Asheville Beer Week: Catawba Brewing Co. goes Hawaiian

Tiki torches lined the lawn outside both of Catawba Brewing Co.‘s Asheville locations as the brewery offered customers a tropical getaway to celebrate the brewery’s 16th anniversary in the brewing industry and the annual release of its King Coconut porter on Friday, May 29.

Neighbors from across the street, vacationers from further south and local beer enthusiasts in floral-print button-ups and ruffled leis gathered at Catawba’s South Slope and Biltmore Village locations to play pool and catch up with friends over a pint of Catawba’s sweet seasonal porter.

“It’s delicious,” Biltmore Village’s location manager Jo Doyle says. “Every year it is released around this time.” The dark brew sits on oven-roasted coconut for several weeks after brewers add a touch of chocolate, caramelized malt and British hops. One taste of the final product and it will take your mind straight to Maui’s white sandy shores.

Traditional Hawaiian tunes played near the bar while visitors were free to grab leis from a nearby table.

Charlie Anderson and Kristian Meinzer sat outside at a picnic table while the sun set. They say they chose to attend Catawba’s luau because they’re fans of themed parties with beer.

“We heard there was beer and a luau,” Meinzer says. “Any excuse to wear a Hawaiian shirt, I’m in.”

Catawba’s King Coconut porter is available on tap at its South Slope, Biltmore Village and Morganton locations. The brewery also releases the brew in 12-ounce cans, available at local grocery stores.