North Carolina Beers: 11th annual Hickory Hops

On Saturday April 20th I took a break from visiting the NC Breweries and decided to visit them all in one location. If you have never been to a beer festival you have never experienced beer. I am unable to do a complete review of all the beers and breweries and truthfully it wouldn't be fair to each of them. This is a review of the Hickory Hops and how to fully experience a Beer Festival.

Hickory Hops 2013 was the 11th annual Beer Festival in Hickory. There were 35 Breweries from North Carolina, 3 from South Carolina, 2 from Georgia and 2 Distributors representing approximately 165 different beers. It's physically impossible for any one person to drink 165 different beers in the course of 6 hours. You are typically given a 4oz sampler glass so to try all of them would be the equivalent of 55 beers in a 6 hour period. Even the best Senior in college studying for a masters in power drinking would be hard pressed to complete that task. Not to mention there is no way to fully enjoy the beers available and would be a total waste of the admission fee. The only award given for getting drunk comes with handcuffs and a night in the local jail. Line up a designated driver before the festival or take a taxi. The best advice I can personally give is to pace yourself. Don't be afraid to tell the bartenders to only give you 1/2 a glass. Also pick one style or two similar styles and stick with them. If your a hop head try the IPA's and Pilsners. If your into malty beers stick with the Porters and Stouts. Another trick is to look through the list of brewers and pick the ones you want to try. I recommend trying ones you've never had before because in reality if you've already had it you can probably have it again. It's easy to have a good time and stay sober or at least upright and walking in a semi-straight line. It's OK to go alone as you will be sure to meet some great folks while there. If you go alone remember to have a taxi lined up or someone to pick you up at the end of the day.

The breweries present were in alphabetical order:

Asheville Brewing
Asheville, NC

Aviator Brewing
Fuquay Varina, NC

Bearwaters Brewing Co. (Their first time at Hickory Hops)
Waynesville, NC