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Charlotte Craft Beer Week • Charlotte • March 30-April 8
Beer-and-food pairings and bacon-infused beer releases abound during a festive week in Charlotte. Event highlights include the Uptown Craft Beer Crawl on April 2, the Homebrew Tap Takeover at Thirsty Nomad on April 6, and the Craft Freedom Festival, during which 11 breweries will showcase their brews at Olde Mecklenburg, on April 7.
World Beer Festival • Raleigh • April 1
Plenty of Raleigh’s own will be on hand showing local pride during this massive outdoor beer festival at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. The event will draw breweries from 15 different countries. There are two sessions, one from 12 to 4 p.m. and the other from 6 to 10 p.m. More than 250 beers will be available to sample. Tickets $45 in advance and $55 at the gate.
2nd Burly Beer Festival • Mills River • April 1
More than 50 breweries will convene on Sierra Nevada’s beautiful campus on the French Broad River, bringing the heartiest beers in their lineup. In addition to brews with high alcohol-by-volume (ABV), you’ll find food trucks, live music, and free shuttles to and from West Asheville and downtown Hendersonville. General admission tickets $55.
Brews & Bobbins • Winston-Salem • April 4
Interested in fly fishing? A fan of local craft beer? This workshop is for you. Great Outdoor Provision Co. in Winston-Salem is hosting an aptly-named fly tying class from 7 to 8:30 p.m., open to both novice and experienced tiers. The class will provide a broad range of patterns for streams, lakes, and ponds, and will offer tools, materials, and local craft beer to enjoy. Tickets are $15 per person and space is limited; call in advance to register.
Beer and Bacon Fest • Cary • April 8
Beer and bacon are two of life’s greatest indulgences, and both make an appearance this festival. More than 75 craft beers, 15 restaurants, and 10 types of bacon from across the country will be providing salty and hoppy goodness. It’s an all-you-can-taste experience; two tons of bacon will be cooked on site, and the beer is free-flowing.
Tour de Brew • Raleigh • April 8
Craft beer and cycling communities will join forces to raise awareness and funds for clean water access in the Central African Republic. Take part in a 9.7-mile or a 22-mile bike ride that both include stops at several local breweries. Organizers hope to hope to raise $20,000 for clean water projects, and participant pledge fees start at $35.
Wilmington Brewery Showcase • Wilmington • April 8
Sample Wilmington’s robust beer scene in one evening, as 12 local breweries get together for tastings at Audi Cape Fear. You can also expect live music and plenty of food truck options.
Pinapalooza • Clayton • April 8
The employees of Deep River go all out for this annual celebration, creating their own signature cask beers. Try all 20 of them and pick your favorite. Tickets $25.
Brewgaloo • Raleigh • April 21-22
Brewgaloo is a two-day beer festival in downtown Raleigh that will feature more than 90 North Carolina craft breweries, 50 local food trucks, and dozens of local vendors and bands. There is a Friday night block party from 6 to 10 p.m. ($45), an all-day street festival from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday (open to the public), and a Sours and Barrel Aged event from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon ($25).
Hickory Hops Brewer’s Festival • Hickory • April 22
Hickory Hops has been going strong for 15 years, attracting more than 50 breweries to downtown Hickory each year. You not only get to sample hundreds of beers, but also witness the crowning of the winner of the Carolina Championship of Beers. Tickets $30.
Pisgah Brewing Company’s 12th Anniversary Party • Asheville • April 22
Pisgah Brewing has an outdoor stage that has become legendary in craft beer and music circles. Jam-band great Moe will dominate the stage for two sets. Pony up for the VIP package ($30) and you’ll get a tour of the brewery and a private tasting. General admission tickets $12.
Race to the Taps • Asheville • April 29
This five-mile race begins and ends at New Belgium and cruises through French Broad River Park. It’s part of a larger race series that takes place at breweries across the Asheville area. Hang out after the race on New Belgium’s expansive lawn, which overlooks the French Broad River. A free pint of beer is included in your registration fee.
Tater Tots & Beer Festival • Greensboro • April 30
The name of this nationwide, traveling festival explains it all — and it is making its way the Triad at the end of the month. General admission is $33, which includes access to dozens of craft brew samples and a variety of sweet and savory tater tot creations. The event is from 3 to 6 p.m. and will feature live music and games to round out a fun-filled afternoon.
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To commemorate our 90th anniversary, we’ve compiled a time line that highlights the stories, contributors, and themes that have shaped this magazine — and your view of the Old North State — using nine decades of our own words.
From its northernmost point in Corolla to its southern terminus on Cedar Island, this scenic byway — bound between sound and sea — links the islands and communities of the Outer Banks.
Us? An icon? Well, after 90 years and more than 2,000 issues celebrating North Carolina from mountains to coast, we hope you’ll agree that we’ve earned the title.
After nearly a century — or just a couple of years — these seafood restaurants have become coastal icons, the places we know, love, and return to again and again.
