Small breweries shine at NC winter festival

At the recent Winter Warmer Beer Festival in Asheville, NC, a bunch of the newer small breweries from the southern Appalachian region were quite impressive.

A good gauge of the craft beer industry’s viability is the number of new breweries that you find popping up in the hinterlands, small towns and villages across the region. Local beer festivals such as this allow tiny breweries to have a stage equal to the Sierra Nevadas and New Belgiums of the region.

Small Appalachian breweries on the move

Among the younger breweries at Winter Warmer this year, Satulah Mountain Brewing, Swamp Rabbit Brewery, BearWaters Brewing, Boojum Brewing, and Blue Mountain Pizza and Brew Pub were a pure pleasure to find.

Satulah Mountain Brewing Company

Satulah Mountain Brewing Company is only six-months old but owner/brewer Dale Heinlein has it running faster than a free tap at an August pig roast. Equipped only with a tiny half-barrel brewhouse, Heinlein produces a variety of craft  beer that rivals many long-established breweries.

Hidden away in the little mountain town of Highlands, NC, it’s path is not likely crossed unless you are going there on purpose. But should you be so lucky, definitely seek it out and try a flight of Satulah Mountain beer.

At the Winter Warmer fest, one taste of Heinlein’s Sunset Saison (with its parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme) tells all you need to know about his brewing acumen. This brewer has the touch. At the brewery, also look for his Hoppy Hiker IPA and anything Belgian-styled.

Maybe its their 4118 foot elevation, but something left me lightheaded and happy about Satulah Mountain beer. You have to admire a guy who takes his passion and makes it work with a half-barrel brewery. That requires such a high level of commitment and energy. Can’t wait to see what Heinlein accomplishes when he gets a real pro system.  Look up Highlands, NC, on google maps.

 Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom

Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom is only 10 months old but is producing traditionally-styled brews with a polished demeanor reminiscent of its brewer’s Continental heritage. Producing primarily non-hop-centered beers, Swamp Rabbit products  allow the malts and fermentation process to do most of the talking. And speak loudly they do. Its wheat beers have been especially well-received.

After a few hours of winter warmer tasting, a Swamp Rabbit Strong Belgian Ale and the Double IPA were still memorable. Traveler’s Rest is in the Appalachian foothills about 10 miles outside Greenville, SC. — Travelers Rest: another item for google maps.

Blue Mountain Pizza & Brew Pub

Take a popular ten-year-old pizza restaurant, add a small brewing system, and voila: Blue Mountain Pizza and Brew Pub is born.  Located in downtown Weaverville, NC, it has been brewing for two years now, but is still largely unknown outside the local Western NC area.

BearWaters Brewing Company

If you are a paddler, BearWaters Brewing Company has your beer. If you aren’t a paddler, no worry, Bearwaters has your beer.

While many of its beers are named after mountain white water themes, the beer surely has a universal appeal. The brewery says its beer is crafted from English tradition blended with American imagination. We think that’s winning combination.

One taste of Sunburst Blood Orange Saison lets you know BearWaters is a brewery to be reckoned with. Owner/brewer Kevin Sandefur has no qualms jumping out and putting a new twist on a beer brewed with his 15 barrel system.

BearWaters is active in the local brewing community. Not shy about collaborations, they partner with other area breweries, such as Nantahala and Asheville, to offer even more variety to their extensive lineup. Several of their beers are available in bottles too.

Boojum Brewing Company

Another Waynesville, NC, brewery that impressed us was Boojum Brewing Company. Opening just a month ago, it is new, bold, and refreshing.

You won’t find a shortage of flavor in Boojum beverages. They make their 15-barrel brewing system sing while brewing up a whole slew of tasty selections for their pub.

No light tasting beers here. No, the beer they offered at Winter Warmer was rich and delicious. Even their Light Brown Ale had plenty of flavor—much more than many breweries put in a 4.5% a.b.v. beer. The Blueberry Coffee Porter, that sounded a bit strange, tasted great. Comments heard around the festival (including mine) said the Chocolate Milk Stout was stellar.

 Old favorites still going strong

Brewery Links

1. Swamp Rabbit Brewery
2. Blue Mountain Pizza and Brew Pub
3. Satulah Mountain Brewing Company
4. Boojum Brewing Company
5. BearWaters Brewing Company
6. Heinzelmaanchen Brewery
7. Southern Appalachian Brewery
8. Lookout Brewing Company