08-03-2025
This Charlotte brewery is getting into the cannabis business
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."
