A new brewery has taken root in Western North Carolina that brings a different approach to the craft beer scene.  Sideways Farm & Brewery opened this past August in the rural Henderson County community of Etowah. Although surrounded by dozens of craft breweries in the towns of Hendersonville, Brevard and…

The turn in the temperature signals a new season on Grandfather Mountain — and the return of a bargain allowing unlimited access to the park for six months. The Secret Season Pass allows holders unlimited, six-month access to the park November 2019 through April 2020. An individual Secret Season Pass…

The third weekend in February is Beech Mountain’s 9th Annual Retro 80’s celebration, which has been named one of the Top Twenty Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. From Thursday, February 20th through Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, visitors can take a trip down memory lane to the…

Haze Gray Vineyards, which draws its name from the color of U.S. naval ships, opened its winery and tasting room on Dec. 19. Owners Deane and Becky Muhlenberg have long-standing military ties, including Deane’s three-decade career as a Navy flight officer. The Muhlenbergs relocated to Surry County three years ago…

The state-of-the-art destination distillery at Southern Distilling Company has been a jewel in the crown of the Statesville region’s thriving craft beverage community since 2017, growing in popularity and gaining attention among locals and tourists alike.  However, there are big changes on the horizon for this craft distillery. Owners, Pete…

An invigorating winter getaway awaits in the mile-high elevations surrounding Banner Elk. This town in the North Carolina mountains offers the chance to get outdoors with hiking and exploring at Grandfather Mountain, as well as snowtubing at nearby ski resorts. One of the biggest winter attractions in the area is…

Think Mayberry only exists in a television show? Think again. Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina, invites folks to visit the real-life place that inspired the fictional Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show. Visitors to Mount Airy can choose from several Mayberry attractions and activities. The most popular…

Enjoy yourself, reward yourself. The Carolina Craft Passport is a reward program to nudge you to get off the well-worn path and experience boutique craft beverage destinations across the State of North Carolina. Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville are all well-known craft beverage destinations. But did you know that award-winning wines, spirits,…

Ok ladies and gentlemen, with February being a cold month and not much to do, why not come to an indoor Brewfest featuring six regional breweries that will awaken your sleepy taste buds. Angry Troll, Skull Camp Brewing and New Serum Brewing, to name a few. Live music from Whiskey…

The Bold Rock Mills River Cidery opened in October 2015 and is nestled in some of North Carolina’s most fertile farmland just 20 minutes from Downtown Asheville. Visit to learn about the process behind our cider crafted from locally sourced Henderson County apples and enjoy expansive views of the production…

From choose and cut Christmas tree hunting to a magical family weekend to enjoying the holidays nestled between two ski resorts, the North Carolina mountain town of Banner Elk is an ideal place this December. The month starts with people flocking to the many tree farms raising beautiful Fraser fir…

Enjoy the holiday’s pleasures a little too much? Stuffed to the gills from all those parties? Determined that this is the year to make a change for the better? Why not come out to Rural Hill and start 2020 off right with First Footin’ our annual walk and celebration of…

Just a few hours’ drive from most metropolitan areas in North Carolina, Beech Mountain is a year-round vacation destination with the added benefit of a ski resort right in town. This premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts sits at an elevation of 5506 feet, making it the highest town in…

TRAIL POST Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard is located in Fallston, NC. The vineyard is planted in the fertile soil of the rolling hills in Cleveland County. The vineyard takes its name from the Buffalo Creek that slowly winds through the property and the Baker family name that represents over 100…

In the Village of Fairhaven shop an extensive array of craft vendors offering home décor, jewelry, clothing of renaissance and medieval fashion, blown and torched glass, handmade art and pottery. Think of Fairhaven as a medieval mall. There are also activities for children of all ages including people-powered amusement rides…

Many folks across the state have heard of North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley wine country, but it can be daunting to decipher the best way to visit this federally-recognized American Viticultural Area that is home to more than 40 wineries. Fortunately, the wineries in Surry County make it easy to visit…

Carolina Craft Beverage Trail Post Located at the crossroads of I-77 & I-40 in Statesville n.c. Southern Distilling is Making Tasty Products for Happy People!™. Now serving craft cocktails, locally brewed beers and regional wines. Truly a grain-to-glass distillery, Southern Distilling Company is deeply rooted in heritage matched with boundless…

Banner Elk’s 42nd annual Woolly Worm Festival draws people from near and far to this Blue Ridge Mountain town for two days of racing woollybear caterpillars. This year’s festival takes place Oct. 19-20. “We have a lot of people who come to Banner Elk in the fall to look at…

One of the best things about my job and life is that at any given moment, I can pack a bag and head out in any direction. The beauty here in N.C. is incredible and I love getting “lost” in my backyard… so to speak. This time, we headed towards…

Carolina Craft Beverage Trail Post Cavendish steps outside the box and brings with it quirky events and Old World Beers. Would you not call a Game of Thrones event called “Winter is Coming” or an evening of Where are the Supers a little quirky?  The Cavendish Brewing Company is a…

Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains sits a tiny gem called Round Peak Vineyards. One of the first wineries in the Yadkin Valley, Round Peak Vineyards is a boutique winery focused on small lot winemaking and is charmingly individual. The current owners Ken Gulaian and wife Kari Heerdt…

The last week of September is a wonderful time to visit Mount Airy, the town that inspired Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show. Mount Airy more than doubles in size as fans from far and wide come “home” to Mayberry. This year’s Mayberry Days celebration takes place Sept. 23-29 and…

Tobacco Wood Brewing Company I have been watching Tobacco Wood Brewing Company for nearly a year now. Not from a distance, but from my favorite perch in the taproom. The one directly in front of the big screen showing the what is on the 15 taps, all the beers are made…

The Beer Lab was an idea created from our R&D (Research & Drinking) Events at our original location, where we would unleash 7 new beers at a time and experiment with exotic ingredients, fruit, and yeast.  Limited by space constraints (storage, seating, taps) it was difficult to bring out new…

Situated atop a knoll outside Morganton with gorgeous views of the South Mountains is Silver Fork Winery. Owners Jennifer Foulides and Ed Wisnieski left corporate America behind in 2013 to move south and create a place to sip, nibble and relax. Silver Fork Winery is just that place. The wines…

If being a better steward of our planet is important to you, here is a reward program that will (m)eat your standards. Tour De Pork is a summer showcase featuring restaurants committed to sourcing ethical meats and who, collectively, utilize all parts of the hog. Each pork part deserves a…

This year we are celebrating the tenth anniversary of our first Skull Campout by offering two camping events – one on July 20th and another on September 7th. Come experience the vineyard under the stars! Our annual, signature event features camping in the vineyard, live music, dinner from the Skull…

Rivermen Brewing Company Our story started out on the creeks and rivers of the southeast. The four original partners of Rivermen Brewing Company met on various paddling trips and adventures, lots of beer was enjoyed and friendships formed. We all share a love of paddling, outdoor adventures and beer. Over…

Oink & Ale is back and will take place Saturday, June 22nd from 6 pm. until 9 pm. along Monroe Street in Historic Downtown Eden. You will be able to enjoy barbecue, ribs, brisket, barbecued chicken, MillerCoors, Natty Greenes,  Pig Pounder Brewery and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. products…

Surprise that special person in your life with a romantic mountain escape this summer.  The resort town of Banner Elk is home to easy-to-use theater packages that include one night of lodging, a pair of tickets to an Ensemble Stage performance, breakfast and discount dining coupons for the popular Banner…

You will be able to enjoy barbecue, ribs, brisket, barbecued chicken, MillerCoors, Pig Pounder Brewery and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Co. products along with beverages from other local craft brewers.

Located two hours or less from most of the major population centers in the state, the Dan River Company can arrange trips from 2 hours to 2 days, covering 40 miles of the Dan River. Come and enjoy the beauty of the area, a day in the sun or an adventure on the river. There is no better way to relax than listening to the quiet ripples of water provided by nature, viewing the wildlife and spending time with your friends and family.

An amazing two days of local craft beer and live music, camping and new friends. NCBMF will be on May 10th and 11th at Historic Rural Hill, a non-profit historic site and farm located 20 minutes from downtown Charlotte in Huntersville NC. This event is rain-or-shine and will not be…

Enjoy yourself, reward yourself. The Carolina Craft Beverage Trail is a reward program to nudge you to get off the well worn path and experience boutique craft beverage destinations across the State of North Carolina.

Yadkin Valley’s top wine festival uncorks its 18th edition with an all-star lineup of wineries and live music in Elkin, NC, on Saturday, May 18. The Yadkin Valley Wine Festival attracts wine aficionados from near and far with tasting booths from two dozen wineries and a full afternoon of music…

As the apple trees begin to bloom, Hendersonville celebrates the spring season and the hope for a bountiful harvest with the second annual Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, April 25-28. The four-day event showcases local food and drink with nearly 50 happenings at cideries, wineries and tasting rooms throughout the…

The craft beer explosion that started in Asheville and Charlotte has finally made its way across the Catawba River into Gaston County. With an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the area, Gaston is the perfect setting for embracing the brewpub culture, and visitors will find several taprooms where they…

We often take a drive to the unknown and wind up somewhere fantastic. It’s what we do!  This time was a great surprise. Not only did we find an incredible brewery but we found awesome people like the staff at Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. and getting to meet and chat…

Now that engagement season has passed, brides-to-be are planning their dream weddings. The rolling hills of Surry County in the Yadkin Valley wine region create a beautiful setting for such occasions. While many venues throughout Surry County are ideal for weddings, these four places stand out when brides choose to…

Medaloni Cellars rests on twenty-two acres of rolling hills located in North Carolina’s beautiful Yadkin Valley. Located 10 minutes outside of Winston-Salem, Medaloni Cellars is a beautiful addition to the Yadkin Valley wine trail to be toured by wine lovers from all over. Enjoy a romantic sunset with views of…

Bière De Femme is a unique beer festival celebrating our 3rd year in North Carolina. This year’s event will be held at the Highland Brewing Company Event Center, boasting more than 35 incredible one-off beers made specifically for this festival by women beer professionals from each brewery. The Bière de…