Hot on the heels of Asheville’s three-peat win of the Beer City USA poll comes American Craft Beer Week. Not that us North Carolina beer lovers need more excuses to drink good U.S. craft brews. The week starts today and runs until Sunday, May 22. Organized by the Brewers Association/CraftBeer.com, the week gives us all a chance to toast the growing community of craft beer lovers with events, beer tastings, and more.
In Asheville and environs, there are a number of beer specials and events taking place. Here are a few:
Monday, May 16: CANCELLED because of “unforeseen circumstances”: Five-course beer dinner pairing Craggie Brewing’s beers and Café Azalea’s foodstuffs (1011 E. Tunnel Rd.). Herkulean IPA with smoked chicken ravioli and beer cheese sauce is just one of the courses. Cost $40 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Dinner starts at 6 p.m. For reservations, call 299-3753.
The Thirsty Monk will offer special events pretty much every night of American Craft Beer Week, but the Monday night tapping of kegs of Stone Vertical Epic (10-10-10) and New Belgian Lips of Faith Metric (10-10-10) will draw in the beer geeks. For other events at the Monk, visit http://www.monkpub.com.
The newly opened Jack of Hearts in Weaverville will be tapping a keg of Southern Tier Brewing’s Unearthly Imperial IPA on Monday at 5 p.m.
Nantahala Brewing Company in Bryson City will feature an array of guest brews from other N.C. craft breweries until Friday, May 20. Guest beers will hail from Foothills Brewing, Wedge Brewing Co., Duck Rabbit Brewery, Mother Earth Brewing,Green Man Brewing, and Highlands Brewing among others. Congrats to NBC who are celebrating their first anniversary of brewing craft beer in the far Western reaches of our state this week.
Also, on tap this week around town in honor of Asheville’s Fanaticon Festival (Sat., May 21) French Broad Brewing Company, along with guest brewer Billy Klingel of Oyster House Brewing, has released of the official beer of Fanaticon, SuperHero IPA, clocking in at 6% ABV.
Tuesday, May 17: Beer dinner pairing Asheville Brewing Co. beers with Tingles Cafe food (dinner will be at Tingles at 27 Broadway). 6 p.m. $25. Tickets available at both Asheville Brewing locations at 675 Merrimon Ave. and 77 Coxe Ave.
Craggie Brewing: The first keg of Imladris Farm Berry Beer (a Belgian Ale) brewed at Imladris Family Farm will be tapped, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18: French Broad Brewery will tap a cask of dry-hopped 13 Rebels at Barley’s Taproom, 5 pm.
Thursday, May 19: Southern Tier mini-tap takeover at Jack of the Wood, 5 p.m.
Sweetwater cask upstairs at The Thirsty Monk downtown, and a cask of Allagash Confluence downstairs, 4 p.m.
Friday, May 20: Thirsty Monk Canned Craft Beer Friday with specials on canned beers and swag giveaways, 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 21: Bruisin’ Ales will be pouring samples of beers from their private cellar — beers otherwise not available in North Carolina from 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $5 per person while supplies last.
Sunday, May 22: Beer dinner pairing Wedge Brewing beers and The Admiral’s eclectic dishes. 7 p.m. $50 per person. Call the Admiral at 252-2542 for tickets (400 Haywood Rd.). SOLD OUT.
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