Beer and Wine

Brewing and wine making a High Country tradition

BY IAN TAYLOR

From 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 beers that celebrated Ashe such as the West Jefferson Centennial Ale — which 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 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

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.

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CAMPING

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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 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 rummaging 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 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.

CAMPGROUNDS

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.

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 camping cabins, tent sites and full hookups.

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.

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 Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone and Banner Elk.

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.

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.

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such as Booneshine brew specialty beers such as the Squatchy Ale in collaboration with local semi-pro soccer team Appalachian FC. Booneshine also acts as the official pregame destination for the soccer team’s home games, with supporters grabbing a drink or bite to eat before marching down to the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex to watch the game.

AMB has become something of a landmark in Boone, enjoying a night out at the establishment is now a right of passage for many App students.

WINERIES

In ancient Greece, wine was used for trade, religious festivities, parties and casual drinking. One of their gods, Dionysus, was worshipped as the patron of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, and they drank in his honor.

While drinking to honor the Greek god of theatre may not be common anymore, wine is still a commonly drank alcohol that has crafters littering the High Country.

While Watauga might be the focal point of the High Country’s beer garden, Avery is its source for wine.

The first winery to open in Avery was Banner Elk Winery and Villa in 2005, which has since gone on to win awards at the North Carolina State Fair for its drinking distinction. Aside from the wine, Banner Elk Winery and Villa features numerous suites for guests to stay in, and is a destination wedding location.

In the shadows of the mountain for which it is named, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery started as a hobby sized vineyard in Banner Elk, grew into a business and opened its doors in 2011.

Talk about a scenic view, the Watauga River flows right down the middle of the property.

Located at an elevation of 3,200 feet, Linville Falls Winery offers a space for weddings, private events, classes and reservations.

Guests can get a tasting experience that is both child and pet friendly. For those of age, chosen wines can be tasted in 1 ounce pours with requests taken for a glass or a bottle. Guests can pair that with live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

BREWERIES OF THE HIGH COUNTRY

Appalachian Mountain Brewery

Boone 163 Boone Creek Drive (828) 263-1111 amb.beer

Beech Mountain Brewing Company

Beech Mountain 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy. (828) 387-2011 www.beechmountainresort.com/mountain/ brewery

Blowing Rock Brewing Company

Blowing Rock 152 Sunset Drive (828) 414-9600 blowingrockbrewing.com

Booneshine Brewing Company

Boone 465 Industrial Park Drive (828) 386-4066 booneshine.beer

Boondocks Brewing Tap Room & Restaurant

West Jefferson 108 S. Jefferson Ave. (336) 246-5222 www.boondocksbeer.com

Flat Top Brewing Company

Banner Elk 567 Main St. East (828) 898-8677 www.flattopbrew.com

Lost Province Brewing Company

Boone 130 N. Depot St. (828) 265-3506 lostprovince.com

Molley Chomper

Lansing 165 Piney Creek Rd. (404) 769-1439 molleychomper.com

New River Brewing

Lansing 9211-A Hwy. 194 (919) 452-8367 newriverbrewing.beer

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