Randolph County
Drink Up Byrd’s House of Donuts is a great place to start the morning with fresh homemade donuts. TipTop Coffee started inThomas and has opened a second location in downtown Elkins. TipTop boasts a variety of handcrafted coffee drinks as well as nitro coffee, a cold brew infused with nitrogen. Tucked away inside of The Delmonte Market in Elkins, you will find the Crossings Coffee Bar , a favorite morning gathering place for coffee and conversation. It is also a darling gift shop offering locally made products and gifts ranging from toys to puzzles to jewelry. If you are a fan of local brews, then you know Big Timber Brewing Company has taken the state by storm. Big Timber’s blonde ale, porter, and pale ale can also be found in local restaurants including Beander’s , Vintage Restaurant andWine Bar , El Gran Sabor , and The Forks Restaurant & Inn . Big Timber also offers several seasonal beers like Frost Notch and Forestfest
Octoberfest. Its taproom in Elkins is open several days a week, and the company plans to offer brewery tours in the near future. What do you get when you cross a brewery and a hostel? Brewstel , a unique concept in the heart of Elkins. The tavern’s draft system boasts 21 taps running directly from the walk-in cooler, with a rotating selection of craft beers. Brewstel Brew Shop is the craft beer and brewing supply store located on the first floor, and the Brewstel Hostel encompasses the entire second floor of the historic building. It features all the amenities of a
hotel but with the affordable price tag of a hostel. Check out the openmic nights and the many live music concerts and, during the summer, enjoy an exclusive rooftop overlooking downtown Elkins, the mountains, and a perfect sunset. Just 30 minutes fromElkins in Harman, you will find Still Hollow Spirits . This family-owned and operated distillery specializes in traditional mountain-style whiskey and unique botanical infusions. Stop by for a tour of the distillery and for a tasting of their popular corn and rye whiskeys and ginseng, cranberry, andmint moonshines.
HELVETIA: A Swiss Mountain Community
For a taste of Switzerland, visit the charming community of Helvetia . Hidden in the Randolph County hills, Helvetia is tiny—a place with fewer than 60 people, according to the U.S. Census, but enough heart and creativity to fill any big city. Well off the beaten path, this mountain settlement dates to the 1860s, when Swiss immigrants arrived in the area. Although Helvetia’s population
has dwindled, the community’s roots are strong: Residents have kept their traditions alive for many generations, and the Helvetia Village Historic District includes dozens of structures that contribute to their village’s authentic feel. Helvetia is known for square dances and yodeling. It is perhaps most famous for its Fasnacht
celebration in February, which takes place the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. The whole town—not to mention people from all over the U.S. and the world—gather in Helvetia for a lively party that ends around a bonfire where patrons burn “OldManWinter.” Helvetia is located off of County Route 46, about an hour southwest of Elkins.
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