Sam Hart is a Michelin-starred chef and owner of Counter-, a tasting restaurant in Charlotte known for its innovative approach to dining.
5
This review is a part of my quest of visiting all CT breweries. I met Counter Weight numerous times during beer festivals, but never understood their appeal to the public. It was until I visited the brewery.
First things first, the brewery occupies a big building and has an enormous space. The first floor is sectioned into 3 rooms, allowing for some privacy should you plan any events. There's also a patio, where the majority during our visit were the dog owners, and a 21+ game zone with some field games. They also have space on the second floor, but I did not go there. The brewery partnered with Ritual Pizza as their kitchen. We ordered a pizza and chicken tenders, and everything was delicious. The whole place was packed on Saturday evening.
Now, for the beers. This brewery specializes in 2 directions: traditional European beers and IPAs. As I'm not a big fan of IPAs, I was focused on the European styles during my visit. You cannot order beer flights here, but they can provide a short pour (10oz) of any beer with a limit of one short pour at a time. I tried many of Counter Weight beers before, but still their lineup was almost completely new to me, so my guess is that the beers are rotated often. I was able to try 5 beers during my visit. My absolute favorite was Grodziskie - a traditional 3.5% smoked wheat beer, which is incredibly hard to find in CT. But in general, I loved everything I had - Vienna Lager was rich in taste, Ein Helles was a direct hit in the style, and so on.
I'm pretty impressed by the quality of the beers produced here. If you're a fan of European beers, this should be a stop on your journey.
Absolutely some of the best beer brewed in Connecticut, even New England. Not just great IPAs. Fantastic clean lagers, specialty, and even smoked beers.
Bartenders are always fast, friendly and knowledgeable, especially Aiden and Manny. They also sell four packs of different beers at the brewery that are not available anywhere else, and they are usually pretty freaking awesome.
Food in the kitchen is consistently good. Highly recommend the Shroom pie for vegetarians, One of my favorites! Seating outside and chill out upstairs as well, depending on what suits you that day.
Highly recommended!
First time here and it was great. Food was good, burgers, pizza and some misc apps. They had interesting twists/specials on the food. Beer was great. I recommend the Chech-stout on (i forgot the exact name). It did get a little noisy...but that's to be expected. Age range is all over the place from toddlers to retirees...mostly young adult. It was a little pricey, but everything is now. Go check it out.
Spring 2024 Update: Popped in this past Saturday (4/20) to meet up with some friends and they were having their Seventh Anniversary Party! So exciting and awesome to see a local business thriving and packed to the gill with friendly folks and families at such a wonderful event. The Anniversary beer (Maibock) was extremely tasty, the service was attentive and joyful, they even had a greenhouse on site selling flowers and two great local food truck and to top it off, two wonderful rocking bands! If you haven't popped into here yet - you really should!!! A 10/10 day.
Update: I finally made it to the new spot in Cheshire and it was super easy to get to (left off 691 exit, left onto East Johnson, right onto Diana Court) and I was not disappointed. Counterweights IPAs are still delicious (shout out Space Coyote!) and the lager. pilsners are A+ on point, they are so so so so good - the Ein Helles, Pre Pro Lager, Workhorse are works of art. The Drudenhaus Rauchbier was also excellent - and not a beer I would typically go for. Staff was attentive and welcoming, I cannot wait to get back here!
Had a great experience at Counterweight this past Friday, the inside isn't open yet so we sat on the patio. Beers were tasty, (I had the Strategem and Midnight Briar) staff was polite and knowledgeable, they are super safe and smart about the 'rona restrictions. The Food truck was good too! can't wait to go back!
Beer is great! Several different options.
Great chances at fun like trivia, bingo, comedians, etc.
However, the music they play is always horrific and loud. Can’t even hold a conversation when around the table. Doesn’t matter the day or event, the taste in music makes me not want to come back! Have asked to change but it never happens, and when ask to lower it lasts for a few minutes but goes back up.
Food is great! Love the people that prepare the food!
I will still go here but honestly want to bring head phones to tune out the murder music.