Cornelia Corey (l) and Bobby Bush, both Tarheel Staters and national Beer Drinker of the Year
(her- 2000, him-1998) discuss the finer points of beer.
Closing out the music-packed festival was
Atlanta's Blueground Undergrass, who wound up jamming an hour past the planned closing time.
The Single Malt Band presented their music blends, dubbed acoustic whiskey-grass, to appreciative fans.
Airline problems forced featured artist Tony Trischka
to cancel his festival appearance. The Sons of Ralph
band ably filled in, playing to a large, dancing crowd.
Local favorites the Greasy Beans, filled in at the last moment for the Kruger Brother of Switzerland, who were unable to find a flight into the country.
If you were a "beerhead," Don McInerney, a rep for Full Full productions, had the garb to announce it.
David Petterson (guitar) led the 1946 Band thru a wide assortment of bluegrass and old-timey tunes.
Event sponsor WNCW-FM broadcast the entire festival live, complete with interviews of the performers and colorful commentary on the proceedings.
kept the acoustic tempos flowing.
The material presented on this site is based on information believed to be correct, but is subject
to change at anytime. If you have an update, correction, suggestion or any other contribution,
please send it to us at: updates@beersouth.com. We welcome your input.

(c) 1999 - 2003 by Beer South. All Rights Reserved.

Updated: 12/16/02

The material presented on this site is based on information believed to be correct, but is subject
to change at anytime. If you have an update, correction, suggestion or any other contribution,
please send it to us at: updates@beersouth.com. We welcome your input.

(c) 1999 - 2003 by Beer South. All Rights Reserved.
Keep up with Southern beer news and events. Subscribe
to the Beer South Buzz, our
free mid-monthly newsletter.
The Great Smokies Brewgrass Festival
Saturday, September 15, 2001     2-9 p.m.

It was what everyone needed - a fun event offering brief sanctuary from the
news where you could be with friends during a difficult time and a way to
raise money for the cause. That the weather was perfect, the music was hot,
and the regional craft brewers were cool was only fitting.
topica
 The Beer South Buzz! 
       
It was an absolutely gorgeous day in a beautiful city
as expectant fans lineup for entry to this regionally reknown beer festival held on City Country Plaza.
Tryon Distributing's Nancy Ellington (c) is flanked
by Will (l) and Rob Motley (r) as they offer several
styles from Anderson Valley Brewery (Boonville CA).
Festival organizer Doug Beatty (l) chats with
fellow Barley's Taproom owner Mike Neel (c)
and Jonathan Riggs (l), Barley's webmaster.
Asheville (NC) Pizza & Brewing company co-owners Dave Williams (l) and Mike Rangel (r) kept the spirit of
Elvis and charity alive by selling souvenir photos.
Festival organizers reacted quicky to the national situation by adding the American Red Cross to the beneficiary list, which also included Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Western North Carolina. All the bands autographed their CD catalogs for a special raffle which added over $2000 to the Red Cross relief efforts.
Brewer Dave McClure of Atlanta (GA) Brewing reviews his product line with an interested visitor. A few lucky folks got to taste his newest release, Peachtree Ale.
kept the acoustic tempos flowing.
GM Byron Jones (l) and asst. brewer Betsy Bowman (r)
of the Blue Ridge Brewpub in Greenville SC
Charismatic brewer Scott Pyatt (l) of Catawba Valley Brewing Co. in Glen Alpine NC and volunteer Adam Cogburn (r) pour the brewery's version of nature's goodness. (Beer mustaches not visible.)
Event sponsor WNCW-FM broadcast the entire festival live, complete with interviews of the performers and colorful commentary on the proceedings.
Brewer Don Richarson (l) of Carolina Beer & Beverage in Moorseville NC poses for a family portrait with wife Christina and son Jonah. Also pictured, sort of, is their future brewer son, due later this year.
David Petterson (guitar) led the 1946 Band thru a wide assortment of bluegrass and old-timey tunes.
Brewer Crawford Moran (l) and Barbara Howells (r)
of Atlanta (GA) Brewing enjoyed the great weather.
If you were a "beerhead," Don McInerney, a rep for Full Full productions, had the garb to announce it.
Local favorites the Greasy Beans, filled in at the last moment for the Kruger Brother of Switzerland, who were unable to find a flight into the country.
Brewer Jonas Rembert (r) of event sponsor French Broad Brewery (Asheville NC) directs the action alongside assistant brewer George Reeves (l).
Food vendors included Barley's Taproon and the Mountain Smokehouse Restaurant.
Brewer Mike Duffy (l) of Asheville's Green Man Brewing and bartender Chad Battles (r) of the brewery's adjacent Jack of the Wood pub.
Airline problems forced featured artist Tony Trischka
to cancel his festival appearance. The Sons of Ralph
band ably filled in, playing to a large, dancing crowd.
Brewer Gary Greenshields (r) and wife Martha (l) of Greenshields Brewpub in Raleigh NC offered up a variety of their ales and lagers.
Stephanie Lane nee Little (banner) chose the
festival as the place to whoop it up with friends to celebrate her last week as "Miss Bachelorette"
before getting married the following Saturday.
Brewer Jay McGough of Ham's Brewhaus in Greenville NC offered a tasty strawberry ale that was quickly gone.
The Single Malt Band presented their music blends, dubbed acoustic whiskey-grass, to appreciative fans.
Chris Wode (l), marketing manager of Highland Brewing (Asheville NC,) and Angela Heitter (r) relax on a chaise lounge cleverly constructed of barley malt bags.
Oscar Wong (r), owner of event sponsor Highland Brewing (Asheville NC,) kept the beer flowing into
the evening assisted by Paul Rollo (r).
The contingent from New South Brewing (Myrtle Beach SC) mugs for the camera. (l-r) Jason Kronsberg, brewer David Epstein, Josh Quigley and Donald Caffey.
Ryan Kurflink (r) and Ed Lehman (l) presented the new introduced Kind Ale brand from Asheville. Ryan also brews for the Blue Ridge Brewpub in Greenville SC.
Closing out the music-packed festival was
Atlanta's Blueground Undergrass, who wound up jamming an hour past the planned closing time.
Brewers Jamie Bartholomaus (l) and Steven Lyerly (lc) of Olde Hickory Brewery in Hickory NC hand out 2-ounce portions to thirsty samplers. Most brewers
depleted their beer supply by the end of the evening.
Redhook Ales (Seattle WA) made its festival debut, courtesy of Eddie White (l) and Charlie Dotson (r)
of Budweiser of Asheville Distributing.
Festival troopers R.J. Rocker's Brewpub of Spartanburg SC get ready to send their portable
beer dispenser into the crowd. (l-r) Pete MacNamee,
brewer Mark Johnsen and Mark Isbell.
Joining forces to present beers from both the
Brooklyn  Brewery (NY) and Rogue Ale (Newport OR) were (l-r) Suha Kassira, Jeff Wells, Ray McCoy
and Cornelia Corey.
Frank Engman of Rocky River Brewery in Sevierville TN.
Sierra Nevada (Chica CA) was presented by the team from Empire Distributing. (l-r) Mary Ellen Moss, rick Brown, Sharron Calton and Chris Cooley.
The gang from Sweetwater Brewing (Atlanta GA) was in its usual good spirit. (l-r) Brewer Kevin, Meredith and spouse John Love and Jeffrey Moore.
Brewer Tom Davis of Thomas Creek Brewery (Greenville SC) and mate Terri again brought their elaborate serving rig loaded with 7 beer choices.
Brewer Paul Phillipon (r) of Williamsville Brewery in Farmville SC and volunteer Andrea Leslie (l) kept the popular Mango Ale flowing.
Brewer David Virgil (l) and Bart Kramlik (r) of the Weeping Radish Brewery & restaurant (Manteo NC)
entertain guest pourer brewer Rueben Jones (c)
of Highland Brewing.
Cornelia Corey (l) and Bobby Bush, both Tarheel Staters and national Beer Drinker of the Year
(her- 2000, him-1998) discuss the finer points of beer.
As if one good event wasn't enough, Asheville also hosted its annual Festiva Latina, a celebration of the Hispanic culture, a block away on Pack Square.
Brewer Christian Boos (l) and Mike Davis (r) of Red Oak Brewpub in Greensboro NC. The brewery recently changed its name from Spring Garden Brewpub.