I don't even know where to start with this place. It was all amazing. I love that it's located in an unassuming office park in Cornelius. I love that the exterior gives away nothing at all about the interior. I love that parking is easy and traffic is nonexistent. I love that it's totally biking distance from my house (for my husband, not for me -- though I am an adult who has successfully ridden a bicycle in the past, it seems my current bike-riding skills are more akin to the walking skills of a baby colt approximately a minute after being born -- sloppy but adorable). I love that their beer selection is diverse and ever-changing. I love that they make their own wine (I can't wait to try it!). I love the little details of this place -- the exposed wood rafters (probably more for decoration than function, but I don't care), the intimate ski lodge seating area and the high top bar area, the cool things for sale. I love that their beer flights are served in a board that looks like a clown's horn (you know, the thing they squeeze in your face when they're trying to be funny). I love their logo (both iterations ... I never figured out which one is more recent). I love that their bartenders are chatty but not too much so, and that they have good recommendations for anyone who comes in looking for something new to delight their palate. So in case you haven't guessed yet ... I love Ass Clown Brewing Company. And you will, too. read more

Ass Clown Brewing - Sweet chandelier and logo - Breweries Near Me - Cornelius, North Carolina

Nice beers! Stopped to try a few and all of them we tried were great. Pretty small inside but it does have outdoor seating outback. Great beer! read more

The selection of beers at this brewery is impressive. As a sour fanatic I was pleasantly surprised. Ended up trying several flights and enjoyed everything I sampled! read more

Ass Clown has been a stone's throw from our apartment ever since we moved here, but we never managed to check it out. With nothing going on this particular Saturday afternoon we decided to finally head over and see the place. I've had Ass Clown once or twice before at Brixx, but hadn't seen them elsewhere otherwise. It's a bit tough to find the brewery, but it's worth the adventure. The interior has some neat decor with lighting fixtures made out of growler bottles and couches covered with burlap sacks. There is a decent amount of seating between bar, counter, tables and couches and the guys working were pretty friendly. Ass Clown makes a heck of a lot of unique flavors, and there were about nine available today. I highly recommend getting the flight for $8 simply because you really will want to try out multiple flavors. They use a neat flight tray that actually has a handle for easy transportation and the bartender is able to write on each one so you know exactly which beer you are drinking each time...there have been too many times when either the bartender or I forgot which beer was which in a flight. I opted for the Seasalt Chocolate, Bacon & Oyster, Ginger Sour and Amber Ale. All of them packed some great flavor and the main flavors really stand out. The Sea Salt one had a crazy salty aftertaste that left me thirsty. I wasn't as big a fan of the Bacon & Oyster, as the richness and smokiness of the bacon flavor was a bit much for me. I enjoyed the Ginger Sour, and each sip/gulp leaves you puckering your lips from the sourness. I went with the Amber Ale lastly because I wanted something a little less complex, but there was still some nice, sweet flavor coming out of it. I also stole quite a few sips from the missus Raspberry/Vanilla Porter, which had a fantastic raspberry flavor to it (though I would have liked to have had the vanilla stand out a bit more.) My father-in-law also had a flight and I tried some of his Green Apple Buttered Pie which had a tart apple taste with a rich buttery finish. Based on the beer selection, quality, and location I totally see us hanging out here more in the future. It's a great laid back place to chill and grab a brew. As I always say, I just wish they provided some kind of food to help absorb some of the alcohol. read more

Ass Clown Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Cornelius, North Carolina

Love the ambiance in this little brewery! They have fun and unique decorations that include a wall made entirely of cigar boxes, and fun and comfy seats. They also offer a selection of board games which is always a plus. Only downside is that they do not offer any outdoor seating since the space is a little limited. They have a great selection of beers, a delicious (I think it was plum) sour, and an ipa that I had. Great stop for an afternoon after the lake or if you are up in the Cornelius area. read more

Buried in a business park off of Bailey Road. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but deserves to be given a chance. Very cozy inside. Friendly patrons and my favorite bartender in the Lake Norman area (Matt). Matt's always welcoming and has a gift for remembering names. Go a second time and I guarantee he'll greet you by name. He's also able to make solid recommendations on what you'll like and is willing to let you taste anything on tap before going "all in." Cool swag (glassware, hats, tees) for purchase. Bought a bunch to use as prizes at a business meeting. They were a HUGE HIT and raised the stakes of team competition. read more

Great beer flavors for the adventurous drinker. Ghost pepper brown ale's, bacon stouts, jasmine IPA's, etc...... Not what you'd expect hidden in the back corners of a business park. FYI: Your GPS might not get you right to the door. I loved it. Every single beer on my first flight was one of the better beers I've ever had in Charlotte. Right up there with NoDa and Triple C. The citra hopped IPA was superb. Great flavor. The jasmine IPA was a little easier drinking and still great. Then I got really adventurous with 25 pepper brown ale. Well balanced with just a little heat in the back of your throat at the end. At that point I jumped all the way up to the 14% imperial stout. Easy drinking per ABV. As I pondered what pint to buy, I tasted a couple other things. The bacon flavored booze just wasn't my thing. So, I ended up going back with the brown. Sorry for the ramble, but figured the beer was the most important part. Its a quaint little tasting room with tv's, free salty snacks, and plenty of beers on tap. The lighting is beautiful. Some made with growlers, others in old school ball jars. Burlap sacks lining the walls. I highly recommend checking it out. D9 is right around the block and worth your time as well. read more

Hidden in the back of a Cornelius industrial park, Ass Clown Brewing is a cool, cozy spot to duck in for a tasty beer in a fun, laid-back setting. While Ass Clown lacks many of the amenities that define Charlotte's larger breweries, it has a deep selection of beers on tap, including the delicious Orange Citrus IPA and the small-batch IPA, 'Spelt It Up.' Unfortunately, the lack of an outdoor seating area, food trucks or larger tables makes Ass Clown somewhat underwhelming when compared to other local breweries. Worth a stop if you happen to be in the area, but not necessarily worth a special trip. read more

Don't let the name fool you-- this place has great beer! The location is a little interesting as it's in an industrial park. The inside is cozy. Lots of beers to try and my husband loved their IPA's! Just wish it was a better location with some open outdoor space. Love seeing their beers on tap at local establishments read more

Found this place via Yelp and figured with a great name like Ass Clown why not see what they have. Went in specifically for the bacon flavored beer but of course so was everyone else it was out. The bartender asked what I was looking for and I went rogue and tried the starfruit one which was a little sour but really enjoyed it. So I ordered up a growler and drank it the next night while at the pool. When I am back in the area I will certainly try another brew. read more

Ass Clown Brewing - Starfruit growler - Breweries Near Me - Cornelius, North Carolina

See all

I knew this place would be a little difficult to find as I am an out of towner but it wasn't that hard. I arrived about 30 minutes before it opened and so I waited and waited. But after a few minutes the owner the brew master invited me to come in and hang out while he set some things up. I was really here for the pumpkin nitro beer he had as it was fall. It was great people came and went and I enjoyed my pumpkin beer hearing the story of how the brewery got its name Ass Clown. After a few pints it was time to go and I had my fill, I bought two growlers to go and got some free stickers. Really fun place to hang out and drink some crazy beer. Afterwards I stopped at Duckworth's and Brawley's beverage to make my journey complete. The short and sweet version of my day in NC ! read more

Ass Clown Brewing - Breweries Near Me - Cornelius, North Carolina

See all

So we're sitting there, eating lunch at a diner in... somewhere, and came up with the great idea to hit a brewery nearby before heading back to Charlotte. Nothing was too terribly close, but as my wife is scrolling through the options on her phone, she burst out into laughter all of a sudden. Then she showed me the entry for Ass Clown Brewing Company, and it was decided. It's not the easiest thing in the world to find, tucked away in a commercial business park with nothing but a small clown face to mark the location. The tap room is a bit smaller than most, but there's a number of tables and about half a dozen seats at the bar. Considering the size, there are a surprising number of beers on tap. The name of the game here is "unique". Sure, there are a handful of basics on the menu, but the real draw here is to try the wide variety of unusual brews. We ordered mainly flights, including: - Simcoe IPA - Bacon Rum Barrel Porter - Cinnamon Applesauce Ale - Pumpkin/Rhubarb Ale - Simcoe/Citra Wet Hop IPA - Ass Clown Stout - Ghost Chili IPA - Cinnamon Cocoa Nib Tart - Pumpkin Vanilla Rum Barrel - Raspberry Jalepeño Porter - French Oaked Lemon IPA - Orange Spice IPA - Chocolate Sea Salt Stout - Boiled Peanut Stout The only two that I wouldn't have again are the Ghost Chili IPA and the Raspberry Jalepeño Porter. But to be fair, I'm not a fan of pepper flavors in my beer. My wife loves that, and she loved both of these. I really liked everything else - the flavors are not overpowering like you might get with a Shipyard Pumpkinhead or similar. They're much better than that, subtler but still noticeable. Everyone working there seemed very friendly, and we really enjoyed our time at the bar. Picked up a couple of pint glasses for the house, because how could you not? Someone needs to figure out how to get their beers down to FL, because we're already missing it. read more

See all

Went to Ass Clown for the first time on Sunday to catch some of the Panthers game in a low-key, non sports bar. Ass Clown was AWESOME and I was really impressed with the number of beers they had on tap. I have the Orange Citrus IPA, and it had great flavor. My boodle tried it and also liked it, which says a lot... he's very particular about his IPAs. The bartender was really nice and attentive to our needs. We ended up closing out our tab with three beers and a bag of local popcorn, which was yummy. Ass Clown does have a smaller taproom, so it may not be great for large groups. If you're looking for a chill place to drink some beers and hang out, this is a great spot! ALSO: There is plenty of parking as they are located toward the back of an office park. read more

Cool atmosphere, decent beers. Friendly staff!outdoor seating available, masks required. Worth checking out for sure!

Tucked away in an office park, finding Ass Clown was the worst part of the experience. They have a great, wide-ranging menu of their brews as well as some snack options from local vendors. Bar seating, high-top tables, and a couple couches are located throughout the taproom. A smaller, more intimate taproom than most places, which I enjoyed thoroughly! The bartender answered any and all questions, and even provided some insight to the Panthers offensive woes against the Saints while we were watching the game. read more

This place I travel long distances to visit. Such a neat brewery tucked away where you wouldn't expect it to be. Great, yes great beer here, fellow aficionados. Always innovating, never boring, this brewery has more than one beer for every taste. Combine that with a staff that loves what they do, and you too would make this place a "special treat" go-to if you don't reside nearby. My favorite: Orange Citrus IPA... read more

This place is awesome! They have great beer, great service, and awesome merchandise that everyone boys! It is small but the decor and environment is one of a kind! Highly recommend checking out this brewery! read more

I love the seating and wall treatments in their tasting room. Heavy pine tables and stools with baskets of Cape cod potatoe chip sample bags to cleanse your palate. The waitress was a pretty lady with black hair, victory rolls and red lipstick. They have BOTH wine and beer. I love the industrial taps with hammers, wrenches and miscellaneous iron pieces. I had a glass of the pinot noir. It was heavy and dense. The chardonay was dry. The men folk thought they temp of the beer was slightly warm. Their favorite was the Berlinweiz. read more

Ass Clown Brewing - Board - Breweries Near Me - Cornelius, North Carolina

See all

Ass Clown has a lot of really good things going for it. The location is a bit off the beaten path in the midst of an office/industrial park, but don't let the exterior fool you. Inside, it's really interesting with this old school eclectic vibe going on. There is a huge window behind the bar that allows you to see through to the brewery itself, complete with an enormous Ass Clown clock. While there is no food to order, they have complimentary bags of chips and pretzels on the tables which is a nice touch. Considering how many beers they have, you're going to want all the food on your stomach that you can get! So, the beer itself. For me, this was a mixed bag. There were sooo many different types to choose from that it was almost overwhelming. While I didn't count, there must have been 15-20 different types. I appreciate that they are experimenting with different flavors and ingredients, but some of them were misses for me. I asked the bartender what the best seller was and he didn't have an answer so it seems like they're trying to pump out as many different things as possible. I hope that in the future as they really get into their groove, they'll settle on a more focused subset of their best stuff, opting for quality over quantity. They can still be adventurous while cutting the number of selections. There are a lot of good things going for this place and I look forward to seeing more of them in the local beer scene! read more

Ass Clown Brewing - Yes that is an Ass Clown clock - Breweries Near Me - Cornelius, North Carolina

Super quirky and fun place - an absolute must for the adventurous craft brew geek in your circle ! I always find something interesting to try at this craft brewery. read more

One of the best breweries I have been to. It's a pretty small place but the variety is huge. They are super friendly and helps you find the best one. I would prefer this place any day but keep in mind you do not get any type of food here, but ofcourse it's a brewery which isn't commercial. I would strongly recommend this place. Cheers! read more

Ass Clown Brewing - Ass Clown rocks.. - Breweries Near Me - Cornelius, North Carolina

Just realized I've never reviewed my favorite local brewery. These guys are OGs of Cornelius/Huntersville/LKM and hands down my favorite. It's a smaller brewery but don't worry, this place is all about the beer! Matt Glidden was making hazy IPAs before I knew they're a thing. I will venture into a variety of their brews but I'm crazy about the IPAs! Bartenders will actually remember your name and become your friend. There's a local crew that's always sparking convos and open to the newcomers. Even though they've made the best of their space it can be tight at peak hours so don't run away... grab some four packs because they're not in many stores and they always drop small, special batches. Another local pro tip, hit them up on Tuesday for $1 off pints cheers! read more

Nice selection of beers.. the building is cute. No outdoor seating that I seen. Was hoping they were going to have some of the Carolina Taffy that they collaborated with read more

When I travel for work, I always try to check out local breweries. It help break yo the boredom that can occur while on the road, I get to try new beers and support a local business. So, a win win all around. As soon as I saw the name of this brewery, I knew I had to visit. Ass Clown is located in a small industrial park, and can be easy to miss. The tasting room is small, but cool. The staff is very friendly and eager to help recommend a beer. Ass Clown had many styles of beers from stouts to IPAs to sour beers. You can get a flight or a pint, even buy cans, crowler or a growler to go. I will be sure to drop by this brewery again next time I am in the Charlotte area. read more

Excellent beer, in an enjoyable space, at a weird location. No points off for the weird location, just want to stress that this is at the back of a business park. You'll think you've turned into the wrong place. Ass Clown is as right as it gets. I can't believe I wrote that last sentence. The place is well decorated and comfortable. I went twice while in town. It seems they draw a lot of regulars who are welcoming to newcomers...as is the bartender. There were a ton of beers available, all brewed on site. I favor stouts, enjoyed each one that I tried. If you've got a wine drinker with you, they have two reds and two whites available by the glass and bottle. Eat before you go. read more

Best place ever - great beer, nice cozy atmosphere and good service. We have been there a few times now and will definitely be back. You can order take out food and bring it there while drinking beer. Great place!!! read more

Girl bartender was super cold and unfriendly; not helpful when suggesting beers. Wanted to buy a pint glass and she said she would clean out a used one to buy because the new ones were up high on a shelf and she didn't want to get them. #customerservicefail Two stars because the beer was actually decent, and the ambiance was nice. Wish they would have had outdoor seating though. read more

Ass Clown is a tad bit hard to find, but is a really cool spot. Trust your GPS and turn in where you think the little red marker is supposed to be. Trust your heart, let fate decide, to guide you to Ass Clowwwwnnn. Anyways, you walk in and the first scent that hit me was yeast, followed by wine. Yes, they make their own wine here too! The space looks like it's somebody's living room, as the light is dark, there's tons of lounge chairs, and the decor is all mismatchy. There's one tap wall with a pretty insane amount of beer. A chalkboard sits next to a bar and has the categories: Pale/Brown (which includes an Amber), IPA, Stouts/Porters, and Sours. While I was there, I got to sample 2 of their beers. I started off with a solid Amber and then moved on to the Unexpected (coming in at 7.2% ABV). Both were surprisingly great! I tried the habenero brown, which was probably one of the spiciest beers I've ever had, but honestly, I didn't choose it because of the base flavor (or lack there of). Promise I'm not a wimp, guys. My group snuck into a side room that's to the left of the front door and stayed there for a majority of the time. I love the fact that there are multiple, semi-separated rooms that you can go sneak into. Very cool. I'm excited to come back here and try out their sour program, since that took up an entire section. Ass Clown is unique in it's homey feel, and I'm glad that a place like that is in such close proximity to where I work! read more

This was a great little gem we found! Some of the best beer I've tasted! They really know what they are doing & very well organized. The staff is friendly & even offer wine for those who want to join but aren't huge beer fans. The decor is fun & hip. The location isn't anywhere central. You won't know it's there but will see a lot of cars in the parking lot & they're basically all for the brewery. There is also a sign on the door :-) I will warn you that seating is limited so come early to be guaranteed a seat. read more

Went here once and loved the brown habanero. Didn't much like the ghost pepper ipa, but hubby tried it because it was unique. Like that they try different things with brews. Was a strange location though in an business park and on a Sunday afternoon was not very busy accordingly. read more

Hilarious name and an even more impressive beer list! This is currently a very small location but very cozy. Even though it is in an industrial park they did a great job making the inside feel like a cozy Pub with comfortable couches, stools and decore. I was impressed to see such a variety with their beer list. The only thing I was disappointed about was the fact that the one sour beer I wanted head kicked as soon as the bartender went to pour. My mom does not drink beer and they were out of red wine at the moment. But this was a great opportunity for her to try some sour beer which she found out she enjoyed! We will be back if we are in the area! read more

Off the beaten path in warehouse buildings, but cool honey decor, complete with comfy seating and games and popcorn. We love their spicy beers and their hazy IPAs. Wish they offered some light snacks. read more

Fun, fun, fun! What a low key spot to just hang in while on a business trip. Loved meeting new people and the folks were not pushy- which can be intimidating to a newbie. Thanks ya'll for being kind! Delicious and a great variety of beer- you WILL find something for everyone you are with!! read more

With a name like Ass Clown, in the beer world, you pretty much have to try it out. While vacationing in North Carolina I was quick to find the best and closest breweries near the campground we were staying at. Ass Clown was a short drive South and well worth it. As we were following the gps we came upon an industrial park and though that we had an error. However after arriving at our destination the gps was correct. It is in the middle of the industrial park. Walking in they have a smaller than normal set up but does not reflect on the beer. Their tap list is bigger than most and the variety is sure to please. I had to get a flight so I could sample several of their brews. For such a small brewery they pack a big punch in the flavor department. One thing I love about any brewery that does this is that they have a couple tables set up in the brew room! You can drink your beer right next to we're it was fermented. Big points there. The bartender was great. Sarcasm was her middle name and she was quick on her toes. Knowledge of the beer you serve is key and she was very familiar with every beer on tap. They have to go beer and of course I bought some to take home and share. Their slogan, "tap that ass Clown" was perfectly fitting. So much so that I had to buy their glass! I strongly recommend you try them out when you're in the area. read more

Ok...2 stars because here at Yelp that means "Meh. I've experienced better" and I have, 3 stars is "A-Ok"...and for me it wasn't. As others have said I had my first Ass Clown at Oktoberfest in 2011...CRAZY long lines and I visited twice. Had a chance to visit the new location recently with a few friends and, well.... First, it's hard to find, even knowing their logo it takes a minute to figure out where to go since the door on the left (a Mortgage CO) points to the door on the right, then you see the beer stickers and say what the hell and walk in. Thanks to the name (I assume) there are no signs at the road, no signs at the brewery and totally explains why a friend drove around for way too long looking for the brewery....heck Pisgah is easier to find. So, the taps...I'm a hop head, dry hop my own batches from my own hops (centennial and cascade) grown in my own back yard, love strong beers....but please make at least one beer a "regular" (sorry, I lack a better term)...beer. On tap: Alt ale - Black Orange IPA Nitro (75% head, once reduced I had...you guessed it 25% beer - ) French Oak IPA - Black Lemon Tart - Vanilla Brown Sour - Hoppy Amber (a good beer for those who like dry hopped beer) Imperial Vanilla Brown Ale (VERY good) - = I didn't care for. The point is, what's on the menu for me, a beer advocate are some strong beers...this was my first visit and I brought a few friends, I could tell they were not impressed (didn't finish). Mix it up a little...brew some traditional beers too...I'm sure none would return again with the current line up and I can't say I would either. Again, I appreciate the "extreme" beers but don't forget those traditional beers too! A simple pale ale or IPA would go miles to help. A new customer is awesome, a repeat customer is even better!!!! read more

Absolutely digging this place. Matt was hilarious and definitely made our night. Glad we got to try the NEW beers that were out!

Interesting and eclectic beer selection. Used to be even more so when they first moved to their present location. The expansion grew the business, but the quality remains. read more

I wasn't expecting very much from a recent addition to the Charlotte beer scene that is a solid 20 minutes outside of the city - much less from yet another startup in a nondescript strip mall - but I was pleasantly surprised by Ass Clown. Actually, they blew me away. First of all, I love the space. They've taken what had to be a boring, bland, office-like space and have turned it into something funky, cool, and relaxing all at the same time. Vintage furniture like a couch and arm chairs dot the sides while nice tables fill the center. One wall is lined with a bar-top made of what looks to be beautifully reclaimed wood from some random fallen tree. There are television spaced throughout the entire place and they're happy to change the channel to meet your whims. And the music rocks - a great mix of classic oldies, rock, and modern alternative rock. You can't help but feel at home the second you walk in. But then there's the beer. I typically expect a half dozen, maybe a dozen at most, taps from a small place like this. Most times you only get three or four. So imagine my surprise when I found an entire wall lined with their own experiments - 31 taps in total - along with some barrel-aged wines. It's not just the number of taps that are impressive, though. They've got wildly experimental beer that you won't find counterpoints at anywhere else. It's definitely not the dreary beat-to-death varieties that every brewpub has. For example, there was a banana bread stout, a sea salt chocolate stout, seven varieties of fresh-hopped IPAs, blood orange IPA, and maybe 10 sours. There is one downside to the wide range of experimentation, however. While swinging for the fences, they knock some of them out of the park; but they also strike out a lot. Their double IPA is delicious. The banana bread stout is unique and nearly as good as some of Southern Tier's famous imperial stout varieties. The blood orange IPA is great. But the sea salt chocolate stout comes in too salty, the pumpkin sour doesn't taste like pumpkin or anything else that I want to drink, and, in fact, most of their sours are just sour without any complexity or balance. That's okay, though. For every miss, they also have a solid hit. So you end up with at least 15 very good beers. That's way better than six mediocre ones in my book. I wish I lived next door. read more

Wow! The tasting room is very hip. I loved the high tops and chairs and couches and rustic decor. Makes for a very inviting spot to try a few brews. Everyone has different taste in beer but I can definitely say after tasting 4 or so I had a favorite! Took a growler home and can't wait to pop it open. Tasting room etiquette here is: if there is room at the bar you can order there. Otherwise folks line up at the little counter to the left of the bar and one bartender comes over and will take your order. This keeps traffic down in front of the small bar. read more

Its a little hard to find in the back of an office park, with little signage. We showed up here around 4:45 on a Saturday afternoon. It was so crowded, I literally could not get to the bar. I was standing for about 15 minutes, trying to get there, and finally just gave up. I walked out, thinking, these people need a better set up. I went over to D9, which is close and had a beer. Then, we decided to give it one more chance, and I"m so glad we did. When we came back around 5:30, that initial crowd was gone. Now the relatively small taproom was mostly empty. I walked straight to the bar and ordered my beer, found a seat, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I guess the moral is, don't make a snap judgement on first appearances. I really like how the tap room is set up. Very cozy feeling, with nice chairs, some big couches, also some high top tables, etc. It's small, but very nicely done. They have a wide selection of beer as well. They probably had 30 different taps. They had about 6 IPAs. I couldn't decide, so I went with a flight of all IPAs. They give you a generous 2.5 ounce pour on the flights. My favorite was the Ass Clown IPA, although every one on my flight was excellent. My wife decided to get a Bourbon barrel aged Pinor Noir. Yes, they have wine too. Later she got a 2.5 ounce pour of the saison. I have to say this is some of the best beer I've had. Around 6 pm they had someone playing live acoustic guitar in the already small taproom. But, it added more ambience to the experience. Overall, this is probably one of my favorite breweries. I will definitely be back, but living on the other side of Charlotte makes this a seriously long trek, past many other very good breweries, so not sure how often I can make it. However, I do highly recommend you stop by if in this area. Lastly, if its too crowded when you get there, go visit somewhere else and come back, you won't be disappointed. read more