Mountain Spirits: Avery County Beer and WIne Festival this Weekend

June 22   Avery County Beer and Wine Festival,  the The Blind Squirrel Brewery  and area breweries and local vineyards kick off summer in the High Country. The fun starts at noon so bring your lawn chair or blanket. This event is FREE and features local wineries and breweries offering free tastings with the option to purchase.

Food will be available for purchase and provided by the Toe River Lodge. Entertainment and activities include live music, corn hole toss, fly fishing tutorials by Rivers Edge Outfitters, craft vendors, disc golf games, and much more.

The Vance Toe River Lodge is located at 4716 South US Hwy 19E in Plumtree NC - between Linville and Spruce Pine. 

Beer Fest Today in Tryon

November 10   Tryon Beer Fest Tap into Tryon   Held from 11 AM until 5 PM in the Tryon Depot Plaza. Enjoy a variety of the finest craft beers from around the country, including some local ones. An array of ‘craft’ beers will be chilled, ready for sampling. Full servings of beer will be available for sale. Authentic German fare will be available from Occasions Catering including Kielbasas, Bratwurst, Bavarian sauerkraut, and German Potato Salad. Non-alcoholic beverages and water will be available. 

Fresh baked pretzels will also be available from the Bavarian pretzel factory in Greenville. Live Bavarian music from The Foothills Oompah Band will be played most of the day. Ticket Pricing: $20 for beer tasters. Includes entry, 12 2oz. samples, and a souvenir tasting cup. $10 for designated drivers. Includes entry and DD wristband. Limited tickets will be available at the entrance. Admission is cash-only, but tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Learn more about Tryon NC HERE

NOCtoberfest celebrated this month at the Nantahala Outdoor Center

October 6-31   NOCtoberFest    NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) draws down the year with a month-long series of events geared to commemorate the rich variety of the season. The Beer Garden menu will include schnitzels galore, old-fashioned German potato salad, classic beef goulash, and Bavarian dumplings. 

Beverage Selection will include: Spaten Octoberfest, Gaffel, Franziskaner, and hot mulled wine. Activities include hayrides, a haunted house, The Great Pumpkin Pursuit Harvest Festival, Face Painting and Costume Contest, Live Music, a Fall River Cleanup Community Service Project and more. Get a list of events on the website.

NOC celebrates the changing of the colors, the crispness in the air, and the beginning of the new hiking season with NOCtoberfest. The event has grown so popular,that this fall celebrations offer a month-long series of events geared to commemorate the rich variety of the season.

NOC began in 1972 with the mission of  sharing the wonders of the river, trails and mountains and all the places to raft, hike, pedal and paddle in the Nantahala area. Today's NOC is a complete outdoor outfitter offering whitewater rafting, an outfitter's store, group adventure programs, four restaurants, guided activities, a bike shop, special events and festivals and lodging.

The Nantahala Ourdoor Center (NOC) is located on US Highway 19, approximately 12 miles west of Bryson City.  Get a link for NOC and other outdoor activities on the Nantahala River on the Bryson City NC Visitor Center.

Shamboozle Fest at Pisgah Brewing Company today in Black Mountain

September 29   2nd Annual Shamboozle Fest at Pisgah Brewing Company A music and food festival with four phenomenal live bands - including Gaelic Storm - food from some favorite local vendors, and plenty of activities for the whole family hosted by one of the area's favorite NC mountain breweries.

EVENT DETAILS
2:30pm – Early Entry for VIP’s
3:00 – General Admission Doors
3:00 – Sean Sutherland (on the Indoor Stage)
3:30 – 1st VIP Tour and Tasting (Gather in the taproom at the Indoor Stage)
4:00 – 2nd VIP Tour and Tasting
4:00 – 4:45 Kidney Stones (Outdoor Stage)
4:45 – 5:15 Members of Carbon Leaf and Gaelic Storm – Guest Bartenders!/ Sean Sutherland set (Indoor Stage)
5:00-5:30 – VIP Dinner Service in the Amphitheater
5:15 – 6:15 Josh Phillips Folk Festival (Outdoor Stage)
6:15 – 6:45 Members of Gaelic Storm – Guest Bartenders!/Sean Sutherland set (Indoor Stage)
6:45 – 8:00 Carbon Leaf (Outdoor Stage)
8:30 – 9:45 Gaelic Storm (Outdoor Stage)
10:00 – until – Sean Sutherland and guests (Indoor Stage)

VIP PACKAGE INFO
VIP’s will be granted Early Entry starting at 2:30pm. All VIP’s will park in VIP Parking in the Main Entrance off of Old Hwy 70. VIP Tours/Tastings will be at 3:30pm and 4:00pm.  VIP’s will meet at the Indoor Stage in the taproom for the Tours. VIP’s also have private viewing, private restrooms and private bar provided in the Amphitheater for the Outdoor Stage. VIP Dinner will be served from our friends of The Lowdown Food Truck! Service will be from 5-5:30pm in the Amphitheater

GENERAL INFO
General Admission tickets will be available at the gates for $25. Box office and bar at Pisgah Brewing are CASH ONLY! There is an ATM available on site. All General Admission patrons are preferred to enter/park in the main field entrance off of US Hwy 70, you can enter at the Appalachian Performance parking lot and drive in between the two buildings.

The Pisgah Brewing Company is located at 150 Eastside Drive in Black Mountain NC. Get a link for Pisgah Brewing Company and other Black Mountain attraction son the Black Mountain Visitor Guide.

French Broad Fall Fest in Hot Springs this Weekend

September 22   French Broad Fall Fest   A celebration of craft brewing in Hot Springs where the French Broad River meets the Appalachian Trail. The event features 12+ area breweries and live music includes Todd Snider, Shannon Whitworth and more.

$75 ticket price includes a 5oz. commemorative souvenir sampling glass, unlimited beer samplings from noon - 10 PM in the Brew Tent, camping, nearly 12 hours of music and a beautiful venue. $60 ticket for music and camping only (no beer sampling). Limited Tickets available starting 7/1/12 from the website.

Learn more about the French Broad Fall Fest and other Hot Springs events on the Hot Springs NC Visitor Guide.