Beer not to Miss on the Trail?

[Cookerhiker]

One more vote for Long Trail brews at the Inn at the Long Trail in VT.

[ARambler]

Not to brag, but I'm going to. Asheville, only 15 miles from the AT when you cross at Sam’s Gap has been voted “Beer City USA” the last two years in a row (beating out Portland, OR). We have a dozen micro breweries here; everything from Highlands, Pisgah, Wedge, Craggie to my friend’s brewery Green Man. The beer culture here is huge with several beer festivals, micro brew tours, etc. It has really put us on the map over the last few years!

This is why I stayed in Asheville for the Ruck.
Is there an Asheville shuttle driver who would pick me up at Sams Gap around sunset on Thur 3/31?

Modus Hoperandi is canned and good, but more of a CDT beer. Dales is pretty tame compared to Gordon, Ten Fidy, Gubna; all CO can beer.

[Yamagame]

I'm hearing a lot of ME/VT/PA/NC for beers. Does this mean VA is 500 miles without a good local micro?

Which begs another question---which areas/towns are "dry" along the trail? At NC212 (south of Erwin), I met these weekenders who took me on a beer quest--except we had to leave the county to find any beer! Only remember that happening once, but would be nice to know where to expect so I don't get my hopes up too much coming into a dry town.

[Chaco Taco]

Not to brag, but I'm going to. Asheville, only 15 miles from the AT when you cross at Sam’s Gap has been voted “Beer City USA” the last two years in a row (beating out Portland, OR). We have a dozen micro breweries here; everything from Highlands, Pisgah, Wedge, Craggie to my friend’s brewery Green Man. The beer culture here is huge with several beer festivals, micro brew tours, etc. It has really put us on the map over the last few years!

I must admit, I miss my Pisgah Pale!

[kayak karl]

I didn't drink it and I sure didn't miss it either.

Long Trail beers for sure. The Blackberry Wheat is great. Go to the pub/restaurant if you get a chance.

In Maine there are several microbrews that make a Blueberry beer and I enjoyed all of them.

Also in VT/NH you should be able to get Magic Hat.

I also plan to hit this place up when I cross the Kennebec this July:

http://www.northernoutdoors.com/site...r_brewery.html

Yuengling with a philly cheese steak and fries at the Doyle might be the best meal I've had on the trail.

yep, i agree with it all
magic hat and long trail are available in NJ

[mainelydave]

ah, to heck with all the hoity, toity beers.

Just tell me where I can get an ice cold PBR!

But seriously, in Maine, don't pass up the chance to have an Allagash White, Geary's Pale Ale, Gritty's Scottish Ale, or Shipyard Punkinhead Ale - although I'm unsure of the availability of such Maine brews along the trail corridor. Spend a couple days after your thru in Portland, Maine. Beer mecca. The Great Lost Bear has over 100 on-tap. http://www.greatlostbear.com/beerlist.html And no, I'm not being paid for this endorsement. I used to live one block away and take some credit for them being profitable.

I recall from my whitewater guide days a fine selection at Northern Outdoors in The Forks. I think they brew their own now, too.

Finally, take a walk on the Maine Beer Trail. http://www.mainebrewersguild.org/BeerTrailWeb.pdf

[Lone Wolf]

I'm hearing a lot of ME/VT/PA/NC for beers. Does this mean VA is 500 miles without a good local micro?

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

[Chaco Taco]

the Long Trail Spring Ale is out, The Pollenator, good stuff. I have enjoyed the Long Trail Beers since I have been up here. Smuttynose is another great one. I second the Maine Brews, good stuff.

Also in Asheville, the highland and Pisgah breweries are outside of town. The Lexington Ave Brewery is right in downtown, great beer and they have a hostel above the place. Highly recommended

[trainhopper]

Vermont definitely has some great beers. Just because long trail is the only close brewery doesn't mean you can't try others. Most deli's sell good Vermont beer. I know magic hat was mentioned, there is also Otter Creek. I recommend trying each companies variety 12 pack. Also in NY the breweries are out of the way but you can find some local beers sold. Saranac is my favorite, they have a great pale ale and also try the pomegranate wheat (sounds weird tastes excellent). Ubu and Blue point are also very good local beers.

[Double Deuce]

Try the Duck Rabbit. They have it at the Iron Horse Saloon in Hot Springs!

[Namaste]

Another vote for Long Trail. I love Double Bag and Pollinator.

[Chaco Taco]

Try the Duck Rabbit. They have it at the Iron Horse Saloon in Hot Springs!

Milk Stout is yum friggin yum

[Chaco Taco]

The Outdoor center at Caratunk has some great brews as well. Be careful, it makes the day after town day not so much fun though

[WingedMonkey]

No longer produced, they do have others.

[Chif]

I can heartily endorse all of the beers from Highland Brewing in Asheville. The owner Oscar Wong is a fascinating guy.

I can also second the nomination of Weyerbacher in Easton (?), Pa.

Although I had never heard of them before, I tried their "Old Heathen" russian imperial stout this weekend in Boone, NC and it is OUTSTANDING. I have been trying to figure out how to get some more.

[peakbagger]

I great thing about most of rural Vermont is when you find a store with a beer cooler, 80% of the contents are local beer with the other 20% national brews (usually covered with dust). Its nice to see they support theri local breweries. Unfortuantely the split in a lot of NH is 3/4 national brands and 1/4local beers.

By the way one off the wall dry town on the AT is Randolph NH. There is only one store in town and the owner isnt in the mood to sell beer so the law is still on the books.

Not sure if its still is open year round, but Sugarloaf in Maine had a brewpub (another hitch down the road via a state highway).

[d.o.c]

got some in roanoke VA.. other wise we dnt seem to hve much specialy near the trail most people around here seem to think that anheuser busch is truely king of beer

[d.o.c]

oh man i just thought of devils backbone brewery its tastey it sits at the base of the preist i workd the festy there infamous stingdusters ..they had a bike race and trail run in part with the festival but hitch east at reeds gap on VA 664 its at the bottem of the mountain passd the ski resort.......the beer coment from befor still stands at least in daleville/troutville area

[Roots]

I must admit, I miss my Pisgah Pale!

Ha!!! That's what I was fixing to suggest! Pisgah Pale ale is awesome. Also when hiking through Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), try the Nantahala brews. It's a new brewery in Bryson City, NC which is where NOC is located. They have tons of GREAT beers on tap at the Pourover or you can buy some at the general store on campus. Here are the dining options for NOC that serve beers:http://www.noc.com/noccom/lodging-a-.../dine-with-us/

[Jedeye]

When starting, or finishing in GA don't forget to try some of the brews by SweetWater!