Charlotte Brewery Completes Total Divestment and Rebrand Following Former Owner's Felony Indictment

Charlotte’s Sycamore Brewing reopens March 14 as Club West Brewing under new ownership, following child rape allegations against former owner Justin Brigham.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 5:01 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WBTV

Strategic Reopening Under New Ownership

A significant fixture in Charlotte’s South End is undergoing a total transformation as it prepares to welcome patrons back this Saturday, March 14. Now operating under the name Club West Brewing, the facility has officially transitioned to new ownership following a period of temporary closure. The move is part of an intensive effort to stabilize the business after it was nearly paralyzed by the criminal charges brought against its founding partner late last year. Company leadership has characterized this relaunch as an entirely new era for the brand, prioritizing a clean break from its previous identity.

The Background of the Legal Rebrand

The necessity for a rebrand became apparent in early January when legal records first indicated a name change to Club West Brewing. This strategic shift followed the December 10, 2025, arrest of former co-owner Justin Brigham in Stanly County. Brigham and his then-wife, Sarah Taylor, had founded the brewery a decade ago, building it into one of the region's most successful craft beer brands. However, the nature of the allegations led to an immediate collapse in consumer confidence, with the taproom sitting largely vacant and retail partners across the state removing the product from their shelves.

Ownership Transition and Divorce Proceedings

In the wake of the arrest, Sarah Taylor took immediate steps to excise Brigham from the company’s operations and ownership structure. By January 2026, she had filed for divorce and publicly condemned the alleged actions of her former partner. Despite these efforts to distance the business from the scandal, Taylor ultimately chose to sell the company entirely. The new owner, Brad Bergman, is a longtime veteran of the brewery’s internal team. Bergman’s acquisition is viewed as a move to preserve the operational expertise of the staff while providing a fresh administrative start for the neighborhood institution.