Beer from Here: Nantahala Brewing Co. – Noon Day IPA
Nantahala Brewing Company is nestled in the shadows of the Great Smokey Mountains in Bryson City, NC. The brewery was founded in 2009 by Chris Collier, Mike Marsden, Joe Rowland and Ken Smith, and boasts a 10BBL Pub Systems brew house, four fermenters and six conditioning tanks – all purchased from R.J. Rockers Brewery in Spartanburg, SC.
Nantahala Brewing Company’s Noon Day IPA is great for any time of day.
A recent trip to Asheville afforded me a mandatory bottle shop stop as I wanted to stock up on some beers we don’t see too often in Raleigh. One of which was a 12 oz. bottle of Noon Day IPA, Nantahala’s flag ship. While I’ve tried this IPA before, it was from a 22 oz bomber, and I enjoy trying beers again as my palette continues to evolve.
The pour into a Spiegelau glass generated a clear, bronze elixir with a creamy, fluffy white froth and sticky lace. Visible carbonation force-fed the two finger head. A biscuity malt aroma emanated from the glass, along with citrus rind and floral notes. The IPA presented a strong first impression.
Diving in headfirst, sticky piney notes with a residual malt sweetness washed over my taste buds. Similar to the aroma, the hop combination added grapefruit and citrus notes. The IPA closed out with a slightly bitter, but crisp and dry finish. It was refreshing and quite quaffable at 6% ABV – an ideal mid-day beverage.
Overall, Noon Day is a solid North Carolina IPA, and one that I wish was more readily available. I hope to see more Nantahala in the Triangle as the brewery continues to succeed and grow. I also look forward to making a stop in Bryson City next time I head out west.
Noon Day IPA and other Nantahala beers can be found in bars, restaurants, and specialty stores in western North Carolina. Keep in mind the majority of the brewery’s beer is sold within 50 miles of Bryson City, but shipments do occasionally make their way east.
Brewery: Nantahala Brewing Company
City: Bryson City, NC
Style: India Pale Ale
ABV: 6%
Availability: Year-round, draft and 12 oz. bottles