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.
WHERE THE PROCEEDS GO
Grants & Scholarships
Proceeds from the Beer Fest go to create grants for fermentation science students who would like to conduct research projects of their own. Click here to check out our research and publications.
Over the past 11 years, HCBF has given over $200,000 to education in fermentation science.
Faculty & Equipment
The Fermentation Science program pilot plant is constantly improving its technology and equipment to increase the quality of hands-on learning. Click here to learn more about the facilities and how Appalachian State prepare their students for the fermentation industry.
Local Charities
Over the past 17 years, High Country Beer Fest has donated over $30,ooo to local charities.
In 2024, we are delighted to sponsor Partners! Canines. On average, Partners! Canines saves over 1000 great shelter dogs and puppies yearly from euthanasia through our rescue and transport efforts. Over 13,000 saved in the past 13 years!! Please visit their page at the link above and donate today. Please also consider adopting an animal from your local shelter.
In 2023, we were delighted to sponsor Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina. This organization, founded in 1995, enables the transition from crisis to stability, from poverty to sustainability, and from homelessness to housing. The mission of Hospitality House is to rebuild lives and strengthen community by providing a safe, nurturing, healthy environment in which individuals and families experiencing homelessness and poverty-related crises are equipped to become self-sufficient and productive. The services provided, with the support of partnering agencies, help ensure that those who leave Hospitality House will have the resources to be self-sufficient. If you want to learn about the many ways you can support HospHouse NWNC, please visit their website (linked above).
In 2022, we were delighted to sponsor Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture. A portion of the proceeds of this years HC Beer Fest will go to help fund their mission. Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture helps build an equitable, sustainable High Country local food system by supporting producers and cultivating community connections that educate, inspire, and increase the demand for local food. If you would like to give more you will be able to find a representative at the festival, or you can follow the link above and give directly on their website.
In 2021, HCBF was proud to sponsor The Watauga Humane Society. The Watauga Humane Society promotes animal welfare by providing services to improve the lives of companion animals and the people who love them. This year they will be back at the festival with their pups for you to play with. Maybe you will even find an amazing buddy for you to adopt. They will also be accepting donations. Please consider giving to this fantastic organization.
This year we will also be host some other great non-profits. They will have booths set up selling some t-shirts and other items. Please visit their tables and give them support if you can.
Founded in 1997, Appalachian Voices brings people together to protect the land, air and water of Central and Southern Appalachia and advance a just transition to a generative and equitable clean energy economy.
To achieve this, they work to end harmful fossil fuel practices such as mountaintop removal coal mining and construction of unnecessary fracked-gas pipelines. They also strive to shift to clean, 21st-century energy sources including energy efficiency, solar and wind power, and stand up to monopoly utility practices that put profits over people. Their ultimate goal is to establish economic solutions that create community wealth and sustain Appalachia’s mountains, forests and waters.
Beer for Boobs creates a positive relationship with the brewing community & compassionate businesses to promote breast cancer awareness, support those fighting cancer, and fund life-saving research.
Appalachian FC is bringing a National Premier Soccer League team to Boone, North Carolina. Men's soccer is back in the High Country to start playing in May 2021. Led by former Appalachian State University Men’s Soccer Coach Jason O’Keefe, Appalachian FC is bringing the world's most popular game to our community and will provide opportunities for local students to pursue a sports management career, local players to pursue their dreams, supporters to have a team to call their own in their backyard, companies to give back to their community while growing their business & local owners to build a soccer legacy while inspiring local youth soccer players to reach their potential and providing the community with high level, affordable Summer entertainment in the High Country.