Small towns have always had a romantic quality about them. We see them on TV all the time, and they look like a place you’d want to be. Filled with their own quirks and attractions, these places give you a one-of-a-kind experience. Elkin, North Carolina, a small town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers the same experience.

When you drive into the heart of Elkin you find a charming Main Street lined with businesses owned and operated by the locals. You can find live music at the recently renovated Reeves Theater or delicious southern food at Southern on Main, but if you want the true small-town experience Angry Troll Brewing is the place to go. This restaurant and micro-brewery operates out of a renovated century-old tobacco warehouse and is the place to go for a bite to eat, craft brew, or just to hang out with friends and Elkin locals.

When you open Angry Troll’s doors you immediately notice the high ceilings and industrial features, reminiscent of the buildings long-forgotten past as a tobacco warehouse. As you walk into the dining area you can’t help but hear the heartbeat of the town. Elkin locals and travelers alike mingle and talk with each other as they enjoy the latest in sports on Angry Troll’s myriad of TVs. The menu boasts a wide selection of sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and more. However, the shining star of the menu are their wing flavors. With over 25 wing sauces, you’re sure to find something you love.

If you’ve come just to wet your whistle you’re also in luck. Angry Troll offers a robust and ever-changing selection of craft beers in a variety of styles. Try their core beers crafted in their new brewing facility just down the river in Wilkesboro. If you’re feeling a little funky, try their limited releases brewed just downstairs in the brewery’s original brewing facility.

After a brew, hang out in Elkin’s only game room and pool hall. Enjoy five pool tables, dart boards, skee-ball, Big Buck Hunter, and more. If you get thirsty don’t worry, they have a taproom downstairs loaded with Angry Troll brews and domestics.

All in all, if you’re looking for an authentic small-town experience Elkin, and Angry Troll Brewing, is right up your alley. Not only is the food great, but the people are too.

Thanksgiving is almost upon us. That means it’s time for copious amounts of turkey, stuffing, and whatever else you love to gorge yourself on. It also means it’s time for your awkward political arguments and weird distant relatives that are trying to get drunk. That’s why we’ve put together a list of beers that’ll make Thanksgiving Day a little more enjoyable.

On Thanksgiving morning you’ll probably be woken up by the sounds of pots and pan clanging in the kitchen. If you attended any Thanksgiving Pre-game or Blackout Wednesday, you’ll probably be dragging yourself to the kitchen for some water to hydrate and a little hair-of-the-dog to stave off your ungodly hangover. A breakfast or coffee stout will do the trick for you here. Angry Troll Brewing’s Coffee Stout with Anchor Coffee Co. in Wilkesboro would do you right and wake you up for the festivities ahead. Enjoy at the breakfast table…or still in bed.

After you’ve downed this breakfast brew, you’ll need something to drink that’ll keep you going without making you lose your breakfast. At this point we recommend a shandy or radler. This style of brew is a beer mixed with juice or a soda, leaving it at a lower ABV than most brews. We recommend something like Angry Troll’s Hidden Key Grapefruit Shandy. Unfortunately, shandies are a summer beverage, so if you can’t find any, just mix your favorite lager with soda or juice.

Now it’s probably getting close to lunch time, and that means it’s time for football and awkward conversations with your relatives. To avoid any judgmental faces or intervention-like conversations, ditch the high alcohol drinks for something light and easy. We recommend something in the 4% range. You could jump for your favorite Macro Brew at this point, but if you want to keep things craft centric, something light like our Surry Cream ale would be perfect.

After a few of these light brews, it’s probably getting close to meal time. Enjoy something with a little more kick as you fuel up on turkey. If you’re a liquor drinker, something like an Old Fashioned would be perfect. If you’re looking to stick with beer, something like our Blood Orange Rye would do the trick. This brew packs a punch and gives you hints of whiskey.

After dinner your cousins are probably raring to go to bars. Hop in the car (with someone sober) and head out for a great night knowing you’ve successfully drank your way through Thanksgiving. Cheers!