Brewing and wine making a High Country tradition BY IAN TAYLOR
F
rom the ancient Greeks, to the Nordic Vikings and the modernday college students, humans have enjoyed alcohol for thousands of year. Whether you prefer beer, wine, cider or have no preference at all, the High Country has the locations to satisfy your adult beverage needs. Between Ashe, Avery and Watauga County, there is more than a dozen breweries and wineries, each crafting unique flavors that transforms alcohol into art.
BREWERIES
There is something in the water of Western North Carolina that gives each beer brewed here a special quality. In fact, it is the water itself, according to Booneshine co-founder Tim Herdklotz, who noted the water’s excellent quality for brewing. Coupled with a fascination for experimentation, local, craft beer has seen an explosion of popularity in the High Country. Ashe County is home to breweries such as Boondocks Brewing, cidery Molley Chomper and New River Brewing. Boondocks made its name through
CAMPING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 168
The proportion of campers who camped for the first-time in 2020 was five times greater than what was observed in 2019, according to KOA. When it comes to camping, the National Park Service has tips to make the experience as good as possible. First, when camping the NPS recommends people bring lots of water. When
PHOTO SUBMITTED Pictured from left are Brett Taubman, director of ASU Fermentation Sciences, and Andrew Mason, owner and director of brewery operations at Lost Province Brewing Co.
beers that celebrated Ashe such as the West Jefferson Centennial Ale — which
camping at an established campground, filling up some water jugs is recommended right away. At a backcountry campground, camping near a water source is suggested for ease of access and availability. Second, the NPS recommends meal planning when camping. Foods that are light and easy to prepare — such as rice and pastas — are recommended. Food storage is also important. Having a campsite clean of food and stored safely allows less animals to come rummag-
CAMPGROUNDS
was first brewed for the celebration of West Jefferson’s 100th Anniversary
— while Molley Chomper provides uniquely-flavored alternatives to traditional beers. Beech Mountain Brewery and Kettell Beerworks fly the flag for Avery, each providing new explorations for drinkers’ palates. Kettell categorizes their brews into three tiers by alcohol percentage climbing up to the Speak Easy, which carries a whopping 10 percent ABV along with its bourbon barrel aged Baltic porter flavors. Meanwhile, Watauga acts as the hub of it all. Buoyed by Appalachian State University’s Fermentation Sciences
ing through. According to the NPS, a black bear can smell a food source from over a mile away so making sure food is stored in a solid storage container and away from the campsite is key to safe camping. The NPS also recommends people have good shelter when camping. A tent or hammock with shelter work, but the NPS recommends having a sleeping pad, warm sleeping bag and a pillow to keep warm. When camping, bringing a small
department, Boone was named the eighth-best small-town beer scene in America by USA Today in 2021, and is full of innovative brewers. Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Lost Province and Booneshine anchor Boone’s bountiful beer scene, while Blowing Rock Brewing continues the trend of using locallysourced materials in Blowing Rock. Boone’s breweries have woven into the fabric of the mountain town’s culture and identity as places SEE BREWING ON PAGE 174
bar of soap, a washcloth and small towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss and feminine hygiene products is ideal to make the best experience possible. Extra clothes, towels, batteries and flashlights/lamps are also key to bring in case of emergencies. The High Country also has several trails to keep hikers busy during the day. There are also many fishing holes, streams and lakes for people who would rather take it easy instead of taking a hike.
camping cabins, tent sites and full hookups.
Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone and Banner Elk.
Honey Bear Campground 229 Honey Bear Campground Rd, Boone, NC 28607 (828) 963-4586 Honey Bear is a family-friendly campground located in Boone. It also hosts a number of events throughout the season, including BBQs, karaoke, cornhole tournaments, haunted trails and zombie paintball.
Boone KOA 123 Harmony Mountain Ln, Boone, NC 28607 (828) 264-7250 Boone KOA is the highest KOA east of the Mississippi at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet. The campground features a spot with long Pull-Thru RV Sites under tall trees, a pool, arcade games and a farm animal mini zoo.
Blue Bear Mountain Campground 196 Blue Bear Mountain Road, Todd, NC 28684 (828) 406-4226 Blue Bear Mountain Camp offers year round camping experiences for every type of outdoor enthusiast and has an accessible tent and RV camping sites in a natural setting.
Flintlock Campground 171 Flintlock Campground Dr, Boone, NC 28607 (828) 963-5325 Flintlock Campground Located on a mountainside stream at 3,500 feet in elevation. It offers camping amenities, including
Grandfather Campground 125 Profile View Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828) 963-7275 The campground has 30 and 50 amp full hookup sites, tent sites and several types of cabin rentals. It is located close to
172
Julian Price Campground Blue Ridge Pkwy, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (828) 963-5911 Located along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Julian Price Campground features easy access to boating, hiking, fishing and more. SUMMER TIMES 2021
