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 hardcore backpackers taking on the Appalachian Trail via Max Patch to families adventuring through Graveyard Fields in search of seasonal berries and local wildflowers, 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, and during the month of April, you can come celebrate North Carolina Beer Month with a visit to with each one them!
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.
Located on the banks of Richland Creek, Frog Level Brewing is known for its 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, “Frog P”, the first Haywood County hopped beer in over 150 years.
Take a stroll down Waynesville’s historic Main Street and stop in at Tipping Point Brewery and Tavern. The Tavern offers a variety of taps like the Chunky Girl 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 Graveyard Field Blueberry Coffee Porter and the King of the Mountain Double IPA. They also pride themselves on a variety of unique seasonal brews like the Headless Hippie Imperial Pumpkin Ale and the Mur Raspberry Saison.
Beyond the breweries, you will find a number of other area businesses who specialize in offering a fine selection of local craft beer like Mad Anthony’s Bottle Shop and Beer Garden, Bosu’s Wine Shop, The Classic Wine Seller and Sunburst Market.
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.
