This Charlotte brewery is getting into the cannabis business
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Courtesy of NoDa Brewing Company
NoDa Brewing Co. is hopping on the cannabis trend with a line of hemp-derived THC seltzers.
Why it matters: Today's customers expect more options than just craft beer from their local brewery. THC is a popular alternative to alcohol for Gen Z and an aging, increasingly health-conscious generation of craft beer drinkers.
NoDa's newest creation, Happy Bird, will be sold in the taproom and four-packs online for $17.99 to $19.99. The drink is free of calories, alcohol, sugar, GMOs and gluten. It's launching in three flavors:
- Lavender Lemon (5 milligrams of THC/10 milligrams of CBD) — "the perfect balance of breezy citrus and calming lavender," a press release reads.
- Ginger Lime (5 milligrams of THC/10 milligrams of CBD) — "crisp, refreshing lime pairs perfectly with a warm ginger kick."
- Grapefruit Hibiscus (10 milligrams of THC/10 milligrams of CBD) — "bright, tangy grapefruit softened by floral hibiscus."
The big picture: Nationally, breweries are adapting as target demographics' drinking habits shift. NoDa Brewing is adding food and cocktails to its menu at its taproom on North Tryon, as Axios previously reported.
- They aren't the only ones. Last year, Resident Culture released Cümulo, sparkling waters containing THC and CBD from Delta-9.
- Demand for nonalcoholic beer is also growing in North Carolina. Sales of NA beer in Charlotte were up 42.9% compared to 2023, per NIQ.
- NoDa Brewing launched an alcohol-, calorie- and sugar-free hop water called Hop2O in 2023.
The intrigue: NoDa is known for its artsy can designs, a reflection of the neighborhood where it was born. The brewery says the bird symbolizes "freedom, lightness, and effortless movement, much like the experience these seltzers are designed to deliver."