About
THEN & NOW
The High Country Beer Fest began in 2007 as a simple event organized by professors, home brewers and entrepreneurs to help support the burgeoning craft brewing interest in the Boone, NC region.
The response was incredible as the event nearly sold out its first year. After year six, it was determined to move locations as the previous location, the Broyhill Inn, was no longer large enough to accommodate the event.
The High Country Fairgrounds was chosen as the new venue, 1000 additional tickets were made available to the public, and the vendor/brewery/food/live music offerings were all expanded. The event has sold out every year since.
This is billed as a boutique beer festival, as we promote education and safety first, along with providing a beautiful mountain setting that really makes this unique.
The festival has raised over $450,000 in support for various non-profits over the past 12 years. We continue to look for new ways to impact the local community. We partner with various groups at the university to organize this event, including but not limited to: Fermentation Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Sustainable Development, Economics and more.
We have an active board of directors who volunteer and take responsibility for various parts of the festival to ensure every detail is accounted for. This group of volunteers come from different walks of life and each member contributes in their own way. They count it a privilege to work on a board that encourages education in the craft beverage industry while also helping the local community.
