Boone, North Carolina is home to many things – App State, Daniel Boone, Appalachian Mountain Brewery — but it is best known for having some of the most outstanding views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. To help you prepare for your next visit, we’ve compiled a list of the four best views near Boone, along with an Appalachian Mountain Brewery beer or cider to pair with the experience. Appalachian Mountain Brewery beers and ciders are inspired by its Southern roots and the mountains that surround its hometown of Boone, North Carolina.
1. Sunrise at Thunder Hill Overlook
Calling all early birds: if you’re chasing a beautiful sunrise, nothing beats Thunder Hill Overlook. Here you get some of the best long-range, panoramic views, and on clear days you can see the city of Charlotte waking up below. You can even hop on a small trail nearby for a short hike through a pasture. With easy access by car and less than seven miles from Boone, catching the sunrise at Thunder Hill Overlook makes a perfect bagel and coffee date. Grab an AMC Cider Mimosa after you get back to town, and you’ve already had a perfect Boone day – all before noon.
Appalachian Mountain Cidery – Cider Mimosa | Dry Hopped Hard Cider with Orange Juice
Sundays are fun days, so we took our favorite bubbly Sunday beverage and decided to share it with everyone. This apple-based cider is massively dry-hopped then blended with orange juice to make it your new Sunday go-to. Gluten Free and 5.3% ABV, enjoy!
2. Kid Brewer Stadium
One of the best views in the fall is of the Mountaineers playing football in the middle of App State’s Campus during a home game. If you’re lucky enough to score a ticket, we recommend sitting on the home side, 40-yard line, where you can catch picture-perfect views of the field and campus, framed by a gorgeous High Country backdrop. Complete your App State experience with an AMB Yosef Golden Ale, a crisp and balanced golden named after the school’s mascot
Appalachian Mountain Brewery – Yosef Golden Ale | Proceeds support Appalachian State University
At 4.2%, it is a golden ale that embodies the essence of mountain life, complimented by a hint of maltiness and carefully balanced with American hops. Named after the Mountaineer’s mascot, this crisp, light ale gives a portion of proceeds back to the university.
3. Rough Ridge
If you are looking to get some steps in, Rough Ridge is a must to get expansive views of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Range. Clocking in around two miles round-trip, this is an out and back hike that takes you through a few rock obstacles before reaching a boardwalk with some of the most iconic views of the area. You will be able to see Grandfather Mountain and the parkway’s own, picture-worthy Linn Cove Viaduct. On the drive back into town, be sure to take a break off the parkway at Appalachian Mountain Brewery for fresh pours of the popular Boone Creek Blonde or a Long Leaf IPA, a delicious ode to Old North State.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery – Boone Creek Blonde | Blonde Ale with Orange Zest & Wildflower Honey
Named after the stream that runs along the taproom, Boone Creek Blonde is a Gold Medal GABF Winner. It is a refreshing blonde ale with a twist of added orange zest and wildflower honey. It is a great brew for new craft beer drinkers or those looking for a light, refreshing option.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery – Long Leaf IPA | India Pale Ale
Long Leaf IPA inspired by the land of the Long Leaf pine and proudly taking its name from the toast of the Old North State. LLIPA is a classic, west coast style IPA with piney, resinous hops inspired by the Long Leaf Pine.
4. Sunset at Moses Cone Park
No trip to Boone is complete without taking in a beautiful Appalachian Mountain sunset, and Moses Cone Park offers one of the best sunset views around. Starting from the Cone Manor House, follow the carriage trail underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway until you reach a wide green pasture with sweeping views of the beautiful, hazy Blue Ridge Mountains. After snapping some photos, we recommend heading back into town for a refreshing and flavorful pint of Low & Hazy IPA, Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s newest release that was inspired by the low and hazy clouds you just witnessed.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery Low & Hazy IPA | Hazy India Pale Ale
Named after the low and hazy clouds that roll through the highest peaks around the area, it’s the perfect brew for the occasion. It is a full-flavored, hazy IPA at a sessionable 4.1% ABV with tropical flavor and notes of stone fruit, grapefruit, mango, and pineapple. It’s a refreshing brew to cap off the day.
Appalachian Mountain Brewery invites you to come on up to the Appalachian Mountains to enjoy the view, and for delicious crafts that drink easy from first sip to last. To check out AMB’s new Low & Hazy IPA or any of the beers or ciders mentioned for your next trip to Boone – or anytime –visit amb.beer/beerfinder to find a retailer near you! For more information on Appalachian Mountain Brewery and information about the Pub, visit amb.beer or follow our latest brewery updates on Facebook and Instagram.
About Appalachian Mountain Brewery
Nestled in the Mountains of North Carolina, Appalachian Mountain Brewery is dedicated to making seriously delicious craft beer, while focusing its business model on community, sustainability, and philanthropy. The brewery is deeply rooted in the Boone community and supports dozens of local non-profits each year through the We Can So You Can Foundation and its Pints for Non-Profits program at the taproom. Appalachian Mountain Brewery has earned numerous awards for its innovative craft beers and ciders, including its year-round Lager and Not an IPA and Boone Creek Blonde Ale, which earned gold at the Great American Beer Festival. Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s core portfolio also includes New Low & Hazy IPA, Long Leaf IPA, and four different varieties of hard apple ciders.
*The previous post included Howard’s Knob. Howard’s Knob is a county park that does not allow alcohol beverages and is currently closed to the public.
