Best Breweries Near Boone NC

December 12, 2016

There a ton of reasons to visit Boone, NC: lakes, mountains, skiing, spas, art, history, and more. But as you’re exploring, and certainly once you’ve finished a long day of exploring, sometimes you just want take a break and grab a beer with friends.

You’re in luck, because this area is flowing with great beer, and cider, from local breweries. A city of only 18,000 people, Boone has a disproportionate number of breweries nearby — with three located in the downtown area alone. Whether you’re passing through or lingering, be sure to check out one of the local brewing companies in your free time. Connoisseurs take note: you can easily plan a beer excursion or few-days trip around tasting at Boone’s breweries.

Boone City Center

Lost Province Brewing Company – Since 2014, Lost Province Brewing Co. has been serving up microbrews, food, and music in downtown Boone. They pour everything from pale ales and IPAs to Saisons, seasonals, and beyond (with a noticeable German influence). They’re committed to serving woodfired fare, and have a passion for their community and the environment.

“My feeling is that there are really no “good” or “bad” beer styles, only those styles that are more or less suited to the time and place you’re at.” – Andy Mason

The Appalachian Mountain Brewery – AMB features music, woodfired food, beer, and cider. Beer and food are served indoor or outdoor, and they boast a 120-foot-long outdoor bar bordering Boone Creek as well as a covered heated porch. Uncommitted to a particular beer or cider style, their experimental nature is obvious when perusing the two libations they have on tap now:

Cornupoia Pumpkin Butternut Squash Porter
Thai Tea Chai Cider

Booneshine Brewing Company – Heavy on the pale ales/IPAs, porters, and stouts, but rounding these out with Belgians and American style ales, Booneshine Brewing Company is a production microbrewery that farms out their brews to local restaurants and bars in the area. You can stop by and watch them brew through the front windows, and although they don’t have a tasting room inside the brewery, there is a tasting room next door inside Basil’s Fresh Pasta and Deli. They describe their Long Winter Mocha Stout, one of their seasonal varieties, as follows:

“High Country Winters are perfect for a rich, dark yet smooth Imperial Stout. Our Mocha Stout is brewed with generous amounts of dark chocolate and cacao nibs. Natural process Ethiopian coffee roasted and cold brewed by our friends at Hatchet Coffee provides a subtle coffee flavor in the nose and finish.”

A Taste of Other High Country Brews

If you’re still thirsty after visiting all of these downtown Boone breweries, then you should probably venture further afoot to explore some of the other local breweries. Within 30 miles (which can be 20 minutes to an hour in the car), there are quite a few options for brewery enthusiasts.