At Pours in the Pines, you’ll get your pick of favorites from Southern Pines Brewing Co., Railhouse Brewery and James Creek Ciderhouse, but there will be more than 30 brews to choose from — here’s a list of a few that might fit your personality.
1. For the not-so-basic: We know pumpkin spice season is upon us, but the Carver from Fullsteam Brewery in Durham uses a different seasonal favorite. Try this lager brewed with 200 pounds of North Carolina sweet potatoes per batch.
2. For the adventurous: Stone Brewing’s Fear.Movie.Lions is a citrusy tropical beer that will sneak up on you at 8.5% ABV.
3. For the unadventurous: Ok, so you’re pretty boring, but still cool enough to come to a beer festival. If you don’t want to stray too far from ol’ faithful, the Cigar City Jai Alai is known as one of the best all around IPAs, and the Brüeprint Zambrüeni is a poundable pale lager that’s easy to drink on a hot day.
4. For the manly man: Described as the perfect alchemy of wood and hops, the Founders Dankwood is the red IPA aged in bourbon barrels that comes in at 12.2% ABV. It’s dank, sticky, and slightly sweet, which is a description that only works for beer.
5. For the one who doesn’t want to let go of summer: Because you live in North Carolina and you’ll be sweating until February, try the thirst-quenching Briney Melon Gose from Anderson Valley Brewing. The sweetness of the watermelon is balanced with a hint of sea salt and light tartness, that makes it go down as smooth as a summer fruit.
6. For the sweet tooth: Coconut, caramel, and chocolate flavors blend into one brown ale — the Duclaw Brewing Dirty Little Freak. Indulge your sweet tooth before Girl Scout season rolls around.
Bonus: We’re giving away a pack of tickets. Keep your eye out on social to see how to win.