenTap joins a growing number of self-pour establishments around Charlotte, including Hoppin’, Free Will Craft & Vine and Pinhouse.

Hours: OpenTap will be open from 4-11pm Monday through Thursday, 3pm-midnight on Fridays, noon-midnight on Saturdays and noon-11pm on Sundays.

Of note: Pets are not allowed.

What’s next: OpenTap’s Open Road program will encompass all things active. They’ll launch a cycling club this Saturday, March 4, at 10am and a run club starting Tuesday, March 14, after work (the exact time is TBD).

• Open Garden will include yoga and meditation classes in the future.
• Open Yard will be for community fundraisers.

Take a look around: 

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Feb. 24, 2023 and updated on March 2, 2023.