Appalachian Mountain Brewery Changes Stock Symbol Name To “HOPS”

BOONE, N.C., Jan. 8, 2014/mbb/ (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Inc. (OTC:HOPS), is pleased to announce, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") has approved its name change from North Carolina Natural Energy, Inc. (OTC:NCNE), and will begin trading under the new OTC stock symbol "HOPS." Shareholders do not need to take any action regarding this change.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery ("AMB") is profitable and is consolidating its financial statements now to be published showing results of operations for its year end December 31, 2013. In response to inquiries coming into the company, AMB is filing Form D with US Securities and Exchange Commission and Form U2A with the North Carolina Secretary of State Securities Division, preparing to engage its 506c Crowd Funding, allowing qualified investors to take advantage of the recently passed JOBS Act. The JOBS Act allows high net worth investors to contact AMB to participate in the growth of Appalachian Mountain Brewery by purchasing preferred stock directly from the company in a private placement. More information will be provided on the company’s website via investor inquiry once the regulatory filings are in place with US SEC and NC State Securities Division. Checkwww.appalachianmountainbrewery.com for updates. AMB is preparing the steps necessary to become fully reporting with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Craft beers like those at Appalachian Mountain Brewery are growing in popularity in the overall U.S. beer market. Total American beer sales fell 2 percent in the first half of 2013, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, while the craft brew segment grew 15 percent. According to the Brewers Association craft breweries added a boost to the U.S. economy by creating 360,000 jobs and generating over $33 billion in revenue. The figure is derived from the total impact of beer brewed by craft brewers as it moves through the three-tier system (breweries, wholesalers and retailers), as well as all non-beer products that brewpub restaurants sell.