Dan Wade was a cherished figure in the Charlotte, NC community, known for his role as the co-founder and director of operations at Wooden Robot Brewery.
His life story is one of passion, innovation, and camaraderie.
In this article, we learn all about him.
Who was Dan Wade Charlotte NC?
Dan Wade grew up with a deep appreciation for craft beer and an entrepreneurial spirit.
He pursued his passion by studying brewing science and engaging with the craft beer community.
Together with his middle school friend, Josh Patton, Dan Wade founded Wooden Robot Brewery.
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For his education, Dan attended the University of Florida, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2010, per LinkedIn.
He continued to Heriot-Watt University where he gained his MSc in Brewing and Distilling in 2011.
Partnering with his middle school friend, they then founded the Wooden Robot.
According to its website: “Wooden Robot is a 15-barrel urban farmhouse brewery that draws inspiration from traditional Belgian farmhouse breweries and the innovation of American craft brewing,”
Dan Wade of Charlotte NC and his partner opened their first location in South End in 2015, focusing on craft brewing with local ingredients.
The brewery quickly became known for its innovative approach and quality beers.
In 2019, they expanded to NoDa with The Chamber, featuring a rooftop patio and food trucks. The duo also introduced a full-service kitchen in 2022, further enhancing their offerings.
The Wooden Robot website describes the journey of Dan Wade Charlotte NC and his friend Josh as such: “Their journey began as best friends in middle school, continued as they became enthusiastic homebrewers, and led them to the creation of Wooden Robot Brewery.
“Inspired by the seasonality and locality of farmhouse brewing, Wooden Robot uses 100% local malt and fresh fruit, herbs, and other artisanal ingredients whenever possible. Using local farm, foraged and specialty ingredients supports the growth of our economy and community,”
Tragically, Dan Wade’s life was cut short following a fall at the South End taproom.
The accident prompted the closure of both Wooden Robot locations as the community and his family mourned the loss.
The brewery, known for its Good Morning Vietnam blonde ale, posted the news on its social media pages:
“It is with an extremely sad and heavy heart that we share this news. Due to an accident that occurred today, we lost one of our founders, co-owners, and friend, Dan.
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“We ask that you respect the privacy of his loved ones in this incredibly difficult time. We are all still in shock and need time to process everything, but we will do our best to keep everyone in the loop for when we open up our taprooms again.
“Your thoughts and prayers for Dan’s family, his wife, and his son are much appreciated at this time,”
Dan is survived by his wife and son, who, along with the brewery’s patrons and the broader brewing community, remember him for his contributions to the craft beer scene and his warm, friendly nature.
Dan Wade’s legacy lives on through Wooden Robot Brewery, which stands as a testament to his dedication to brewing and the strong bonds he formed throughout his life.
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