High Country
What to expect when you’RE beerfesting
There will be 1700 people and 40 to 45 breweries.
Breweries will give out 2 oz. samples - the only payment you make is to enter the festival.
There will be merchandise available for purchase but preordering your shirt on the website will ensure we have your size.
In addition to breweries and delicious food, we will have 3 badass bands playing during the fest and free fermentation seminars where you can learn about fermented foods from around the world! This year’s bands (see additional details below):
TBD
TBD
TBD
There will be shuttles to transport you from the ASU campus to the fest (see additional details below) and, if you drive to the fest, you can leave your car at the festival grounds over night if you are unable to drive home or get a DD.
Expect limited taxis and mobile car ride services in Boone during the event.
Once in the festival the beer, music, and seminars are free (seats are limited at seminars).
Food and merchandise are available for purchase.
Water will be available for free.
Event starts at 3pm and taps are closed at 7pm, We will start IDing and checking tickets at 1:30 pm.
*VIP’s get in an hour early at 2pm
High Country Beer fest is a 21-and-up event due to alcohol consumption. No children will be admitted.
Dogs & pets are not permitted into the festival, on the bus, or shuttles.
Bags and chairs are permitted but are subject to search.
SHUTTLE & BUS INFORMATION:
Arrive at the Fairgrounds:
A bus will run pick-ups from the Appalachian State Peacock Hall Parking Lot going to the Fairgrounds from 1:15 pm until 3:30pm.
Depart from the Fairgrounds:
A bus will run drop-offs from the Fairgrounds back to the Appalachian State Peacock Hall Parking Lot from 6:30 pm until the end of need.
Kenneth E. Peacock Hall Parking Lot is located on Rivers Street, approximately 0.5 miles from the George M. Holmes Convocation Center. 416 Howard St, Boone, NC 28607
Hotel Accommodations with a safe ride to the festival and back:
Stay at the TBD. Use the button below for a discounted rate. We will have a shuttle to take you from the hotel to the festival and back to the hotel after the festival is over, for no extra charge.
2023 BANDS
Educated Guess
Educated Guess is an exciting and innovative jazz-funk fusion trio from Boone, North Carolina. Their music ranges from high-energy and exhilarating funk tunes to soothing jazz full of complex harmony and melody. The members, Alvin Carlisle, Nick Williams, and Kendrick Davis, first made music together in their church band and decided to use their musical and social chemistry to create new and engaging music for all people. Overall, they are driven by innovation, self-expression, and exploration in music. Their debut EP, SHIFT!, is out on all streaming platforms.
Pressley Laton
Count on hearing at least 3 chords and the half-truth from Pressley Laton and her bandmates, Daniel Ames and Austin Summers, as they cover some of your favorites and perform her originals about small-town life and all that comes with it...
A singer-songwriter originally from Stanly County, NC, she'll paint you a picture you'll be hard-pressed to forget - like her elementary school principal's disciplinary measures with a paddle named "Ol' George" or how she "Didn't Stand a Chance" when she met a "Mountain Man" from Banner Elk right before graduating from Appalachian State. Primarily performing country music, her influences include Lee Ann Womack, Chris Stapleton, and Miranda Lambert, while also drawing from rock and blues artists such as Bob Seger, Led Zeppelin, Bonnie Raitt, and Susan Tedeschi. Have a listen to this group from Boone, NC with their gritty, soulful sound and High Country vibe. They won't disappoint.
Will Willis and Friends
Will Willis is a singer-songwriter hailing from Western North Carolina. With his soulful voice, dynamic guitar playing, and introspective lyrics, he and his friends have been making waves in the local music scene and beyond.
Growing up in a musical family, Will was exposed to various genres of music from a young age. He started playing guitar at the age of 17 and quickly developed a passion for songwriting. Over the years, he has honed his craft and developed a style that blends elements of folk, rock, and blues.
Will's music is often described as honest and raw, with lyrics that touch on universal themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. His performances are powerful and captivating, with a live energy that draws audiences in and leaves them wanting more.
In 2018, Will released his latest album, "Truth," which received critical acclaim and helped to establish him as a rising talent in the Americana music scene. Since then, he has been busy performing at venues and festivals across the state, sharing the stage with a diverse range of artists.
With a new album on the horizon and a growing fan base, Will Willis and Friends are poised to take their music to the next level and make a lasting impact on the world of music.
2022 Photos
Pictures taken by Buffalo and the Bird Photography
2023 BrewerieS
We’ve got 42 breweries this year! Check them out below.
Click on logo to visit the brewery’s website
Breweries…click the button above to get involved!
prior year’s hcbf Breweries
2022 BrewerieS
Click on logo to visit the brewery’s website
2021 breweries
Contact us with questions or for more information!
breweries@hcbeerfest.com
BEYOND THE BEER
High Country Beer Fest offers an opportunity to drink delicious craft brews while raising money for education.
High Country Beer Fest is a fundraising event for Ivory Tower, Inc., a nonprofit that supports Fermentation Sciences at Appalachian State University. Funds from High Country Beer Fest have been used for scholarships and research grants, staffing, equipment, and more. We are dedicated to providing training and experiences that produce quality brewers and innovators to improve the craft brewing industry and further developments in fermentation sciences.
Each year we raise between $40,000 - $60,000 for this program, thanks to you and our sponsors!
Education never tasted so good
Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, in Boone NC, High Country Beer Fest is a celebration of quality craft beer, ciders, and other brews with an emphasis on education. In years past, you could sample craft beverages from over 50 unique breweries while contributing to educational programs that will help create better beer for years to come.
High Country Beer Fest (HCBF) was founded by a few local home brewers and Appalachian State University Chemistry professors who wanted to host an event that could showcase the depth and creativity that embodies the craft brewing industry.
High Country Beer Fest is a fundraising event for the Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences program at Appalachian State University. What started as a few classes is now a program with a pilot production plant and over 100 students currently enrolled. ASU’s Fermentation Science degree boasts a 100% job placement rate since its inception in 2012.
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