You Must Try: Moonshine, Beer, Whiskey and Wine in Gatlinburg

If you’re of legal drinking age, a trip to Gatlinburg isn’t complete without at least a few tastings – moonshine, beer, whiskey, and wine- pick your poison! 

Moonshine: Historically known around the south as ‘white lighting,’ ‘hooch’ or even ‘white whiskey’ in the days of prohibition, moonshine in Gatlinburg is now a legal and refined science, plus it’s delicious to drink. While each distiller brags about their highest proof white corn moonshine (the stuff that makes you grow hair in places you never knew could grow hair), they also make flavored moonshines with unique blends like pumpkin, apple pie, sweet tea, and lemon drop that are supremely tasty and go down much too smooth. When visiting Gatlinburg, walk up and down the strip to taste all different varieties, making sure to buy your favorite to bring home (as some don’t distribute outside of Tennessee). Check out Ole Smoky Moonshine, Sugarlands Distillery, and Doc Collier for some of our favorites.

Beer: Smoky Mountain Brewery is the only brewery in Gatlinburg and worth a lunch or late afternoon stop to try a flight of their local beers. Our favorites were the Cherokee Red Ale, a medium-bodied blend with a fruity finish, Appalachian Pale Ale, a hoppy dry beer, and the Harvest Fest Lager, reminiscent of a German beer. We suggest ordering a pizza to compliment your pint and sit upstairs at the bar for exceptional views of the mountains.

Wine: Wine enthusiasts don’t always think of Tennessee as a destination for enology, but the Rocky Top Wine Trail would argue otherwise. Comprised of three Gatlinburg wineries, you’ll be given a passport to collect stamps at each location. Try the Cherry-Kee at Sugarlands Cellars, a wine that is described as a nod to your grandmothers cherry pie made with 100% cherries. Smoky Mountain Winery is the oldest producer in East Tennessee and offers free tours daily. At Bootleggers Homemade Wine, the winemakers use local fruits to infuse their distinct blends.

Whiskey: Davy Crockett’s Distillery produces flavored whiskeys that simply taste great served over ice or straight up. Take a bottle of the Southern Pecan home for a unique ice cream topping or try the Salty Carmel Whiskey to add a jolt to your morning coffee.

If you’re of legal drinking age, a trip to Gatlinburg isn’t complete without at least a few tastings – moonshine, beer, whiskey, and wine- pick your poison! 

Moonshine: Historically known around the south as ‘white lighting,’ ‘hooch’ or even ‘white whiskey’ in the days of prohibition, moonshine in Gatlinburg is now a legal and refined science, plus it’s delicious to drink. While each distiller brags about their highest proof white corn moonshine (the stuff that makes you grow hair in places you never knew could grow hair), they also make flavored moonshines with unique blends like pumpkin, apple pie, sweet tea, and lemon drop that are supremely tasty and go down much too smooth. When visiting Gatlinburg, walk up and down the strip to taste all different varieties, making sure to buy your favorite to bring home (as some don’t distribute outside of Tennessee). Check out Ole Smoky Moonshine, Sugarlands Distillery, and Doc Collier for some of our favorites.

Beer: Smoky Mountain Brewery is the only brewery in Gatlinburg and worth a lunch or late afternoon stop to try a flight of their local beers. Our favorites were the Cherokee Red Ale, a medium-bodied blend with a fruity finish, Appalachian Pale Ale, a hoppy dry beer, and the Harvest Fest Lager, reminiscent of a German beer. We suggest ordering a pizza to compliment your pint and sit upstairs at the bar for exceptional views of the mountains.

Wine: Wine enthusiasts don’t always think of Tennessee as a destination for enology, but the Rocky Top Wine Trail would argue otherwise. Comprised of three Gatlinburg wineries, you’ll be given a passport to collect stamps at each location. Try the Cherry-Kee at Sugarlands Cellars, a wine that is described as a nod to your grandmothers cherry pie made with 100% cherries. Smoky Mountain Winery is the oldest producer in East Tennessee and offers free tours daily. At Bootleggers Homemade Wine, the winemakers use local fruits to infuse their distinct blends.

Whiskey: Davy Crockett’s Distillery produces flavored whiskeys that simply taste great served over ice or straight up. Take a bottle of the Southern Pecan home for a unique ice cream topping or try the Salty Carmel Whiskey to add a jolt to your morning coffee.