First, I have to agree with other reviews about the lack of bar seating. I stop in here occasionally after work and also do not want to take up space at a table. Standing at the bar just feels awkward.
The beer may be brewed by using the German purity standards, but those 500 year old laws do not carry as much weight in the current craft beer boom. There are plenty of breweries that add items for flavor; I am sure none of the other craft breweries are using filler ingredients. Not only that, the German purity laws were not solely implemented for purity. Brewers were using wheat and rye to make beer but people need those ingredients for bread. There is nothing wrong with making a wheat or rye beer (or as the Brewdogs did - made a beer with none of the German purity law ingredients).The laws also really limits their selection. I like to try new beers and OMB has only had five the last few times I went there. Unfortunately, none are really my preference but I did like the stronger Copper they had on their 6th anniversary. There is a reason why American brewers and craft bars and breweries are doing quite well in Germany these days (the purity law was repealed in 1987).
They have expanded their menu and the food is decent, but I wouldn't go here solely with the intent of dining. Personal pizzas are fresh and the dough is made with Copper. My sister-in-law asked what sides were vegetarian and was told the sauerkraut was; it's not. The service is also weird. I had 4 people tell me they would be serving me even after I had a beer sitting in front of me. It makes the place look disorganized. I am also not a fan of having to give someone a card at the beginning of a meal and them walking away with it when I want to pay cash. They also get dinged for only offering a limited menu if you're outside, even when the doors are wide open. It makes no sense,
The beer may be fresh at OMB, but to me there are so many other breweries in Charlotte offering better beer and more options. I respect OMB for leading the way, but it probably won't be first on my list to visit anymore