Beer & Wine Express

There’s a fancy new beer store near me, so you know I had to check it out…….a lot. And of course, I went back with my camera.img_5123

Beer & Wine Express is located in Cherokee, NC just off of Highway 74 on Highway 441 North. For me this is just a scenic drive a couple exits up from Bryson City. It is a family owned business and they have made me feel more than welcome every time I’ve visited. The building is brand img_5126new and the store is always spotless and orderly. They have a very large floor plan with a lot of room for growth.

 

The craft beer selection contains all my favorites and many I have yet to try. The shelves are stocked with plenty of brews from right here in North Carolina. I’ve also picked up beers from all over the US that I’ve never seen here. I wish I could give you the full list, guess you’ll just have to check it out for yourself.

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Doc Holliday Beer, Wine, and Art Festival

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Pearl Bottom Radio entertaining the crowd.

This weekend I was in my old hometown of Griffin, GA and had the pleasure of attending the Doc Holliday Beer, Wine, and Arts Festival.  First, I must say that I was happy to see that the town I left has some progressive thinkers and that festivals like these are happening. While it was small and humble, it lacked for nothing. There were great beers , fine IMG_4368wines, and even finer works of art. The stage hosted some very talented local IMG_4374musicians. Ice cold bottles of water were free for the taking and the same tent was offering free breathalyzers to make sure everyone was good to go.  The Grazing Here food truck was on site serving up a tasty lunch. The set-up was orderly and the people were friendly. Even the local law enforcement helping with gates and road closings seemed to be enjoying the crowd.

The ticket price was more reasonable than I expected. While early-bird and VIP passes are available, I paid the general admission price of $10 which got me through the gates with my own commemorative pint glass. I was then able to purchase tickets for beer tastings. They were $1 per 3 oz pour, which was cool. If you really liked a beer, you just cashed in IMG_4363four tickets and to get a full 12 oz pour.

I tried lots of GA beers,however there was craft brew from all over being poured. I tasted the Fixin’ To Session IPA from Jekyll Brewing, the Cadence Belgian Ale from Reformation Brewing, and the Cannon Dragger from Burnt Hickory Brewing. I also enjoyed sampling beers from Monday Night Brew, Jailhouse Brewing, Wild Heaven and Creature Comforts. Georgia has a lot to offer in the way of craft beer. The scene is growing. I am happy that my home state is producing some tasty brews.

Now for the coolest part? Doc Holliday Beer, Wine, & Art Festival is used as a way to raise money for various local charities. This year the proceeds went to Camp Southern Ground, a camp that allows children to “overcome academic, social and emotional difficulties so they may reach their full potential and provide the tools necessary to achieve excellence in all facets of their lives”. Sounds like a worthy cause to us.

IMG_4365 I am looking forward to attending this festival again next year. The beer and people were too good not to want more. Festivals aren’t easy. A lot of behind the scene stuff goes on before the fun begins and the work doesn’t stop when the gates close. Thanks to all of the dedicated people who made this happen. I was glad to be a part of it. Cheers!

 

Derailed Bar & Lounge

beers and some 059In Bryson City, North Carolina, Anthony’s Pizza has always been a popular place for locals and tourists alike. I mean, who doesn’t love a New York style pizza? Plus, you can get a pie to-go and walk two doors down to enjoy it at Nantahala Brewing Company.

Now you don’t have to leave to get a good beverage. Last year, on top of an amazing makeover of the restaurant, they added a separate bar and lounge for the grown-ups. Dubbed Derailed, this lounge offers amazibeers and some 060ng cocktails, wine, and, of course craft beer.  Situated just across the street from the depot of The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, it’s in the hub of town making it a great place to people watch! Plus, the porch is kid and dog friendly and there’s live music on Saturday nights. However,  if you’re trying to escape the hustle and bustle, kids and dogs, then step inside and find yourself a cozy corner to hide-away. The lounge area is 21 and up. Seating ranges from bar stools and tables to velvet sofas and leather recliners.

I love this environment. A place where everyone can drink together regardless of their choice of beverage.  My last stop in found me at the bar enjoying a draft Green Man ESB and laughing with a stranger who was sipping a high dollar glass of wine. Her partner enjoyed a regular ol’ beer and a shot of whiskey.  Something for everyone.  I always scope out the craft beer bottle list, as their selection rotates. They also have a couple microbrews on tap. We’ve found beers from New Belgium, Green Man, Lazy Hiker, Sierra Nevada, Founders, Natty Greene’s , Brewery Ommegang , and more.

So, whether you’re looking to share a cold brew and a hot pizza with friends or enjoy a cocktail all by yourself, this is a great place to check out on your next visit to the mountains. This little town is full of surprises!

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Cork & Bean Bistro

There’s a classy little place on the corner of Main and Everett Streets in the historic downtown area of lazy hiker and pets 060Bryson City, North Carolina. The Cork & Bean Bistro is a  part of the new Everett Boutique Hotel & Bistro. The restaurant is open to the public and known for their great food which focuses on locally grown and organic ingredients. The lounge has a full bar, a fine wine selection, and craft beer. The beautiful wood of the bar, the rustic wooden chairs and tables, and the warm lighting represent the natural beauty of the area with elegance. The staff are friendly folks from all over who have come to call the mountains home and have a grand appreciation of their surroundings.

Oh yes, and there’s craft beer. That’s what brought us in. The bistro currently has eight taps where they rotate various beers from the growing brewery scene of the Carolinas.  We have enjoyed beers from The Unknown Brewing Company, Mother Earth Brewing, and Foothills Brewing in recent visits. They are currently featuring two delicious beers from Lazy Hiker Brewing; a Coffee Stout and one of the beerbrewery’s flagship brews, the Slack Pack IPA. They also have an Amber Ale and Milk Stout from Duck Rabbit Brewery, Railhouse Brewery‘s Ka-Bar Brown, and a few flavors from Nantahala Brewing Company which is in walking distance to the bistro. No matter which beer you choose, the lines are always clean and they probably have the perfect food to pair it with.

So next time you are in Bryson, stop in and enjoy a tasty Carolina craft brew in style.

Cheers!

Andrews Brewing Company

We pull up to the brewery on a sunny Tuesday afternoon in December. It’s warm in Andrews, NC for this time of year and a beautiful day to be outside.

Andrews Brewing Company is very small; with 330 Square feet of building, most of their seating is outside. We walk in and are warmly greeted by Judy Carlson. She and her husband Eric Carlson opened this place nine years ago as Calaboose Wine Cellars. Still making wine, they added brewing craft beer to the operation two years ago with no looking back. Inside are four or five large tanks holding their wine, which is made from grapes grown right on the property. The vineyard is a beautiful view from the deck of the taproom.

After hellos, Judy pours us a flight of the six beers they currently have on tap: a beautiful array with Lightning Bug Blonde, Apricot Amber, Leatherwood Red, Coffee Stout, Four Lane ESB, and Equinox IPA. Then we retreat to the deck where Judy cranks up a couple of overhead heaters and then departs to let Eric know we’ve arrived.

{Eric and I first met nine or ten years ago as he was preparing to open the winery. At that time, I was a shift manager at Nantahala Outdoor Center’s outfitter store. Eric came in to buy a rafting paddle, but needed something a little more affordable than the $75 Warner I had to offer. When he told me that he needed the paddle to stir wine, not to guide a raft down the Nantahala River, I made it my mission to be the one to help him out. I hopped on the store bike and rode around the center in search of an unloved, unwanted rafting paddle that could be given new life…..and find it I did. Years later I was hired to play music at a new small brewery and there I found Eric who showed me the paddle, still in use.}

Soon the four of us are talking beer and life while tasting and laughing. Every visit to Andrews Brewing Company is like this, and not just for industry folk. This is a very welcoming place, a place to visit with friends or find yourself immersed in great conversation among strangers.

We talk about the craft beer industry, new breweries opening in the area, music, and electronics. Eric has been working on some really neat stuff to make aspects of the brewing process automated like I have never seen in a brewery this small. Then we move on to a topic that we will find ourselves coming back to many times during our visit, a topic that Eric says is quickly becoming the only thing he and his brewer talk about – quality.

I first visited Andrews Brewing a few years ago to play music and try their beer. Not bad, but nothing that I can remember now. However, this little brewery has come a long way. Out of the 6 beers, we found several worth writing about. Eric originally reached out to me knowing that I enjoy dark beers. “Liz, we now have a coffee stout. Want to come review it?” My first thought? How do you honestly review a friend’s beer? But I was in, and I’m glad I did.andrews brewing notes

The Coffee Stout is described on their menu as “Love at 1st Whiff”, and boy is that right. This beer has a rich coffee aroma. There is a slight coffee bitter that immediately gives way to a velvety smoothness, like the perfect cup of espresso. I can’t wait to have this one again.

A big surprise for us in the lineup is the Apricot Amber. The aroma and first taste are almost more floral than fruity. I feel like I am standing under a blossoming fruit tree. The following sips reveal more hops and fruit notes. The finish is very crisp and not overly sweet.

Before we head back to Bryson, Eric offers to take us to see his new space. We hop in the car and follow him a couple of blocks closer to downtown Andrews. The space he’s acquired is 9000 square feet, a massive jump in size for the brewery. This summer, they hosted a few bands in the small yard there where Eric has built a stage. The plan is a very slow expansion. For now, Eric has moved the brewing into this building (the reason there are only wine vats in the taproom). This is where we meet the brewer, Dusty, and see the cool automated system that Eric has told us about. We also get an opportunity to try a Scotch ale that’s waiting to be carbonated. Delicious! Good things are happening. Eventually, the plan will involve a new taproom space and who knows what else. Since the building was home to the old A&P grocery store it already has cold rooms, dry storage, and floor drains in place. Perfect for whatever Eric can dream up.

Standing in the big wide open space of the building, I can clearly see that the possibilities are endless.

 

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Check them out for yourself in person or on the web. Find them on Facebook.

Andrews Brewing Company

565 Aquone Road
Andrews, NC 28901
(828) 321-2006