For me Brevard will be known for three things… waterfalls , white squirrels and really good Lagers. Things slow down when you get this deep in the mountains, there is no need to hurry. The same can be said for the beers at this brewery of classic Lagers. Brevard Brewing Company has been a staple of downtown Brevard for five years. If when we talk about lagers your mind races to flavor voided pilsners or tasteless mass produced domestic beers, you haven’t tried this quality craft brewery. The beer is cold fermented and the process of making lagers takes much longer than ales found at most breweries. But patience pays off in this mountain town.

This popular establishment was hopping on this midday Tuesday I visited. I can only imagine what it would be like on an typical Fall weekend when the leaf looker tourist descend on this quaint mountain community. The hard stone exterior of this place hides the fact that you would be hard pressed to find a brewery with friendlier or more attentive service (although in all fairness we found great service everywhere in Brevard). It is a comfortable environment where art from local artist adorn the walls and a warmly lit bar is the centerpiece of this open pub.

But it is the beers that make this a brewery worthy of a visit and here were a few of my favorites…

Munich Dunkel– This is a visually striking beer that has a taste that is equally great. A dark wonderful beer that will be a real treat for and German beer enthuses who finds it difficult to find good German beer in North Carolina. The search is over… I found it out west.

American Red Ale– So if you are really craving an ale, this was my favorite ale at Brevard Brewing. It is a solid beer, but it is kind of like ordering a burger at a great Bar-B-Q restaurant… maybe they make a good burger but not order what they do best.

Dopple Bock– This was so good, I had to get a growler of it to go. I spent the next day sitting by a cold mountain lake and sipping on this heavenly nectar. Sweet, rich and yet totally drinkable, a good beer year around.

White Squirrel Wit– I bit too mild for my taste, however my wife really found this beer refreshing.

Bohemian Pilsner– If your like me you tend to not be impressed by Pilsners at craft breweries. It should be noted that most of those establishments are ale brewers who don’t cold ferment the way a pilsner should be made. I can assure you this makes a difference. The Pils at this brewery is their best seller for a reason. So don’t leave Brevard with out trying it.

Kyle the owner and brewmaster really loves making quality German inspired largers and we really enjoyed sampling his hard work. One of the regulars at this establishment told me he thought this was the best German style beer made in Western North Carolina. I’ll go one further and say I think it is the best German style beer made in North Carolina. Worth a trip deep in the mountains of North Carolina and a much shorter trip that going to Germany.

Michael Cole lives in Sanford, NC, and loves great food and beer. His taste tends to favor malts over hops so he’s an avid fan of ambers and dark beers. Follow him on twitter @barbqguy44