Resident Culture Introduces First-Ever 12-Pack With Lightning Drops

Charlotte brewery introduces its first-ever 12-pack, bringing more of its fan-favorite Hazy IPA to refrigerators and coolers across North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, NC (September 4, 2026) — Resident Culture® is giving its flagship Hazy IPA a little more room to shine. Starting Friday, September 4, Lightning Drops will be available in 12-packs of 12 oz. cans—marking the brewery’s first-ever 12-pack format.

A longtime fan favorite and one of Resident Culture’s best-selling beers, Lightning Drops has been at the core of the brewery’s beer program since its early days in distribution. The 6.5% ABV Hazy IPA is brewed with Citra, Mosaic, and Strata hops, delivering notes of tangy citrus, tropical nectar, and an electrifying pop of resin. 

The new 12-pack is a permanent, year-round addition to the lineup and will be available for $23.99 at Resident Culture taprooms in Plaza Midwood and Uptown at the Market at 7th Street, online (OZNR) for shipping within North Carolina, and through statewide distribution at select retailers. 

“As we looked at where Resident Culture could grow next, the demand for a 12-pack format was impossible to ignore,” said Phillip McLamb, Co-Founder and COO. “It gives us the opportunity to bring one of our fan-favorite beers further into the market and put us alongside brands we deeply admire. For our small brewery, that’s an incredible opportunity.” 

The launch comes as Resident Culture continues to grow strategically. While much of the broader craft beer industry faces declining volume and increased pressure at retail, Resident Culture brands are up 19% in sales and 25% in volume year-to-date. 

Lightning Drops accounts for the largest share of Resident Culture’s core portfolio and remains one of the brewery’s most important brands, making it the natural choice to lead the company’s first-ever 12-pack format.  

“Lightning Drops is at the core of our beer program and has been one of our best-selling beers for nearly a decade,” McLamb said. “It was important for us to add this brand extension, especially with one of the beers that helped kick-start our journey into distribution.” More Lightning Drops means more to share—whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ or packing for vacation. 

“We can’t wait to share this with our community,” McLamb added. “It’s been a long time coming, and to see it coming off the line is a huge milestone for us. We’re excited it’s arriving just in time for folks to enjoy over the long weekend and to gear up for game days.” 

Resident Culture will officially launch Lightning Drops 12-packs on Friday, September 4, during Food Truck Friday at The Brewery in Plaza Midwood. Guests can enjoy local food, cold beer, and live music while picking up the newest addition to the Resident Culture lineup. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Razia Gonzalez-Crotts, Director of Marketing, Resident Culture

ABOUT RESIDENT CULTURE Founded in 2017, Resident Culture Brewing Co. has a genuine appreciation for assertive, hop-forward styles and strives to accentuate the character and quality of a farmer’s harvest. The Charlotte, N.C., brewery was named a Top 10 new brewery by RateBeer. The brewery’s non-alcoholic N.A.R.C.© IPA won the Pale Non-Alcohol Beer category at the Great American Beer Festival in 2024. In addition, Cümulo, Resident Culture’s line of THC/CBD-infused sparkling water, earned six regional and national medals at the American Spirit Awards. Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine named Resident Culture’s Static God one of its top 20 beers of 2021, and the brewery’s Sympathetic won Best Wild Beer Mixed Culture and Best of Show at the 2021 Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers (FoBAB). With multiple locations across Charlotte, Resident Culture is known for its creative collaborations, vibrant community spaces and a brand culture that celebrates authenticity and fun. Resident Culture: Where your weird is welcome. For more information, visit residentculturebrewing.com.