Beer and Wine Event Guide 2023

• 2023 •

BEER &EVENT WINE GUIDE Drink happy thoughts.

Mountain Times P U B L I C A T I O N S

2 • AUGUST 2023

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Tamra Mercer of Beech Mountain Brewing pours a taste of one of their beers at a previous High Country Beer Fest.

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Photo by Moss Brennan

Tamra Mercer of Beech Mountain Brewing pours a taste of one of their beers at a previous High Country Beer Fest.

High Country Beer Fest brings brewing community together

The High Country features many brewers of craft beers. Those who make it have created a strong community, which culminates every year into a daylong celebration of suds, the High Country Beer Fest.

This year, the festival takes place on Aug. 26 at the High Country Fairgrounds The festival — hosting its 16th edition in 2023 — introduces visitors to a variety of brews from area brewers, while also serving as a fundraiser for Appalachian State’s Fermentation Sciences Department, and a local nonprofit/ charity, with this year’s being the

Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina.

The 2023 festival will have the following breweries: • Blowing Rock Brewing • Lost Province Brewing Company • Appalachian Mountain Brewery • Appalachian Mountain Cidery • Booneshine Brewing Co • Olde Hickory Brewery • Blake’s Hard Cider Co • New Belgium Brewing • Red Oak Brewery • Altered State Brewing Co • Divine Barrel Brewing

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Royal Bliss Brewing Co Sidetracked Brewery Wye Hill Brewing Twin Leaf Brewery King Canary Brewing South End Brewing Co Austin Eastciders Wehrloom Meadery Protagonist Beer Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co Brutopia Brewing Company Blk Mtn Brewing Happy Valley Filling Station Newgrass Brewing Company Petty Thieves Innovation Brewing Hoptown Brewing Co

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Parallel Brewing Co Lake Norman Brewery Sweeten Creek Brewing White Labs Brewing Co Incendiary Brewing Co Stardust Cellars Williamson Mead and Brewing Foothills Brewing Lost Worlds Brewing Fullsteam Brewery Forgotten Road Ales Fizza Ginger’s Revenge Breweries will give out 2 oz. samples to patrons, with the only payment being made is to enter the festival.

www.mountaintimes.com BEER & WINE EVENT In addition to breweries and delicious food, the festival will have three bands playing during the fest and free fermentation seminars where patrons can learn about fermented foods from around the world.

This year’s bands include • Pressley Laton • Educated Guess • Will Willis and Friends There will be shuttles to transport attendees from the App State campus to the festival. A bus will run pick-ups from the Appalachian State Peacock Hall Parking Lot going to the Fairgrounds from 1:15 until 3:30 p.m. A bus will run dropoffs from the Fairgrounds back to the Appalachian State Peacock Hall Parking Lot from 6:30 p.m. until the end of need.

Last year, the festival sold out and had 1,500 people and 35 breweries

“It’s been amazing, I like to think that we were inaugural in the original three breweries opening up in Boone — I like to think that we played a small part in that, at least,” said Beer Fest founder Brett Taubman after last year’s event. “It’s great because we really love to focus on as many of the local vendors as possible. The partnerships we’ve formed, the collaborations that we’ve done — I can’t even begin to say how amazing it’s been.”

As a fundraiser, the High Country Beer Fest raises money for student driven research in the App State Fermentation Sciences Program.

The money raised — an average of $50,000 a year — provides research stipends for students, funds for equipment purchases, research related travel, and consumables in the lab. The festival always supports a different nonprofit each year and last year’s

AUGUST 2023 • 3

File Photo

Tamra Mercer of Beech Mountain Brewing pours a taste of one of their beers at a previous High Country Beer Fest.

revenue went to Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture.

High Country Beer Fest is a 21-and-up event due to alcohol consumption. No children will be admitted.

To buy Beer Fest tickets, sign

up to volunteer at the event or donate to Ivory Tower, visit www. hcbeerfest.com. More information on App State’s fermentation program can be found at www. appstate.edu/academics/majors/id/ fermentation-sciences.

Sour beer basics Sour beer is the oldest kind of beer in history ­— as in world history.

Nearly all beer used to be at least somewhat sour before science better understood pasteurization and sterilization, according to VinePair. com. Sours today are tart-tasting and made with a chemist’s touch with wild bacteria and yeasts, which interact in barrels as their own ecosystem.

What is sour beer?

Wild organisms are what make sour beers enticing. Flavor profiles range from mouth puckering sour to barnyard funky to fruity and light, says VinePair.com. In Belgium, famous for its sour beers, they are often aged in oak barrels that allow the beer to breathe and let microorganisms build communities.

“The Belgians are experts at aging,” said David Soulsby, a professor of chemistry at the University of the Redlands, in a story produced by CNN. Fruit additives, such as peaches or blackberries, help punch up the flavor.

In recent years, sour beer has increased dramatically in popularity in the U.S. Statistics from Information Resources Inc. and Nielsen showing a spike of 40% in popularity in 2018 and 2019.

Highly tart, sour beers can take on many forms, including Belgian-style Lambic beer, fruity Flanders ale and lemony Berliner Weisse beer, according to Time magazine. Adding other fruits, such as cherry, raspberry or peach, sour beers, provides a sweet-and-sour flavor that’s a far cry from traditional lagers.

A sour grapefruit craft is just one of the many types out there.

What makes sour beer sour?

Intentionally introducing beer to wild yeasts or bacteria creates the sour taste, writes Forbes.

Two types of bacteria and one type of wild yeast are used to make sour beers today: Lactobacillus, also found in yogurt, and Pediococcus, used to add acidity to Belgian beers, along with the

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wild yeast Brettanomyces, which adds an earthy flavor.

In fact, brewing sour beers presents somewhat of a logistical challenge to breweries, as any leftover bacteria or yeast in their equipment can taint other beers. Some breweries house their sour beer operations separately from their main breweries for this reason.

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WESTERN NC SETS THE SCENE

for beer and wine Linville Falls Winery offers a villa-like experience as well as an array of wine options.

By JILLYAN MOBLEY

website, amb.beer, or call (828) 263-1111.

With many local breweries and wineries, the High Country sets the scene for the beer and wine lovers. Check them out below:

Beech Mountain Brewing Company One more thing to do at Beech Mountain Resort, and this one has beer, making a great stop during the weekend. As one of the only US breweries owned and operated by a ski area, Beech Mountain Brewing Company is dedicated to mountain enthusiasts of all kinds, which reflects in their brews. While the skiing isn’t the best, or available, in the summer; the beer is top-notch.

If it gets too hot, cool off with a Beech Season IPA. Alongside it is the Patroller’s Porter, with its rich chocolate flavors, and the signature Beech Blonde, a classic Blond Ale for everyone who comes through the doors.

For more information, you can go online to their website, beechmountainresort.com/ mountain/brewery, or call (828) 387-2011.

Breweries

There is nothing like a cold beer. Whether on vacation, to celebrate a life event or just because you deserve it, there are so many reasons to enjoy a nice beverage.

The only thing to elevate a nice beer is with a nice atmosphere, which is something the High Country specializes in. Outdoors with breathtaking mountainous views with perfect weather or inside a modern-yet-rustic bar, the breweries of Western North Carolina know how to set the perfect scene.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery Appalachian Mountain Brewery, or AMB, is a staple of Boone life. With more than 100 beers and ciders to choose from, you can always try something new at AMB, and find something you love.

Their numerous beverage options include the famous Boone Creek Blonde, Porter, Cloud Pleaser IPA and the Spoaty-Oaty. AMB also has events every week including open mic nights, fundraisers and charitable endeavors.

For more information, you can go to their

Blowing Rock Brewing In its 11 years of brewing, Blowing Rock Brewing has stuck to its core values of capturing the finest qualities of the High Country and sustainability.

Their Midnight Raspberry Wheat is brewed with dark roasted wheat and fermented with real raspberries, the Barley Wine is a traditional barley wine aged in bourbon

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barrels while the Red Rider is malt driven and deep amber-red in color, with moderate hop intensity. These three won gold, silver and bronze medals respectively at the Carolina Championships of Beer Awards.

Blowing Rock Brewing uses only locallysourced materials and recycles as much as they can, priding themselves on sustaining the land that provides so much for their products.

For more information, you can go online to their website, blowingrockbrewing.com, or call (828) 414-9600.

Boondocks Brewing Boondocks is a constant presence in the West Jefferson and Ashe County communities, and their beers reflect that.

The brewery has released beers like the Blue Ridge Brutal Brown, which celebrates the endurance of the annual Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Race, the West Jefferson Centennial Ale, which was first brewed for the celebration of West Jefferson’s 100th Anniversary and the Crumpler Crippler Citra IPA, named after the community in Ashe County.

Boondocks is home to both the Brew Haus and a restaurant section, so those who just want to drink and want a bite are covered.

For more information, you can go to their website, www.boondocksbeer.com, or call

www.mountaintimes.com BEER & WINE EVENT (336) 246-5222.

AUGUST 2023 • 5

Founded by the father-and-son team of Greg and Adam Hershner, Booneshine Brewing Company the Lansing-based brewery is Founded in 2015 by two friends quickly becoming a staple in who like beer, Booneshine is restaurants and stores in the area. known for limited runs and beers Some of their beers include that get the job done. their classic Pale Ale has notes of Booneshine produces a lot of caramel and toffee, a toasty finish beers that aren’t around long, and a slight bitter from English such as the Hatchet Coffee Porter, a collaboration with the hops. Their High Country Blonde Hatchet Coffee company in Boone, has a slightly sweet finish which is the 3150 Ale, named after the accented by the moderate addition elevation of the brewery and the of Centennial hops, and the Golden limited release Who Tarted?, a Ale, a English-style golden ale, is delicate and tart IPA. nicknamed the “Old Caboose” in Booneshine’s tasting room is recognition of the Virginia Creeper right next door at Basil’s, and caboose sitting in downtown West Photo submitted their beer can be paired with Jefferson.

Dozens of signature Beech Mountain Brewery glasses are waiting to hold frosty samplings of the appetizers like the Stick Boy New River’s brews can be found brewery’s three in-house beers. pretzels and beer cheese, salads, in establishments throughout the deli sandwiches, fresh made pasta You can also grab a bite to pair with your High Country such as The Rock and sauces. beer, with wood-fired pizzas, meat and cheese and Macado’s in Boone, and Carolina Country For more information, you can go to their boards and classic pub fare lining the menu.

Wines and Craft Beers in West Jefferson. website, booneshine.beer, or call (828) 386Lost Province takes buying from local farmers See SCENE | 6 4066. very seriously, so you might end up sitting next to the person who grew your dinner.

Kettell Beerworks For more information, you can go online to The recently-rebranded new brewers on the their website, lostprovince.com, or call (828) block, Kettell Beerworks is already making 265-3506. some good news with their good brews.

Their Velvet Panda oatmeal stout is a Molley Chomper smooth, creamy stout perfect for a hot Molley Chomper is based out of Lansing in summer’s day, the Speak Easy carries a Ashe County, and has a passion for making whopping 10 percent ABV along with its delicious ciders that people will love and bourbon barrel aged Baltic porter flavors and show off the fruit and farmers of the southern others hit the middle ground with golden color Appalachia region. and hints of banana and clove.

Some of their ciders include the Porch Swing, For more information, you can go online to which is made with wild crab apples that grow their website, www.kettellbeerworks.com, or up the hill from their farm, the Mountain call (828) 898-8677.

Maelstrom, which uses fruit grown in Ashe and Watauga Counties and the Hopped Molley, Lost Province which is made with a little bit of hops for an Downtown Boone’s microbrewery, just the added bonus. names of some of Lost Province’s beers will Molley Chomper takes a lot of pride in make you want to get lost in their menu. using fruits, berries and other ingredients that The Bless Your Heart Blonde Ale is the easydrinking beer anyone can enjoy during lunch or they get from local farmers in Ashe and the after a hard day’s work. Hipster Juice is a New- surrounding counties, saying that they want to know who’s growing their product.

England style IPA which is dry-hopped twice For more information, you can go online to for pineapple, passion fruit and mango flavors. their website, www.molleychomper.com, or call The Drunk Uncle Dunkel is brewed from only (404) 769-1439. light and dark Munich malts, and just sounds cool when you order.

New River Brewing

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From SCENE | 5 For more information, you can go to their website, newriverbrewing.beer, or call (919) 452-8367.

Wineries

Among the many things one can do during their time in the High Country, a trip to one of the area’s many wineries should be near the top of the list.

The local wineries and vineyards bring the traditional mountain spirit of craftsmanship and relying on nature’s gifts to another level. While they may not have 500 years of history, each of the High Country’s wineries has carved out a unique legacy and flavor.

While Watauga County may be the High Country’s beer garden, Avery County is the home to many incredible wineries.

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Dozens of signature Beech Mountain Brewery glasses are waiting to hold frosty samplings of the brewery’s three in-house beers.

Banner Elk Winery and Villa Banner Elk Winery and Villa was the first winery in Avery after opening in 2005, and since then has made its mark as one of the premiere wineries in the High Country. It’s won awards including a gold, silver and two bronze medals for its products at the 2016 North Carolina State Fair.

Aside from the wine, Banner Elk Winery and Villa features numerous suites for guests to stay in, and is a destination wedding location.

For more information on Banner Elk Winery and Villa, visit www.bannerelkwinery.com.

Grandfather Vineyard and Winery Starting as a hobby sized vineyard, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery in Banner Elk grew into a business and opened its doors in 2011. Talk about a scenic view, the Watauga River flows right down the middle of the property.

Grandfather Vineyard and Winery offers shipping of its products to approximately 34 states. Products range from $9.95 for the 22 ounce hard cider to the $26.95 bottles of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wineries tasting room allows guests to choose from four tasting experiences: eight dry wines for $10, four dry reds for $6, four dry whites for $6 or four sweet wines for $6.

Reservations are not needed for the tasting room, and the area is pet friendly.

For a group of eight or more visitors, it’s requested to call 48 hours in advance.

For more information on Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, visit www. grandfathervineyard.com.

Linville Falls Winery Located at an elevation of 3,200 feet, Linville Falls Winery offers a space for weddings, private events, classes and reservations.

Guests can get a tasting experience that is both child and pet friendly. For those of age, chosen wines can be tasted in 1 ounce pours with requests taken for a glass or a bottle. Guests can pair that with live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

This winery grows several types of grapes for its wine, such as Rielsing, Seyval Blanc, Noiret, Marquette, Petit Verdot, and Foch; so there’s something for everything. The farm also grows blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, heirloom apples, pumpkins and Christmas Trees.

For more information on Linville Falls Winery, visit www.linvillefallswinery.com.

Old Barn Winery Opening up in the summer of 2022, Old Barn Winery has made its mark on Ashe County.

The Sexton Family, owners of Frosty’s choose and cut, opened the winery on the Christmas tree grounds and have since been providing

some of the High Country’s tastiest wine to both locals and tourists. With choices ranging from Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, sweet Rosé to the classic reds and whites, the winery can satisfy any of your needs.In addition to the wine, the Old Barn Winery also offers live music every weekend. Old Barn Winery’s new food truck, Craft Fusion, serves up delicious, shareable snacks and savory entrees that will have you coming back for more. Barn Winery is located at 2152 Beaver Creek School Road, West Jefferson, North Carolina 28694. For more information, visit their website at www.oldbarnwinery.com or call (336) 246-8494.

MenaRick Vineyard & Winery MenaRick Vineyard & Winery is a family owned vineyard in Wilkes County that specializes in Spanish and Portuguese varietals.

The winery chooses not to filter its products, believing that it helps keep the authenticity of the wine’s aroma and flavor intact. MenaRick is currently offering 10 wines for guests to enjoy in its tasting room, including the blackberry and peach wines, a Portuguese style Vinho Branco wine and a light red Grenache wine.

Bottles of wine can also be purchased for $21 to $27, depending on the wine.

For more information on MenaRick Vineyard and Winery, visit www.menarick.com.

Roaring River Vineyards Another winery located in Wilkes County is Roaring River Vineyards, which officially opened in 2016.

Roaring Rivers offers a selection of six wines such as its crisp Chardonnay, a FrenchAmerican hybrid of its Chambourcin wine and the Traminette wine with grapefruit and citrus flavors.

Wine lovers can enjoy wine Tastings of up to six different wines for $10, a glass of wine for $8 or a bottle of wine for $24. Reservations are required for groups of eight or more.

Roaring River Vineyards also offer restaurant and lodging options.

For more information on Roaring River Vineyards, call (336) 957-2332.

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AUGUST 2023 • 7

Make a great dish even better

Wine, when paired with a great dish, can enhance the experience exponentially. Standing in the aisle at the store, however, can leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Here are some classic wine pairings to try out — but don’t forget to experiment and have fun with pairing wines, either. Listen to the experts at the local wine shop and come up with some unforgettable flavor combinations of your own.

Champagne and Oysters

Use this luxe combo for a celebration, even if it’s just celebrating the fact that you made it through Tuesday. Researchers in Scientific Reports say that the magic comes from an umami synergy

that comes from the levels of free glutamate and nucleotides in oysters and bubbly that creates the delicious taste.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Steak

Washing down a rich, fatty steak with a swill of a bold cab redolent with fruity flavors and tannins cleanses the palate and sharpens the flavors of both. Depending on the steakhouse, you might try to adjust your pour to the cut of the steak.

Ask the sommelier their preferences.

Avoid overly high alcohol levels, which can overwhelm the palate.

Pinot Noir and Salmon This flies in the face of white-

Champagne and oysters are a good pairing.

wine-with-fish rules, but when you consider that meaty salmon isn’t really your usual delicate filet, it

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makes sense. The silky tannins in the See DISH | 15

Maine Beer Co. Tap Takeover Fri August 25th Free wine tasting every Wednesday evening • Fresh Pasta • Sandwiches • Salads • Craft beer • Full Bar 246 Wilson Drive | Boone, NC www.basilspasta.com | 828.386.4066 Open Daily at 11

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Upcoming events

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at local breweries and wineries There’s plenty of events taking place from the end of August to early October at local wineries and breweries — perfect for the local and tourist alike.

Aug. 26

• High Country Beer Fest • Live music by Pressley Laton, Educated Guess, and Will Willis and Friends • Live music by Smoky Mountain Rhythm — Appalachian Mountain Brewery • Live music by Jeff Arditti — Banner Elk Winery and Villa • Live music by Max and Min ft. Bryan — Banner Elk Winery and Villa • Live music by Andy Page & Friends — Lost Province Brewing Co. • Live music by Honeycutt Trio — Linville Falls Winery • Live music by The Collective Trio — Grandfather Vineyard and Winery

Aug. 27

• Live music by Greenhouse Jazz — Linville Falls Winery • Live music by Stone — Banner Elk Winery and Villa • Live music by Sound Traveler — Booneshine Brewery

Aug. 30

• Live music by Tom Pillion — Grandfather Vineyard

Aug. 31

• Live music by Adam Musick — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Tom Pillion — Linville Falls Winery

Sept. 1

• Live music by Wayne & Adam — Linville Falls Winery • Live music by Jeff Honeycutt Band — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Danny Platt — Banner Elk Winery and Villa • Live music by Sam Grisman — Appalachian Mountain Brewery

Sept. 2

• Live music by Sam Fanthorpe — Banner Elk Winery and Villa • Live music by Tanya & The Roadrunnerz — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 3

• Live music by Shelby Rae Moore — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by New River Overlook — Banner Elk Winery and Villa

Sept. 4

• Live music by Edward Main — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 6

• Live music by Tom Pillion — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 7

• Live music by Adam Musick — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 8

• Live music by Mason Jar Confessions — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Patty M. — Banner Elk Winery & Villa

Sept. 9

• Live music by The Lucky

Strikes — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by William Massey — Banner Elk Winery & Villa Sept. 10 • Live music by The Neighbors — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Bryan and Dillon — Banner Elk Winery & Villa

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Sept. 13

Sheryl Gruber, Debbie Cameorele, Denise Hensel, and Pam Wilson Posing with grapes from the vineyard while stomping grapes. Linville Falls Winery will host its 2023 Grape Stomp on Sat. Sept. 16.

Sept. 14

• Live music by Tom Pillion — Grandfather Vineyard

• Live music by Tom Pillion — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Adam Musick — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 15

• Live music by Matt McCloud Duo — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Tom Pillion — Banner Elk Winery & Villa

Sept. 16

• Live music by Soul Benefactor — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Sam Fanthorpe — Banner Elk Winery & Villa • Live music by Bryan and Dillon — Banner Elk Winery & Villa • 11th annual Grape Stomp — Linville Falls Winery • Live music by The Nude Party, Lady Apple Tree & The Coyotes — Appalachian Mountain Brewery

Sept. 17

• Live music by The Classic Trio — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 20

Sept. 21

• Live music by Adam Musick — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 22

• Live music by Scarlet Lemonade — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Sam Fanthorpe — Banner Elk Winery & Villa

Sept. 23

• Live music by Shelby Rae Moore — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music by Sorella Jack — Banner Elk Winery & Villa • High Country Oktoberfest — Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery (1 to 11 p.m.)

Sept. 24

• Live music by The King Bees — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 27

• Live music by Tom Pillion — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 28

www.mountaintimes.com BEER & WINE EVENT • Live music by Adam Musick — Grandfather Vineyard

Sept. 29

• Live music by Typical Mountain Boys — Grandfather Vineyard • Live music TBD — Banner Elk Winery & Villa

Sept. 30

• Live music by Max and Min ft. Bryan — Banner Elk Winery & Villa • Live music by Tess Band — Grandfather Vineyard

Oct. 1

• Live music by The Neighbors — Grandfather Vineyard

Oct. 3

• Live music by Matt McCloud Duo — Grandfather Vineyard

Oct. 4

• Live music by Tom Pillion —

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Each October, Sugar Mountain Resort throws its weekend-long Oktoberfest festival, with activities for the whole family.

Grandfather Vineyard

Oct. 6 • Live music by Shelby Rae Moore — Grandfather Vineyard

Oct. 7

• Live music by The Rewind — Grandfather Vineyard • Stomp & Brew — Ashe County’s favorite craft beer, wine and cider tasting festival returns for the third time on Saturday,

AUGUST 2023 • 9 Oct. 7, in Downtown West Jefferson. Proceeds from the event benefit Shoes for Kids, a local charity that provides shoes for children in need.

• 33rd Annual Oktoberfest at Sugar Mountain Resort — Oct. 7 and 8. Take in the beautiful fall foliage, cool, comfortable mountain temperatures, and a weekend full of festival activities from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. each day.

Be sure to bring the kids because the event is for the whole family.

Oct. 8

• Live music by The Rockabillys — Grandfather Vineyard

Oct. 9

• Live music by Miller and Pardue — Grandfather Vineyard

food truck

live music

cellar tours

WEST JEFFERSON, NC

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Brewing and wine making:

A High Country Tradition

By JILLYAN MOBLEY With many local breweries and wineries, the High Country sets the scene for the beer and wine lovers. Check them out below: From the ancient Greeks, to the Nordic Vikings and the modernday college students, humans have enjoyed alcohol for thousands of year.

Whether you prefer beer, wine, cider or have no preference at all, the High Country has the locations to satisfy your adult beverage needs. Between Ashe, Avery and Watauga County, there

is more than a dozen breweries and wineries, each crafting unique flavors that transforms alcohol into art.

Breweries

There is something in the water of Western North Carolina that gives each beer brewed here a special quality. In fact, it is the water itself, according to Booneshine co-founder Tim Herdklotz, who noted in a 2021 interview the water’s excellent quality for brewing. Coupled with a fascination for experimentation, local, craft beer has seen an

explosion of popularity in the High Country.

Ashe County is home to breweries such as Boondocks Brewing, cidery Molley Chomper and New River Brewing.

Boondocks made its name through beers that celebrated Ashe such as the West Jefferson Centennial Ale — which was first brewed for the celebration of West Jefferson’s 100th Anniversary — while Molley Chomper provides uniquelyflavored alternatives to traditional beers.

Beech Mountain Brewery and

Kettell Beerworks fly the flag for Avery, each providing new explorations for drinkers’ palates.

Kettell categorizes their brews into three tiers by alcohol percentage climbing up to the Speak Easy, which carries a whopping 10 percent ABV along with its bourbon barrel aged Baltic porter flavors.

Meanwhile, Watauga acts as the hub of it all.

Buoyed by Appalachian State University’s Fermentation Sciences department, Boone was named the fifth-best small-town beer scene in

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Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Lost Province and Booneshine anchor Boone’s bountiful beer scene, while Blowing Rock Brewing continues the trend of using locally-sourced materials in Blowing Rock.

Boone’s breweries have woven into the fabric of the mountain town’s culture and identity as places such as Booneshine brew specialty beers such as the Squatchy Ale in collaboration with local semi-pro soccer team Appalachian FC. Booneshine also acts as the official pregame destination for the soccer team’s home games, with supporters grabbing a drink or bite to eat before marching down to the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex to watch the game.

AMB has become something of

a landmark in Boone, enjoying a night out at the establishment is now a right of passage for many App students.

Wineries In ancient Greece, wine was used for trade, religious festivities, parties and casual drinking. One of their gods, Dionysus, was worshipped as the patron of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, and they drank in his honor.

While drinking to honor the Greek god of theatre may not be common anymore, wine is still a commonly drank alcohol that has crafters littering the High Country.

While Watauga might be the focal point of the High Country’s beer garden, Avery is its source for wine.

The first winery to open in Avery was Banner Elk Winery and Villa in 2005, which has since gone on to win awards at the North

Carolina State Fair for its drinking distinction. Aside from the wine, Banner Elk Winery and Villa features numerous suites for guests to stay in, and is a destination wedding location.

In the shadows of the mountain for which it is named, Grandfather Vineyard and Winery started as a hobby sized vineyard in Banner Elk, grew into a business and opened its doors in 2011.

Talk about a scenic view, the Watauga River flows right down the middle of the property.

Located at an elevation of 3,200 feet, Linville Falls Winery offers a space for weddings, private events, classes and reservations.

Guests can get a tasting experience that is both child and pet friendly. For those of age, chosen wines can be tasted in 1 ounce pours with requests taken for a glass or a bottle. Guests

AUGUST 2023 • 11 can pair that with live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Thistle Meadow Winery is the choice winery of Alleghany County. Thistle Meadow offers 30 to 45 minute winery tours as well as wine tastings, with each guest able to taste up to five wines.

The winery was recently ranked third among North Carolina wineries by the South Eastern Winery Review and scored a perfect “10” in friendliness.

MenaRick Vineyard & Winery is a family owned vineyard in Wilkes County that specializes in Spanish and Portuguese varietals.

The winery chooses not to filter its products, believing that it helps keep the authenticity of the wine’s aroma and flavor intact.

Another winery located in Wilkes County is Roaring River Vineyards, which officially opened in 2016.

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Cooking with wines

Replacing a recipe’s cooking liquid with wine instead of water can add a punch of flavor to the dish, as long as you’re using the right wine for the job. Here are some tips and tricks for cooking with wines.

What Wine Goes With What Food?

Generally, lighter wines go with more delicate foods and bolder wines go with more intensely flavored foods.

But you should also consider the preparation. Heavy spices, even in a fish or chicken dish, may need a more robust flavor to stand up to them.

A creamy sauce, though heavy, may need a drier wine for balance. As with all cooking, remember to experiment

and have fun, suiting your own tastes.

BEEF OSSO BUCCO Serves 6. Recipe is from Taste of Home.

• ½ cup flour • ¾ tsp. salt, divided • ½ tsp. pepper • 6, 14-oz. beef shanks • 2 tbls. Butter • 1 tbl. olive oil • ½ cup white wine or beef broth • 1, 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained • 1 ½ c. beef broth • 2 medium carrots, chopped • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 celery rib, sliced See COOKING | 15

Visit our Website:

li nv illefall s wi ne r y.co m to see our schedule of Events, Live Music, & Food Trucks!

“ E l e v a t e Yo u r Ta s t e i n W i n e ”

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Wine can go good with many different recipes, as long as you use the correct pairing.

www.mountaintimes.com BEER & WINE EVENT

AUGUST 2023 • 13

Banner Elk Winery Eighteenteen years ago, Banner Elk Winery and Villa became the first commercial winery to open in Avery County.

Founded by Angelo Accetturo and Richard Wolfe, the winery is located on property that used to be a blueberry farm. Wolfe, the original winemaker, passed away in March of 2022. Even after he left the position of head winemaker, he would come around often, said Emily Billings, tasting room manager at the winery. Wolfe is a huge part of their history and the entire staff misses him dearly, she said.

They offer a blueberry wine to pay tribute to the property’s original use, but they offer more familiar varietals as well, including Marechal Foch, Seyval Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Golden Muscat. Most of their stock is dry wines, particularly reds, and they keep four

flavors of sangria year-round. In the summertime, they serve their apple orange cinnamon sangria chilled and in the winter, they serve it warm as a mulled wine. Made with grapes from their vineyard as well as local grapes, Banner Elk Winery has produced many award-winning wines, from the state all the way to the international level.

Along with wine tastings, patrons of Banner Elk Winery and Villa can enjoy a glass of wine indoors or outdoors at their covered seating area, the fire pit or one of the gazebos around the pond that’s on the property. There’s live music every weekend, after hours events with the wine club and once a month, they offer yoga before opening.

Banner Elk Winery and Villa is open from noon to 6 p.m. every day except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

AWARD WINNING • TASTINGS YEAR ROUND

VILLA • WINERY • WEDDINGS • EVENTS

Open Daily 12 - 6 pm • 60 Deer Run Lane • Banner Elk, NC 28604 • (828) 898-9090 • www.BannerElkWinery.com

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14 • AUGUST 2023

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Booneshine Brewing Company What makes Boone shine? First and foremost, it’s the people. The people of Boone are explorers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Our community thrives on adventure and celebrating life in the High Country. Whether it’s hiking a mountain for the first time, catching your first rainbow trout, taking a bike ride, carving a turn on the slopes, or just enjoying the outdoors on a beautiful sunny day, Boone truly shines.

Booneshine Brewing Company is passionate about brewing delicious and approachable beer and is equally focused on connecting with what makes the community shine. Open since 2019, Booneshine offers award winning craft beer, pretzels, salads, sandwiches and flat breads.

Don’t miss the hot honey chicken sandwich or warm grains bowl.

In addition to the restaurant, Booneshine offers a food truck and tap trailer in the largest beer garden in the high country. The food truck serves grab and go options such

as fried cheese curds, BBQ, and more.

Booneshine’s mission is to make the High Country a better place. One example of is their partnership with many local organizations, including Appalachian State Fermentation Sciences. Not only has Booneshine hired several fermentation sciences graduates, but they also partner with the Ivory Tower Brewing non-profit to raise funds for the program. Once a quarter, Booneshine collaborates with Ivory Tower on a brew and the proceeds go back to the fermentation sciences program.

Booneshine is 100% locally owned and certified independent under the Brewer’s Association Independent Craft program.

Drink fresh and local and Make ‘ Boone ‘ Shine.

Voted Best Brewery 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 Best Local Produced Beer Come try our newfor tasting 2023.

WE’RE OPEN!

room restaurant Visit ourand restaurant/tasting room and outdoor in East Boone! beer garden in East Boone.

2022

465 Industrial Park Drive • Boone, NC 28607 • 828.278.8006 • booneshine.beer

www.mountaintimes.com BEER & WINE EVENT From DISH | 7 pinot do justice to the bold flavors in salmon (especially grilled salmon).

Choose a fruity, lightly oaked bottle with notes of cherry or ripe fruit.

Zinfandel and Barbecue

Bright zinfandels stand up well next to the char and spice of American barbecue, including lamb, From COOKING | 12 • • • • •

1 tbl. dried thyme 1 tbl. dried oregano 2 bay leaves 3 tbls. Cornstarch ¼ cup cold water

For the gremolata: • 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley • 1 tbl. grated lemon zest • 1 tbl. grated orange zest • 2 garlic cloves, minced 1. In a large, resealable container,

beef, sausage, burgers and even grilled chicken. Again, stick with lower alcohol choices to keep the palate from being overwhelmed.

Dry Riesling and Sushi

Crisp dry Rieslings make a perfect pairing with light, fresh seafood in sushi rolls. Riesling, a high acid white wine, goes well with a lot of

fish, meaning it pairs well with the variety found on your typical sushi platter. Fattier fish appreciate the acidity while the floral and citrus notes complement the more delicate fish.

Ruby Port and Chocolate

It’s important to choose a dessert wine that’s sweeter than your dessert

combine the flour, salt and pepper. Add the beef and shake to coat.

2. In a large skillet, heat the butter and oil. Add the beef and brow it. Transfer the meat and drippings to a six-quart slow cooker. Add the wine to the skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits from the pan. Pour over the meat, then add the tomatoes, carrots, onion, celery, herbs and remaining salt.

3. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or until meat is tender. Discard bay

AUGUST 2023 • 15 in order to avoid one making the other taste bitter. Ruby port is younger and lighter, a more fruitforward wine that pairs well with chocolate-based desserts. Look for something fudgy or a simple piece of good milk chocolate. Even chocolate chip cookies would work in a pinch.

leaves.

4. Skim the fat from the cooking juices and transfer to a saucepan. Bring them to a boil, then combine cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth. Gradually stir the mixture into the juices. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for two minutes or until thick.

5. In a small bowl, combine the gremolata ingredients. Serve the beef with the sauce and a sprinkling of gremolata.

Benchmark Provisions Beer and Wine Market is a locally owned purveyor of craft beer, cider, wine, CBD products and specialty food items offering all of your essentials! Come relax and enjoy a glass of wine or choose from one of our ciders on tap in our newly renovated tasting room. Call ahead to special order anything that you don’t normally see on our shelves!

122 Depot St, Boone

828.386.1329

benchmarkprovisionsnc.com

Restaurant and Wine Bar

For menus and hours please visit our website at vidaliaofboonenc.com

831 West King Street | 828.263.9176 | www.vidaliaofboonenc.com | Reservations Strongly Recommended

16 • AUGUST 2023

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Appalachian Mountain Brewery Nestled in the High Country of North Carolina, Appalachian Mountain Brewery (AMB) and Cidery (AMC) was founded in 2013 and was the first brewery in Boone, NC. Also born and raised in the North Carolina mountains are founders Nathan and Chris who built a foundation of high-quality beer rooted in the principles of community, philanthropy and sustainability.

A decade later, those principles remain true in our day-to-day. Did you know that since January 2018, we have planted over 120,000 Long Leaf pine trees across the state through our Long Leaf Alliance partnership? We also sponsor beehives through Bee Downtown and use the honey at our Farm to Flame food truck and in our award-winning Boone Creek Blonde Ale. AMB strives to create a sustainable brewing

process and we have teamed up with local farms to donate spent grain for the cattle feed.

This helps us to divert grain from ending up at landfills and helps local farmers make ends meet saving up to 50+ tons of feed per year! Finally, recognizing that great beer requires great water, we partner with Watauga River Keeper and Mountain True to keep our rivers and streams healthy and clean.

Along with deep involvement throughout the community, our high-quality beer speaks for itself. AMB has participated in the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, the most prestigious beer competitions in the world, and have earned several medals including our, Boone Creek Blonde (2017 Gold Medal, 2023 Gold Medal) and Down South Lager (2018 Gold Medal, 2023 Silver Medal) and Hop Rain Drop IPA (2017 Silver Medal). Come visit us at our pub location in Boone, NC or our new Mills River North Carolina Taproom and enjoy a variety of beers and ciders, paired with delicious food and a great time with friends and family.