Boone Brewing Company - Blowing Rock High Country Ale

This golden-colored American-style Pale Ale presents the distinct aroma of American hops. Look for citric and floral notes underscored by a mildly sweet malt backbone of pale malts and light caramel. On the palate we found High Country Ale to be a very pleasing and solid entry into the crowded American Pale Ale category. The flavor profile of the Cascade and Centennial hops closely follows their aroma, offering the prominent citric and floral character for which these varietals are so well-known, with a touch of spiciness. Look for the hoppy citric notes to tend toward orange, while the bitterness remains obvious but well-restrained amid some balancing residual sweetness. Finishes with a bit of lingering bitterness and acidity that dries the palate and begs you to take another sip. Try with lime-spritzed fish tacos, or spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes.

North Carolina’s High Country on the western end of the state is home to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, but until recently was not home to a local beer. Thanks to High Country residents Todd Rice and Jeff Walker, founders of Boone Brewing Company, that issue has been remedied quite thoroughly. The concept for a local beer began in 2005 when the two beer-loving businessmen recognized the open niche for a locally recognizable regional brand based in and around Boone and Blowing Rock, NC. They wanted to create beer that would appeal to the connoisseur while remaining approachable for the more casual drinker. From a more philosophical angle, they also were aiming for a beer that they felt would celebrate and capture the essence of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the High Country lifestyle. Over the course of the following three years Todd and Jeff perfected their recipe through many trial batches. Needing to partner with a regional distributor, they reached out to Charlotte’s Tryon Distributing Company who, faced with 14 other new beer lines, conducted a taste test to determine which they should carry. Boone’s beer won that test. However, as we’ve seen repeatedly since our club’s beginning in 1994, many brewing companies fail to gain traction in the market despite having good beer. In the case of Boone Brewing Company, Todd’s significant experience in PR, marketing and sales combined with Jeff’s extensive experience in the international beer and wine distribution industry to give the duo the business acumen necessary to pull off a successful brewing company launch. In July 2008, Boone’s beers hit the market with their flagship Blowing Rock High Country Ale in several local stores, pubs, and restaurants. The response was positive and immediate, with the beer flying off the shelves and new accounts rolling in left and right. Now, Boone has grown to offer several other year-round and seasonal brews, including this month’s Oktoberfest märzen, and their beer can be found throughout the Carolinas. For more info, visit www.boonebrewing.com.