MICRO MACHINES: The smallest official brewery in Buncombe County, Fermented Nonsense Brewing has opened in the Craft Centric Taproom & Bottle Shop in South Asheville. Pictured are owner Matt Vaughan, left, and brewer Josh Austin.

Carolina Beer Guy: Fermented Nonsense embraces unusual beers

Posted on August 20, 2018August 20, 2018 by Tony Kiss

The South Asheville brewery — the smallest official one in Buncombe County — is shying away from traditional styles.

Fun at the Best of WNC Party! Photo by Cindy Kunst

In Photos: Best of WNC party at Highland Brewing Co.

Posted on August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 by Cindy Kunst

In a celebration of all things voted Best of WNC in 2018, Mountain Xpress and Highland Brewing Co. (winner in several beer and brewery categories) partnered to throw a party for the second year in a row. With nearly double the attendance from the previous year, the fun was flowing in Asheville.

INTO THE WILD: Vietnamese cuisine received the second-highest number of votes in the Mountain Xpress 2018 Best of WNC category “Restaurants Still Needed in Asheville.” Although Wild Ginger Noodle Bar serves a mix of Asian dishes, the South Asheville spot is popular for its Vietnamese pho and bahn mi. Owner Mary Ann Tan Ar is pictured, third from right, with members of a camera crew from the Travel Channel who visited the restaurant in late June. Photo courtesy of Wild Ginger

Needful things: Some culinary options are still missing from Asheville’s food scene

Posted on August 16, 2018August 16, 2018 by Shawndra Russell

As Best of WNC voters noted, a few types of cuisine remain under- or unrepresented in Asheville’s growing food scene.

TROPICAL TIPPLES: According to Storm Rhum bartender Doug Stevens, left, the flavor profiles for sugar- and molasses-based rums and rhums cover a wide spectrum. Leah Howard of H&H Distillery, right, says the rum her company produces, Hazel 63, starts with raw molasses that’s fermented, distilled and infused with American oak and charred French oak before being bottled by hand. Photo by Luke Van Hine

Top-shelf views: Asheville bartenders talk about rum

Posted on August 16, 2018August 13, 2018 by Audrey and Bill Kopp

Good rum lends itself well to sipping as well as mixing in a classic or adventurous cocktail. “The versatility of rum is incredible,” says Leah Howard of H&H Distillery.

WORTH THE DRIVE: Fairview's two breweries offer sights and experiences currently not found elsewhere in the Buncombe County beer scene. Whistle Hop Brewing Co.'s Gina Miceli, left, sits in the elevated seats of her caboose taproom, while Turgua Brewing Co.'s Phil Desenne and his parner, Debbie Weaver, stand in the garden of their farmhouse brewery's tucked-away property.

Beer Scout: Whistle Hop and Turgua offer distinct Fairview charms

Posted on August 15, 2018August 13, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

The owners of Fairview’s two breweries discuss the rewards and challenges of running a taproom just outside of Asheville.

GROWING MINDS: Frank Taylor, Eliada's chief business development officer, interacts with two summer campers inside the grow dome at Eliada Farms. Photo courtesy of Eliada

Small bites: Eliada Farms Week

Posted on August 14, 2018August 7, 2018 by Thomas Calder

Eliada Farms Weeks kicks off Saturday, Aug. 18 at Soverign Remembers. Also: Ben’s Tune Up hosts Slushie Fest; West Asheville Tailgate Market throws a block party; Haywood Street Congregation introduces WelcomeFEST 2018 and more in this week’s Small Bites

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Aug. 14-20

Posted on August 14, 2018August 15, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

**UPDATED AUG. 15** Sanctuary turns three, Burial collaborates with Blackberry Farm and more local beer news.

QUEEN OF EVERYTHING: Celebrating not just a multiyear winning streak for Best Blues artist, but also her birthday, Peggy Ratusz will provide the soundtrack (along with other local musical acts) at this year’s Best of WNC bash. Photo courtesy of Ratusz

You’re invited: Best of WNC 2018 party

Posted on August 13, 2018August 9, 2018 by Alli Marshall

The festivities — honoring the winners of this year’s Best Of survey and the Xpress readers who voted for said victors — will take place in the Meadow at Highland Brewing Co. on Thursday, Aug. 16.

ALUMINUM ALL-STARS: Oskar Blues Brewery's Burning Can beer festival is back this weekend at the brewery's REEB Ranch property in Henderson County.

Carolina Beer Guy: Burning Can lights up weekend beer scene

Posted on August 10, 2018August 10, 2018 by Tony Kiss

Oskar Blues spokesman Aaron Baker reflects on five years of the brewery’s canned beer festival, held this year Aug. 10-12.

SALAD DAYS: With his Build a Better Salad food truck, chef Gene Ettison, center, is helping to reboot the groundbreaking Ujamaa Freedom Market initiative, which brought fresh produce as well as cooking education and employment opportunities to Asheville's underserved communities. Pictured with Ettison are BABS workers Jerome, left, and Tremaine Williams, both of whom were his students in the Green Opportunities Kitchen Ready program. Photo by Cindy Kunst

Behind the wheel: A chef-farmer collaboration reboots the Ujamaa Freedom Market initiative

Posted on August 8, 2018August 6, 2018 by Gina Smith

Through a partnership with Patchwork Urban Farms, chef Gene Ettison is leveraging a new entrepreneurial venture to bring healthy meals and grocery options to Asheville’s food deserts.

STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Calypso owner Esther Joseph says creating Braille menus was just "one small step" toward making guests with disabilities feel at ease in her restaurant. “If we as business owners, and restaurants especially, make it easier for people with challenges to be able to come out and feel comfortable and welcomed, we’ll find more and more people coming out,” she says. Photo courtesy of Calypso

Dining out in Asheville presents challenges for people with disabilities

Posted on August 8, 2018August 6, 2018 by Paul Clark

Although local eateries work to accommodate disabled guests, accessibility and other issues continue to make dining out difficult for many.

IN WHITE: Renowned vocalist Kat Williams, left, poses with Barbara Bell, former president of Loving Food Resources, at last year's Affair in White fundraising gala. Photo by Pat Barcas

Small bites: The Affair in White returns

Posted on August 7, 2018August 6, 2018 by Thomas Calder

On Saturday, Aug. 11 the the Renaissance Asheville Hotel will host the seventh annual White Fundraiser. The event benefits the local nonprofit Loving Food Resources. Also this week: Summer at the Old Dairy Barn Harvest; The 41st annual Sourwood Festival; Cider and Cheese Pairing; and plenty more.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Aug. 7-13

Posted on August 7, 2018August 9, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

**UPDATED AUG. 9** Fermented Nonsense and Sideways officially open, Thirsty Monk celebrates the release of Sierra Nevada’s latest Oktoberfest and more local beer news.

TRIPLE PLAY: Black Mountain Brewing opens Aug. 3 at 131 Broadway Ave. in downtown Black Mountain. It will be the town's third brewery, joining Pisgah Brewing Co. and Lookout Brewing Co.

Carolina Beer Guy: Black Mountain Brewing opens

Posted on August 2, 2018August 2, 2018 by Tony Kiss

The collaboration by John Richardson, Jeff “Puff” Irvin and Matt Schwarz is the town’s third brewery.

Changing of the guard: New chefs take the helm at Asheville favorites

Posted on August 2, 2018August 2, 2018 by Jonathan Ammons

What’s happens when a new chef steps into the leadership role in a well-established kitchen?

TIME BANDITS: Archetype Brewing's Steven Anan, top, and Highland Brewing Co.'s Trace Redmond head up their respective brewery's new barrel programs. The first offerings from each establishment have been tapped, and both plan to package their products in the near future.

Beer Scout: Archetype and Highland launch barrel programs

Posted on August 1, 2018July 30, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

Brewers from the Asheville area’s first brewery and one of its newest craft makers discuss their new oak offerings.

KEEP IT LOCAL: Last year’s inaugural FEAST in the Sunny Point Garden Benefit Dinner featured dishes such as fresh spring rolls (pictured) and house-made pork chorizo tacos. This year’s event will also highlight farm-fresh, locally sourced meat and produce. Photo by Alice io Oglesby

Small bites: A FEAST at Sunny Point Café

Posted on July 31, 2018July 30, 2018 by Thomas Calder

For a second consecutive year, Sunny Point Café will host a benefit dinner for FEAST. Also: Green Opportunities seeks public input; Pisgah Coffee Roasters hosts its inaugural roastery tour; Famous Toastery opens in Asheville and more.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings July 31-Aug. 6

Posted on July 31, 2018August 2, 2018 by Edwin Arnaudin

**UPDATED AUG. 2** The Bruisin’ Ales staff shares some favorite Canadian craft brews, The Whale celebrates the end of Grimm’s gypsy ways and more local beer news.

TRIUMPHANT: Sand Hill Kitchen owner and chef Jamie Wade, right, pictured with Kelly Denson, took home the grand prize in this year's WNC Battle of the Burger. Photo by Jonathan Ammons

Reclaimed crown, new competitors mark 2018 WNC Battle of the Burger

Posted on July 30, 2018July 31, 2018 by Jonathan Ammons

Sand Hill Kitchen nabbed its first grand prize from the panel of judges, while the Rankin Vault regained people’s choice honors after losing the crown in 2017.