April brings a new season’s fresh air. And fresh beer.
April has been declared N.C. Beer Month by the state’s Division of Tourism and – perhaps more important – the N.C. Brewers Guild.
This is the third year craft brewers from Boone to the Outer Banks are staging this promotion, which encourages adults to try their taste buds on the amazing array of brews made in a state that now has more smaller-batch breweries (latest count: 125) than ever before.
This weekend alone, there are 23 Beer Month events scheduled across the state.
In Blowing Rock, all seven taps at Bistro Roca will be featuring N.C. beers; at Blowing Rock Town Tavern, all N.C. beers are $4 per pint; at Storie Street Grille, Greensboro’s Natty Greene Brewing will be worked into an entree, appetizer or dessert; different N.C. beers will be worked into dishes this month at Canyons. At Foggy Rock, three-brew flights of N.C. beers are $5, and $6 at Six Pence Pub. Through April, 11 restaurants have come up with a Brew-A-Bout passport; stamps on it can add up to a free souvenir pint glass April 11 or (by April 30) qualify you for a giveaway.
In Asheville this month, Thirsty Monk locations downtown, at Biltmore Park and Reynolds Village will feature nearly 100 beers made in-state.
This weekend in Clayton – midway between Raleigh and Smithfield – Deep River Brewing celebrates its second anniversary, with the first 100 customers each day /getting get a free anniversary glass with a purchase.
Friday nights in Durham, The Glass Jug craft beer store opens a different cask of N.C. beer this month, starting this weekend with Trophy Brewing.
Saturday in Raleigh, at the second annual Brewer Olympics, six area breweries will compete in eight brewing-related events from noon to 7 p.m. at Raleigh Brewing, 3709 Neil St.
From 3 to 8 p.m. in the down-East town of Farmville, the family-friendly Duck Rabbit Craft Brewery Spring Revelry has food, music, games and Duck Rabbit brewery tours.
Charlotte area events are on tap, too. Check the Beer Month website.
Need an opening-weekend event that’s a tad more… refined?
In Raleigh, try the First Friday event at the N.C. Museum of History (5 E. Edenton St.). Museum admission is free, and from 5 to 9 p.m. this Friday, the N.C. Craft Brewers Guild is offering a no-charge beer tasting of local suds from Nicklepoint Brewing. Enjoy the exhibits; enjoy the samples.
Saturday in Raeford (south of Pinehurst), the 64th annual Stoneybrook Steeplechase adds Frontstretchcq Fest to its infield activities at Carolina Horse Park; it includes a “Craft Beer Boulevard.” The race/fest package starts at $59 (less for designated drivers).
Bordsen is the Observer’s travel editor.
Want to know more?
Information on scheduled N.C. Beer Month events: www.ncbeermonth.com (click “Events”).
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