Sycamore beer yanked from taps and stores across the Carolinas
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Sycamore in South End the night the news came out with a much smaller crowd than usual. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Retailers and bars across the Carolinas have pulled Sycamore beer from their shelves, coolers and taps after the brewery's co-founder was arrested and charged with statutory rape of a child and breaking into a Stanly County home.
Catch up quick: Justin Brigham, the 44-year-old co-founder of Sycamore, has been accused of breaking into a home in Stanfield on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and raping a 13-year-old girl, per arrest warrants.
- Court records show Brigham has been charged with statutory rape of a child, first-degree burglary and indecent liberties with a child. He was issued a $10 million bond.
- Deputies found Brigham naked inside a car and arrested him after the girl's parents called 911 and reported an "unknown man" in her bedroom, according to the Stanly County Sheriff's Office.
The latest: "We have removed Sycamore Beer from our shelves," a Lowes Foods spokesperson confirmed to Axios.
- The Fresh Market, Food Lion, Publix and Wegmans have also pulled Sycamore products from their shelves, each has confirmed to Axios, and Whole Foods is in the process of doing so.
- Bargarita in NoDa, 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails in Uptown, and the Union in South End, which all have the same ownership, posted photos and videos on Instagram, throwing Sycamore tap handles into the trash and pouring Sycamore beer down the drain.
- Common Market has also removed Sycamore beer from its shelves.
- Blumenthal Arts removed Sycamore products from all venues and theaters, a Blumenthal Arts spokesperson confirmed.
- Freya's Haus in Wilmington has also pulled Sycamore's product, according to an Instagram post.
What we're watching: According to their website, Sycamore beer can be found at major retailers, including Target, Ingles, Kroger, Harris Teeter (which is owned by Kroger), Total Wine and Walmart.
- Axios has reached out to the retailers listed above for comment.
The big picture: Sycamore, founded in 2013, has become one of Charlotte's biggest breweries and among the state's top beer producers.
- The brewery has a location at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and had announced plans to expand to Cotswold earlier this year.
What they're saying: Sycamore co-founder and Brigham's wife, Sarah Taylor Brigham, who is now going by Sarah Taylor, posted on Instagram Thursday that she was assuming full leadership of the company.
- "Justin is divesting all of his interest and will have no further involvement," her statement read in part.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated.