Arts+Culture Craft beer catalyst: Mountain Layers Brewing celebrates five years
It’s early Thursday afternoon, and the two-story taproom of Mountain Layers Brewing in downtown Bryson City is buzzing. Mountain Layers Brewing is a popular spot for craft ales and conversation in the heart of downtown Bryson City. (photo: Sean Paul).
WNC BREWERIES Andrews • Hoppy Trout Brewing Company 828.835.2111 • www.hoppytroutbrewing.com • Snowbird Mountains Brewery 678.419.3035 www.snowbirdmountainsbrewery.com
Bryson City • Mountain Layers Brewing 828.538.0115 • www.mtnlayersbeer.com • Nantahala Brewing 828.488.2337 www.nantahalabrewing.com
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“We feel very blessed to be here and live in this part of the country,” said Mark Pettit. “What we love about this brewery is seeing our regulars every day, and also the people from all over who visit Bryson City once or twice a year, where they always make it a priority to stop in.” Co-owner of Mountain Layers alongside his wife, Kim, the Pettits have become a staple of the craft beer and tourism culture in the small mountain town since the Minnesota couple permanently relocated to Western North Carolina and opened the establishment five years ago. Situated on Everett Street next to the Tuckasegee River in the heart of Bryson City, the seven-barrel system brewery itself is cradled by two taprooms and a large rooftop patio. On any given sunny day, the property is a beehive of friendly faces and hearty banter, all swirling around pint after pint of craft beer being slid across the bar counter. The initial seed for Mountain Layers was planted when the Pettits were contemplating what to do and where to go once Mark was ready to retire. They’d already been roaming around the Great Smoky Mountains for over 15 years at that point and bought a cabin not long after their first visit. But, what next?
Canton
Franklin
• BearWaters Brewing 828.246.0602 • www.bwbrewing.com
Cashiers
• Currahee Brewing 828.634.0078 • www.curraheebrew.com • Lazy Hiker Brewing 828.342.5133 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com
• Whiteside Brewing 828.743.6000 • www.whitesidebrewing.com
Hayesville
Cherokee • Native Brews Tap & Grill 828.497.2739 • www.native-brews.com
• Hayesville Brewing 828.835.6010 • Nocturnal Brewing 828.305.7337 • www.nocturnalbrewing.com
Dillsboro • Innovation Brewing 828.586.9678 • www.innovation-brewing.com
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