In an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Guy Fieri takes us to Heist Brewery in the NoDa (North of Davidson Street) area of Charlotte, North Carolina. Known for its diverse range of craft beers, Heist Brewery offers much more than just drinks. The food here is crafted with the same level of dedication and artistry as their brews, thanks to Executive Chef Scott Walker. Guy is here to explore one of their standout dishes: the Bacon Jam Burger.
The Birth of Heist Brewery
Heist Brewery is the brainchild of owner Kurt Hogan, who transitioned from a career in biopharma to the brewing industry. “I was home brewing at the time and decided to make my hobby a reality,” Kurt explains. He partnered with head brewer Eric Mitchell and general manager Spencer Ferrell, eventually bringing on Chef Scott Walker to elevate their culinary offerings. “Everything’s made in-house here,” Guy points out, highlighting the commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
The Bacon Jam: A Game Changer
The episode kicks off with the preparation of the Bacon Jam, one of the key ingredients for the burger. Chef Scott starts by rendering raw bacon in olive oil, then adds minced shallots, brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, honey, and their house-made beer. “Let this cook down at a low heat for about two hours,” Chef Scott instructs. Guy can’t help but express his approval: “I like the hoppiness; you get a little bit of heat in there, a little bit of sweet.”
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Crafting the Perfect Burger
Next up is the Beer Barbecue Sauce, another essential component. “We start with an oil blend,” Chef Scott says, sautéing garlic and onions before adding tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, plum tomatoes, and Heist Brewery beer. “This all cooks down for about 20 minutes,” he explains.
For the burger itself, Chef Scott uses a tri-blend of chuck, porter, and brisket. He pairs it with herb goat cheese, roasted tomatoes, fresh arugula, and the beer barbecue sauce, all assembled on house-made brioche buns. “Seriously? House-made?” Guy asks, clearly impressed. “All our own pretzels, all our own flatbread,” Chef Scott confirms.
The Final Assembly
As they assemble the burger, Guy exclaims, “A lot of time and energy into this. It’s good looking, that’s legit going down.” After taking a bite, Guy is full of praise: “What you put into one little burger is more than a lot of people put into their whole menu. You’ve got such great flavors. The goat cheese is cool, it’s tangy, good acid ’cause you got a lot of sweet coming in from the bacon jam. Love the fat in the burger. The bun’s delicious; it’s nice, it’s light. Flavor, design, attention to detail, creativity—well done.”
The Verdict
Guy isn’t the only one impressed. Regular patrons and even other local culinary stars like Greg from Pinky’s and George from Crazy Fish weigh in. “The goat cheese, tomato jam, and good pairing with this dark beer,” comments George. Everyone agrees that Heist Brewery offers an extraordinary culinary experience, making it a must-visit spot in Charlotte.