Beer and Breweries

[johnnyjohnson2043]

I'm gonna admit it right up front. I'm a beer snob. I like small, local breweries and craft beers. Can anyone recommend any nearby the trail? I remember seeing one in Gatlinburg (Smoky Mountain Brewery) not too long ago but never got to stop in. Any others or at least some great regional beers that I can pick up in a grocery store?

Odd Duck

[brian039]

Northern Outdoors Center in Maine just past the Kennebec River is a great microbrewery just a couple of miles from the trail. You already mentioned Smoky Mt Brewery which is also a great one. Those are the only two microbreweries that I can remember.

Sweetwater 420 can be bought down south and Long Trail Ale up North. Maine has a pretty good selection of regional beers too. Many more than that but I thought I'd just name a few. I was pleasantly surprised by the beer selection while on my thru.

[Hooch]

Ots o' good, cold, well crafted beer in Asheville, about 35 minutes from Hot Springs.

[harryfred]

Stop at the Doyle when you come through Duncannon They always have Troegs Pale Ale, Appalachian Brewing Company Jolly Scot On tap and maybe another, all brewed in Harrisburg PA. They also have several local offerings in bottles. The food is excellent the hospitality can't be beat.The prices are very reasonable. The rooms are...... well warm and dry

[Chester Copperpot]

Blue Mountain Brewery is located directly east of Humpback Rocks near Afton here in good ole VA. They've got tasty brew in a great location, and the last time i visited, speaking with the owner who is "good people" as we say here in the south, who would love to be an AT-friendly brewery. He was even concerned with how to get his establishment on the next copy of the thru hiker handbook.
Great beer, great people, great location near Rockfish Gap.

[Ashevillian]

Asheville is about to be voted "Beer City USA" for the third year in a row. We've got about a dozen great micro breweries plus almost every bar has the best of best on tap, some like Barley’s up to 40 on tap. My personal favorites “The Wedge”, Highlands, Pisgah and of course my best friend’s brewery GREEN MAN.

[johnnyjohnson2043]

They should put an appendix labeled the "Beer Guide" in the back of the Thru-Hikers' Companion. I would vollunteer to hike from brewery to brewery in order to keep it updated.

[johnnyjohnson2043]

Great ones so far! Thanks everyone. Keep 'em coming if you think of more. I'm compiling a list for my hike in April.

[Hooch]

No fancy-schmancy microbrews, but the beer at Dot's in Damascus is always cold and the burgers are always fresh and hot.

[susquehannaslim]

JohnnyJohnson,
I'm planning a thru hike in 2013 and I was planning on doing research on the local brews. If you are planning the same type of project I'll follow you. Will you be posting to trail journal or other blogs?

[Chaco Taco]

Brewery just opened in Hot Springs

[southpaw95]

Bull and Bones in Blacksburgh, VA brew their own and there several resturants in this college town with great selections.

Long Trail Ale can be bought here in Virginia. Kroger sells it.

[Storyguy]

When you compile a complete list can you please post? Thanks.

[johnnyjohnson2043]

I'll have to check Dot's out. I'm looking forward to spending some time in Damascus especially if I can make it for Trail Days.

[Enic]

When starting PA NOBO, you should check out Appalachian Brewing Company. The brewery is in Harrisburg, but there is a resturaunt/ bar in Gettysburg as well. Great craft beers, ecspecially the Trail Blaze Organic Brown. Hell, they're all good...probably the only reason I'd go near Gettysburg on a thru. A few mile hitch outside of Caladonia State Park, but doable in the summer.

[TheCheek]

I agree ABC is good. In north woodstock,NH there is a nice brewpub called woodstock inn that had some good beers from what I remember.

[flemdawg1]

+1 on the Doyle, one of the original Anheiser Busch Hotels.

[Pedaling Fool]

Beer Snob here. I can't stand the watered down beers and I'm very happy the Dutch (or whoever it was) bought budweiser.

[Lone Wolf]

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

[flemdawg1]

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

Anyplace sell it that isn't so formal as the restaruaunts on their website. Don't want a $50 restaraunt bill just to have a decent beer and the Growler Hours aren't matching up with my schedule that I'll be around.