Cold beers BY IAN TAYLOR
W
FOR THE COLD WINTER
inter is a top-flight season for beer, with many new brews coming out every year using spices and flavors that increase in popularity as the temperature decreases. The High Country is home to numerous breweries willing to take chances and take advantage of the classic combination of cold and beer. If you asked 10 High Country residents, “Where’s the best place to grab a drink?” they may give you 10 different answers. In recent years, the area has become the home to a blossoming brew scene with a variety of flavors.
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN BREWERY
More commonly known as AMB, Appalachian Mountain Brewery is the home of more than 100 beers and ciders. Since its founding in a cultural staple in the college town. Their numerous beverage options include the famous Boone Creek Blonde, Porter and the Spoaty-Oaty as flagship year-round brews. They also have some seasonal 130
FILE PHOTO Matt Wurst and Amber Steward hand out beer tastings from the Appalachian Mountain Brewery tent at High Country Beer Fest.
beers on tap such as the C.R.E.A.M. coffee and doughnut-infused milk stout, which is a collaboration with fellow Boone staple Local Lion. If you’re more of a cider person, their Mystic Dragon Cider is an apple-
based cider infused with green tea, rhubarb and strawberries. AMB also has events every week including open mic nights, fundraisers and charitable endeavors. For more information, you can go to their
website, www.amb.beer, or call (828) 263-1111.
BLOWING ROCK BREWING
After more than a decade in the business, Blowing Rock Brewing has stuck to its core val-
ues of capturing the finest qualities of the High Country and sustainability. The Midnight Raspberry Wheat is brewed with dark, roasted wheat and fermented while the Red Rider is malt driven
and deep amber-red in color, with moderate hop intensity. Both are some of the seven of their brews to win medals at the Carolina Championship of Beer Awards. SEE BEERS ON PAGE 131
WINTER TIMES 2021
