Your Friendly Neighborhood Nano-Brewery

For Pilot, brewing is more than a craft, it’s a lifelong journey rooted in creativity, education, and community. A true passion brought to life by Advanced Cicerone®, Rachael Hudson.

After years of learning from acclaimed breweries like Hardywood Park, Left Hand, and NoDa Brewing, Rachael set out to create something uniquely her own: a space where passion and purpose meet in every pint.
 

In 2018, Rachael and her husband, Jeff: a professional pilot, opened Pilot Brewing, a name that nods both to aviation and to the small-batch experimental spirit that defines the brewery.

With a 3-barrel Nano-Brewery and a “Co-Pilot” half-barrel setup, Pilot Brewing is where innovation takes flight. Every beer is crafted with intention, gluten-reduced, quality-driven, and often inspired by the local community Rachael loves to serve.
 

As an Advanced Cicerone®, competition judge, and mentor in the craft beer industry, Rachael channels her expertise into education and empowerment. From training her team to leading sensory classes, she believes great beer begins with shared knowledge and curiosity. When she’s not brewing, Rachael supports charitable causes, plans Charlotte Craft Beer Week, and continues to champion inclusivity within the brewing community.

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For Rachael, every pour tells a story — one of dedication, creativity, and a love for craft that never stops evolving.