New. Looking for recommendations in North Carolina

Discussion in 'South Atlantic' started by Talbott92, Nov 3, 2013.

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  1. Talbott92

    Talbott92 Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2013 North Carolina

    Alright so I've been 21 for a month and for my birthday my mother in-law brought me a case of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale to try because she helped with the new brewery in NC and she got free cases. ( I'd only had macro lagers and hated beer at this time). It was way too bitter for me but something made me open another. I'd never had anything other than Bud,Miller,Coors. I googled craft beer and kept trying new stuff I started with shock top and blue moon because it seemed like a good intro beer. Now I've got a ton of Sam Adams and the Boston Lager keeps getting better. The only thing that's still too bitter is their IPA. I just live in a small town in NC where Macros rule the shelves. My local ingles has the biggest selection but that isn't really saying alot. What's the best way to try more beer in my area other than paying crazy shipping costs.
     
    #1 Talbott92, Nov 3, 2013
  2. dbrauneis

    dbrauneis Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,071) Dec 8, 2007 North Carolina
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It might help if you let people know where you are located in NC - if you do not want to specify the town at least give folks an idea of the general area... Then folks might be able to give you some suggestions of places not too far away and what beers might be available in your area of the state.
     
    #2 dbrauneis, Nov 3, 2013
  3. unionturf

    unionturf Initiate (0) Sep 30, 2007 North Carolina

    Personally, if your happy with Sam's BL stick with it for a while, heck I remember when I drained poured Sierra Nevada's Celebration because it was too piney...now I love it. It takes time for a palate to develop, but with the selection of craft beers in NC these days I cannot understand why you would need to have beer shipped to you if you thing Sam Adams IPA is too bitter.

    Try a few brown ales, try to find a store that allows you to make your own 6 pack and try different styles...but unless you live way in the middle of no where I cannot understand why you need to have beer shipped to you.
     
    #3 unionturf, Nov 3, 2013
  4. Talbott92

    Talbott92 Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2013 North Carolina

    I live in the Elkin/Dobson area which is about 45mins from Winston Salem
     
    #4 Talbott92, Nov 3, 2013
  5. VncentLIFE

    VncentLIFE Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2011 North Carolina

    Foothills. Foothills. Foothills. Hoppyum, Peoples Porter, and Torch Pils are all great places to start. Also, grab some Olde Hickory if you can (Piedmont Pilsner, Ruby Lager, Hickory Stick Stout, and Oktoberfest if there's any left).
     
    #5 VncentLIFE, Nov 3, 2013
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  6. Talbott92

    Talbott92 Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2013 North Carolina

    Thanks for the reccomendations I'll have to try those!
     
    #6 Talbott92, Nov 3, 2013
  7. hellhammermario

    hellhammermario Initiate (0) Jun 18, 2012 North Carolina

    I'd try Mother Earth's lighter beers aka their Weeping Willow Wit, Endless River Kolsch, and even their Dark Cloud Munich Dunkel. I feel like those are good gateway beers that aren't too overwhelming for someone relatively new to craft beer.
     
    #7 hellhammermario, Nov 3, 2013
  8. dbrauneis

    dbrauneis Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,071) Dec 8, 2007 North Carolina
    Mod Team BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I think there is a brewery out in the Lewisville which is closer to you than Winston-Salem (Westbend Brewery - I have not personally been there yet). Also, not quite sure how far you are from the Boone area but I hear great things about Peabody's.
     
    #8 dbrauneis, Nov 3, 2013
  9. Talbott92

    Talbott92 Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2013 North Carolina

    Is it common for beginners to love begian wits? Blue moon i like, and shock top is okay just too watery but All the Sam Adams I love- White Christmas, White Lantern and there was 1 more I liked but I can't remember it.
     
    #9 Talbott92, Nov 3, 2013
  10. aleckpa

    aleckpa Initiate (0) Dec 20, 2010 North Carolina

    If you live in an area that doesn't have a large craft selection, I'd recommend taking a trip to Winston-Salem. They have Total Wine and locally owned craft stores and you could get a haul. Also, you could grab a meal and some beer at Foothills. If you are just starting out, listen to what others have already said. I'd suggest Lonerider (Raleigh) Shotgun Betty as well.
     
    #10 aleckpa, Nov 4, 2013
  11. Talbott92

    Talbott92 Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2013 North Carolina

    I've been wanting to make a trip to total wine but I didn't know how big the selection of beer there would be.
     
    #11 Talbott92, Nov 4, 2013
  12. MrPeabodysBeard

    MrPeabodysBeard Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2010 North Carolina

    OP- Peabody's is a really short trip up 421 for ya'. Come and hang out with us, we'll show you some goodies to get you going on your journey! Your not really in beer wasteland if your within an hour or two of us (which you most certainly are!) !

    Chris
     
    #12 MrPeabodysBeard, Nov 4, 2013
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  13. jmw

    jmw Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2009 North Carolina

    ^^^OP, you should do this^^^
     
    #13 jmw, Nov 4, 2013
  14. Handle

    Handle Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2009 North Carolina

    Their beers are all solid, and the stout is especially good.

    It will be a while, but Skull Camp is building a brewery out in Elkin (they've been brewing on what is basically a small homebrew system up in Mount Airy with Round Peak Vineyards). Keep up with their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/SkullCampBrewing
     
    #14 Handle, Nov 4, 2013
  15. abb610

    abb610 Initiate (0) Oct 14, 2010 North Carolina

    Next time your in Winston, spend some time at Stella Brew. They just opened and its a great store. Really good folks and they can help you pick out some great beers to get started. Cheers!!
     
    #15 abb610, Nov 4, 2013
  16. tillmac62

    tillmac62 Pooh-Bah (2,859) Oct 2, 2013 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Google Total wine and select the NC Winston Salem location to see their inventory. Check out Founders, Bells and Great Lake products - 3 of the best breweries out there.
     
    #16 tillmac62, Nov 4, 2013
  17. kristougher

    kristougher Initiate (0) Jun 27, 2013 North Carolina

    Don't be afraid to buy anything, just go for it
     
    #17 kristougher, Nov 4, 2013
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  18. Talbott92

    Talbott92 Initiate (0) Nov 1, 2013 North Carolina

    Thanks for all the tips guys. I'm not Afraid of trying anything which is good.
     
    #18 Talbott92, Nov 4, 2013
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  19. brstls4drmrs

    brstls4drmrs Maven (1,396) Jan 30, 2011 North Carolina

    Agreed. WB is brewing some good stuff.

    Good to hear about skull camp. Wonder if their brew names will be as off the wall as their wine names.
     
    #19 brstls4drmrs, Nov 5, 2013
  20. Handle

    Handle Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2009 North Carolina

    I visited the winery a few months ago -- which is an absolutely gorgeous place, by the way -- and tried a few of their beers. They cycle through them often since they were brewing on a small system, but they had names like 11th Hour Amber, Dusk ‘til Dawn Black IPA, Cave Dweller Porter, Spilled Milk Centennial IPA, Tongue-Tied Rye IPA and Knuckle Dragger DIPA.

    Not sure how those compare to the wine names, but they were all very tasty and I look forward to seeing what they do on a larger system! I was also shocked that the Mount Airy location is only about two hours from Charlotte. Certainly worth a visit, and I guess the new Elkin location will be even closer.
     
    #20 Handle, Nov 5, 2013
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