The “Brisket, Bourbon & Beer” fundraiser for REACH of Haywood County will take place from 5:30-9 p.m. Thursday, June 20, at the Shelton House in Waynesville. 

It’s a sunny afternoon in downtown Bryson City. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is pulling into town with numerous locals and visitors alike spilling off the train. A stone’s throw from the tracks is Bryson City Brewing, its co-owner Stan Temple gazing happily at the scene unfolding before him. 

Swain County Board of Commissioners added a referendum to November ballots that will allow residents to vote on the on-premises or off-premises sale of beer and wine. 

The 21st annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in the Historic Frog Level District of Waynesville. 

“There is no such joy in the tavern as upon the road thereto.”  

— Cormac McCarthy, “Blood Meridian” 

The Safe Passage Fund Coalition is hosting The Crossing, a free event and screening of films highlighting road ecology in Southern Appalachia and beyond.

It’s time for a late summertime check-in.

On a recent mid-May morning, Kevin Sandefur spent five hours spreading gravel in the parking lot of the brand new BearWaters Brewing location on South Main Street in Waynesville. 

Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, Greg Wasik saw firsthand that trademark sense of community at neighborhood taverns around the Motor City.

Andrews 

• Hoppy Trout Brewing Company 828.835.2111 • www.hoppytroutbrewing.com

• Snowbird Mountains Brewery 678.419.3035 • www.snowbirdmountainsbrewery.com  

Bryson City 

• Mountain Layers Brewing 828.538.0115 • www.mtnlayersbeer.com 

• Nantahala Brewing 828.488.2337 • www.nantahalabrewing.com 

Canton 

• BearWaters Brewing 828.246.0602 • www.bwbrewing.com 

Cashiers 

• Whiteside Brewing 828.743.6000 • www.whitesidebrewing.com

Cherokee 

• Native Brews Tap & Grill 828.497.2739 • www.native-brews.com 

Dillsboro 

• Innovation Brewing 828.586.9678 • www.innovation-brewing.com 

Franklin 

• Currahee Brewing 828.634.0078 • www.curraheebrew.com 

• Lazy Hiker Brewing 828.342.5133 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com 

Hayesville 

• Hayesville Brewing 828.835.6010 

• Nocturnal Brewing 828.305.7337 • www.nocturnalbrewing.com 

Highlands 

• Satulah Mountain Brewing 

828.482.9794 • www.satulahmountainbrewing.com

Maggie Valley 

• BearWaters Brewing (Outpost) 828.944.0009 • bearwatersbrewing.com 

Murphy 

• Valley River Brewery 828.837.2337 • www.valleyriverbreweries.com 

Sapphire 

• Sapphire Valley Brewing 828.743.0220 • www.sapphirebrewingcompany.com 

Sylva 

• Balsam Falls Brewing 828.631.1987 • www.fb.com/balsamfallsbrewing 

• Innovation Brewing 828.586.9678 • www.innovation-brewing.com

• Lazy Hiker Brewing 828.349.2337 • www.lazyhikerbrewing.com 

• Nantahala Brewing (Outpost) 828.641.9797 • www.nantahalabrewing.com 

Waynesville 

• 7 Clans Brewing 828.454.5664 • www.7clansbrewing.com 

• Boojum Brewing 828.944.0888 • www.boojumbrewing.com 

• Frog Level Brewing 828.454.5664 • www.froglevelbrewing.com