Beer and Breweries

[johnnyjohnson2043]

I'm gonna admit it right up front. I'm a beer snob. I like small, local breweries and craft beers. Can anyone recommend any nearby the trail? I remember seeing one in Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountain Brewery) not too long ago but never got to stop in. Any others or at least some great regional beers that I can pick up in a grocery store?

Odd Duck

[brian039]

Northern Outdoors Center in Maine just past the Kennebec River is a great microbrewery just a couple of miles from the trail. You already mentioned Smoky Mt Brewery which is also a great one. Those are the only two microbreweries that I can remember.

Sweetwater 420 can be bought down south and Long Trail Ale up North. Maine has a pretty good selection of regional beers too. Many more than that but I thought I'd just name a few. I was pleasantly surprised by the beer selection while on my thru.

[Hooch]

Ots o' good, cold, well crafted beer in Asheville, about 35 minutes from Hot Springs. :D

[harryfred]

Stop at the Doyle when you come through Duncannon They always have Troegs Pale Ale, Appalachian Brewing Company Jolly Scot On tap and maybe another, all brewed in Harrisburg PA. They also have several local offerings in bottles. The food is excellent the hospitality can't be beat.The prices are very reasonable. The rooms are...... well warm and dry :sun

[Chester Copperpot]

Blue Mountain Brewery is located directly east of Humpback Rocks near Afton here in good ole VA. They've got tasty brew in a great location, and the last time i visited, speaking with the owner who is "good people" as we say here in the south, who would love to be an AT-friendly brewery. He was even concerned with how to get his establishment on the next copy of the thru hiker handbook.
Great beer, great people, great location near Rockfish Gap.

[Ashevillian]

Asheville is about to be voted "Beer City USA" for the third year in a row. We've got about a dozen great micro breweries plus almost every bar has the best of best on tap, some like Barley’s up to 40 on tap. My personal favorites “The Wedge”, Highlands, Pisgah and of course my best friend’s brewery GREEN MAN.

[johnnyjohnson2043]

They should put an appendix labeled the "Beer Guide" in the back of the Thru-Hikers' Companion. I would vollunteer to hike from brewery to brewery in order to keep it updated.

[johnnyjohnson2043]

Great ones so far! Thanks everyone. Keep 'em coming if you think of more. I'm compiling a list for my hike in April.

[Hooch]

No fancy-schmancy microbrews, but the beer at Dot's in Damascus is always cold and the burgers are always fresh and hot.

[johnnyjohnson2043]

I'll have to check Dot's out. I'm looking forward to spending some time in Damascus especially if I can make it for Trail Days.

[Enic]

When starting PA NOBO, you should check out Appalachian Brewing Company. The brewery is in Harrisburg, but there is a resturaunt/ bar in Gettysburg as well. Great craft beers, ecspecially the Trail Blaze Organic Brown. Hell, they're all good...probably the only reason I'd go near Gettysburg on a thru. A few mile hitch outside of Caladonia State Park, but doable in the summer.

[TheCheek]

I agree ABC is good. In north woodstock,NH there is a nice brewpub called woodstock inn that had some good beers from what I remember.

[flemdawg1]

+1 on the Doyle, one of the original Anheiser Busch Hotels.

[john gault]

Beer Snob here. I can't stand the watered down beers and I'm very happy the Dutch (or whoever it was) bought budweiser.

[Lone Wolf]

10 miles from Damascus, Va. http://wolfhillsbrewing.com/main.php/

[johnnyjohnson2043]

Nomnomnom! Just looking at the websites makes my mouth water. Its five-o'clock somewhere, right.

[peakbagger]

I thought we just went though this but
Woodstock Inn - Woodstock NH (some folks resupply here)
Sunday River Brewing - Bethel Me
Long Trail Brewery - Bridgewater Corners VT

Al three require hitches on major highways from trail

[hpato]

If you find yourself between breweries and good beer, you can "resupply" at my wine shop, Uncorked, in Buena Vista. We carry about 120 different beers - both domestic and imports and we love AT hikers. Coming this summer - mix and match six packs...

[johnnyjohnson2043]

How far is Buena Vista from the Trail? I'd love to stop in if I get the chance especially if I can mix and match. Do you have a selection of local or regional beers?

[Second Half]

I thought we just went though this

Yup, here's the earlier beer thread:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70278

As a Brewmaster and founder of a small brewery I'm thrilled that there is so much growing interest in flavorful beer. It's not that long ago that beer in the US meant yellow, watery and fizzy. Heineken was as exotic as you could get. Now we have the greatest selection of beer in the world.

Prost!

[Mrs Baggins]

Once you're up at either Old South Mt Inn (Turner's Gap and/or Washington Monument Park - and Gathland State Park) in Maryland, or even Harpers Ferry...get a ride into Frederick MD. We have Flying Dog Brewery where you can tour and taste, and Brewers Alley downtown on Market Street where they brew their own fabulous beers. Get into town on Thursday evening and you can have Lobster Night at Brewers Alley - 1 1/4 lb whole lobster, fries, caesar salad, and slaw for $13.95.

[EastCoastFeastCoast]

Smoky Mountain Brewery is delicious (and in my backyard). My personal fav is the pale ale, they also make a "Cherokee Red" that is exceptional (and they make a "Cherokee Sirloin" marinated in the Cherokee Red!!! They go excellent together). Don't forget to try the soft pretzels and beer-cheese dip!!!!

[johnnyjohnson2043]

Thank for the link to the previous thread. Also, I absolutely agree with you about the rise of beer in America. Luckily I wasn't old enough to drink during the dark ages of American brewing.

[hpato]

How far is Buena Vista from the Trail? I'd love to stop in if I get the chance especially if I can mix and match. Do you have a selection of local or regional beers?

Buena Vista is a ways from the trail - about 9 miles or so, if you get on U.S. Route 60 at the Long Mt. trailhead. Getting a ride into BV isn't usually too hard, and we do have a newly formed trail angel network to help you out with a ride to and from. You can call the wine shop at 540-261-9463 during business hours (M-F 10-6 and Sat. 11-6) and they can usually hook you up with a ride if you need one. The mix & match six packs will start this summer after a bit of expansion at the shop. We do have some local & regional beers and there is a small nano brewery that recently opened in Lexington (6 miles west of BV). M-Sat. there is a shuttle that runs to Lex and back to BV - $.50 each way)

[Mrs Baggins]

We also have Barley & Hops in Frederick - microbrewery and restaurant. Excellent beers and some AYCE nights.

[Hoop Time]

Someone mentioned Appalachian Brewing in Harrisburg, but Troegs is much better beer. They are moving their operations to Hershey, but this summer will still be in Harrisburg.

As someone mentioned, Pat and Vicky do have some of their beers available at the Doyle, but if you get to the tasting room at the brewery you can try all their offerings, including their one-off scratch beers, which are always interesting.

[waasj]

As mentioned, Asheville has great beers and breweries!! Right on the way to Hot Springs, Erwin and Damascus.

[waasj]

Thank for the link to the previous thread. Also, I absolutely agree with you about the rise of beer in America. Luckily I wasn't old enough to drink during the dark ages of American brewing.
They were a dark and perilous time, best forgotten except by those of us who bear the scars of growing up on Miller High Life....

[d.o.c]

http://brewridgetrail.com/ heres a set of somewhat close to the trail brew spots.. devils backbone is real close you can see the preist from the bar.

[UnfamousK]

the yuengling brewery is a 25 minute drive from Port Clinton PA....not exactly a small brewery but still a brewery. Also a 20 minute drive from Eckville is the Kutztown Tavern which brews their own. Tough part would be finding a ride from Eckville to Kutztown

[susquehannaslim]

JohnnyJohnson,
I'm planning a thru hike in 2013 and I was planning on doing research on the local brews. If you are planning the same type of project I'll follow you. Will you be posting to trail journal or other blogs?

[Chaco Taco]

Brewery just opened in Hot Springs

[southpaw95]

Bull and Bones in Blacksburgh, VA brew their own and there several resturants in this college town with great selections.

Long Trail Ale can be bought here in Virginia. Kroger sells it.

[Kerosene]

I had an incredible IPA from Smuttynose Brewery (http://www.smuttynose.com/beers/) (based in Portsmouth, NH) on a zero day in Bethlehem, NH (just north of Crawford Notch), at the Cold Mountain Cafe (http://www.coldmountaincafe.com/) I believe. Heaven.

+1 for Long Trail Ale.

As mentioned earlier, lots of good brewing companies in Asheville. I was partial to the Asheville, Green Man, and Highland brewing companies.

If you ever get to Ann Arbor, Michigan, check out the Arbor Brewing Company (http://www.arborbrewing.com/). I'm a (very small) part owner of the first Ann Arbor brewpub started by former employees of mine.

[flemdawg1]

10 miles from Damascus, Va. http://wolfhillsbrewing.com/main.php/


Anyplace sell it that isn't so formal as the restaruaunts on their website. Don't want a $50 restaraunt bill just to have a decent beer and the Growler Hours aren't matching up with my schedule that I'll be around.

[Hoop]

French Broad Wee Heavy on tap at River's Edge/NOC last week. Brewed in Asheville, really hit the spot.

[Pro Se]

Just did the Davenport to Erwin (almost) section a few weeks ago and was very pleasantly surprised to find that the tavern right on the main street in Hot Springs has a great selection of beer on draft and in bottles. They include the local stuff from the Asheville breweries mentioned above...which is fine stuff indeed. They also have many other microbrew choices, i'd say about 30 different choices, along with the standard fare. In addition to trying some new beer, I discovered I am a reeeaaaally cheap drunk after a few days on the trail.

[Deadeye]

There's a boatload of breweries in Vermont, though not many close to the trail. I've seen reports that we have more breweries per capita than any other state. Many beers are avaialble in local stores.

Fiddlehead Brewing (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Fiddlehead_Brewing&action=edit&redlink=1) - Shelburne, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Shelburne,_Vermont)
Harpoon Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Harpoon_Brewery) - Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Boston,_Massachusetts), largest plant in Windsor, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Windsor,_Vermont)
Hill Farmstead Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Hill_Farmstead_Brewery&action=edit&redlink=1) - Greensboro Bend, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Greensboro_Bend,_Vermont)
Lawson's Finest Liquids (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Lawson%27s_Finest_Liquids&action=edit&redlink=1) - Warren, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Warren,_Vermont)
Long Trail Brewing Company (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Long_Trail_Brewing_Company) - Bridgewater, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Bridgewater,_Vermont)
Magic Hat Brewing Company (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Magic_Hat_Brewing_Company) - South Burlington, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/South_Burlington,_Vermont) - Owned by North American Breweries - Rochester, New York (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Rochester,_New_York)
McNeill's Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=McNeill%27s_Brewery&action=edit&redlink=1) - Brattleboro, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Brattleboro,_Vermont)
Otter Creek Brewing (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Otter_Creek_Brewing) - Middlebury, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Middlebury,_Vermont) (also produces Wolaver's Certified Organic Ales brand and The Shed brand) - Bridgewater, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Bridgewater,_Vermont)
Rock Art Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Rock_Art_Brewery) - Morrisville, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Morrisville,_Vermont)
Switchback Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Switchback_Brewery&action=edit&redlink=1) - Burlington, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Burlington,_Vermont)
Brewery at Trapp Family Lodge (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Trapp_Family_Lodge) - Stowe, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Stowe,_Vermont)
Trout River Brewing (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Trout_River_Brewing) - Lyndonville, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Lyndonville,_Vermont)
Northshire Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Northshire_Brewery&action=edit&redlink=1) - Bennington, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Bennington,_Vermont)




And we have a bunch of brewpubs- only serve their beer in house, no bottling:
Bobcat Café & Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Bobcat_Caf%C3%A9_%26_Brewery&action=edit&redlink=1) - Bristol, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Bristol,_Vermont)
Jasper Murdock's Ale House (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Jasper_Murdock%27s_Ale_House&action=edit&redlink=1) at The Norwich Inn (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=The_Norwich_Inn&action=edit&redlink=1) - Norwich, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Norwich,_Vermont)
Madison Brewing Company Pub and Restaurant (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Madison_Brewing_Company_Pub_and_Re staurant&action=edit&redlink=1) - Bennington, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Bennington,_Vermont)
Thirsty Bull Brew Pub (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Thirsty_Bull_Brew_Pub&action=edit&redlink=1) at Peavine Restaurant (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Peavine_Restaurant&action=edit&redlink=1) - Stockbridge, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Stockbridge,_Vermont)
Three Needs Brewery and Taproom (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Three_Needs_Brewery_and_Taproom&action=edit&redlink=1) - Burlington, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Burlington,_Vermont)
Vermont Pub and Brewery (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Vermont_Pub_and_Brewery&action=edit&redlink=1) - Burlington, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Burlington,_Vermont)
Zero Gravity Brewing (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=Zero_Gravity_Brewing&action=edit&redlink=1) at American Flatbread (http://www.whiteblaze.net/w/index.php?title=American_Flatbread&action=edit&redlink=1) - Burlington, Vermont (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Burlington,_Vermont)

[Biggie Master]

If you want to try some real Trail Magic, you gotta go to Nantahala Brewing (http://www.nantahalabrewing.com) in Bryson City, NC. Nothing watered down about this brew - a rich, creamy, Russian stout. It's well worth the excursion.

PORTION OF PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT APP TRAIL: A portion of proceeds of the bottle sales will be donated to the Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner Program via the Friends of the Smokies organization.
http://nantahalabrewing.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/trailmagicfbsized.jpg

[Pottsalot]

The Wedge, Asheville. Worth every step

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