It is no secret that outdoor adventures pair perfectly with a delicious craft beer and that is exactly what you will find in Haywood County, NC. This area of the North Carolina Smokies is serving up the perfect pairing of outdoor activities and unique craft brews that will have you coming back year after year to see what is on tap. Home to 46 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and a large portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Haywood County and its five towns of Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska, Canton and Clyde are a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. From the hardcore backpacker to the leisurely leaf looker, the North Carolina Smokies offer year-round activities for all ages and skill levels. And what could be more perfect after a long day on the trail than kicking back with a delicious craft brew? Haywood County is home to four award winning local microbreweries: Bearwaters Brewing, Boojum Brewing, Frog Level Brewing and Tipping Point Tavern and Brewery.
Bearwaters Brewing artfully crafts its beer from English tradition with a blend of true American style. Many of the regularly flowing brews give nod to the area’s well-known rivers and creeks like the Sliding Rock Ale and Shining Creek Bourbon Aged Red. Beyond that you can find numerous creative brews rotating throughout the year like the Sunburst Saison and Pecan Pie Porter. They also have expanded with an outpost that provides a wide variety of local beers and other products.
Located on the banks of Richland Creek, Frog Level Brewing is known for its fine froggy brews and back porch beer garden. Some of the favorite brews on tap include the Tadpole Porter, Salamander Slam IPA and Hopscotch Ale. Frog Level Brewing also brought a whole new meaning to the term “homegrown” when it released the first Haywood County hopped beer in over 150 years.
Take a stroll down Waynesville’s historic Main St. and stop in at Tipping Point Brewery and Tavern. The Tavern offers a variety of taps like the Chunky Gal Amber, Hiking Viking Blonde, and the Plott Hound Porter. In addition they are one of two breweries in the county that serve up a tasty menu alongside their crafty beers.
Boojum Brewing, Waynesville’s newest microbrewery, dubs its name after a Haywood County folk tale about a Big Foot like creature who roams the local mountains. Boojum offers two locations to enjoy their brews: the main brewery and a brewpub on Main St. in Waynesville. In addition to their name, they have also given nod to the local area with beers like the Balsam Brown Ale and the King of the Mountain IPA. They also pride themselves on a variety of unique seasonals like the Headless Hippie Imperial Pumpkin Ale and the Raspberry Saison.
So what are you waiting for? Get to Haywood County, NC to enjoy your perfect flight of authentic outdoor experiences and exceptional local craft brews.
