Charlotte Exploration | Hi-Wire π»
Went to Hi-Wire on Friday night β their logo features a person walking a tightrope. π€Έ This place is similar to Monday Night Brewing; both are breweries that started in other states and have expanded to Charlotte, with multiple locations across the U.S. π’ The atmosphere and layout inside also felt a lot like Monday Night. I was there for their stouts, especially the 10W-40 series. My first drink was the S'mores 10W-40 Imperial Stout. The beer was pitch black, completely opaque β«, with a light tan foam on top. The aroma was amazing πβ¨ β notes of vanilla, cinnamon, milk, coffee, and caramel. It had a really warm and inviting scent. The body was thin but not watery, with a smooth texture. The first sip tasted like straight coffee grounds β. But as I kept drinking, it became disappointing π. The flavors were weak β faint hints of coffee, cinnamon, and caramel. The finish was way too clean, leaving nothing behind π¨. On the plus side, the alcohol was well-hidden β I drank it quickly but started feeling a bit nervous π . The aroma saved it a little, so Iβd give it a 79/100. When I moved on to the second drink, Churro 10W-40, I had a little hope π€‘ that this one might be better. But as it turned out, I shouldnβt have gotten my hopes up. This one didnβt even have the appealing aroma of the previous beer β the scent was very faint π«οΈ, and the cinnamon note was barely there. The mouthfeel was somewhat better, but overall, it was still too mild. 73/100. For the third drink, I took my time choosing π and decided on a wine barrel-aged American Wild Ale β a sour blonde ale. It had a light golden color, very clear and transparent β¨. The smell was actually pretty impressive π. Wild sour beers arenβt common in Charlotte, but this one had fresh, vibrant aromas of blackcurrant and white grapes π, along with the classic funky notes of barnyard and a hint of sweat π§ β a pleasant surprise. Light-bodied with strong carbonation on the palate π₯. But when it came to taste, it let me down again π. While it carried some of the aromas I detected, the body felt weak, almost like it had been watered down π§. Canβt expect too much, I guess β it barely made it past the 80-point mark: 81/100. I noticed they also sold bottled sours, so I grabbed one to take home π¦, even though the ratings werenβt great π. On my way back, I suddenly craved a hazy IPA π€€, so I stopped by Suffolk and ordered my favorite, Pulp Clouds. Turns out, Iβm usually pretty self-aware about my alcohol tolerance π§ β those first three drinks were already pushing it. Halfway through the hazy IPA, I started feeling dizzy ποΈπ«. The staff kindly gave me a whole liter of water π§, and I chugged it all before finally calming down. Then I continued walking home. As I passed by Red Clay, I thought, βIβm fine, I can handle moreβ πͺ, so I went in and had two small drinks π₯, chatting for a long time with the bartender, Evan π¬. When I got home, I completely crashed β the delayed buzz hit me hard, and I fell straight asleep π΄. #Beer #CraftBeer #BeerTastingNotes #CharlotteExploration #CharlotteCraftBeer #CharlotteBreweries #CharlotteLife #CharlotteDiaries πΊ
