CNBC: North Carolina's craft beer boom

The Foothills stuff I have tried has all been meh, IMHO. Red Oak puts out only a few beers, but (again, all IMHO) they are all quality brews. Aviator has some good beers, and so does Carolina Brewery.

I have had more, but some breweries I have only tried one of their respective beers, so I don't count them here.

I will comment more as I think of other local beers/breweries I've tried.

 

If you are in the Raleigh area maybe you should give Trophy a try. They are making killer beers!

 

Wouldn't put Wedge or Green man in my top 4 WNC breweries, so like all things taste is subjective.For me Wicked Weed, Pisgah, Burial then Highlands at their brewery all over shadow. Again, that is my opinion then maybe Green man.

 

I love Wicked Weed in Asheville

 

I can't get it here in Greensboro now, my friend.

 

I WILL DRIVE DOWN THERE AND SEARCH YOUR UNDERWEAR DRAWER! I KNOW YOU'RE HOLDING OUT ON ME MAN!

 

Just traded for HDR and it was delicious

 

Love talking about our NC breweries!

While Highland is slumping a bit in search of the next best thing, their Cold Mountain will remain a favorite of mine. Foothills is classic, the Sexual Chocolate release is an annual pilgrimage. Olde Hickory makes some great stuff (Death; Event). Wicked Weed is fantastic and will likely continue to be so. NODA has been great since opening, their Hop Drop just got the recognition it deserved. Was just at Pisgah this weekend and remains solid, as does Green Man. OMB, while a bit boring at times, still makes the best Oktoberfest in the state, and is opening a beautiful new tap room. Fonta Flora is the one I'm really keeping my eye on - Todd is making some unbelievably awesome beers in Morganton!

And I didn't even mention Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Oskar Blues...or gasp...the possibility of Stone!

I know I left out a bunch, but really that was wordy enough already. I'm looking forward to trying all of the super new ones popping up everywhere!

 

Both Aviator and Carolina brewing straight up suck IMO. foothills is light years better

 

I've had the good fortune of at least a half-dozen Asheville pilgrimages. Last time I was there, we walked about a half mile loop that included 8 breweries and 3 serious beer bars...(and that was without going north of Patton Ave) It don't get much better than that.

 

NC is really hitting stride. I think expecting everywhere to have something world class is unrealistic. I am impressed that I can find something really good from about every part of the state with some kick ass things here and there.

Highlands is a great example--about everything they make is really good and they have done it for 20 years--not unlike the regular lineup for SN--nothing mind-blowing but super solid. What is not to like about that?

Examples of things I consider trade worthy from NC:

Hop Drop
Olde Hickory Event Horizon
Foothills Jade IPA and Sexual Chocolate
Wicked Weed Sours (most)

Trophy and Burial--nanos only available locally--for now.

Good times in NC when you could almost drink 100% in state and do pretty darn well.

 

I guess my palate for beer sucks then.

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as saying that. I'm not saying Foothills doesn't have some meh or even crappy beers, but they have several I'd consider among the state's best beers (Jade, Sex Chocolate, monthly ipas). Whereas carolina brewing and Aviator don't make a single beer I'd rate particularly highly.

 

No worries. You didn't say it, I did.

 

I forgot about them! There dunkel is amazing and I'm glad they're keeping the altbier style alive. There's a small one near me called Frog Level I quite enjoy. Nothing mind blowing but a very solid line up. They make one of the best dry stouts I've ever had.

 

Aviator's tripel is really good. Their winter warrmer isn't bad either

 

I am waiting for Aviator's Octoberbeast!

I am a sucker for a good Marzen beer...

 

And if I was 12, that would hurt my feelings.