New OMB sets the date

Sometimes it feels like Charlotte has set sail on a sea of Copper: It's hard to find a restaurant in town that isn't pulling Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's Copper behind the bar.

So it's not surprising that the brewery, which specializes in unpasteurized, German-style beer, needed a bigger home than the little factory off Old Pineville Road.

The new place, on 8.5 acres at 4150 Yancey Road, is actually very close to the original spot, in what a marketing person I know wants us all to call "LoSo" -- the lower SouthEnd area, within spitting distance of South Tryon Street (not that I'm suggesting you try the spitting part).

Now the new place finally has an opening date: July 19. Starting at 3 p.m., they'll open the gates at the 8+ acre facility for a grand opening party, including food, live music, giveaways and brewery tours.

Admission to the party is free, but you'll need to pay for your food and beer. (They'll be pouring 10 kinds, including good ol' Copper and Unfiltered Anny Alt.) You can go to the brewery's page on Facebook for a chance to win a personal tour, VIP dinner and a few other perks.

Go here to see a video and hear owner John Marrino talk about why the new spot will be "a true beer garden."