NC Small Batch Festival • Asheville • March 4
No two beers are alike at this festival, and if you miss out, you might not have another opportunity to try all of the unique offerings. Enjoy small, one-off batches that are only available at a festival where no flavor is off-limits.
Learn more: (828) 738-2448 or hiwirebrewing.com.
Biere de Femme Festival • Shelby • March 11
Thirty breweries will come together in Shelby to celebrate women working in the beer industry. Each brewery will offer at least one beer created by its female employees. All proceeds will go toward scholarships that help women advance their careers in brewing.
Learn more: pinkbootssociety.com.
3rd Annual Brew and Stew Competition • Kinston • March 11
Enjoy a brew or two at Mother Earth Brewing while teams from across the state compete for the title of best fish stew. All proceeds go toward Kinston’s G.I. Joe’s Military Living History Museum.
Learn more: (252) 208-2437 or on the event’s Facebook page.
Ultimate Brewing Championship • Wilmington • March 24
A dozen Cape Fear breweries go head to head in this competition for ultimate brewing bragging rights. Each brewery was assigned an unusual ingredient pairing — think chocolate and seaweed, grits and figs, or oysters and Texas Pete. This blind tasting is sure to be a memorable one.
Learn more: capefearcraftbeerweek.com.
Brew, Shine & Wine Tour • Granite Falls • March 25
Granite Falls Brewing, South Mountain Distilling, and Shadow Line Vineyard have come together to create a unique event during which participants can grab a passport to taste and tour these three area watering holes.
Learn more: (828) 368-0681 or southmountaindistillery.com.
All Ale to the Queen Beer Carnival • Charlotte • March 25
Appearances by aerial acrobats, belly dancers, and the Beer Carnival King and Queen, and of course, lots of beer: This event promises to be unlike any beer festival you’ve attended before — unless of course, you were here last year.
Learn more: allaletothequeen.com.
Lake Norman/Concord “Brew Ha-Ha Tour” • Huntersville • March 25
Any event with free pizza piques our interest, but this brewery bus tour also travels to four other breweries and offers three free beer tastings at each brewery. Tickets are $49.95 in advance, or $59.95 at the door.
Learn more: (704) 765-5104 or charlottespecialevents.com.
Blue, Brew & Que Festival • Kenansville • March 31-April 1
Spend two days listening to great local bluegrass as you enjoy barbecue and beer from some of the region’s best at this family-friendly festival.
Learn more: (910) 275-0008 or duplinbluegrassfest.com.
Treasured treats from beloved grandmothers, simple-but-delicious recipes that have been passed down for generations, and an almond biscotti that tastes like Italy — these are a few of our favorite holiday treats.
’Tis the season for sweets! If you’re too busy to bake your festive favorites this year, these local bakeries across the state have pastry cases brimming with delectable holiday treats.
This season, lace up your skates and take a spin in a winter wonderland.
Make it a Carolina Christmas: From the mountains to the coast, we found our state’s icons — official and honorary — in their best holiday dress.
