TAKING NOTES: Faith Creech stars in 'The Diary of Anne Frank' at Asheville Community Theatre. The beloved story is of a teenage girl trying to live a normal life while hiding from the Nazis.

Theater review: ‘Diary of Anne Frank’ at Asheville Community Theatre

Posted on April 16, 2018April 16, 2018 by Tony Kiss

In the story, Anne tries to live as normal a life as anyone could in this situation, even as her world crumbles around her. She mostly keeps a bright attitude, believing that people are basically good at heart.

DJ SIMCOE: A wave of beer festivals hits the Asheville area over the next few weeks, including Phazed, a new celebration combining IPAs and DJs at One World Brewing on April 14. Pictured is One World brewer Brandon Audette.

Carolina Beer Guy: Tap into these April beer celebrations

Posted on April 13, 2018April 16, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Phazed, Hickory Hops and Sharpen the Blades give area craft beer fans plenty of festival options over the next three weekends.

NUGGETS ON TAP: Jon Varner (pictured) and Shea Lewis run Eluvium Brewing Co. in downtown Weaverville. The taproom opened in October, making it the town's third such establishment.

Carolina Beer Guy: Eluvium Brewing strikes gold in Weaverville

Posted on April 6, 2018April 6, 2018 by Tony Kiss

The northern Buncombe County town’s third brewery focuses on beers high in flavor and low in alcohol.

20 CHEERS: From left, Doug Riley, Leigh Oder and Mike Rangel have been the team behind Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. since the company started in 1998.

Carolina Beer Guy: 20 years later, Asheville Pizza & Brewing remains a hopping landmark

Posted on April 4, 2018April 2, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Mike Rangel and Doug Riley recount the origins of the brewery, pizzeria and discount cinema and how it’s remained a local favorite.

GINGER'S GINGER: Spencer Schultz and Rebecca Bronson will initially run House Soda Co. out of a commissary kitchen. Their production focus will be nonalcoholic ginger beer and bitters for cocktails.

Carolina Beer Guy: House Soda joins nonalcoholic craft beverage scene

Posted on March 31, 2018March 31, 2018 by Tony Kiss

House Soda showcased its alcohol-free ginger beer at February’s AVL Beer Expo and looks to start operating out of a commissary kitchen in a few months.

LOTUS AND LAGERS: Darcy Mahan leads her weekly Suds & Savasana yoga class on a late Sunday morning at Archetype Brewing Co. The instructor says that for some people, the spacious brewery setting is less intimidating than going to a yoga studio.

Carolina Beer Guy: Brewery yoga catching fire

Posted on March 25, 2018March 26, 2018 by Tony Kiss

At least five Asheville area breweries and one cidery host regular yoga classes.

CRUSHABLE: BearWaters Brewing Co. of Canton has just released its first cans of beer, as has Homeplace Beer Co. of Burnsville. Local brewers say the impacts of a pending aluminum tariff are uncertain.

Carolina Beer Guy: Despite aluminum tariff, more brewers using cans

Posted on March 17, 2018March 17, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Local brewers discuss the benefits and costs of aluminum packaging and whether a new federal tax will change the price of their beers.

TAP TUNES: The Appalachian Renegades performed last November at Ginger's Revenge.

Carolina Beer Guy: Breweries tap into local music

Posted on March 12, 2018March 10, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Many WNC breweries consider live music to be a main component of their taproom offerings.

CIDER STREET: The West Asheville Cider Crawl on March 10 will showcase ciders at more than a dozen locations along Haywood Road.

Carolina Beer Guy: West Asheville businesses unite for inaugural Cider Crawl

Posted on March 7, 2018March 5, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Over a dozen neighborhood businesses will participate in the cider-centric, self-guided crawl on March 10.

SOUTHSIDE SUDS: The Casual Pint bottle shop and taproom has opened at the Ingles Skyland Plaza shopping center.

Carolina Beer Guy: The Casual Pint joins busy South Asheville scene

Posted on March 4, 2018March 4, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Part of a Knoxville, Tenn.-based franchise chain, The Casual Pint is the latest southside outpost for draft and packaged beer.

Carolina Beer Guy: Highland Brewing unveils dramatic label and logo redesign

Posted on February 21, 2018February 19, 2018 by Tony Kiss

After 24 years in the industry, Asheville’s oldest craft brewery embraces a new look.

LUCKY NUMBERS: Dirk Hillegass is the head brewer for Triple 7 Brewhouse, next to Westville Pub.

Carolina Beer Guy: Triple 7 Brewhouse opens tasting room with guest beers

Posted on February 18, 2018February 17, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Located next to Westville Pub, the brewery plans to have house beers on tap by late March.

EXPERIENCED TRAILBLAZER: After working at many area breweries, John Silver has opened Homeplace Beer Co. in his hometown of Burnsville.

Carolina Beer Guy: Meet brewer John Silver

Posted on February 12, 2018February 13, 2018 by Tony Kiss

The latest in the brewer profile series looks at the owner and head brewer of Homeplace Beer Co. in Burnsville.

NIGHT FALLS: The coming-of-age relationship drama 'Night Music' is now playing at The Magnetic Theatre. Pictured are, from left, Serena Dotson-Smith, Samuel Quinn Morris and Nick Biggs.

Theater review: ‘Night Music’ at The Magnetic Theatre

Posted on February 5, 2018February 5, 2018 by Tony Kiss

The latest from local playwright David Brendan Hopes is a touching coming-of-age relationship drama featuring a trio of strong performances.

MEETING OF THE BREW MINDS: More than three dozen breweries and cider makers will be at the third AVL Beer Expo, including Whistle Hop Brewing of Fairview.

Carolina Beer Guy: AVL Beer Expo moves to Masonic Temple, Feb. 24

Posted on February 4, 2018February 5, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Along with a new location, this year’s festival adds a VIP lounge with a rolling selection of small-batch and rare beers.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 52 BEERS: Catawba Brewing Co. releases a new beer each week in its Passport series. Each time a customer tries a Passport beer, a booklet is stamped, and prizes are awarded for reaching certain totals.

Carolina Beer Guy: Catawba’s Passport Program spans the globe

Posted on January 27, 2018January 26, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Now in its second year, the 52-beer series is a way for Catawba brewers to challenge themselves and see what new styles customers might want to see in larger production.