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🍺 What’s in a name?

The story behind Birdsong Brewing’s beer names
Co-Owner of Birdsong Brewing, Tara Goulet, standing in front of tables, stools and a windowed wall with "Birdsong Brewing Co." above the windows.
Birdsong Brewing Co. first opened its doors in 2011 in Charlotte. | Photo by CLTtoday
You’re the meaning of my life, you’re the inspiration — beloved lyrics from the song “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago. Songs with good lyrics, a great hook, a strong beat, and an overall vibe create major ear worms. That same criteria applies to naming beers at Birdsong Brewing Company.

Birdsong started in 2011, when Chris and Tara Goulet brewed up the idea of a small, neighborhood brewery where people could take home a fresh pale ale.

“It turns out Charlotte was really excited for the craft beer scene to bloom and blossom,” says Tara. The excitement led Birdsong a mile up the road from its original location to 1016 N. Davidson Street.

“When we opened, we had literally one beer on tap and it was a pale ale. After the first two months, we slowly kind of brought out new beers,” says Goulet.

Goulet and her husband were at home listening to “Free Will” by Rush. “Going through opening the brewery, I just had this moment of, ‘this feels like our experience,’ it was just talking to me,” she says. Thus, becoming the name of their first brew. Editor’s note: the song played in the taproom during our interview.

A beer with Birdsong Brewing Co. on the glass in front of the taproom on a sunny day.

Birdsong Brewing Co. releases small batches of brews every Thursday.

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Photo via Birdsong Brewing Co.

When visiting the taproom, you’ll be able to tie beer names to the songs they are inspired by, such as:
How are the names chosen? “We’ve always listened to music in the back. We’ve named our beers after songs that give us inspiration and fit the beer’s flavor profiles,” says Goulet.

The next time you’re enjoying a drink at Birdsong, scan the QR code on the tables to save the growing playlist of beers songs that inspired the brews on tap.
HomeTrust Bank
 
Events
Monday, April 8
  • Bird Walk | Monday, April 8 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Wing Haven, 260 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte | $5-$10 | Enjoy a guided walk spotting local and migratory songbirds.
  • Paint Your Pet Class with C.Volkpaintings | Monday, April 8 | 6-10 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing & Taproom, 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte | $66 | Hang your work proudly after creating a pet portrait on a 10x10 wooden plaque.
Tuesday, April 9
Wednesday, April 10
  • Jazz on the Plaza: Tim Scott, Jr. Ensemble | Wednesday, April 10 | 12 p.m. | Harvey B. Gantt Center, 551 S. Tryon St., Charlotte | Free | Enjoy lunch in the open air while taking in the smooth sounds of Miles Davis and fellow jazz masters.
  • Spring Into Wine with Winebow | Wednesday, April 10 | 5-7 p.m. | Carolina Beer Temple, 195 N. Trade St., Matthews | Free | Sample new spring wines while listening to bluegrass music.
  • Yoga at Sycamore Taproom | Wednesday, April 10 | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing, Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Break up your weekly routine with a deep stretch and finish the session with your favorite brew.
  • New Moon Sound Bath | Wednesday, April 10 | 7-8 p.m. | The Hut, 413 Johnston Dr., Pineville | $15 | Release your stress while being immersed in the sounds of crystal singing bowls and chimes.
  • AJR - The Maybe Man Tour | Wednesday, April 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St., Charlotte | $49.50-$129.50 | AJR will grace the Queen City with a “Bang!” as the final stop in the Carolina leg of their latest tour.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Development
  • Indian Trail wants your help developing a “Transportation Master Plan.” The plan will expand travel choices, making it easier for people to get where they need to be. The online survey is open through Friday, April 26.
Number
  • 111. That’s how many people the Charlotte metro added per day from 2022 to 2023. Business Journals analyzed the US Census Bureau’s latest population estimates. Several counties in the Charlotte region grew at a faster rate, including Lancaster, Union, and Lincoln counties.
Community
  • Mecklenburg County is urging visitors to use the Ella B. Scarborough Community Resource Center. Since opening in October, fewer than 150 people a day have visited the facility. The $65 million resource center offers employment help, health care, food assistance, and child support services. (WCNC)
Environment
  • Duke Energy is starting a new solar energy pilot program. PowerPair is an incentive-based program for installing solar and battery storage. The program offers $9,000 in incentives and will be available starting in July.
Weather
  • The upcoming hurricane season could be the most active on record. According to forecasters, this year could see 23 named storms, with a 62% chance of a Category 3, 4, or 5 hurricane making landfall on the coast. Usually, the prediction is 43%. Hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30. (WSOC)
Opening
  • Texas-based Kitchen and Kocktails is coming to the Queen City. The restaurant chain features comfort food like catfish, grits, shrimp, and other southern staples. It’s expected to open on May 10 at Queen City Quarter, formerly known as the Epicentre. (WBTV)
Plan Ahead
  • The Charlotte Area Transit System is offering discounted bus passes for those attending the Lovin’ Life Music Festival next month in Uptown. Now through April 30, you can buy a three-day pass for $9 — usually, a single day pass is $6.60. Tickets are available on the CATS-Pass app. (WCNC)
Active
  • A new Riverwalk is now open in Hickory. The overwater bridge spans more than 500 ft of Lake Hickory. The scenic path is part of the Hickory Trail project that will connect 10+ miles of walkways through the city — with a completion date of 2025. (WSOC)
Try This
  • The Greater Charlotte Book Club is going on now. There are 19 independent bookstores participating in the month-long initiative. The goal is to encourage readers to visit as many bookstores as they can. (WCNC)
Sports
  • Three weeks until the NFL draft and the Panthers don’t have a first-round pick. It’s possible that could change. Get the biggest stories every day about the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    TEGNA
     
    Asked

    What are the “unwritten rules” of the Queen City?
    The Charlotte skyline at dusk with an orange sunset in the background of several tall buildings lit up.

    One rule you could follow is to get a tray with the right “fixins” from Cook-Out + a milkshake.

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    Photo by Andres Nino via Pexels

    In 2023, Mecklenburg County added about 32 people per day. With new residents moving to the area, how do they know they’ve become a “Charlottean?” Is it after trying Cheerwine for the first time? Is it after getting onion rings and trout from 21 South Drive In?

    We want to know, what are your unwritten rules of the city? What do people need to know about living in Charlotte?

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    Send us your unspoken tips + need-to-knows for the chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.
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    The Wrap
     
    Headshot of CLTtoday author Maria Delgado

    Today’s edition by:
    Maria
    From the editor
    Trying breweries across the city is one of my favorite activities. The fact that I got to visit Birdsong, talk to Tara, enjoy a Jalapeno Pale Ale, and learn about how these beers get their names... I love my job. What are some breweries you love around the city? Let me know.
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