New Beer Buddies: Find Your Pint grows to 30 breweries and one cidery

Find Your Pint is back and even bigger! This year, 30 breweries and one cidery are teaming up to raise funds for the Blue Ridge Parkway with special beer releases and events in August and September. For its second year, the series is sweeping up the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to breweries in the High Country of North Carolina, Virginia, and even Winston-Salem.

“We’re honored that the brewing community has rallied around the Blue Ridge Parkway for the second year of the Find Your Pint series,” said Jason Urroz with the Foundation. “It’s representative of how meaningful the Parkway is to the communities it reaches, and demonstrates that great things can happen when partners come together to help raise awareness, money, and a pint (or two) to support one of the most-visited units of the National Park Service.”

Each brewery is celebrating the connection between beer and the outdoors. Some are creating special beers in honor of the 469-mile scenic route, while others are highlighting flagship brews in their lineup. For instance, Sweeten Creek Brewing will feature its Busbee Black IPA, named after the peak along the Parkway. Catawba Brewing Company will create a small batch of Wild Berry Saison with berries picked on the Parkway. Oyster House Brewing is creating a Blue Ridge Parkway Oyster Stout, bringing the mountains and the sea together. Every brewery is generously donating a portion of sales to support the Foundation as we celebrate our 20^th anniversary this year.

In 2016, more than 15 million people traveled the Parkway, surpassing the visitation at Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon national parks combined. Unlike many large parks, the Parkway does not charge an admission fee, and with stagnant government funding, the Parkway requires extra support to keep it an amazing place. Check out our list of projects! 

“Living near the Blue Ridge Parkway and New River Trail for most of our lives has fostered a great appreciation for the outdoors,” said Tonya Reavis, co-owner of Creek Bottom Brewing based in Galax, Virginia. “We hope that our involvement in this event will raise awareness among our customers that it is our obligation to maintain the beauty and serenity of the parks. Combining our passion, brewing craft beer, with this effort seems only natural.”

The 2017 participants are: Archetype Brewing Company, Asheville Brewing Company, BearWaters Brewing Company, Bhramari Brewing Company, Blue Ghost Brewing Company, Boojum Brewing Company, Boondocks Brewing, Booneshine Brewing Company, Catawba Brewing Co., Creek Bottom Brewing Company, Flying Mouse Brewery, Frog Level Brewing Company, Ginger’s Revenge Craft Brewery and Tasting Room, Green Man Brewery, Highland Brewing Company, Hi-Wire Brewing, Innovation Brewing, Loose Shoe Brewing Company, Lost Province Brewing Company, Mills River Brewery, New Belgium Brewing, Noble Cider, One World Brewing, Oyster House Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Sweeten Creek Brewing, Thirsty Monk Brewery and Pub, Twin Creeks Brewing Company, Twin Leaf Brewery, Wise Man Brewing.

The series includes a passport program encouraging beer fans to visit each brewery to collect Parkway Beer Passport stickers. The passport booklets will be available at participating breweries and can be downloaded at brpfoundation.com/findyourpint. Beer fans are encouraged to use #Fin­­­dYourPint and #brpfoundation and tag the breweries in social media posts to spread the word. 

Schedule of Events

Oyster House Brewing
625 Haywood Road, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: August 1. Proceeds: August & September
Step out on August 1 for the first celebration of this year’s Find Your Pint series. Oyster House Brewing is known for its signature Oyster Stout. During August and September, the brewery will donate $1 per pint of a special Blue Ridge Parkway Oyster Stout to the Foundation. So break out of your shell and head to West Asheville for this delicious brew!

Bhramari Brewing Company
101 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville, North Carolina
Event: August 2. Proceeds: August
The staff at Bhramari Brewing is committed to helping improve the environment. That’s why they are donating $1 from every pint of Lorelai IPA sold during August to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Get to Bhramari and see what all the buzz is about!

Boondocks Brewing
108 S. Jefferson Ave., West Jefferson, North Carolina
Event: August 2. Proceeds: August
Boondocks Brewing crafts an American Brown Ale in support of the Blue Ridge Brutal Bike race held each August in West Jefferson. This year, they’re ramping up production of the special beer, and will donate 50 cents for every pint sold during August.

Hi-Wire Brewing
197 Hilliard Ave., Asheville, North Carolina
Event: August 3
Hi-Wire Brewing is known for producing approachable and balanced ales and lagers, most notably Hi-Wire Lager, Bed of Nails Brown, and Hi-Pitch IPA. Visit the South Slope location for the weekly nonprofit night, when 15 percent of the evening’s proceeds go to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Sweeten Creek Brewing
1127 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: August 12
Busbee Black IPA from Sweeten Creek Brewing is named for the south Asheville mountain which cradles both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and harbors the headwaters of Sweeten Creek. For every Busbee Black IPA sold on August 12, $1 will go to the Foundation.

Wise Man Brewing
826 Angelo Bros Ave., Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Event: August 16
Wise men and women know that the Highlands District of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a quick jaunt from Winston-Salem, providing easy access to some of the best views and recreation the mountains have to offer. Because of that connection, Wise Man Brewing will be donating $1 from each pint of Mountain Calling IPA sold on August 16.

Archetype Brewing
265 Haywood Road, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: August 19
Join one of Asheville’s newest breweries, Archetype, in celebrating the road that traverses the ridges of the world’s oldest mountains. On August 19, Archetype will donate $1 for every pint of Belgian Blond sold.

Flying Mouse Brewery
221 Precast Way, Troutville, Virginia
Event: August 19. Proceeds: August 17-20
If you’re lucky, you might see a flying squirrel when you visit the Parkway. And, if you’re really lucky, you’ll get to taste the Honey Ale that Flying Mouse Brewery is making in celebration of the scenic route. The special beer will be tapped on August 17, and the brewery will donate $1 from every pint sold from August 17 to 20 to the Foundation. Don’t miss the party on August 19.

Mills River Brewery
330 Rockwood Road #103, Arden, North Carolina
Event: August 20. Proceeds: Sundays in August & September
Sundays in autumn are known for two things: football and leisurely drives on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Now you can add a third pastime to that list: drinking Middle Fork IPAs at Mills River Brewery. Every Sunday in August and September, the brewery will donate $1 from sales of pints of the IPA to the Foundation.

Creek Bottom Brewing Company
307 N. Meadow St., Galax, Virginia
Event: August 22
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation supports programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center, milepost 213, helping to preserve the region’s heritage through music. Creek Bottom Brewing has been a partner in that goal by supporting numerous concerts. The brewery is supporting the Foundation again by donating $1 from every Creek Bottom brew sold on August 22.

Boojum Brewing Company
50 N. Main St., Waynesville, North Carolina
Event: August 25
Due to its stellar trails, beautiful waterfalls, and blueberry picking, Graveyard Fields is one of the Parkway’s most beloved recreation areas. That’s why Boojum Brewing will donate $1 from each pint of its Graveyard Fields Blueberry Coffee Porter, as well as two specialty beers brewed just for the event, Blueberry Saison and Blueberry Hefeweizen.

Green Man Brewing
27 Buxton Ave., Asheville, North Carolina
Event: August 25. Proceeds: August 25 & 26
Only the Green Man himself knows what this venerable Asheville brewery is crafting for its special Find Your Pint event on August 25. The brewery will donate $1 from every special pint sold on August 25 and 26 to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. See you there for the big reveal!

Innovation Brewing
414 W. Main St., Sylva, North Carolina
Event: August 27
Black Balsam Knob is one of Innovation Brewing’s favorite spots on the Parkway, so it only made sense to name a fantastic beer after the beautiful spot. On August 27, the brewery will donate 100 percent of sales from Black Balsam Porter and 10 percent of sales from the entire day to help support projects along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Catawba Brewing Company
32 Banks Ave., Asheville, North Carolina
Event: August 31. Proceeds: Until the batch is gone!
Join Catawba Brewing Company for the release of its small batch Wild Berry Saison, brewed with fresh wild blueberries picked on the Parkway. The release party at the South Slope location will feature live music and a food truck. For every Wild Berry Saison sold, Catawba will donate $1 to the Foundation.

Lost Province Brewing Company
130 N. Depot St., Boone, North Carolina
Event: September 1. Proceeds: September
Lost Province Brewing Company will feature its Lost Trail Pale Ale during September, and donate 5 percent of the proceeds from its sale to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. So, hit the trails, but don’t get lost: get to Lost Province!

One World Brewing
10 Patton Ave. #002, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 1. Proceeds: September
On September 1, One World Brewing will release a special batch of beer crafted in honor of the Blue Ridge Parkway. For each pint sold during September, the brewery will donate $1 to the Foundation to help support projects along the Parkway.

Blue Ghost Brewing Company
125 Underwood Road, Fletcher, North Carolina
Event: September 2. Proceeds: Until the batch is gone!
Blue Ghost Brewing is donating $1 from every pint from its small batch of Blueberry Fields Wheat Ale. Riverbend Malt House’s Appalachian Wheat provides a sturdy backbone for the beer, and the fresh blueberries harvested from Graveyard Fields, near milepost 418, provide a crisp finish.

Frog Level Brewing Company
56 Commerce St., Waynesville, North Carolina
Event: September 2
Frog Level Brewing will feature one of its flagship ales on behalf of the Parkway on September 2. To help support projects along America’s Favorite Journey, $1 from each special pint sold that day will be donated to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Ginger’s Revenge Craft Brewery
829 Riverside Drive, Suite 100, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 3. Proceeds: September
The Blue Ridge Parkway specializes in making lifelong memories for its visitors. Ginger’s Revenge Brewing Company specializes in making unique ginger beers. During September, the brewery will donate $1 from the sale of each glass of Honey Chamomile Ginger Beer made with locally sourced Haw Creek honey.

Sierra Nevada Brewing
100 Sierra Nevada Way, Fletcher, North Carolina
Event: September 4. Proceeds: September 4-10
Visitors to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company leave with a sense of awe and admiration. To celebrate both of these amazing places, Sierra Nevada will donate $1 from each pint of a designated beer to the Foundation from September 4 to 10. 

Thirsty Monk Pub & Brewery
92 Patton Ave. & 2 Town Square Blvd. #170, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 7. Proceeds: September 7-10
Just as the Parkway is known for its exquisite beauty, Belgian Monks are known for making exquisite beer, and so are the folks at Thirsty Monk. To celebrate, $1 from each full pour of a seasonal IPA will help the Parkway. The festivities kick off September 7 and continue at the downtown and Biltmore Park locations through September 10.

Noble Cider
356 New Leicester Highway, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 8. Proceeds: Until the batch is gone!
With more than 15 million visitors each year, the Blue Ridge Parkway one of the most visited units of the National Park Service, making it one of the noble parks in the system. To celebrate the park’s impressiveness, Noble Cider-one of Asheville’s first cideries-will donate $1 from each pint of a special batch of cider inspired by the Parkway.

Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 8. Proceeds: Until the batch is gone!
For many of its 469 miles, the Blue Ridge Parkway brings visitors to gorgeous, lush landscapes reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands. For the last 23 years, Highland Brewing Company has been creating unique beers that celebrate the region. This year, Highland is brewing a special batch of beer in honor of the Parkway and will donate $1 from each pint sold.  

Pisgah Brewing Company
150 Eastside Drive, Black Mountain, North Carolina
Event: September 14. Proceeds: Through October 13
As you drive toward Craggy Gardens along the Parkway, you get a great view of the Seven Sisters mountain range. On September 14, Pisgah Brewing will release the next installment in the Seven Sisters IPA series, and for four weeks, $1 from every pint sold will go to support the Foundation.

Asheville Brewing Company
77 Coxe Ave. & 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 15. Proceeds: Until the batch is gone!
Just like the Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville Brewing Company is a local legend. The brewery has been putting out great craft beer and pizza for 20 years. This year, Asheville Brewing will create a special beer for the Parkway to be unveiled on September 15. For as long as the batch lasts, $1 from each beer will be donated to the Foundation.

Twin Creeks Brewing Co.
111 S. Pollard St., Vinton, Virginia
Event: September 16. Proceeds: September
To get in the mood for the coming fall colors, Twin Creeks Brewing is making a special batch of Red Leaf IPA. And, during September, it is donating $1 from every pour to the Parkway. What’s better than seeing the maples and sourwoods in October? Drinking Twin Creek’s Red Leaf IPA in September.

BearWaters Brewing Company
101 Park St., Canton, North Carolina
Event: September 22. Proceeds: September 18-24
To make great beer, you need great water. Originating from some of the Parkway’s most popular areas, including Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam, and Cold Mountain, that fresh mountain water flows downstream to the Pigeon River, directly to BearWaters Brewing. From September 18-24, the brewery will donate $1 for each pint of Sliding Rock American Mild Ale.

Twin Leaf Brewery
144 Coxe Ave., Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 23. Proceeds: Until it’s gone!
Twin Leaf has yet to reveal its special beer for this installment of Find Your Pint, but if last year’s Double IPA is any indication of what to expect, it’s going to be great! Equally as great, Twin Leaf will be donating 10 percent of the proceeds from the entire batch to the Foundation.

Loose Shoe Brewing Company
198 Ambriar Plaza, Amherst, Virginia
Event: September 29
Loose Shoe Brewing is kicking off its nonprofit awareness and fundraising program with the Find Your Pint beer series. One of its specialty ales will be designated as the Parkway beer for the evening, with $1 from every pint going to support the Foundation.

Booneshine Brewing Company
246 Wilson Drive, Boone, North Carolina
Event: September 30. Proceeds: September
History in the mountains of Western North Carolina wouldn’t be the same without the Blue Ridge Parkway and fine hand-crafted spirits. To celebrate these iconic traditions, Booneshine Brewing will donate $1 from each Booneshine IPA to the Foundation during September, with a celebration to wrap up the event on September 30.

New Belgium Brewing
21 Craven St., Asheville, North Carolina
Event: September 30. Proceeds: September 24-30
The folks at New Belgium Brewing love recreating in the great outdoors and visiting National Parks. They also love making great beer! During the last week of September, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will receive all the tip donations received at the Liquid Center tasting room, with a celebratory toast on the last day of September. Grab a pint and tip the Parkway!