French Broad Brew Fest celebrates Fall by the river on Saturday, September 27, 2014, with breweries and live music in Hot Springs, NC.

After 17 years hosting the French Broad River Festival in the spring, the organizers are perfecting the French Broad Brew Fest, now in it’s 4th year, which features craft brew, great music and beautiful scenery.

Just north of Asheville, Hot Springs is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking whitewater, fishing, hiking, biking, or just relaxing at the Spa by the river. With the festival grounds located on the banks of the French Broad and it’s intersection with the Appalachian Trail, what better way to celebrate Fall in the Mountains? Beautiful scenery, music, craft beers, and food on one glorious afternoon, camping included!

15+ breweries will be onsite and festival-goers will receive a commemorative souvenir glass for sampling from noon to 10 pm on Sat., Sept 27. Breweries include Asheville Brewing, New Belgium, One World Brewing, Pisgah Brewing, Catawba, Highland, Oskar Blues, Foothills, Sierra Nevada, R.J. Rockers, Natty Greene’s, Lagunitas, Sweetwater, French Broad Brewing, Holy City Brewing, Widmer Brothers, Shock Top, Abita, and don’t forget about the FBBF Homebrew Invitational organized by “The Godfather”!

Entertainment: Lineup includes Yarn, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Tony Trischka & Territory, Hymn for Her, Wick-it the Instigator, Empire Strikes Bass, and the Mountain Top Polka Band in the Brew Tent.

Relax: No worries about driving, because camping is included with private campsites, rv sites and cabins available on the festival grounds. Lodging is also available within walking distance at one of the hotels or B&B’s in town. In addition to the festivities, festival-goers can also enjoy the 100 acre resort & spa’s modern Jacuzzi style hot tubs, positioned outside along the river and supplied with a continuous flow of Natural Hot Mineral Water and a staff of massage therapists on hand to compliment your soaks.

If you’d like to reserve a soak in the mineral springs or a stay in the campground in advance of the festival (to reserve your spot), go to www.nchotsprings.com or call 828-622-7676.

For more details or for shuttle services, check out Bluff Mtn Outfitters (http://www.bluffmountain.com/) in downtown Hot Springs.

Campground, parking, etc.
•    Festival gates open at 8 am Sat. 9/28 and tickets include camping for Sat. night, but if you want to arrive earlier (and secure a prime campsite) you can reserve a site for Friday 9/27 or earlier by calling the Hot Springs Campground & Resortat 828-622-7676.  Note: If designated sites fill up, there will still be plenty of room to camp!
•    The brew tent will be open from noon to 10 pm
•    You will be allowed to enter the campground and unload your vehicle at your campsite, but will need to buy a $25 parking pass to remain parked in the festival grounds. Unloading and parking in parking area is free.
•    If you don’t want to camp, check out other accomodations in Hot Springs here.
•    As of now, RV spots are still available but it is recommended that you call and reserve a spot through the campground for Friday night to ensure a site. On Sat. all sites are 1st come 1st serve.
•    Sorry but NO DOGS allowed in festival grounds!

Outdoors in Hot Springs
Hiking:  Hot Springs is a favorite with hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT), which runs through town and right by the festival grounds.  Lovers Leap Rock , one of the most popular AT side hikes in the area, offers a grand view of the French Broad River and the festival 500 feet below!

Biking:  Follow the French Broad about 7 miles down River Road to Paint Rock or head up to the Mills Ridge Bike Trail for singletrack.  An informal pre-festival bike ride is being organized Sat. morning around 9 am.  If interested call 828-230-4054.

Whitewater:  It is a River Festival, and Section 9 from Barnard to Hot Springs is what the Cherokee called “Tahkeyostee” or “where they race”.  For a much calmer float but still very scenic, put in at Hot Springs and float to Paint Rock (Section 10).  Check out French Broad Rafting in Hot Springs for a guided trip

Fishing:  The French Broad River has great Smallmouth Bass fishing, or catch Trout in nearby Spring Creek or The Laurel River.

Spa / Hot Tubs:  The Hot Springs Spa, located across from the festival grounds, features modern Jacuzzi style hot tubs, positioned outside along the tranquil banks of Spring Creek and the French Broad River; the tubs are supplied with a continuous flow of World Famous Natural Hot Mineral Water. They have a nationally certified & state licensed staff of massage therapists on hand to compliment your soaks or for separate service altogether.

$75 ticket includes a 5oz. commemorative souvenir sampling glass, unlimited beer samplings from noon to 10 pm, camping in Hot Springs campground, and great live music. $60 ticket for music and camping only (no beer sampling).

Get tickets online or after 8/15/14 at Southern Raft Supply with no fees. Southern Raft Supply is located at 2000 Riverside Drive, Suite 3B, Asheville/Woodfin 828-252-7111 (next to Watershed and below Cheney Graphics). Or downtown Asheville at ERA Sunburst Realty, 111 Central Ave. 828-230-4054.

Contact frenchbroadfest@gmail.com or (828) 230-4054 for more details
For volunteer info, cazkern@aol.com
For vendor information,  whitewaterbubba@gmail.com

French Broad River Festival, 111 Central Ave., Asheville, NC 28801
www.FrenchBroadFallFest.com