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North Carolina

By in Brewery Tours, NC Breweries Comments Off on North Carolina 3 City Beer Tour – Fifth Stop ‘Lazy Hiker’ in Franklin, NC

North Carolina 3 City Beer Tour – Fifth Stop ‘Lazy Hiker’ in Franklin, NC

During our latest visit to North Carolina we were fortunate enough to visit five local breweries, next week you will see the last in our series of blog post, which will include beer tasted during our three city beer tour. Last week we posted about ‘Currahee’, this week last and fifth on our list, ‘Lazy Hiker’.

After leaving Currahee we headed to Lazy Hiker Brewing Company which is also in Franklin and very nearby the other brewery. Lazy Hiker is a short hike off the Appalachian Trail in the mountains of western North Carolina and therefore has hiking maps and information for hikers about the area. If you’re coming off the trail hungry, Lazy Hiker does have food available during lunch & dinner from the Mad Batter Food Truck located in their parking lot, but please note they do not make food in house.

The day we arrived at Lazy Hiker, there was a special event going on. We thought we might have to come back and visit on a separate trip as they were clearly busy, but luckily the staff was nice enough to welcome us into the taproom even though they were slapped full of people and we were basically party crashing guest. Thankfully, we found one unoccupied table and did our best to stay out of the way. In our little out of the way spot, we enjoyed a lively atmosphere, a warm fire and outside heaters on this chilly North Carolina night. In addition to plenty of seating outdoors, Lazy Hiker also has two corn-hole games, if you’re lucky enough to get to them first.

Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, Franklin NC / Photo by Desiree’ Turner

One thing we noticed while at Lazy Hiker, is that it seems to be a brewery for all ages. We saw the young, the old, every age in-between. Generations within families, all enjoying the day together. As the name suggest, the brewery was much laid back, not once did we ever feel rushed or unwelcome as there were friendly and patient faces all around.

Inside the taproom there were several more tables for seating and lots hiking themed decor. Original Lazy Hiker art lined the top of one wall. A giant map adorns another wall. A couple of smaller maps can be found, one of them being a NC Beer Map. There are several sneakers hanging from lamps here and there, and of course Lazy Hiker merch. They have t-shirts long sleeve and short sleeve, hoodies, hats, beanies and canned brews to go. If you’re looking to kill time indoors, there is a ping pong table toward the back for those rainy days. Also do note that Lazy Hiker has entertainment regularly on Fridays and Saturdays, check their events schedule online for updates.

Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, Franklin NC / Photo by Desiree’ Turner

Now we didn’t get a chance to see the brew-house, but from what I do understand Lazy Hiker has a 2 vessel, 15 barrel system located near the back, with which they make their brews. Also I did a little research and found that both the brewery and taproom are located in what was former Town Hall and Fire Department of downtown in Franklin, NC. 

We had a great time while at Lazy Hiker Brewery and plan to go back sometime for a hike. If you would like to learn more about Lazy Hiker Brewery and plan a trip yourself, you can visit their website at: http://lazyhikerbrewing.com/

To view more images of our trip to Lazy Hiker Brewery, Please Visit our Gallery. Wanna share this Gallery or a particular image with your friends on Facebook? It’s easy, just go to a mirror of this gallery on Facebook and use the share feature.

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By in Brewery Tours Comments Off on North Carolina 3 City Beer Tour – Third Stop ‘Bear Waters’ in Canton NC

North Carolina 3 City Beer Tour – Third Stop ‘Bear Waters’ in Canton NC

During our latest visit to North Carolina we were fortunate enough to visit five local breweries, during the next three weeks you will see a series of blog post, one for each brewery. Last week we posted about ‘BooJum‘ this week and third on our list, ‘BearWaters’.

The day after our Waynesville brewery visits, we decided to head off to Canton, NC to visit BearWaters Brewing Company. BearWaters Brewing is a great place to spend a warm & sunny afternoon if you’re in the area and in the mood for a brew. Bear Waters Brewery has the Pigeon River Grille onsite, lots of games, seating & TV’s for viewing. You could easily spend your entire afternoon here.

Outside the brewery, right on one of the Pigeon rivers’ tributaries, there is a large deck with seating. By the main entrance, a smaller dog friendly patio for your furry friends is also available. A huge garage style door opens up into the brewery, that lets all the sights and sounds of the outside world in, so you never feel too cooped up. Signs of what’s on tap are near the bar for everyone to see. If you’re a DD or a minor, you can also choose to purchase fruit flavored carbonated water from the sparkling water station, which had several flavors available. Non-alcoholic drinks from the Grille are also an option.

BearWaters Brewery Company, Canton NC / Photo by Desiree’ Turner

Downstairs they have a large indoor dining and drinking area, some games and the indoor eatery Pigeon River Grille has a full and delicious menu. Against the back wall are two dart boards and a shuffle board table. A corn hole game is also available to set up outside. There are also a few small rooms; One with a very long table (I’m guessing for groups), another with four tables & three TV’s, if you’re in the mood to watch a game or three. The third is a small game room with hockey table , claw machine, off road challenge game and a golden tee live game and multi choice arcade game.

Upstairs is a very comfortable lounge area with sofas and chairs overlooking the establishment, for those who want more privacy. It is excellent place to sit & read a book or play a board game (if you ask me). Also a good vantage point for viewing the very large combo screen above the bar. Where four TV’s are set up to create one giant image.

BearWaters Brewery Company, Canton NC / Photo by Desiree’ Turner

The brewing area (where all the magic happens) is viewable right behind the bar, as well as more than a handful of swag to the left and right of the bar. They have stickers, buttons, patches, shirts and more available for purchase, if you want to take home a souvenir. You can also purchase beer to go as they will can anything on draft for you on the spot. The only thing I saw that was not for sale was a Bear Waters Hockey Jersey , which you have to earn by playing on their hockey team. That’s right, this brewery has a hockey team and a giant trophy and pictures of the team are viewable at the bar.

We enjoyed our time very much as Bear Waters Brewery. If you would like to learn more, you can visit their website at http://bearwatersbrewing.com/

To view more images of our trip to Bear Waters Brewing Co., Please Visit our Facebook Gallery

By in Brewery Tours Comments Off on North Carolina 3 City Beer Tour – Second Stop ‘BooJum’ in Waynesville NC

North Carolina 3 City Beer Tour – Second Stop ‘BooJum’ in Waynesville NC

During our latest visit to North Carolina we were fortunate enough to visit five local breweries, during the next four weeks you will see a series of blog post, one for each brewery. Last week we posted about Frog Level Brewing, this week and second on our list, ‘BooJum’.

BooJum Brewing Company gets its name from a local legend; a mountain creature specific to the North Carolina Smokies called a BooJum. The way the BooJum was described to me, is that it is much like a bigfoot, but wearing the clothes of a man and with a tail.

Of all the breweries we visited on this trip, Boojum definitely had the most eye-catching artwork for their canned brew line. This brewery is very large with three levels. The top level supports a full kitchen. The mid-level / ground level is divided into two sections. One section has a bar, with a couple of TV’s behind it and some tables nearby at which to eat. The beer menu is projected on the wall (which we thought was cool) and a food menu is available, when the kitchen is open. The other section is more of a dining area, with artwork on the wall and a place in the front to view an impressive amount of merch and more artwork. The bottom / underground level has another full bar, more TVs, games and some more tables.

BooJum Brewing Company, Waynesville NC / Photo by Desiree’ Turner

When we first got to Boojum, we were unaware that the outside underground level was associated with Boojum. It was late, probably around 10:00pm with only a handful of patrons at the bar located on ground level. While my husband was savoring a few brews, and talking to the bartender, he asked were everyone was at, and that’s when we discovered there was a downstairs.

Back out the front door, towards the street are some stone steps that lead down below street level.   At the bottom of the steps another hidden away entry to BooJum , is where the Waynesville night life lives, once the upstairs has closed. It was like walking into a bar in a college town. A younger crowd, if I had to guess I would say most of the people there were in their 20’s. Everyone was very friendly and seemed to be having a good time.

There was lots of stuff to do. Two TVs at the Bar for sports or cartoons, two more TV’s on the back wall, a pool table with another TV behind it. Two dart boards, a shuffleboard table, and a standalone console with a handful of classic arcade games and a Foosball table. Lots of table seating was available, in addition to the bar seating. Both beer and hard liquor were available. Guest wi-fi was also available, no password was required.

BooJum Brewing Company, Waynesville NC / Photo by Desiree’ Turner

Ground level bar closed at 11PM, but seemed to mostly slowdown around 10 pm, right after the kitchen closed. So, an excellent place to chill if your just looking for a nightcap and catch up on your TV viewing, but if you want to keep going – downstairs does seem to be open much later. Also, although we didn’t get a chance to see it because we went in the winter, we did learn that outdoor seating is available in the spring.

We had a great time at Boojum while in NC, if you’re looking to learn more, you can visit their website at http://www.boojumbrewing.com/

To view more images of our trip to BooJum Brewing Company, Please Visit our Facebook Gallery.

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