THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Enjoy a 2-hour paddle along the French Broad River before winding down with a craft beer at Ecusta Brewing Company in Brevard, NC. Perfect for those seeking a relaxed outdoor escape with local flavor.
Enjoy a 2-hour paddle along the French Broad River before winding down with a craft beer at Ecusta Brewing Company in Brevard, NC. Perfect for those seeking a relaxed outdoor escape with local flavor.
Book with Headwaters Outfitters
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Headwaters Outfitters · Brevard, North Carolina
Experience the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation with Paddle Then Pints, hosted by Headwaters Outfitters in Brevard, North Carolina. This unique 2-hour paddle trip takes you down the scenic French Broad River, starting from Pisgah Forest Access and ending at Penrose Access. Begin your day at Ecusta Brewing Company where the outfitter team will provide boats, life jackets, and paddles, guiding you through a calm and enjoyable paddle that suits all skill levels. After the paddle, return to Ecusta Brewing to enjoy a cold craft beer from one of the region’s top breweries (note: drinks are not included in the trip cost). The short shuttles before and after the paddle make logistics easy and hassle-free, so you can focus on the outdoor experience and the beautiful western North Carolina surroundings. With over three decades of local expertise, Headwaters Outfitters ensures your trip is safe, memorable, and family-friendly. Whether you’re an avid paddler or a first-timer seeking a laid-back adventure, Paddle Then Pints offers a refreshing way to connect with nature and celebrate the vibrant local craft beer scene.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels including beginners; basic paddling endurance needed.
No, drinks at Ecusta Brewing Company are not included and must be purchased separately.
No previous paddling experience is necessary; the trip is beginner-friendly with guidance provided.
Meet at Ecusta Brewing at 9:30am. The entire experience, including shuttles, ends around 12:00pm.
Yes, all boats come equipped with life jackets and paddles provided by Headwaters Outfitters.
Yes, Ecusta Brewing Company offers parking for participants joining the adventure.
Paddle Then Pints is family-friendly, but participants should be able to handle paddling for two hours.
The French Broad River has been a vital waterway for Cherokee communities and early settlers in western North Carolina.
Efforts by local groups help keep the French Broad River clean, supporting wildlife habitats and recreational uses.
Headwaters Outfitters, based in Rosman, NC, operates guided fishing, paddling, camping and outdoor education on the French Broad River and surrounding lakes. The outfitter offers a wide range of experiences including guided fly-fishing lessons, trout wade trips on private waters, smallmouth and bass float trips, musky targeting adventures, and multi-hour self-guided paddling options like Hap Simpson and Island Ford runs. Classes and workshops include Fly Fishing Foundations, Advanced Casting, Spey Casting, Angler Entomology and Selecting a Fly, all taught with low student-to-instructor ratios for personalized skill-building. Paddling-focused offerings include guided Bear Lake sea kayaking trips to Sols Creek Waterfall, overnight canoe camping trips on the Upper French Broad, family-friendly floats, and festival paddles like Paddle to the Pork. Headwaters Outfitters also coordinates collaborative events with local breweries — Paddle then Pints with Ecusta Brewing Company and Cruise then Booze with Oskar Blues — and hosts seasonal community programs such as the Annual Upper French Broad River Clean-Up and Appalachian Santa Night. The business manages the first private campground on the French Broad Paddle Trail, featuring six primitive riverside campsites and options for full campground rental. Gear, shuttles and guided instruction are provided on many trips, and experienced guides such as local captains lead species-specific charters. Emphasis is placed on safety, Leave No Trace ethics, environmental stewardship and authentic local partnerships, making the outfitter a resource for anglers, paddlers and outdoor learners visiting Western North Carolina.
Book with Headwaters Outfitters