How did it all begin?
It all started in the late 80’s - as every good story does - in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A neighbor asked Lynne and Andy to come over to try something he’d been working on.
He was a homebrewer, and this was just a casual get together.
It was both Lynne & Andy’s first time trying a beer brewed out of someone’s kitchen. Reflecting on that first sip, Lynne says:
“There was substance. There was substance to that beer...and for someone who didn’t really identify as a beer drinker, that was a new thing for me.”
Lynne and Andy were intrigued. And well, the rest is history. Lynne bought Andy his very own brewing kit for his birthday in 1989.
Homebrewing quickly became a hobby that Andy was passionate about, and he kept at it for 25 years. In the beginning he would use the kitchen, then he outgrew that and moved to the garage, and when he finally outgrew the garage, Lynne and Andy built their own home. The basement there became Andy’s brewery.
Over the years, Andy shared homebrews with family and friends, and was pleased to find them well received. He even won several homebrew competitions, including Pilsner Urquell competition, which sent him and Lynne to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival (GBAF) in 2012.
By this point, Andy and Lynne had settled permanently in Boone, North Carolina. Andy had a successful 30+ year career as forensic toxicologist behind him, and Lynne had served her community for 31 years as a social worker, with her last venture being the executive director for the Hospitality House.
Both decided that they were at a point where they could "retire" from their respective careers and embark on the journey of operating a brewpub.
That’s how the idea of Lost Province was born.
Lynne brought her management skills and Andy brought his passion for beer, extensive knowledge of beer styles, chemistry background, and 25 plus years of brewing to this venture.
In 2013, the business was organized. All that was left was finding the perfect location. After months of looking, 130 North Depot Street became available. Lost Province officially opened its doors in August of 2014.
These days, the demand for Lost Province beer has exceeded the production ability in the downtown location. So, a second location has opened in Boone! Lost Province at Hardin Creek is a production brewery and taproom, in which we're able to make a LOT more beer. We're also excited to create a new community space, and we hope that our newest taproom becomes a Boone favorite.
As a business, we proudly remain committed to utilizing a business model that makes us a great place for our employees to work (atmosphere, pay, benefits), that gives back to the community, that sources as many products locally supporting the community we love and that integrates sustainable practices in all we do.
what does 'lost province' mean?
During the late part of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century, the three counties in the northwestern corner of North Carolina – Ashe, Alleghany, and Watauga Counties – were known as the Lost Province due to their geographic and economic isolation from the remainder of the state.
Bordered on their south and their east by the “The Blue Ridge” eastern continental divide, these three counties were historically cut off from many of the social, political, and economic happenings in the rest of North Carolina. A major geographic barrier, “The Blue Ridge” acted as a hindrance to the development of transportation infrastructure, limited contact with outside areas, and slowed economic development in the region following The Civil War.
A common joke in the remainder of the state was that the only way to get the Lost Province was to be born there.
To us, the term “Lost Province” signifies a place that remains somewhat difficult to get to, perhaps hard-to-find, but is a place to be sought, and a place where you will find food and drink for your body and soul, relaxation, fellowship and peace. We hope you will enjoy your time in “The Lost Province.”