Best Places To Buy Nantahala Beer

If you're looking to get your hands on some Nantahala beer, you'll need to head to Bryson City, North Carolina, where the Nantahala Brewing Company was founded in 2009. The brewery officially started selling beer in May 2010 and opened its tasting room in March 2011. Located in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the brewery offers a large taproom with over 32 taps, featuring a range of award-winning craft beers, from IPAs to stouts, made with fresh hops, whole grains, and crisp mountain water. While you can visit the brewery and taproom in Bryson City, you can also find their beers at various locations across the United States, including in California and Georgia. So, whether you're an outdoor enthusiast exploring the nearby national park or a local looking for a new brew to try, be sure to check out Nantahala Brewing Company for a taste of their unique beers.

Nantahala Brewing Company Taproom, Smokehouse & Brewery in Bryson City, North Carolina

The Nantahala Brewing Company Taproom, Smokehouse & Brewery is located in Bryson City, North Carolina, in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The brewery uses fresh hops, whole grains, and clean, crisp water from the Great Smoky Mountains to artfully craft award-winning beer. The Taproom features over 32 taps and a BBQ menu, and children and dogs are welcome. The hours vary by season, but they are currently open from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday, and 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday.

The Nantahala Brewing Company was founded in Bryson City, Western North Carolina, in the spring of 2009 and started selling beer in May 2010. Their tasting room opened on March 4, 2011. The brewery has a range of beers on offer, including Appalachian Trail Extra Pale Ale, Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout, Depot Street Summer Wheat, Devils Courthouse Belgian, Dirty Girl Blonde Ale, and more.

The Taproom has received mixed reviews, with some praising the beer and atmosphere, while others have criticised the food and service. Some visitors have commented that the beer was watered down and that the food was overpriced and below average. However, others have enjoyed the outdoor seating, the variety of beers, and the family-friendly environment.

Nantahala Brewing Company's range of beers

The Nantahala Brewing Company, located in Bryson City, North Carolina, offers a wide range of beers to suit different tastes. The brewery is known for its craft beers made with fresh hops, whole grains, and water from the Great Smoky Mountain watershed. Here is an overview of their beer selection:

Range of Beers

• App Trail Extra Pale Ale: A light golden pale ale with a crisp, dry flavor and a hint of bitterness. It has a tropical citrus flavor and aroma, balanced with a soft malt profile.
• Dirty Girl Blonde Ale: A clear, sparkling, and easy-drinking American blonde with hints of noble hops in the aroma. It is crisp and refreshing.
• Down By The River ESB: A strong bitter beer with a balanced flavor profile.
• Little Tennessee Logger: A British golden ale with a soft malt profile and a hint of tropical citrus from the unique hop varieties.
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout: A sweet and tart beer reminiscent of the classic chocolate-covered cherry candy.
• 4-Foot Drop Pale Ale: An American pale ale with a moderate ABV of 4.0% and 26 IBUs.
• 8 Foot Drop Double IPA: A more intense version of the brewery's standard IPA, with a higher ABV and more prominent hop characteristics.
• All American Mutt: An American amber ale with a 5.6% ABV.
• Bryson City Brown Ale: A dark yet surprisingly light beer with a smooth, slightly roasty, and chocolatey flavor.
• Cherry Poppin' Dirty Girl: A unique variation of the standard Dirty Girl, featuring cherry flavors.
• Hazy Mountain: An American IPA with a 6.0% ABV.
• Noon Day IPA: Another American IPA, also with a 6.0% ABV, featuring a prominent hop presence.
• Thunderhead Red: An American amber ale with a 5.3% ABV, likely featuring a reddish hue.
• Trail Magic #14: A tropically hopped imperial pilsner, part of the Trail Magic series, which also includes variations such as #6 Rye Wine, #18, and #13, a mixed-fermentation sour beer.
• Judaculla Russian Imperial Stout: A barrel-aged stout with bold flavors of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of whiskey. It is named after the Sticky Dog of the Southern Appalachians and is known for its rich and silky mouthfeel.
• Boat Ride Kolsch: A kolsch-style beer, which is a light-colored, crisp, and refreshing ale.
• Hellbender Hefe: A weissbier, which is a German-style wheat beer with a 5.7% ABV and a mild bitterness of 10 IBUs.
• Patrons Run Porter: A dark and robust American porter with a 4.5% ABV and 13 IBUs.

These beers can be enjoyed at the Nantahala Brewing Company's taproom in Bryson City, which also features a smokehouse and a BBQ menu. The taproom is family and dog-friendly, offering a large space with over 32 taps.

Nantahala Brewing Company's history

The Nantahala Brewing Company was a craft brewery located in Bryson City, North Carolina. Founded in the spring of 2009 by Chris Collier, Joe Rowland, and Ken Smith, the brewery was located at 61 Depot Street, across the street from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad train depot.

Nantahala Brewing Company officially started selling beer in May 2010, and its tasting room opened on March 4, 2011. The brewery featured a large taproom with over 32 taps, a BBQ menu, and a courtyard with an outdoor seating area. It was known for brewing award-winning craft beer using fresh hops, whole grains, and clean, crisp water from the Great Smoky Mountains.

Some of the beers brewed by Nantahala Brewing Company included the Appalachian Trail Extra Pale Ale, Chocolate Covered Cherry Stout, Depot Street Summer Wheat, Devils Courthouse Belgian, Dirty Girl Blonde Ale, Little Tennessee Logger, Owen's Heart Blood Orange IPA, and Rivers End Oktoberfest.

Unfortunately, the Nantahala Brewing Company closed down in September 2023.

Nantahala Brewing Company's reviews

The Nantahala Brewing Company, located in Bryson City, North Carolina, has received mixed reviews online. The microbrewery, founded in 2009, has a large taproom with over 32 taps and a BBQ menu. It is also family-friendly, allowing children and dogs.

Some positive reviews mention the "good food, good beer, [and] fun atmosphere", with one reviewer saying that the Nantahala Brewing Company has "cold local beer and some delicious food". The outdoor seating and friendly service are also praised.

However, there are several negative reviews criticising the quality of the food and beer. One reviewer said that the beer "tasted watered down", while another claimed that their meal was the "worst" they had "had at any restaurant in many years". There are also multiple complaints about the service, with some reviewers describing the staff as "hateful" and "unfriendly".

Overall, while some customers have enjoyed their experience at the Nantahala Brewing Company, others have been left disappointed by the food, drink, and service.

Bryson City, North Carolina

Previously known as the Nantahala Brewing Burger + Bar, the brewery was rebranded as Bryson City Brewing in 2023 under new ownership. The current owners, Stan Temple, a longtime small business owner and tourism specialist, and local investor Mark Fortner, aim to foster collaboration and community among local entrepreneurs. The brewery has an onsite restaurant, a backyard activity area, and hosts live music regularly.

The Nantahala Brewing Company Taproom, Smokehouse & Brewery is open Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 8 pm, and Friday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 9 pm. In addition to craft beer, the taproom offers a BBQ menu with items such as chicken tenders, hamburgers, and ribs. Children and dogs are welcome, and there is indoor and outdoor seating available.

In addition to the Nantahala Brewing Company, there are several other breweries and brewpubs in Bryson City worth exploring, including Mountain Layers Brewing Company, Bryson City Outdoors, and the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which offers multiple food and drink options.

Frequently asked questions