Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Oct. 18-23

Beer Today, Gone Tomorrow is the one-stop home for Asheville-area beer news. Check back throughout the week for updates and send your own to wncbeertoday@gmail.com.

Bottle/can releases

• Wicked Weed Brewing welcomes back Dark Arts Rum Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout Fermented with Brettanomyces and Dark Arts Espresso on Friday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. at the Funkatorium. Bottle sales will begin at the roll door with a one case per person limit of Dark Arts and up to an additional three bottles of Dark Arts Espresso per person. Once the line dies down, sales will transition to the Funkatorium bottle shop. There will also be live music, guest taps of special barrel-aged beers, a tapas menu and fire performances. Costumes are encouraged.
• **NEW** Olde Hickory Brewery‘s The Event Horizon Imperial Stout (8.5 percent ABV) is now in bottle shops. Tasty Beverage Co. celebrates the release by tapping a keg of the new batch on Friday, Oct. 21, at 4 p.m. as well as one of the 2014 version.

Small-batch beers

• Starting Tuesday, Oct. 18, Oyster House Brewing Co. is pouring casks of Rum Barrel Aged Old Dirty Blonde (dry-hopped with Galaxy hops) and David E’s Yer Cook ESB.
• Thirsty Monk Brewery Cherry Gose and Screaming Monk Belgian IPA will return to the taps at all Monk locations before the end of the week.
• Burial Beer Co. releases The Forge: Hoppy Serrano Brown Ale (6.6 percent ABV) – hopped with Amarillo, Magnum, Citra and Galaxy and finished with serrano peppers in secondary fermentation – on Tuesday, Oct. 18, and Set Adrift Upon A Sea Barrel-Fermented Saison (5.9 percent ABV), featuring the Seashore Rye heirloom malt varietal, on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Thresher Coffee Saison (4.8 percent ABV), made with cold-pressed Counter Culture Hama Natural Sundried coffee post-fermentation, returns Thursday, Oct. 20, and The Keeper’s Veil Honey Saison (5.5 percent ABV) – brewed with wildflower honey, Riverbend six-row malt and wheat, with a touch of Vienna and honey malt – is back Friday, Oct. 21.
• Bhramari Brewhouse debuts Big Le”Stout”ski Oaked White Russian Stout on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. Patrons who dress as their favorite character from The Big Lebowski will receive a gift card.
• **NEW** New Belgium Brewing releases Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ale (6 percent ABV) on Friday, Oct. 21, at the Liquid Center. Inspired by the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream of the same name, the blonde ale is New Belgium’s second collaboration with the food company and is made with chocolate, brown sugar and vanilla. It will also be available initially in Folly Packs, followed by 6-packs. A portion of the proceeds goes to Protect Our Winters (POW), a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness around climate change.
• **NEW** As of Saturday, Oct. 22, Hi-Wire Brewing is pouring Twice As Nice Doppelbock (10 percent ABV) at both of its locations.

Special events

• On Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 5:30 p.m., Burial Beer Co. begins its long-term partnership with the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans to launch a LEAF International Program dedicated to the remembrance and preservation of their rich culture. Big Chief Shaka Zulu of the Yellow Pocahontas Tribe will be in attendance to speak about the goals of the program and demonstrate the traditional art of masking. A percentage of all Burial sales that day will go toward the launch of this ongoing partnership.
• Bruisin’ Ales‘ free weekly tasting on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 5-7 p.m. features selections from Logsdon Farmhouse Ales. Samples of Kili Wit, Seizon Bretta, Oak Aged Bretta, Szech’n Brett saison and Straffe Drieling Belgian-style tripel will be poured. A small offering of samples from Shacksbury Cidery will also be available.
• **NEW** Rotary Club of Asheville Oktoberfest takes place Thursday, Oct. 20, from 6-8 p.m. at Highland Brewing Co. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door and include complimentary beers or one wine, sodas, brats, kraut and assorted salads. There will also be live music and a 50/50 raffle. A portion of all ticket sales goes towards Rotarians Against Hunger.