About Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville)
Frog Level Brewing opened in 2011 and was the first brewery in Haywood County, which makes it the senior statesman of Waynesville's beer scene. The taproom is at 56 Commerce Street, and the vibe is exactly what you want after a day in the mountains: casual, welcoming, and equally happy to see a family, a group of friends or a dog.
The beer
The beer page lists ten beers, grouped as flagship, popular rotating and seasonal. The flagships are Salamander Slam IPA (an American IPA), Ultraviolet Sour (a blueberry kettle sour that rotates), Nutty Brunette (a brown ale), Hopscotch Ale (a Scottish ale) and Bug-Eyed Stout, an espresso stout. The popular rotating beers include Frogger Lager (an American lager), Dragonfly IPA (a session IPA), a kettle sour and Croak-A-Nut Porter, an English porter. The seasonal on the page is Blood Orange Gose.
The taproom runs 21 taps, according to the website, so the list can be longer than what the page shows. Every Tuesday at 3pm, the brewery taps one of its 5-gallon experimental tanks, which is the best excuse to try something new. Frog Level also makes beer for its sister brand, 7 Clans Brewing.
Food
The FLB Kitchen opens daily at 11:30am and closes one hour before the taproom. The food page lists appetizers and shareables, meals (sandwiches, burgers, tacos, quesadillas, salads and chili), sweets and a kids' menu, with weekly specials posted on Facebook starting Wednesdays. The site describes the food as pub fare favorites.
Family and pets
The brewery describes itself as a casual, family and pet friendly place, and says the outdoor spaces are good for children and dogs. That makes this one of the easier brewery stops if you have kids in the car.
Hours
Taproom hours listed on the site are Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10pm, and Sunday 11:30am to 8pm. Call (828) 454-5664 to confirm, especially around holidays. The website also lists event spaces for private gatherings.
Tips
- Waynesville's downtown is worth a walk. Plan a loop around Main Street before or after your pint.
- Come on a Tuesday afternoon if you like trying experimental batches.
- Check the Events page for music and festivals.
- Pair the stop with Boojum Brewing, also in Waynesville, for a two-brewery afternoon.
- If you are heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway or Maggie Valley, the taproom is a handy break on the way.