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Ever wonder what our friends in the mountain towns in North Carolina have that the rest of us don’t? Aside from the obvious idyllic mountain lifestyle, these folks hold bragging rights to the best beer festivals in North Carolina. And now’s the time of year when dozens of local microbreweries from Asheville, Morganton, and nearby western North Carolina towns are starting to brew up a summer celebration of craft beer that’s quickly becoming an annual favorite – the State of Origin Beer Festival.

After two highly successful years, this boutique craft brew festival is back for another round on Saturday June 11 from 1:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Courthouse Square in downtown Morganton, a charming southern town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains that festival host, Fonta Flora Brewery, calls home.

This year, there’s plenty on tap at the State of Origin Beer Festival, including live music from local bands and an impressive assortment of brews made from locally sourced ingredients. ‘Keeping it local’ is what this beer festival does best. Inspired by the flora and fauna of the naturally vibrant mountain towns in North Carolina, participating breweries vow to stay true to their hometown roots by sourcing all ingredients from within North Carolina’s borders.

From a sweet honeysuckle-infused petite saison to a crisp hard cider made from tangy heirloom apples plucked fresh from a North Carolina fruit tree, these festival favorites offer a variety of taste sensations for all levels of brew lovers, from the early explorers to the more seasoned adventurers. And with creative crafts coming from some of the best breweries in Asheville – named “Beer City USA” almost every year since 2009 – beer enthusiasts are sure to enjoy this annual treat.

North Carolinians aren’t the only ones who think local beers and bands are a perfect pairing. These days, more and more Boomers from across America are proving their love of live music and craft brew festivals by traveling to cities like Morganton to experience their local appeal. This recent trend reflects the sophisticated tastes of this generation of doers who are known for living life to the fullest. And by coming to North Carolina where, as they say, “the beer flows like mountain water,” these doers are doing it up right!

One thing Boomers can’t help notice when they visit the mountain towns in North Carolina is that folks here are enjoying life in the home of their dreams. They’ve found that perfect Carolina mountain property that offers breathtaking scenic views, relaxing landscapes, and endless outdoor activities, coupled with easy access to shopping, dining, and cultural events. It’s the best of both worlds.

Take The Coves Mountain River Club residents, for example. They enjoy spending their days kayaking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, or enjoying a unique mountain hiking experience in a friendly but private gated community. They value being tucked away in their comfy Carolina mountain property that offers as much privacy or camaraderie as they choose. But when they’re ready to venture out for a change of scenery, they have easy access to all the surrounding mountain towns in North Carolina – Lenoir, Hickory, Blowing Rock, Boone, Morganton – that offer even more to explore.

This summer, many of these folks will take the quick 20-minute drive from The Coves to the State of Origin Beer Festival in Morganton. And when the mood for a cold microbrew strikes in between festivals, the Morganton foodie scene quenches the thirst with a variety of popular breweries. After a day of outdoor adventure, The Coves residents are known to raise a glass or two at some of these local favorites:

Catawba Brewery – 212 S Green St, Morganton, NC 28655
Fonta Flora Brewery – 317 N Green St, Morganton, NC 28655
Granite Falls Brewery – 47 Duke St, Granite Falls, NC 28630
Howard Brewery – 1001 West Ave NW, Lenoir, NC 28645
Loe’s Brewery – 1048 Harper Ave NW, Lenoir, NC 28645

Whether you’re planning to visit this year’s State of Origin Brew Festival on June 11, or trying out one of the other beer festivals in North Carolina, don’t risk returning from your Brew-cation wishing you’d taken a closer look at a Carolina mountain property while you were there. There’s so much to see in the mountain towns in North Carolina, and The Coves is a mountain community you won’t want to miss.

Set against a picturesque backdrop of Blue Ridge Mountains, The Coves Mountain River Club is a gated community of custom-built homes designed with nature in mind. Homeowners become one with their surroundings, which perfectly blend breathtaking long range mountain vistas with river views, a rare and wonderful combination.

Most of us only dream of waking each morning to spectacular views of cool mountain waters flowing down from Grandfather Mountain to the Johns River below. The Coves residents live it daily in houses with breezy open floor plans, dramatic great rooms accented with exposed timber trusses, and spacious screened porches surrounded by lush indigenous foliage. Homes here have distinctive rustic exteriors and sit on quaint sloping lots surrounded by sparkling mountain waters and clean fresh air. With five miles of river frontage and a lodge offering 360-degree views from the summit of the neighborhood – Pisgah Mountain Lodge – this is a community that captivates the soul, relaxes the senses, and calls you home.

Experience The Coves Mountain River Club, and meet the folks who are happy to call this scenic Carolina mountain property home sweet home. Call 828.754.0700, or stop by any time to tour the community.

Combine your visit to The Coves Mountain River Club with a trip to this year’s State of Origin Beer Festival. The event takes place Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 1:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Courthouse Square in downtown Morganton.

If you’re exploring the area for the first time, ask for our 70 page complimentary Western North Carolina Visitor’s Guide which provides more information about living in the foothills.