Category: Drinking

19th Annual Taste of Blount

Posted on August 26, 2021 by - Blog, Dining, Drinking, Events

Taste of Blount vendor food samples

It is no secret that the restaurant industry has taken a significant hit over the past year, and although this is Blount County’s 19th Annual Taste of Blount, this year is a little different. This year we need to come together and support our local restaurant industry more than ever. And what’s a more flavor-filled and exciting way to do that than attending this year’s Taste of Blount?

Frisby full of food

What is Taste of Blount?

Taste of Blount is a collection of savory food favorites from restaurants, caterers, food trucks, and gourmet grocers who offer samples to event attendees. In return, each ticket holder places a vote for their favorite “Culinary Excellence Awards,” including Best Appetizer, Best Sandwich, Best Beverage, Best Main Course, Best Dessert, Best Presentation, and Best Overall.

Vendor Booth festival serving

Who is Participating in the 19th Annual Taste of Blount?

  1. A Spoonful of Sugar – Buttermilk Pie, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Brownies
  2. A&R Texas BBQ – Baby Back Ribs, Brisket, and Texas Twinkies
  3. Apple Valley Cafe – Chicken Salad Mini Croissants, Tony’s Townsend Brownies
  4. Between the Slices – Salted Caramel Cheesecake, Almond Wedding Cake, Apple Crumble Pie
  5. Clean Eatz Cafe – Bowl of Happiness, Energy Bites, Clean Crunch
  6. Crafted Jolt – Caramel Frappe, Iced Mocha Cold Brew Latte, Sunshiner Lemonade, Ocean Breeze Italian Soda
  7. DaddyO’s Filipino Food Truck – Filipino BBQ, Turon
  8. Dunkin’ Donuts – Donuts, Munchkins, Coffee
  9. Full Service BBQ – Pork, Chicken and Beef Sliders, Banana Pudding, Sweet Tea
  10. It’s Not the Coffee – Ridin’ Shotgun Coffee
  11. Joe’s Italian Cuisine – Lasagna, Chicken Parmesan
  12. Little River Pub & Deli – Moonshine BBQ, Pork Nachos, Pimiento Cheese w/Pita Chips
  13. McAlister’s Deli – Tea
  14.  Metz Culinary – Chicken Fajita, Shrimp Quesadilla, Churro Bites
  15. Petro’s – The Petro, Hint of Orange Tea
  16. Pistol Creek Eats – Brisket, Banana Pudding
  17. “Pop” Korns – Assorted Gourmet Popcorn Flavors
  18. Quick Fix Coffee – Brewed Favorites
  19. REO Cheesewagon – Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Featuring Old Favorites and Unexpected Pairings
  20. Richy Kreme Donuts – Braised Short Ribs, Myrtles Bakehouse Cookies, Donut Bread Pudding, Rosemary Lemonade
  21. Rocky’s Jamaica Sunrise – Jerked Pulled Pork, Jerk Chicken, Rice & Beans, Mac ‘n Cheese
  22. RT Lodge – Watermelon Salad, Pimento Cheese
  23. Sadie’s BBQ – BBQ
  24. Shaun & Sherrie’s Soul Food – Meatloaf, Mac ‘n Cheese, Green Beans, Mini Fried Apples Pies
  25. Southern Grace Coffee Co. – Jam Bar, Pumpkin Muffin, Iced Chai Latte, Iced Butterbear Cold Brew Latte, Southern Blend Brewed Coffee, and Smoky Mountain Sunset
  26. The Colonel’s Coffee Co. – The Colonel, Cafe ConBon, Raspberry-Chocolate Frappe, Nitro, Latte, Pear-Raspberry Green Tea
  27. Walnut Kitchen – Charcuterie, Smore’s Cheesecake
  28. Windy City Grille (Maryville) – Sandwiches
  29. Windy City Grille on the Water (Friendsville) – Shrimp Tacos
Food Cooking on an open grill

Event Details

  • Who? – The Taste of Blount is hosted by the Blount County Chamber of Commerce.
  • Where? – Theater in the Park in Maryville, TN
  • When? – Thursday, September 9, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
  • How? – Tickets are $25 (plus tax) for Chamber members and $30 (plus tax) for the public. All children, five years and under, get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber office (201 S. Washington St., Maryville, TN), on the Chamber website, or by phone at 865.983.2241. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event on a cash-only basis.

This year’s event will also include the ability to purchase cold brews and spirits, thanks to a partnership with Cherokee Distributing and members of the East Tennessee Distillers Guild, including Heath Clark, Old Forge, and Sugarlands & Co. Distilling.

Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time because this will be a sold-out event. We look forward to sharing some fantastic food and beverages with everyone next month!

Taste of Blount Fall Presentation

Check out these posts for similar activities in Blount County:

Smoky Mountain Coffee Houses

Gourmet S’more Ideas

Eat Your Way Through the Peaceful Side at These Local Restaurants

Beer Lovers Unite at Maryville – Hops in the Hills

Posted on June 19, 2023 by - Activities, Blog, Drinking, Events, Maryville

Pint of Hops in the Hills

Warm summer nights, good music, friendly conversation, and local craft beer – what else could you ask for from an evening in the East Tennessee Mountains? Our Hops in the Hills brew festival isn’t just another regional beer fest; it’s an event planned with both patron and brewer experience in mind.

Only 1000 tickets are sold for this Hops in the Hills event, keeping lines short and allowing brewers to discuss brewing processes and product distinctions with an engaged crowd. And don’t worry about spending additional money on top of your ticket price because each ticket also gets you tastings, food, an official event t-shirt, and great live music.

Hops in the Hills

Are you an IPA guy or a Porter gal? Have you always wondered how a grapefruit Saison tastes? Spend the evening sampling a wide variety of drafts from 30 of the most well-known breweries in the region. Past partners include Yeehaw Brewing Company, Blackberry Farm Brewery, Black Horse Brewing Company, and Fanatic Brewing Company.

Calfkiller Brewing Company at Hops in the Hills

For those of you with a competitive streak, we offer games like life-size beer pong and Jenga, or you can challenge your friends to a neighborly game of cornhole. Located in the Maryville Greenway Amphitheater, this Celebration of Fermentation is a great way to dive into summer and experience the joys of craft beer.

“Hops in the Hills is a great way for people to join the community and experience the Smoky Mountains and Maryville’s vibrant, historic downtown and thriving craft beer scene,” says Blount Partnership Tourism Director Kim Mitchell. “It’s always a highly-anticipated event.”

Drink Local Hops in the Hills

Join us from 5:00 – 9:00 pm on Saturday, June 24th, 2023, for a tasting experience you won’t forget! Tickets can be purchased online at www.hopsinthehills.com for $65 per person or $40 per designated driver, which will include everything but the beer.

Don’t just come for the evening; join us for the whole weekend. Friday night, start your experience with our Hops in the Hills Craft Brew Crawl, provided by Knox Brew Tours. Purchase tickets for $15 per person. The night will begin at The Casual Pint – Maryville (this is where you will get on the bus, receive your wristband and Brew Crawl Official Cup), and buses will run continuously throughout the night, from 6:00 – 10:00 pm, allowing you to stay as long as you like at each stop. Stops will include Casual Pint – Maryville, Brackins Blues Club, Two Doors Down, Tri-Hop Brewery, and Blackberry Farms Brewery.

Tap Pour From Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival

As part of the weekend-long Summer on the Broadway celebration, Hops joins other exciting festivities such as a sanctioned BBQ Cookoff, Farmer’s Market and Craft Fair, Car Show, Dock Dogs, Kid’s Zone, and the Headphone Silent Disco. Dance the night away with your own headphone set, choosing from two different DJs to find your favorite genre.

 

Printshop Beer at Hops in the Hills

So, whether you want to start your adventure with a hike, see the area on horseback, or take a refreshing float down the river, we have it in the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. Local accommodations are ready to welcome you with southern hospitality and charm, so get your tickets and book your rooms today!

Beautiful Moss Covered Antique Stone Bridge Near the Little River The Great Smokies Mountains National Park

For more events like these, check out the following posts:

Smoky Mountain Coffee Houses

Grains & Grits Festival: Townsend’s Annual Outdoor Event

Celebrate Fall with Hard Apple Cider: Here's Where to Find It in the Smokies

Posted on October 29, 2018 by - Blog, Drinking, Smoky Mountains

Autumn is upon us, and that means it’s time to break out everybody’s favorite fall traditions. Whether you’re in the mood for corn mazes, haunted houses, apple picking, or any of the rest of the season’s highlights, if you’d typically enjoy them with a beer or a glass of wine, consider trying a hard apple cider to really capture autumn’s spirit.
There are plenty of locally-made hard apple ciders to choose from, and they’ve got all the flavors of the season, brewed, bottled, and available to people in Blount County.

Wyile Cider in Sevierville

You’ll find plenty of varieties to choose from at Wyile Cider in nearby Sevierville. Made in small batches since 1998, this cidery offers both sparkling sweet and sparkling dry hard apple cider, as well as 16 other flavors of hard apple cider.
Featuring everything from blueberry to mango to blackberry to mulled cider, this cidery’s ciders all have an apple base and natural fruit concentrates or extracts, and all the apples are sourced exclusively from Appalachian orchards. Ciders are aged from 3 to 12 months and are made without any added sugars or chemicals. You can visit the Wyile Cidery for tastings by going to the Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park at 3757 Thomas Lane in Sevierville.

Mill Bridge Winery in Pigeon Forge

If you’ve got a mix of wine and cider lovers heading out for an afternoon or evening’s tasting, you won’t want to miss the Mill Bridge Winery over in Pigeon Forge. They offer four different hard apple ciders, including the South Cider, a blend of different kinds of apples, the Cider House Blues, featuring sweet apples and blueberries, their Farmhouse Cider, an English-style dry apple cider, and finally their Iconic Tonic, with a fresh honey taste and crisp lemon finish.
Unbeatable wines are also available, of course, and you’ll find the Mill Bridge Winery at 3331 South River Road in Pigeon Forge, just off the Parkway and Old Mill Avenue. Mill Bridge Winery is also a member of the Rocky Top Wine Trail, so be sure to visit them if you’re on a tasting trip!

Round 6 Brewing in Maryville

Craft beer enthusiasts who want to mix it up with a little cider are in luck. They can stay in Blount County and visit Round 6 Brewing, where they offer a hard pear cider on tap from Bold Rock Hard Cider that’s a blend of New Zealand pears and apples from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Considered “refreshingly delicious” and “superbly drinkable,” this pear cider is sure to satisfy even the “apple-only” purists among cider drinkers.
Family owned by Will and Kathy Wesselman, Round 6 also offers beers from around the United States and Europe, and can be visited at 427 Whitecrest Drive in Maryville.

Celebrate St. Patty's Day with a Visit to One of Our Local Breweries

Posted on March 18, 2019 by - Blog, Drinking, Events

What could be better than celebrating St. Patty’s Day than sharing a pint or two at your favorite watering hole. A trip to Ireland and Guinness on tap? Well, that might be fantastic, but on a more realistic note, why not try some of the craft beers made right here on the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies?” Craft beers have become very popular in the U.S. with hundreds of small breweries pumping out an even larger number of excellent beers that we just can’t seem to get enough of. What better day to sample some of the local brews crafted right here?

Round 6 Brewing

Drop by Round 6 Brewing located at 427 Whitecrest Dr, Maryville where the taproom serves over a dozen craft beers brewed on location along with a small selection of their favorite beers from other breweries. With five large-screen TVs, Round 6 is the perfect place to watch your favorite sports while sipping on a pint of your favorite brew. It’s also the ideal place to party on St. Patty’s Day with your friends. The Taproom seats 99, but there is an outside deck with room for 40 and a quiet patio with room for 20.

Smoky Mountain Brewery

Located in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Turkey Creek, and Maryville at 743 Watkins Rd, the Smoky Mountain Brewery serves up more than a fantastic selection of beers brewed on-site. The restaurant serves up tasty subs, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, their famous “WET Wings,” and much more. Always on tap are Cherokee Red Ale, Helles, and Mountain Light, plus three others.  There are also four seasonal brews along with the “Brewmaster Special” that change every couple of weeks.

Blackberry Farm Brewery

You’ll find the Blackberry Farm Brewery at 106 Everett Avenue, Maryville. Whether you are coming out for a special occasion, like St Patty’s Day or just looking for a great craft beer to enjoy at home, the taproom here offers you the opportunity to sup one of their craft brews while standing just a few feet from the tanks. Along with a long list of beers that are available all year round, there is always a rotating selection of limited-edition brews on tap for you to try that are only offered in the taproom.

Tri-Hop Brewery

Drop into the Tri-Hop Brewery at 205 Court St in Maryville; you can always find a wide range of craft brews on tap from breweries located throughout Tennessee. The idea for the business came from co-owners Matthew Tipton and Nick Pierce love of homebrewing. While the tap room is not serving any on-site brews, things will not be this way for long. Both Tipton and Pierce say that they are already working on turning the downstairs into a craft brewery that lets them finally realize their dream of sharing their love for craft brewed beer with locals and tourists alike. There is always a food truck outside, live music and the place is pet and family friendly.
 

Downtown Maryville’s Historic Capitol Theatre Has a Speakeasy, the Emerald Room

Posted on December 7, 2017 by - Activities, Blog, Drinking, Maryville

Down a clandestine staircase and through a secret passage is a best-kept-secret, the Emerald Room, modeled after a speakeasy. One of several spaces within Maryville, Tennessee’s Capitol Theatre, this newest addition to the venue conjures images from the 1920s prohibition-era.


The Theatre, located on Maryville’s bustling Broadway Street in the historic downtown area, draws both local residents and those from throughout the region and country.


The venue goes beyond just a theatre space and offers a unique and glamorous venue for wedding receptions and ceremonies, proms, birthdays and small business and corporate events and provides catering and DJ services.


Capitol Theatre Event Director Haley Schweitzer finds the space covers a wide variety of events.
“We have old Hollywood style and vintage ambiance, but events range from traditional weddings and events to themed events like a 1920sparty,” said Schweitzer. “The space lends itself to many different styles and leaves guest smiling and with fun memories they’ll never forget.”


In addition to the theatre space and Emerald Room, the Capitol Theatre offers a balcony and a 1940s-themed Hollywood Lounge. It even has a coffee and ice cream shop, which is open throughout the week to the public.


The coffee and ice cream shop receives frequent foot traffic from those taking a coffee break during work and tourists visiting the Smoky Mountains and enjoying Maryville’s vibrant downtown.


“About 20 percent of our weddings are destination weddings coming from places like Chicago, Charlotte, Atlanta, and even as far away as Seattle,” said Schweitzer. “The uniqueness of the venue, and the beauty and peacefulness of the Smoky Mountains draws them here. The Downtown Maryville location of the coffee and ice cream shop brings foot traffic in, and some of these visitors like our venue so much they book it for their wedding.”


The venue also draws business travelers, with Maryville and the surrounding Blount County area being a prime destination for conferences and corporate events and retreats. A scenic escape, Maryville is 10 minutes from the McGhee Tyson Regional Airport and has access to major highways like I-40, with the larger city of Knoxville just 20 minutes away.


“The attendees at our corporate events have many hotels and accommodations to choose from,” said Schweitzer. “We’re close to the Airport Hilton, but also not far from scenic resorts like Dancing Bear Lodge.”


First built in 1934, the Capitol Theatre was originally a premier entertainment place. The largest of Maryville’s downtown theatres, it sat approximately 1,000 guests. It closed its doors in the 1970s and then housed a number of different businesses. In 2002, it was purchased by the current owner, artist Heath Claiborne, as his art gallery. In 2008, the building underwent a complete renovation aimed at restoring its former look and created an entertainment and event center with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment. Claiborne’s studio and gallery still resides at the Capitol Theatre where visitors can view and purchase his original artwork and reproductions.


The downtown area of Maryville has experienced a revitalization in recent years. Earlier this year, an initiative to renovate the downtown culiminated with the approval of the Tennessee Main Street designation in January. The designation will open up the city to receive training, resource support and grant opportunities that will assist in the downtown area’s revitalization and economic development efforts.


“We love downtown Maryville,” said Schweitzer.”It’s a great location for the Capitol Theatre. We have lot of great restaurants and retailers, and ample parking. We’re excited to be part of the downtown’s history.”


For more information about the Capitol Theatre, or to book an event, visit http://www.bookthecapitol.com/.

Smoky Mountain Coffee Houses

Posted on July 24, 2020 by - Blog, Drinking

Bakery Goods

Almost every vacation, no matter how relaxing or well planned, needs the occasional pick-me-up. There is no easier and more delicious energy boost in the world than an expertly made coffee. When we travel, it is easy to find coffee from the nationally marketed chains, but one of the joys of experiencing new locations is trying out the local flair. We want to introduce you to several of our local favorite Smoky Mountain Coffee Houses for your jolt of caffeine.
.             Bakery Goods        Small Batch Roaster
                                                           Coffee Bar
 

Liquid Hug in a Mug

The Artistic Bean, located in Townsend, TN, offers an in-house, small-batch roastery, guaranteeing a quality roast on every bean. Using only top of the line, fair trade, organic coffee, they provide chemical-free selections to ensure unparalleled flavor. This Smoky Mountain coffee house not only serves excellent coffee, but they also pride themselves in helping out the local community. Your coffee money goes a long way here. They have partnered with the A21 Campaign, which helps rescue girls from sex trafficking and helps them find hope again. They have also stepped up during the Covid-19 pandemic by raising over $13,000 to help support those financially affected.
If you want to make a difference in the world while purchasing a top-notch brew and homemade pastries, check out Artistic Bean’s website for a full menu. Or visit them at 8027 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882.
          Chocolate Coffee CocktailBubble TeaIrish Coffee
Bakery Case

Experience a Coffee Cocktail

Located in Townsend, TN, Dancing Bean Coffee House is working hard to demystify the coffee world. Their goal is to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable while educating guests on all of their different coffee selections and offering suggestions based on preferences, including caffeine-free options like frozen lemonade and bubble tea. 
Their hospitality extends beyond their human customers, as well. As a pet-friendly establishment, they also offer complimentary pup cups to their four-legged friends. To top off their unique atmosphere, they offer a selection of coffee cocktails. Manager, Amie Wendel, came from a bartending background and having access to Dancing Bear’s liquor license sparked her creativity. As she said, “Beautiful things happen when a bartender becomes a barista.” All baristas have basic bartending skills, and a small bar gives patrons a place to sit and watch their drinks be made, while their cocktail menu changes from hot to cold as the season dictates. Right now, they are offering a standard Irish Coffee, a Royal White Russian, and a Cold Brew Mountain Man.
To see a full menu, go to their website, or feel free to stop in at 7142 East Lamar Alex Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882, and let their baristas help you make the right decision.
                         Variety of Vienna Coffee     Assembly of Coffee Pours
Drive Thru CoffeeVienna Coffee PatioVienna Coffee Roaster

Southeast Market Leader in Craft Coffee

Vienna Coffee is one of the OG Smoky Mountain coffee houses. John Clark, Vienna’s Roastmaster, started Vienna Coffee Company in his garage over ten years ago and has grown to be one of the Southeast’s premier craft coffee roasters. The coffee house, located in Maryville, TN, offers a wide variety of house-roasted coffee options and a delicious dining menu. Their location provides easy accessibility, allows ample space for social distancing (including two patio areas), and is walking distance from Maryville College and Downtown Maryville. You can find their coffee in many local restaurants and stores. Their most recent acquisition, a heritage brand founded in Chattanooga in 1925, including Stone Cup Coffee Roasting Company and Fleetwood Coffee Company, allows them to now supply 23 local convenient stores.
To see this Blount County staple’s menu, go to their website or stop in for a visit at 212 College Street, Maryville, Tennessee 37804.

Additional Local Smoky Mountain Coffee Houses

Also, be sure to visit our other local coffee houses like Southern Grace Coffee Company and Little River Coffee Company for their individual takes on southern coffee house hospitality. 
 

For more dining options in the area, check out the following articles:

Eat Your Way Through the Peaceful Side at These Local Restaurants

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day with a Visit to One of Our Local Breweries

The Company Distilling Tasting Experience

Posted on January 25, 2023 by - Blog, Drinking

Company Distilling Tasting Room in Townsend, Tennessee

Townsend has a unique way of bringing the history of The Great Smoky Mountains in current and relevant ways to everyone who visits. To add to this custom of keeping our traditions alive comes a welcomed new addition: Company Distilling & their Tasting Experience. Opened July 8, 2022, their Townsend tasting room is set along 13.5 acres between the Little River and the Townsend Greenway, about a mile from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. You can expect the following upon visiting the distillery:

  • Views of the production area while you enjoy tasting or cocktail. Tours are available on select days.
  • Bottles and retail items available for purchase.
  • Portfolio tastings or cocktails served from the bar within the tasting room.
  • Food items from in-house restaurant Amico (the second location for the Maryville-based restaurant).
Premium Portfolio Tasting at Company Distilling in Townsend, TN

Choose Your Company Distilling Experience

Portfolio Tasting (Select 5) – $15/per person

  • Sample five products in Company’s portfolio while being guided by a knowledgeable staff member on tasting notes for each spirit. This experience takes approximately 20 minutes; remember to bring your photo ID.
  • First, I want to give Dominique Vitanza, Company’s newest team member in Townsend, a solid shout-out. She went above and beyond to make our experience both knowledgeable and fun. When my husband and I visited earlier this month, I chose the Portfolio Tasting. I tried the Company’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood, Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin, and three of the Ace Gap Flavored Spirits. My biggest surprise was that I actually enjoyed the gin. Due to 21st birthday gin and juice PTSD, I can’t even stomach the smell of gin, but Ghost Rail was light on juniper, and the botanicals were very refreshing. I’m still in shock.

Premium Portfolio Tasting – $20/ per person

  • Sample Company Distilling’s premium products, including their award-winning Bourbon (proof), Cask Strength Bourbon (121 proof), and the newly-released Seismic Rye Single Barrel (107 proof), with guidance and notes from your tasting guide. This experience also takes approximately 20 minutes; remember to bring your photo ID.
  • As a bourbon nerd, my husband opted for the Premium Portfolio Tasting. He was happy across the board but favored the cask-strength bourbon the best. However, he was pleasantly surprised with the Seismic Rye, as he is generally a wheated bourbon guy.
Company Distilling Brand Ambassador

Company Distilling Products

  • Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood
    • This award-winning bourbon is complex and smooth and is both column and pot-stilled. This wheated bourbon opens with sweet notes of caramel and cinnamon toast paired with green apple and finishes with a silky blend of oak and maple. (90 proof/45% ABV)
  • Cask Strength Bourbon
    • The approachable and balanced original wheat blend recipe is uncut for maximum flavor with a bold maple finish. (121 proof/44% ABV)
  • Seismic Rye Single Barrel
    • This Straight Rye Whiskey finished with Cherry Wood opens with aromas of rye grass, black licorice, oak, and vanilla, with the addition of dark cherry, black pepper, and leather flavors. It finishes with warm, lingering hints of toasted cherry and oak woods. (107 proof/53.5% ABV)
    • Seismic Rye was named after monitoring station AS107, established in 1978. The station was built inside Tuckaleechee Caverns to measure and report seismic activity in the eastern half of the United States.
  • Ghost Rail Tennessee Dry Gin
    • Company Distilling takes a different approach to gin. Using just six botanicals, they distill gin on a small, open-fired, Alembic still, allowing all flavors and aromas to create a perfect balance. (88 proof/44% ABV)

“Ghost Rails are abandoned train tracks, disappearing into our valleys, mountains, and forests. They mark where we’ve been and leave where we’re going up to each of us. Ghost Rail is our attempt to slow down, extract some deeper meaning out of life, and make real connections with the people and places around us.”

  • Ace Gap Flavored Spirits
    • Flavored Spirits, or “sophisticated shine” as Company refers to it, have a grain-neutral spirit base and natural flavors. My favorite was the coconut – yummy! Flavors include: Harvest Apple, Blackberry, Chocolate Truffle, Coconut, Espresso, Oatmeal Cookie, Peach, and Vanilla Bean. (60 proof/30%ABV)
    • Pro Tip: You can find the coordinates to the Ace Gap trailhead on the back of each bottle.

“A hundred years ago, Tennessee loggers gathered at the Ace Gap to play cards and sip spirits from a makeshift still. And while our spirits are a bit more refined, they bring the same collective joy as their storied predecessors.”

Upcoming Projects

  • Company Distilling releases a podcast each month called “Distilling Greatness”. Listeners can Gather Around with the Company Distilling team and a few of their friends to get a taste of the people and places that make up the rich stories of whiskey in Tennessee.
  • Company brews will soon be on tap in Townsend. Expect a variety of styles and flavors, including a Kolsch, American Lagers, and an American IPA.
  • Company Distilling also has plans to open a second location in Blount County, just minutes from McGhee Tyson Airport, in a development called Springbrook Farms. The timeline for this opening is still to be determined.

For more fun activities in The Peaceful Side, check out the blog posts below:

Grains & Grits Festival: Townsend’s Annual Spirited Event
Beer Lovers Unite at Maryville – Hops in the Hills

Want to Warm Up from the Inside Out? These Distilleries Will Do Just That

Posted on December 17, 2018 by - Blog, Drinking

The state of Tennessee is known for many good things. The Grand Ole Opry and country music, Bluegrass music, barbecue and “hot chicken,” good old Davy Crockett (born in East Tennessee), Goo Goo Cluster candy, moon pies, and the stunning rolling hills and Smoky Mountains are part of Tennessee, as well. Mention the words whiskey, bourbon and moonshine, and most people know these belong to Tennessee, also.
That means that anyone who is paying a visit has to take a sip or two, or three, of some of the region’s finest spirits. And if you are headed to Blount County, we suggest a visit to any of the following distilleries to warm you up from the inside! Most do taste-testing and some even have food pairings or full-blown restaurants attached, so go ahead and enjoy a few samples, eat a nice meal and take a few bottles home for holiday gifts or to get you through until your next visit to Tennessee.
Old Forge Distillery is located at 170 Old Mill Ave in Pigeon Forge and is famous for its small batch spirits that include moonshine, bourbon and vodka. It takes its name from the town’s historic iron forges and is even located next to an old forge and mill. This brand is made with grains ground by the producer and it has won many awards for its signature 1830 Original Moonshine.
The Sugarlands Distilling Co is located along 805 Pkwy in Gatlinburg and is known for its whiskey, moonshine and other spirits. Opened only in 2014, it promises to offer “a story in every jar” and includes a surprising number of award-winning concoctions. From a peppermint moonshine to seasonal specialties, it offers tastings of the latest offerings.
Ole Smoky Holler rates as the most frequently visited distillery in the nation, and is home to the Ole Smoky brand with locations like the Ole Smoky Moonshine Barn at The Island in Pigeon Forge and the Barrelhouse in Gatlinburg. A $5 sample fee lets you enjoy a few varieties and there is usually music to entertain.
Don’t forget to try the other famous stops, like Doc Collier Moonshine, too. Each stop has something unique and you’ll learn a lot about the history of Tennessee when you visit any one of these establishments to warm up and savor unique beverages.

Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries in the Smokies: Create Your Own Tour in Blount County

Posted on September 19, 2018 by - Blog, Drinking

For those of you who are over 21 and looking for something a little more “adult” to do while you are touring the Smokies, why not follow a local tradition and check out some of the fabulous local breweries, distilleries, and wineries to be found in the area. From a frosty glass mug of Windy Gap Wheat Beer to Moonshine Cherries and Blackberry wine, the local beverages truly showcase this area’s history of making alcoholic beverages. One thing to keep in mind as you go along on your tour, someone has to be the designated driver, or you might need a taxi. Consider these fantastic watering holes as part of your journey to taste the best of the best in the Gatlinburg area.
Start at the Sugarland Cellars Working Winery
For the wine connoisseur, the Sugarland Cellars Winery offers tours through this working winery complete with live music playing on the Spirit Stage, a stop in the gift shop for a few souvenirs, and then on to the tasting room. All of the wines made here are crafted from local grapes grown in the shadow of the Smokies by families who have been producing these incredible grapes for many generations. Don’t forget to take a bottle or two of their delicious wine home with you.
Time for a Microbrew at the Smoky Mountain Brewery
This area of Tennessee may have earned a reputation for making moonshine, but in recent years the number of microbrews made locally might surprise you. When you drop in for a visit at the Smoky Mountain Brewery, you can order any one of several local microbrews to sample, or better yet, order a “flight,” and your server will bring you a sample of four different local beers. They also offer pizza, burgers, and more for when you need a little food to absorb the beer.
Sample Genuine Tennessee Moonshine at the Sugarlands Distilling Company
You can’t vacation in Tennessee without sampling the alcoholic beverage that helped to make the area famous. Of course, we are talking about moonshine, and if you want to sample some the best in the area, you need to stop in at the Sugarlands Distilling Company and taste their unique flavors. One of the most popular is the apple pie flavor, made using caramel and Granny Smith apples. While you are sampling the many flavors, take a moment to listen to stories about the Appalachians, take the tour, check out the live music and stock up on your favorite flavors.
The First Licensed Distillery in East Tennessee – The Ole Smoky Distillery
The Ole Smoky Distillery enjoys the distinction of being the first distillery making moonshine in East Tennessee to receive a federal license allowing them to produce their own moonshine and sell it to the public. It’s also come a long way from the days of “running shine” in a 1940 Ford with a flathead V8 and a trunk load of “white lightning” while trying not to get pulled over by the “man.” Today, the distillery produces a selection of superb moonshine in assorted flavors for you to sample. Take the tour, try the moonshine infused foods, and take a look back at where NASCAR got its start.
Come to East Tennessee for the fun, the family-friendly atmosphere, and the many things to do in the Gatlinburg area, but whatever else you do, make sure you leave plenty of time to tour the local breweries, distilleries, and wineries along the way.