Have you got some area brew news? E-mail Anne Fitten Glenn at brewgasmavl@gmail.com.
Southern Appalachian Brewery
After more than a year of renovation and a significant upgrade to its brewing equipment, the Southern Appalachian Brewery (formerly called Appalachian Craft Brewery) is poised to open in Hendersonville
Owners Andy and Kelly Cubbin say they don’t have an official opening date yet because they’re waiting for a few permits to come through, but they hope to be brewing and selling suds again soon.
In their move from the former production facility in Fletcher, the Cubbins have upgraded to a 15-barrel brew house. They also will open a public tasting room, soon after they get the brewery back up and running.
The brewery is located on Locust Street, just one block off North Main Street. Southern Appalachian Brewery will continue to brew small batch ales, including Copperhead Amber, Black Bear Stout and an IPA.
The company will also resume the distribution of their beers to bars and restaurants in and around Western North Carolina.
“We want to thank everyone for their patience while we work to complete the tasting room and await the remaining necessary permits,” says Andy, the head brewer.after more than a year of renovation and a significant upgrade to its brewing equipment.
Originally founded in Rosman, N.C., in 2003, the brewery was purchased by the Cubbins in 2006 and moved to the production facility in Fletcher while they looked for a permanent brewing home. The Cubbins had hoped to open in Hendersonville last year but have held up by local laws (laws that may need updating and permitting).
Welcome back, Southern Appalachian Brewery. For more information, visit the Southern Appalachian Brewery Facebook page.
Asheville Beer Masters update
The first qualifying round for the Asheville Beer Masters Tournament was held on April 4 at Mellow Mushroom in Asheville. Six people entered the tourney and played some challenging but fun beer trivia.
The night’s winner was Asheville resident and home brewer Adam Reinke. He’ll represent Mellow Mushroom in the semi-finals at Wedge Brewing on May 25. Congrats to Adam! Runner-up was Jeff Hicks of Asheville. Reinke and Hicks tied for points after a true/false quiz, a fill-in-the-blank test and a blind local beer tasting. Then Reinke won the five-question tiebreaker by one. It was exciting beer geekery.
Want to try your hand in one of the next seven qualifying rounds? Can you answer these questions: What beer style has a history of being brewed in England and shipped to India? What fictional character’s enormous love for beer prompted him to say, “Beer. Now there’s a temporary solution!”? Who is the Brew Master of Lexington Avenue Brewery? (Answers at the end of the story.)
The next qualifying round will be held April 18 at Brixx Pizza in Biltmore Park at 7:00 p.m. For more information and the schedule of rounds, visit the Asheville Beer Masters Facebook page (or check the previous Brews News at www.mountainx.com). Also, check out Asheville Brew.com for news on the Asheville Beer Masters tourney and up-to-the-minute local beer happenings.
Highland Brewing to release Arc Ale
In honor of local non-profit Arc of Buncombe County, Highland Brewing will brew a special Arc Ale in time for the organization’s benefit, which will take place at the brewery. The April 27 evening will include live music, food, and two drinks for $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Arc’s work includes empowering persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their potential through advocacy, education, programs and family support. The organization will have artwork from their Open Hearts group for sale during the benefit.
For advance tickets and more information, call 253-1255.
Pack’s Tavern celebrates one year
Pack’s Tavern has been open for a year and will celebrate their sales of craft suds on Thursday, April 14, with a Victory Brewing Company Pint Night. A firkin of Uncle Teddy’s Bitter will be tapped at 7:00 p.m. They’ll also have five taps from Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co. in Raleigh. Live music that night by Scott Raines. Congrats to Pack’s for a year of awesome beers.
(Answers to beer trivia questions: IPA or India Pale Ale, Homer Simpson, Ben Pierson).
giddy up!