Hoppin's Hoppin'

Built on the same neat principle, and using the same beer-pouring technology, as the Pour Taproom franchises, Hoppin' in Charlotte has a great deal to offer beer nuts in the Queen City.

What it doesn't have to offer is ample parking for them, despite trying to access an adjacent parking area of a business that is closed on weekends. Manager Mark opined that the dearth of available parking is indeed an issue, but the intransigence of that neighbor, despite a generous offer to re-line and landscape the whole area by the Hoppin' management, has stymied that effort.

Apparently, though, the locals have found ways to deal with the problem, as Hoppin' was certainly hoppin' yesterday. Our party got there just past noon, and we had our choice of seating in this two-floored, airy and welcoming beer bar.

That changed pretty rapidly as NFL Playoff Game Time approached. The place packed out, both upstairs and down, where the beer nut can find a total of sixty-two taps, not including wine, prosecco, sparkling water and free orange and cranberry juice taps if mimosas, etc. are your thing. There was even a bridal party gathering for Mary Catherine (below, in white, bedecked in her veil) going on upstairs.

Three big-screen TVs inside (where a loud groan went up on the non-call of PI against a Saints player sent the Rams to the big dance), a food truck called Twisted Treats outside (the shrimp quesadilla is killer) and even a putting green make this dog-friendly business quite attractive.

And business is good, judging by the empty kegs and sixtels stacked in a corner. In fact, so much beer is consumed, that even by the ounce, kegs that kick are replace quickly with new, albeit different, ones.

For example, the delicious Lenny Boy Booty Call DIPA I began with kicked after about an hour, replaced by Wicked Weed's Lieutenant Dank. Can't complain about that. In fact, there's a good chance that the beer menu you pick up on the way in is not accurate, due to the large turnover in beers. You'd think these Charlotte beer drinkers were all born in the Czech Republic.

While that menu is categorized, however, the taps themselves are not, unlike at the Pour taprooms. You'll need to meander around both floors to find those beers you care to sample, which is not necessarily a bad thing, as it allows you to meet lots of folks--some with their animals.

That meandering (and my naturally gregarious nature) allowed me to meet and chat with a table full of lovely damsels (above)--all playing a vigorous round of Cards Against Humanity--where I met Annie (below). After seeing my business card ( I try not to be lecherous), she informed me that her mother's maiden name was the same as mine. We deduced that we must be related--as pretty much all Eppses are. And, of course, being an Epps, Annie was at once delightful, beautiful and charming.