Funk Asheville festival — “a gathering of sour and wild ales from across the country featuring, both well established and up-and-coming breweries that are paving the sour and wild path for craft beer,” according to organizers — takes place at Wicked Weed’s Candler-based production facility (the wooded, outdoor space) on Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m. The growing list of participators already includes about 40 breweries from across the nation (full list below). Proceeds from the event benefit Pints for Prostates, a group that raises awareness of prostate cancer online and through presence at beer-related events.
“We believe strongly in this craft and the cause it supports,” says Wicked Weed head blender Walt Dickinson. “We want to be a voice moving the conversation about sour beer forward in the Southeast. Funk Asheville’s goal is to bring breweries, who are dedicated to the craft of sour beer from all across the country, into our own back yard to showcase the full potential of American barrel-aged sour and wild ales.”
“We’re proud to be partnering with Wicked Weed Brewing again this year on Funk Asheville,” says Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “We use the universal language of beer to reach men with an important health message. The funds we raise help support free men’s health screening clinics and support groups for men diagnosed with the disease.”
General admission tickets are $80 per person (plus tax and fees), while VIP tickets cost $100 (plus tax and fees). Both go on sale through Etix on May 15. A limited number of “Local VIP” tickets (all the perks of the $100 ticket at the general admission price) will be available at Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium from May 11-15. Prospective Local VIPs must bring an ID or piece of mail for proof of residency.
Here is the full release from Wicked Weed:
Wicked Weed Brewing and Pints for Prostates’ annual Funk Asheville festival is scheduled for Saturday, July 18th with VIP and general admission ticket sales available May 15th via ETIX.
Now in its second year, Funk Asheville is a gathering of sour and wild ales from across the country featuring, both well established and up and coming breweries that are paving the sour and wild path for craft beer.
“We believe strongly in this craft and the cause it supports,” states Head Blender, Walt Dickinson. “We want to be a voice moving the conversation about sour beer forward in the Southeast. Funk Asheville’s goal is to bring breweries, who are dedicated to the craft of sour beer from all across the country into our own back yard to showcase the full potential of American barrel-aged sour and wild ales.”
The currently confirmed list of attending breweries includes:
• The Lost Abbey Brewing, CA
• Jester King Brewery, TX
• Almanac Beer Company, CA
• The Rare Barrel, CA
• Cascade Brewing, OR
• Ecliptic Brewing, OR
• Perennial Brewing Co., MO
• Allagash Brewing, ME
• Evil Twin
• Crooked Stave Brewery, CO
• Avery Brewing Co., CO
• Societe Brewing, CA
• Goose Island Brewery, IL
• 7venth Sun Brewing, FL
• Bluejacket Brewery, DC
• Green Bench Brewing, FL
• Cigar City Brewing, FL
• Creature Comforts Brewery, GA
• Burial Brewing Co., NC
• Oskar Blues Brewing, NC
• Free Range Brewing, NC
• 4 Hands Brewing, MO
• Anderson Valley Brewing Co., CA
• Fonta Flora Brewery, NC
• Full Steam Brewery, NC
• Haw River Brewing, NC
• Mystery Brewing, NC
• New Belgium Brewing, CO
• Night Shift Brewing, MA
• Orpheus Brewing, GA
• Stillwater Artisanal Ales
• Stone Brewing Co., CA
• Surly Brewing, MN
• Trophy Brewing, NC
• Upland Brewing Co., IN
• Westbrook Brewing, SC
• Wrecking Bar Brewpub, GA
• Yazoo Brewing Co., TNFunk Asheville will commence at 7pm (with a 6pm entry for VIP) in the wooded outdoor space at Wicked Weed’s new production brewery in Candler. General admission tickets are $80 (plus fees and NC tax) and VIP tickets are $100 (plus service fees and NC tax) Purchase of VIP tickets offer early entry with no lines, a collaborative food and sour pairing from Chef Terry of Wrecking Bar and Chef Cardiff of Wicked Weed, the ability to talk one on one with brewers, and free entry into a drawing for a nine night BeerTrips.com tour to Prague, Bamberg, Cologne and Brussels.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Wicked Weed Brewing again this year on Funk Asheville,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “We use the universal language of beer to reach men with an important health message. The funds we raise help support free men’s health screening clinics and support groups for men diagnosed with the disease.”
The famed silent auction benefiting Pints for Prostates will be conducted during the festival and feature unique beer experiences as well as highly collectable items from attending breweries. This partnership of brewery and non-profit, also in its second year, is an integral focus of the festival.
“Their work nationally has been really exceptional. They are committed to putting on great festivals based that bring awareness to, often overlooked, men’s health issues,” states Dickinson. “It was the right fit for everyone and they’ve been amazing partners to work with year after year.”
A new addition to ticket sales this year is a local VIP ticket. As a thank you to their hometown, Wicked Weed is offering 100 VIP tickets to locals at General Admission price.
“Without the embrace we felt early on from our community we wouldn’t have a sour program,” explained Dickinson. “It was the people who would show up every Friday at three o’clock waiting for us to tap Black Angel when we only had four barrels of it who drove Wicked Weed sour beer and proved that it was viable. This is a small way we can thank them.”
VIP Local tickets will go on sale May 11th-15th and can be purchased in person at the Funkatorium (147 Coxe Ave). Locals will need identification with an Asheville address and/or mail with proof of address.
For more information and details regarding Funk Asheville check the breweries social media outlets:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wickedweedbrewing
Instagram: WickedWeedBrewing
Twitter: @wickedweedbeerAbout Pints for Prostates
Pints for Prostates reaches men through the universal language of beer to encourage them to take charge of their health. The group was founded by prostate cancer survivor and beer writer Rick Lyke in 2008. The grassroots effort raises awareness among men of the importance of prostate health screenings by making appearances at beer festivals, social networking and pro bono advertising. According to the National Cancer Institute, 233,000 American men will be diagnosed with the disease this year and 29,480 will die from prostate cancer. More information is available at www.pintsforprostates.org. Pints for Prostates also has a presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@pints4prostates).About Wicked Weed Brewing
Wicked Weed Brewing is based in Asheville, North Carolina. Opened in December 2012, the original brewpub consistently hosts 25+ beers on tap including hop forward, West Coast style ales, open fermented Belgians, and barrel-aged sour and wild beers. With the opening of the second location, The Funkatorium, in October 2013, Wicked Weed is striving to become one of the leading producer of barrel-aged beers in the Southeastern United States. Wicked Weed Brewing was awarded a gold medal for both 100% Brettanomyces Serenity in 2013 and Mompara Honey Ale in 2014 at the Great American Beer Festival. Wicked Weed is currently building a 40,000 square foot production brewery by fall 2015. Learn more at www.wickedweedbrewing.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WickedWeedBrewing.
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