Nov 19, 2024

HMSHost Unveils OMB Biergarten at Charlotte Douglas International Airport

The highly anticipated new full-service restaurant and bar created in partnership with Charlotte born-and-brewed The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is now open in Concourse D under HMSHost’s master food and beverage concessionaire agreement, bringing the perfect pints and fantastic fare of the “Best Beer Garden” in the U.S. to CLT

BETHESDA, Maryland (Nov. 19, 2024) – Global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) and a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, announced today the opening of OMB Biergarten, its newest dining destination at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Created in partnership with The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB), which is renowned in the Carolinas for its traditional German-style beer and high-quality food, OMB Biergarten brings the highly acclaimed experience and a unique sense of place to Concourse D.

In 2024, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery was named the No. 1 “Best Beer Garden” in the U.S. in USA TODAY’s annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The 125-seat, 1,785 ft² outpost at CLT is inspired by the brewery’s original biergarten in Charlotte’s LoSo neighborhood. A modern interpretation of a public park, OMB Biergarten at CLT takes full advantage of the concourse’s high ceilings and natural light to reimagine a German biergarten for the airport environment — complete with 16-foot replica trees.

OMB Biergarten’s menu proudly features the brand’s signature brews made according to the world’s oldest beer purity law, the German “Reinheitsgebot,” including its flagship Copper Altbier, Captain Jack Pilsner, and Hornets Nest Hefeweizen — each brewed since OMB’s founding in 2009 — alongside a rotating selection of seasonal beers. OMB fans will recognize some of their favorite dishes from the local LoSo and Ballantyne taprooms, like jumbo pretzels, sausages, and pork schnitzel, and can now enjoy an only-at-CLT, OMB-style breakfast featuring omelets, apple strudel, A.M. cocktails, and more.

“OMB is a staple of Charlotte’s craft beer scene and has been a wonderful partner of HMSHost at Charlotte Douglas International Airport for many years. When the opportunity arose to create a concept that would bring the larger OMB experience to the airport, we knew it was a project everyone would support,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Stephen Douglas. “OMB Biergarten helps make a traveler’s journey through CLT as exciting as their destination, and we are proud to partner with The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and the City of Charlotte to bring this to life.”

“OMB has very much enjoyed its yearslong partnership with HMSHost at the Charlotte airport. In addition to being great business partners, we really appreciate HMSHost’s and the airport’s willingness to showcase small local businesses such as OMB, affording local and pass-through travelers a taste of what makes Charlotte unique,” said OMB Founder John Marrino.

“OMB debuted to our passengers in 2018 as quick-service bar Captain Jack’s Tavern in Concourse E,” said Ted Kaplan, CLT’s Chief Business and Innovation Officer. “Its popularity paved the way for other local craft brewery options in the terminal, and we’re thrilled to now offer a second, more expansive location for the millions of passengers traveling through Charlotte.”

HMSHost is the master food and beverage concessionaire at CLT, managing over 70 dining venues, including the award-winning Whisky River; its proprietary concept 1897 Market; QSR and fast casual brands like Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, Wow Bao, and Panera Bread; Summer House and Beatrix Market from Lettuce Entertain You; and more.

About OMB

Founded in 2009 in Charlotte, NC, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is dedicated to brewing and delivering premium, fresh beer for the Carolinas. The brewery uses only four all-natural ingredients (water, malt, hops, and yeast) in its beers, adhering to the world’s oldest food-quality regulation, the German "Reinheitsgebot." Charlotte’s oldest craft brewery produces and packages all OMB beer at its state-of-the-art brewery on Yancey Road in Charlotte. Signature beers include Copper Altbier, Captain Jack Pilsner, Hornets Nest Hefeweizen, and unFOURseen IPA with multiple seasonal offerings, including Mecktoberfest, its international award-winning Märzen Lager. OMB has garnered numerous regional and international medals for its beers in beer industry competitions throughout North America and Europe.