Flying Saucer Draught Emporium (Charlotte)

August 25, 2008
Visited on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch. Fairly quiet, so the service was pretty attentive. The layout is almost identical to Raleigh, even though this one was in a strip center. For the most part, though, it was a typical FS experience.

July 5, 2008 [ Updated July 6, 2008 ]
Very good selection, probably best in Charlotte, Macs Speed shop being 2nd with the moondog closed. Some of the staff is more knowledgeable than others, but all I’ve dealt with were adequate. Some of their costs were questionable. A bottle of Rogue Shakespeare Stout for $14?? I expect some mark up, but come on. I used to pay $7 for this in Michigan, is their really 7 more dollars of shipping cost vs Michigan from Oregon? Food was just adequate to absorb some alcohol effects, nothing special. As a side note, SOMETHING LIKE THIS PLACE IS BADLY NEEDED ON THE SOUTH END OF THE CITY.

April 23, 2008
3rd Flying Saucer that I have been to (also been to the one in Raleigh and the one in Memphis). This one matches up with the one in Raleigh almost exactly. Good Selection.

April 20, 2008
Some folks indicated that this place was hard to locate, but on a recent trip to Charlotte (3/7/08), we were able to find it fairly easily by locating the shopping center it’s in first then tracking down the bar. Nice selection of American craft, Belgian and German ales among many other beers (including local favorites). We tried some hard to find drafts in our area like Kasteel Rouge, Franziskaner Hefe and Maredsous 8. Good food (smoked salmon and buffalo chicken wrap were very good) but unless you are a smoker, this place is a little less than appealing in terms of air quality. Interesting, roomy bar with a nice selection of beers.

January 14, 2008
This beer bar in northern Charlotte suburbs is rather hard to find from North Tryon street as it is hidden from view, but once you find it you should start getting excited. 82 taps, most of which for excellent brews (Duck Rabbit, Bell’s, Foothills, etc.) and a bottle list which is as attractive. There are hundreds of plates on the walls everywhere, but all is neatly done and does not feel cluttered. Our server was outstanding, remembering all of our orders by heart, serving us promptly and with a smile. The smoked salmon wrap I had was quite good and rather inexpensive for its quality. I was expecting less quite honestly in such a beer-focused bar. The Foothills Pilsener I had was as fresh as the mindblowing Duck Rabbit Baltic Porter that followed, so I guess they are able to keep their lines clean and their lineup fresh most (if not all) of the time. I will definitely be back here if I can go back to the Charlotte area.

May 28, 2007
Real nice tap selection. They were out of 4 beers and I happened to order all 4 by chance. My beers were free for the rest of the night. Great Divide Yeti on tap? St. Bernardus Abt 12? Yes please. Food was reasonably priced and satisfying. Nice cozy atmosphere, but go on a slow night (Monday or Tuesday). The best beer joint in Charlotte, hands down.

April 8, 2007
I have been going to this Flying Saucer for some time now, and it is the only bar that I regually go to. The beer selection is outstanding and always changing. The bartenders are always checking to see if you are ready for another beer or if you want to order some food from the menu which was updated last month. What I really like is how the managers are always interacting with the customers, and asking for input on what they can do to better the beer and food selection. If you are in the Charlotte University are I would highly recommend stopping in for a beer or two.

November 8, 2006
This is one good beer bar. Definitely the best beer selection in Charlotte. Food is typical pub food with a large assorment of meats and cheeses. Rumor has it that they will be upgrading the menu before the end of the year. Was there on a Wednesday night and drank a Piraat on draft and got to keep the glass. Pretty cool. I definitely would check this place out anytime in Charlotte and plan to frequent as much as possible.

January 22, 2006
This is a small chain of restaurants that specialize in beer. I have also been to the Raleigh, NC location. Both have 80ish draught beers, and you can create your own flights. The food is typical pub fare. Staff are very helpful, but I have found it is much better to go on slow nights.

October 20, 2005
Best selection in town, and it’s expanded a good bit since the N.C. alcohol cap came off. Some special or another every night, and all the usual trivia, pint night, etc. My bartender wasn’t particularly knowledgeable, but it was loud and a busy night. I’d go again, if just to sample some N.C. micros, which they carry in quantity.