Friends of the Smokies team up with Blue Ghost Brewery for “Pint Night” fire relief benefits

From the Friends of the Smokies:

Blue Ghost Pint Nights Benefit Fire Relief in GSMNP

WAYNESVILLE, NC – Join Friends of the Smokies at Blue Ghost Brewery for three charitable pint nights this winter where a percentage of sales will support emergency fire relief efforts in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each pint night hosted by Blue Ghost Brewing will feature a presentation about the Smokies with topics including the NPS Centennial Anniversary, reintroduction of elk to the Smokies and climate change’s effects on the park.

In celebration of the Smokies and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, a specialty batch Centennial White IPA will be on tap. The specifications of the brew— 6.6% ABV & 43 IBU — highlight the 6,643 foot elevation of Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Smokies-themed food from Olive Catering Company will also be available for purchase.

• December 15th, 7:00 PM – Celebrating Public Lands: 100 Years of National Parks
  In 2016 the National Park Service celebrated 100 years of service. Learn about America’s national park units— including three in Western North Carolina—and the growing importance of park partners as NPS enters a second century of service.
• January 19th, 7:00 PM: – Elk in Western North Carolina
  In 2001, elk were reintroduced to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Since then, the herd has grown to be more than 150 strong. Learn about the ecology of these magnificent animals from a member of Elk Bugle Corps, a group of park volunteers dedicated to educating park visitors about wildlife.
• February 16th, 7:00 PM – Salamanders and Storms: Climate Change in the Smokies
  The Great Smoky Mountains are often called the “Salamander Capital of the World” and are home to several rare species. Because many salamanders breathe through their skin, they are viewed as indicators of the health of an ecosystem. Learn about how climate change impacts the ecology and wildlife of the Smokies.

“Part of the vision of Blue Ghost Brewing Company is to share with the community things that we are passionate about, besides the beer we brew. This includes sharing some of the beautiful natural world that surrounds us in this area, and doing what we can to educate people about it and protect it,” says Zachary Horn of Blue Ghost Brewing.

Friends of the Smokies staff and volunteers will be available for those interested in becoming a member which supports projects like wildlife protection, trail maintenance, rehabilitation of historic structures, maintenance of visitor amenities and educational programming.

The Smokies-themed pint nights are part of a larger series presented by Blue Ghost Brewing about the natural history of Western North Carolina, which will take place on the third Thursday of each month through March. Blue ghost Brewing is located at 125 Underwood Road in Fletcher, North Carolina.