USA, NC: Mint Hill’s only brewery preparing for September opening

Mint Hill’s only brewery plans to open next month in downtown with a Caribbean vibe, the Charlotte Observer reported on August 29.

Panzu’ Brewery at 7251 Matthews-Mint Hill Road will serve craft beers and tapas with an atmosphere “like a vacation to the Dominican,” according to the brewery’s Facebook page.

Panzu’ expects to open Sept. 15, co-owner Rosa Marte de Pacheco told The Charlotte Observer.

“Imagine yourself in a white wedding on a beach with light Latin and Caribbean music. We want people to feel relaxed,” de Pacheco said.

De Pacheco and Johan Marte, natives of the Dominican Republic, named the brewery in honor of their late father, who they and the grandchildren called Papá Panzú. The siblings had been shareholders in theirs father’s fruit pulp production company.

“He loved beer. He had a big beer belly, and that’s what panzu’ means — big belly,” de Pacheco said.

The two have been homebrewing for several years with small batches of 50 to 60 bottles of IPA, American blondes and American ales, according to the Panzu’s Instagram.

Mint Hill’s first brewery, Barking Duck Brewing Co., closed in 2018 after two years at 4400 Morris Park Drive.

Panzu’ Brewery will have a seven-barrel system that can produce 546 barrels each year on site, according to the company’s website and social media.

The year-round beer list includes everything from New England and tropical IPAs to blonde and amber ales, as well as wheats and stouts. Panzú also will have seasonal and exotic Caribbean flavors.

There will be 16 taps, including one each for cider and kambucha, de Pacheo said.

Wines also will be available.

Panzú Brewery’s small plates include tropical fruits, pork and plantains. Menu items include canal de la mona, caramelized sweet plantain, tender pulled pork, and manchego cheese inspired by Dominican and Puerto Rican flavors, and Pina colada ceviche, a Peruvian ceviche with a Caribbean twist with fish, coconut, pineapple and lime juice.

The brewery will have indoor seating for about 69 people and 30 outdoor seat on the front deck and back patio.

De Pacheco said they expect to hire about 13 full- and part-time employees.

Jason Collett, co-founder of Rock Hill Brewing Co., is Panzu’s brew consultant and Pamela Amaro, with over seven years of culinary experience, is the chef.

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