N.C. Craft Brewers Guild, Sierra Nevada throw burly beer bash

The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild (NCCBG) is partnering with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. to present the inaugural Burly Beers and Barleywines Festival, which celebrates the bold, malt-forward beers common in the cooler months. Together they’ve invited more than 50 breweries from across the country to gather at Sierra Nevada’s brewery in Mills River, N.C., on Saturday, March 28, to pour a selection of their heartiest beers that will include at least one of the following: Barleywine; Stout; Imperial stout; Barrel-aged beer; or Spiced beer.

Featured breweries at the festival include Allagash Brewing Co., Epic Brewing Co., Dogfish Head Brewery, Flying Dog Brewery, and North Carolina’s own Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery. All ticket proceeds benefit the NCCBG, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote the interests of the craft breweries of North Carolina and to promote North Carolina craft beer.

“You can always cut the chill of winter with a big beer, and the options from American craft brewers are endless,” said Brian Grossman, second-generation brewer and co-manager of Sierra Nevada’s Mills River brewery. “Here in North Carolina, winters are a little longer and a little colder than we were used to in California, so we’re breaking out the barleywines to celebrate that. We’re excited to see what our brewing friends bring for beer fans—what new twists they’ll use to give their brawny releases an extra edge.”

“We’re honored to partner with Sierra Nevada on this bold new festival,” said Margo Knight Metzger, executive director of NCCBG. “It’s going to be a stellar kickoff to NC Beer Month in April, which celebrates our state’s burgeoning craft beer industry with special events and unique brews.”

Burly Beers and Barleywines is the East Coast complement to the annual Single, Fresh, Wet & Wild Harvest Festival held each fall at Sierra Nevada’s Chico, CA, location—considered a favorite festival by both brewers and beer lovers alike. Check out the Burly Beer Fest website for more info.