Showing posts with label craft beer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craft beer. Show all posts

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Roadtrip: Boone Breweries have good beer and great food


Since it's midway North Carolina Craft Beer Month, I'm spotlighting breweries outside of Charlotte. This week I head west.

Not Asheville West. The other West. The Boone area boasts a handful of local breweries that are worthy of a road trip.

Boonshine Brewing Company

You can find Boonshine beers on tap at McKethan Brothers Barbecue. The beers pare well with the smoked meats at this family-owned barbecue restaurant in Boone. Both are relatively new additions to Boone’s restaurant and beer lineup. McKethan Brothers opened in May 2015. Moonshine opened in July. Owners Carson Coatney and Tim Herdklotz, former homebrewers, crafted the typical range of brews from the 3150 Ale (a light ale) to the Molasses Porter. My favorites was the 3150 ale, which was refreshing with a hoppiness that smooths out near the end.

Ben and Aaron McKethan’s used old family recipes such as slow-cooked chicken to create a menu inspired by their childhood. The ribs and chicken are cooked overnight, and finished on the wood-fired grill.  I suggest the pimento cheese tray and the ribs. All of the meats,  except the smoked turkey, are delicious. The turkey was a dryer than the other meats. If you have a large group, order the sample. If it’s just you and your boo get the meat combo.





Appalachian Mountain Brewery
If you like the loud, vibrant brewery scene then AMB is your spot. It will reminds me of NoDa. The bar was crowded. There was also live music. AMB has a rustic feel with wood, cinder-block walls and wooden taps handles. The beers are the typical craft fare, but it’s really the atmosphere that separates AMB from the other Boone area breweries. It draws a young crowd. Bring a group of friends for a good time.

By Sam Dean


Lost Province

I do not like saisons, but I loved, loved, loved Lost Province’s Heirloom Saison. It was tasted like a fall harvest in my mouth. It wasn't pumpkiny like most fall beers. It was robust and flavorful. Oh, and did I mention the St. Nick’s Revenge? Oh my goodness. Out of all of the Boone area breweries, Lost Province was definitely my favorite. Both of the beers I mentioned are seasonal brews, but Lost Providence how to brew a beer. I also liked the Belgian Dubbel. I haven’t even mentioned the wood fired pretzels, the sriracha honey wood fired wings, the beer hummus and house-made pita. We also crushed the beer mac & cheese and the charcuterie. Those are just the starters - the starters! So, you know the pizza was delicious. The Morning Sunshine is creative (features a sunny side egg), but my favorites were the Rosticceria  and The Depot Street.


Be sure to finish the night with a late night cookie delivery. Boone has Insomnia Cookies and Appalachain Cookie Company.





Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Thursday, April 30, 2015

20 more breweries planned for Charlotte region


Earlier this week, I attended the Charlotte Chamber of of Commerce Economic Development. I realize this isn't my usual Sip + Play adventure, but it was held at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. The subject was beer.  How could I resist.

The panel included: Center City Partners' Tobe Holmes,  NoDa Brewing Company's Todd Ford and  OMB's John Marrino.

I knew the craft beer industry was growing exponentially here, but there's a lot I didn't know. The industry is doubling in the state and growing four-times as fast in the city. North Carolina has the largest number of breweries in the south.  The industry's impact on Charlotte is undeniable. It's certainly enhanced our entertainment options, but it's also impacting the economy.

Courtesy of Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
The shop local movement is fueling the growth, especially among the millennials. By the way, did you know Sam Adams is the largest American-owned brewery?

Interesting nuggets: Ford of NoDa said when he started six years ago start-up breweries couldn't get a Small Business Administration loan. Today, that's not issue.

The next movement will likely be distilleries and cideries.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com


Sunday, March 22, 2015

Hangover brunch, dessert and a film festival

Wow, two of my featured events are so bad for me, but they're going to taste so good. A hangover brunch and a dessert festival. Can a Sunday get any better? See you in the streets...




Beer Brunch - Today the Diamond features an expanded menu along with Pure Intentions Coffee poured all day, specialty themed cocktails, QC Cheesecakes’s speciality themed cheesecakes and the best hangover relief - diner food at Craft Hangover Brunch presented by NoDa Brewing Company. Coco Loco on draft. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Diamond Restaurant, 1901 Commonwealth Ave.





Sugar High - Sample desserts galore and help R.A.I.N. at the fourth annual Sweet Tooth Festival. - Omni Charlotte Hotel, East Trade St. $20, $30.








Don't Forget

Film Festival The Banff Mountain Film Festival visits 400 communities and 40 countries throughout the world. The tour features a collection of action, environmental, and adventure films from the festival. 7 p.m. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 130 N. Tryon St. $12. Parking onsite, street parking and paid parking lots available.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Friday, March 20, 2015

Swing music, jazz grooves and Craft Beer Week


Today is the first day of spring and the city is coming alive again. This weekend kicks off Craft Beer Week, and it only gets better. Let's get this party started. See you in the streets.



English Swing - Like swing music? You’ll love the swinging tunes of London-based Jive Aces. 7:30 p.m. Chantilly Hall, 2101 Shenandoah Ave. $20.




Fighting AIDS - The HBO movie was good, but the play makes this heart breaking "The Normal Heart" more intimate. Escape the distractions of watching at home and escape to the '80s. Remember when gay men were dying at alarming  rates? This play won't let you forget. 8 p.m. tonight and weekends through April 4. Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road. $27.






Don't Forget

Beer Week Charlotte Craft Beer Week starts tonight. There's an Allagash Brewery Special Keg Tapping at Mac's Speedhop Southend, 2511 South Blvd, at 6 p.m. Then enjoy stoner rock music paired with Stone Brewery beer at The Cork and Cask, 9624 Bailey Rd Suite F, at 7 p.m. The finale event is All Ale the Queen on March 28 at Amos' Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St.


Auto-tone Jazz - Enjoy the free flowing jazz tunes paired with auto-tone at An Evening with The Robert Glasper Trio. Reggie Sullivan opens. 8 p.m. McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 North College St.

Tournament Bites - BLT Steak will offer five $5 game-day bar bites including steak sliders with aged cheddar and caramelized onion jam, miniature crab cakes with meyer lemon aioli, a kobe hot dog with Japanese mustard on a poppy seed bun, sweet potato fries with rosemary and blue cheese, and fried stuffed jalapenos with cream cheese stuffing. The deal starts today and ends Sunday and is available during tournament play. The Ritz, 110 N. College St. Complimentary valet parking.











Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com





Saturday, January 10, 2015

New Steeplechase event, free arts today and wrestling tonight

Heads up! Limited tickets onsale today for Frontstretch Fest, a new event debuting at the 64th annual Stoneybrook Steeplechase at Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, N.C. Frontstretch is a  southern celebration of horse racing, quality bourbon and craft beer. Frontstretch Fest will feature artisanal food and drinks, hand-rolled cigars, live music, interactive entertainment and much more. “Bourbon Bend” and “Craft Beer Boulevard” will offer tastings and classes from local and national distilleries and breweries alongside “Cuisine Corner,” which will showcase the best local chefs and food trucks. Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Rd., Raeford, NC 28376. More details:  frontstretchfest.com


Now, let's get this party started. See you in the street....


Free Arts & Culture - Sample Charlotte's arts scene with the Arts and Science Council's Connect With Culture DayChoose from a variety of events throughout the area. Cool thing is the performing arts groups are getting out into the community. For example, the Charlotte Ballet will be conducting a class at Siskey YMCA and part of Opera Carolina will be at Steele Creek Library. The weekend also features free admission to area museums. Get the full details.


In Memoriam - Radok Fest 4 returns to celebrate the life of photographer Chris "Kodar" Radok who was killed four years ago. The music community honors Radok with MC Scott Weaver, Greevace, David Childers, gogoPilot and others. 10 p.m., Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $5.



Burlesque and Wrestling - Fireball’s Grindhouse Wrestling Show combines burlesque dancers, pro wrestling and live music in what they appropriately call the Madhouse. 7 p.m. Tremont Music Hall, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $12.

DON'T FORGET

Local Music Awards - Celebrate local Charlotte musicians at the 8th Annual Queen City Awards. Fly Ty will host the event, which recognizes country, hip-hop, rock and other musical talent. Don't miss your chance to walk the red carpet. 7 p.m. Halton Theater, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. $20 and up.









LGBTQ Discussion - Josh Burford and Malu Fairley, in partnership with the Charlotte Business Guild, host LGBTQ Perspectives. It's a final community forum discussing LGBTQ issues and perspectives. Free and open to the public. 1-3 p.m. Levine Museum of the New South, 300 N. College St.







Gift Exchange - Exchange your unwanted Christmas gifts for something you may want, need or simply like better at the Third Annual Flip Gift Party presented by Honey Bee Gifts. Gifts must be registered by 11:30 a.m. to participate in the exchange. You'll can also shop the pop ups. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Hydrate Medical, 228 East Blvd. Ste. 200. Free. $10 VIP.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com