“We’re all in this together,” said John Henritze, co-owner of Johnson City’s soon-to-open JRH Brewing, told Press staff writer Tony Casey last month
Those who want to explore the trail and sample the brews are encouraged to go to the trail’s website (brewlynotedbeertrail.com) and register. Beer glasses and other swag can be found on the site, along with an empty passport.
After all nine breweries are marked off in the passport, the participant is awarded a “Brewly Noted Beer Trail” T-shirt.
Henritze believes the Beer Trail is a good way to get people better acquainted with craft beer, which he says helps grow the local economy.
Johnson City breweries on the trail are JRH, Yee-Haw Brewing Company and Johnson City Brewing Company. The Bristol Brewery, Holston River Brewing Company and Studio Brew are stops on both sides of the state line in Bristol. Participants who travel to Kingsport can visit Triple B Brewery and Sleepy Owl Brewery.
The Beer Trail also goes to Depot Street Brewing in Jonesborough, which is the oldest craft brewery in the region. Michael Foster, Depot Street’s founder, told the Press he was surprised there wasn’t any other beer makers in the area when he started brewing his suds in 2004.
“It was only a matter of time,” Foster said of the growing interest in craft beers.
Brenda Whitson, with the Johnson City Convention Visitors Bureau, said the success of craft beer tourism in nearby Asheville in Western North Carolina convinced local tourism officials to create the Brewly Noted Beer Trail.
We want to hear from you. Do you think craft beer breweries will help local tourism and commerce?
Send your comments to mailbag@johnsoncitypress.com. Please include your name, telephone number and address for verification purposes.
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