Being from PA and having traveled to NC recently, it was convenient to stop at the gas station and having the ability to purchase craft beer. I did however notice that it appears to be the same beer selection at every retail outlet. I saw there are a couple bottle shops in Asheville but that got me wondering, why isn't there more? There seems to be a ton of brewery/bars but not many non-brewery bars or bottle shops. What are your thoughts on bottle shops? Are they needed? Do the regular retail stores have the selections you are looking for? Would you find specialty bottle shops beneficial?
In the Raleigh Durham area of NC bottle shops and growler fill stations are poping up like mushrooms. Small breweries are opening quicker than I can keep up with also.
Started out as a bottle shop then started brewing their own beer. Now their bottles are all over the place and other shops. Not sure about growlers.
I can remember when there was only 5 or 6 of us,independent shops (grey hairs showing!), now there are usually 5 or 6 good ones per town. To OP maybe you just didn't hit the right spots, there are super cool bottle shops everywhere in NC you just have to look around a bit i suppose. I think we're (Peabody's) pretty cool and have a pretty eclectic selection of deliciousness, and have been a destination shop for years. I think that it's fun when shops in different parts of the state carry products that are only really found in their area. Although for me that makes me travel down to their area to get a taste for myself! I know that Sam's, and Brawley and Lighthouse and Cape Fear and Peabody's, we all have very regional specific brews on our shelves and growler stations, but we all have similarities too. But if you want the selection and all the goodies, you have to come hang out in the mountains of Boone where the little mecca on the hill known as Peabody's sits (Completely biased opinions are my specialty!) Chris
About an hour and a half to 2 hours depending on which way you go. Gorgeous drive though! Depending on what part of Tennessee your coming from you may be able to make a loop, we're only 10 minutes from the Tennessee/Virginia border
Thanks Chris! I believe it was Hops and Vine in Asheville. They carried beers from all over which seemed to be rare. From what I saw it was predominately regional brews with a few larger micro brands. I can't wait to get back to NC and I'll have to make the attempt at getting to Peabody's.
Coming from Nashville to Asheville for a long weekend (4 days). Unless I can tell the wife that there is some cool indian artifact or history museum and then play the "hey...since we are near it, can I stop off in Boone", I doubt she will be up for the additional 2 hour drive
Bottle shops came out of nowhere around Charlotte in the past 2 years, with 2 growler fill shops coming. The bottle shops followed in the footsteps of the few breweries that opened (OMB, NoDa, Birdsong, Triple C). Your options for craft beer here and in much of NC: bottle shops, Total Wine, grocery stores (Harris Teeter, Whole Foods are pretty good), and convenience stores (most not fresh and limited selection). I mostly shop the bottle shops, but sometimes TW and HT depending on what I'm looking for. Peabody's is great btw!
Ohhh Baby, we can hook you up! Grandfather Mountain and the hours worth of stuff to walk around and look at up there, The Mast General Store(s), The Blue Ridge Parkway (which is the prettiest and most enjoyable ride from Asheville to Boone) which has loads of old houses/manors and scenic overlooks, and apparently you haven't heard of the cowboy and indian show that goes on at tweetsie railroad! You just give us the details and interests and leave the wife convincing to us. Just tell her you want to go on a pretty drive and see some cool scenery......a couple hours later down the parkway....well look at that we're in Boone, we might as well see some stuff while we're here!! Got it all figured out for ya' brother!
Thanks for the info. The drive and bridges may be enough. Any chance the Sierra Beercamp packs come in this weekend?
