Pouring for a Purpose - Whiskey, Education, and Giving Back with Carey Harnash

 

In today’s episode, I sat down with Carey Harnash, the driving force behind the Western North Carolina Whiskey Festival. We explored his journey from whiskey enthusiast to founder of a festival dedicated to education, community, and of course, great whiskey. Carey opened up about his passion for bringing together local distilleries, whiskey lovers of all levels, and supporting the WNC Harvest and Heritage Foundation. We dove deep into the event's unique educational experiences, the importance of responsible tasting, and how the proceeds help food insecurity and local heritage projects. It was a lively, flavorful conversation, and not just because Carey arrived with a bag full of interesting whiskey samples!

 

Carey Harnash is more than a collector of whiskey bottles; he’s an advocate for community, hospitality, and discovery. As executive director of the WNC Harvest and Heritage Foundation, Carey works to directly support local charities focused on food insecurity and preserving North Carolina’s cultural heritage. His event planning skills previously brought the hugely successful food truck showdowns to Asheville, featured on the Food Network. Now, with the Western North Carolina Whiskey Festival, Carey aims to create an annual gathering where whiskey novices and aficionados alike can taste, learn, connect, and make a difference in their own backyard.

"100% of the proceeds [go] to the WNC Harvest and Heritage Foundation. So we're able to grant money to those local charities that do it really well and are very efficient with their funding." ~Carey Harnash

Today on Consuming the Craft:

• The Western North Carolina Whiskey Festival is designed for anyone passionate about whiskey, whether a newcomer or a seasoned collector.

• Ticket proceeds go directly to support local charities focused on food insecurity and preserving cultural heritage through the WNC Harvest and Heritage Foundation.

• There are three types of tickets: general admission, VIP (with early access), and a designated driver option to encourage responsible enjoyment.

• The festival features educational breakout sessions, including grain-to-glass, nosing and tasting, and finishing techniques in whiskey.

• Attendees get to sample a wide array of whiskeys—bourbon, rye, Irish, Scotch, Japanese—and engage directly with the makers and distributors.

• The event strengthens Asheville’s hospitality and beverage community by highlighting talented local bartenders, makers, and culinary professionals.

• Tastings allow for informed purchasing decisions; trying before buying means finding you actually enjoy, and understanding flavor profiles.

• The festival is more than just whiskey; it’s about bringing people together, sharing stories, and supporting meaningful local causes.

Contact Carey Harnash:

• Website: www.wncwhiskeyfest.com

• Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates and ticket info

 

This episode is brought to you by…

 

McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms Facebook page to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce.

 

Consuming the Craft

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