S&W Artisanal offers a taste of the Mediterranean to Asheville. Also: La Guinguette hosts a wine dinner; The Hop Ice Cream brings back its ice cream yule log; Firestorm Books & Coffee hosts a vegan cookie swap; Hickory Nut Gap Farm offers holiday baskets; and French Broad Chocolates announces new holiday treats.
Beer Scout: Eurisko and The Whale eye December debuts
The two long-awaited Asheville beer businesses are set to launch this month.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Dec. 5-11
**UPDATED DEC. 7** Black Cloud and Whistle Hop turn one, Rayburn Farm and Archetype host a pineapple sage brew-off, and Cliff Mori talks American sours in this week’s local beer news.
Small bites: Pull Up at the Peel Deli and Grill
Pull Up at the Peel Deli and Grill expands its lunch options. Also: East Fork Asheville hosts a cake-off; Sandy Mush Mountain Music and Square Dance returns; French Broad Chocolate Lounge hosts a book signing; the Flatiron Building celebrates 90 years; and Foothill Meats opens a second location in Black Mountain.
Quick dish: A Q&A with Emilios Papanastasiou of Post 25
A second-generation American, Papanastasiou talks about life in a family of Greek restaurateurs and what it’s like keeping up with three busy Asheville bars and eateries.
Beer Scout: Taprooms in unexpected places
Asheville businesses give patrons the opportunity to grab a beer while shopping for garden supplies, outdoor gear, groceries or interacting with working glassblowers.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Nov. 21-27
Burial releases three packaged beers, Catawba releases two and Highland brings back Black Watch in this week’s local beer news.
Small bites: Dining out on Thanksgiving
A sampling of local restaurant options for those who prefer to have someone else do the holiday cooking.
Growing pains for Asheville Food Park
After two years in business, Asheville Food Park is abandoning its original vision of operating as a food truck destination. Changes are also underway with the park’s brick-and-mortar components.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Nov. 14-20
**UPDATED NOV. 17** Vadim Bora Russian Imperial Stout returns at Wedge, Hi-Wire releases a Strongman mix pack and more local beer news.
Cross-drinkers’ paradise: Other craft beverages thrive in Beer City
While craft beer has put Asheville on a host of lists — including third for most breweries per capita by Forbes magazine — other beverage makers are betting that locals and visitors have a thirst for drink options other than suds. Several cideries, one of the few sake breweries in America and one of the country’s leading kombucha […]
Small bites: Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
The Asheville Outlets hosts its inaugural Asheville Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival. Also: Postero hosts Hendersonville Rescue Mission fundraiser dinner; Art & Pie II returns to Buxton Hall Barbecue; Taste of Asheville comes back for more and Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours arrives to Asheville
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Oct. 30-Nov. 6
**UPDATED NOV. 2** Hi-Wire’s Stout Bout Festival returns, Zebulon shares three custom blends made for Tasty Beverage Co. and more local beer news.
Branching out: WNC cider scene continues to grow with help from apple country
WNC cideries prefer to source their ingredients locally whenever possible. Yet April through August, it can be especially difficult to secure enough local apples to meet production demands.
Beer Scout: Local breweries craft one-off beers to benefit nonprofits
Sanctuary and Catawba reps discuss the process of working with charitable organizations to create new brews.
Yeast tamers: WNC brewers explore the potential of brettanomyces
Brettanomyces, commonly known as “brett” in the brewing community, was traditionally regarded as a wild beer contaminant. But this wild card is beloved by Asheville-area brewers looking to spice up their offerings with unique flavors.
Carolina Beer Guy: French Broad River Brewery looks to the future
New brewery owners Paul and Sarah Casey implement rebranding and plans for increased production and distribution.
Sunday kind of love: Is the Brunch Bill living up to its hype in Asheville?
While the recent passage of SB-155 was widely celebrated, skeptics have wondered just how much stimulus two hours of morning alcohol sales would provide for an already booming industry.
CiderFest NC highlights local industry’s new facets
The fifth annual event provides an opportunity to reflect on the local cider industry — one that’s grown to the extent that new types of business models and specialty stores have emerged alongside national and state associations, helping established and new producers better educate consumers and grow their brands.
Asheville Coffee Expo broadens its focus and footprint
This year’s festival expands onto Depot Street, adding tea vendors, yoga, cupping sessions and more.
Carolina Beer Guy: Brews with a view
From Asheville to Sylva to Pisgah Forest, area brewery owners make the most of the natural and man-made scenery on their properties.