Asheville Beer Week 2015: Events

All week

Daily beer specials
at Highland Brewing Co.

The brewery celebrates Asheville Beer Week with a $3 pint special every night:

• May 22, Flagship Friday – Gaelic
• May 23, Seasonal Saturday – Devil’s Britches and Little Hump
• May 24, Brunch – Oatmeal Porter
• May 25, Mocha Monday – Black Mocha Stout
• May 26, St T Tuesday – Saint Terese’s
• May 27, Lil Hump Day – Little Hump
• May 28, IPA Thursday – Kashmir and Devil’s Britches
• May 29, Flagship Friday – Gaelic
• May 30, Seasonal Saturday – Devil’s Britches and Little Hump

Friday, May 22

Coolcumber releases at Wicked Weed

All day and 5 p.m., Wicked Weed (downtown Asheville)

Coolcumber (all day) and Imperial Coolcumber releases (tapped at 5 p.m.) at the Brewpub on 91 Biltmore.

NC Belgian Beer Fest

6-10 p.m., Thirsty Monk Downtown, $15

This small-scale event features the Belgian-style beers of more than 20 North Carolina breweries, including Fonta Flora Brewery, Burial Beer Co., Appalachian Mountain Brewing, Highland Brewing, Haw River Farmhouse Ales and Pisgah Brewing. Ticket price includes tasting glass and four drink samples. Full and half pours will be available as well.

Beer Gear Swap Meet:
Buy/Sell/Trade

4-10 p.m., Catawba Brewing (Biltmore Village), free

Bring all your beer gear to buy, sell, trade or give away. Only in Beer City USA can we host an event where you can buy/sell/trade everything beer-related: glasses, T-shirts, equipment, tap handles; literally anything that has to do with beer. Vintage and souvenir items will be sold and traded. This is exactly the excuse you need to get rid of old beer clothing and glasses — and absolutely make a collector’s day. To register as a vendor, contact Jo Doyle tat Jo@catawbabrewing.com.

ABW Summer Ale Debut

Noon, Sierra Nevada Taproom, SNBCo, Mills River, cost varies

Come down to the Sierra Nevada Taproom on Friday, May 22, for the first tapping of the Asheville Beer Week Summer Ale, with special menu pairings and other limited draught selections and start your Asheville Beer Week off right.

Brews for Bruisers

5 p.m., Twin Leaf Brewery, free

The Blue Ridge Rollergirls — North Carolina’s first all-female, flat-track roller-derby team — takes over Twin Leaf to raise funds for their mission to actively create, promote and sustain an environment that fosters strength, courage, vitality and the empowerment of women in the sport. There will be beers, derby girls on skates and perhaps a dance-off or air-guitar competition or two, as well as a raffle for swag and a chance to win two tickets to the 2015 Brewgrass Festival.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. beer sampling event

5-7 p.m., Earth Fare Westgate, free

Unknown Brewing Co. beer sampling event

5-7 p.m., Earth Fare South, free

Saturday, May 23

Just Brew It

2-5 p.m., The Wedge, $25 /$20

Simultaneously support living wages and enjoy amazing beer! Hosted by local living-wage advocacy group Just Economics, the annual home-brew tasting festival at the Wedge Brewing Co. will feature more than 50 brewers with over 200 different beers to sample, from single hop IPA’s to barrel-aged Belgians. The event will also raise awareness about the new living-wage rate of $12.50/hour and highlight the roughly 400 Living Wage Certified Employers in the area. For $25, become a member of Just Economics and get your event ticket; if you’re affiliated with a Living Wage Certified Business, attendance starts at just $20. More info and tickets: www.justeconomicswnc.org.

Wicked Weed’s IPA Release Party

5 p.m., Wicked Weed (downtown Asheville)

Wicked Weed releases Menage A Freak, Triple IPA with a party at 5 p.m. This big, bad IPA release party takes its inspiration from old-time burlesque and freak shows, featuring aerialists, fire breathers, stilt walkers, contortionists and live music. Costumes encouraged.

Pisgah Brewing Co. Presents
UpRizing, featuring Hot Rize, Leo Kottke, Town Mountain and Mipso

4 p.m. (gates open at 3), Pisgah Brewing Co. Outdoor Stage (Black Mountain), $30 advance; $35 day of show

Kick off Asheville Beer Week with Pisgah Brewing Co.’s fine brews and enjoy some world class bluegrass on the Pisgah Outdoor Stage: UpRizing featuring Hot Rize, Leo Kottke, Mipso and Town Mountain on Saturday, May 23, at Pisgah Brewing Co.

Third Annual Trail Mix: A Benefit for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy

3 p.m.-until, Altamont Brewing Co. (West Asheville), $$$ ???

This fundraiser at Altamont Brewing Co. for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy showcases a rotation of local and regional craft brews and some from across the country and the world — like a handful of Trail Mix, you never know what good stuff you’re going to get. There’s live music, of course, but this year’s special twist is a “Cold Feet, Cold Beer” party. It could get interesting.

Exclusive screening of Blood, Sweat and Beer

7-9:30 p.m., Carolina Cinemas, $10

An exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary Blood, Sweat and Beer — “a feature documentary about the explosive growth of the craft beer industry and the dramatic journeys of two start-up breweries. #BSBASHEVILLE

Sunday, May 24

Wicked Weed’s Golden Angel Bottle Release

Noon, Funkatorium (147 Coxe Ave.)

This sought-after golden sour features over a metric ton of apricots. Wicked Weed will release it beginning at noon. Golden Angel will be on tap, as well as other surprise and rare tappings.

Westside Fest

1-5 p.m., Urban Orchard Cider Co. (West Asheville), westsidefest.com, #westsidefest

Superfly Fabulous Events presents the second annual Westside Fest (aka the West Asheville Block Party). It’s multiple festivals rolled into one: It’s a craft-beer event that features the neighborhood’s own Altamont, Oysterhouse, Wedge, and New Belgium breweries, along with a special guest brewer. And it’s a craft-cider fest, featuring homegrown locals Urban Orchard Cider Co., Noble Cider and Black Mountain CiderWorks, with special flavors by Blue Kudzu Sake. The NC Harvest-Thyme Food Co-op will press fresh apple cider, too, helping to make this a casual, family-friendly with a nonalcoholic option for festivalgoers. Oh, and there’s West Side BBQ for a cider-basted, smoked pork, as well as New Belgium Abbey and Altamont Porter Crunch ice creams by The Hop — not to mention, a sorbet made with cider from Urban Orchard.

Maceo Bottle Release

2 p.m., Green Man Brewery (downtown Asheville)

Asheville Beer Week just got funky. Maceo — Green Man’s sour imperial brown ale with cherries — will be released in bottles at 2 p.m. It is super-limited (with a two-bottle limit) and will go fast, so get there early. But stay for the “funky surprises” later. (See Ashvegas’ review of the brew at avl.mx/0wg.)

Monday-Thursday, May 25-28

Barrel-aged Beer Tappings

3 p.m. each day, downstairs tasting room at Wicked Weed.

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day celebration
featuring Highland Brewing Co.

All day, Westville Pub (West Asheville)

Come celebrate America’s fallen heroes with beer specials from Highland Brewing, with all the favorites plus the company’s newest seasonal, Lost Cove American Pale Ale.

Pisgah Brewing Co. Presents
Old Crow Medicine Show with special guest The Devil Makes Three

7:30 p.m. (gates open at 6:30), Pisgah Brewing Co. Outdoor Stage (Pisgah Brewing Co., Black Mountain)

Memorial Day. Asheville Beer Week. Old Crow Medicine Show and The Devil Makes Three outside among the grass and trees of the Pisgah Outdoor Stage. A tasty Pisgah brew in hand. This is surely the way to kick off Summer in the mountains of Western North Carolina.

Women of WNC Beer
Hosted by Highland Brewing

4-9 p.m., Thirsty Monk (downtown Asheville)

It’s a celebration of the Western North Carolina women who are making their mark on the regional beer industry. There will be a toast led by Highland Brewing President Leah Wong and head brewer Hollie Stephenson. And there’s Ehrmahgerde Biere De Garde on tap, brewed by the ladies of Highland, the Pink Boots Society and Thirsty Monk for International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day, plus a few other specialties.

Run Like a Girl

11 a.m., Twin Leaf Brewery, $5 donation

Run Like A Girl is an informal group run that supports Girls on the Run WNC, a nonprofit that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. An enthusiastic attitude, a $5 donation, and (optionally) some pink running attire is all you need to be a part of this 3-mile run, which starts and ends at Twin Leaf Brewery. Afterward, Twin Leaf will release a special beer in honor of participants — a strawberry-basil tripel.

Nantahala Specialty Taps and Bottles

4-8 p.m., Tasty Beverage Asheville

Meet the Nantahala Brewing crew and sample some of their newest and most special bottles and kegs.

Walking Tour of the South Slope Brewery Tour
with “Beer Guy” Tony Kiss

5:30 p.m. South Slope Brewery District

The South Slope, once a collection of dilapidated buildings, is now a thriving home to some of Asheville’s most popular breweries. Tony Kiss (the “Beer Guy” from the Asheville Citizen-Times), has been writing about the brew for 20 years, and he’s seen it all. Take this walking tour of the South Slope for an opportunity to hear stories straight from the guy who was there when Asheville’s beer scene started. Space is limited.

Tuesday, May 26

Asheville Beer Week Oskar Blues Trolley Crawl

5-10 p.m. at all four Thirsty Monk locations, free

Take a free Oskar Blues trolley crawl to each Thirsty Monk location, including Open Brewing in South Asheville. Get the first taste of the Thirsty Monk/Oskar Blues collaBEERation, plus OB and Thirsty Monk schwag giveaways.

Gettin’ Funky with Terrapin Brewing Co!

6 p.m., Jack of the Wood, downtown Asheville

There will be a free show by Grateful Dead cover band, Phuncle Sam, along with a cask of Athens, Ga.-based Terrapin Brewing Co.‘s “Sticky Icky” hopped-up IPA and vegetarian “lot food” specials.

What the Yeast?
An Evening with MALT at Open Brewing

6-9 p.m., Thirsty Monk (downtown Asheville)

Asheville’s MALT homebrew club (Mountain Ale and Lager Tasters) hosts a fun and educational evening at Open Brewing, with a focus on yeast. Thirsty Monk and MALT have paired up to brew a large batch at Open and three smaller batches using the same wort but several different yeast variations. Participants get to sample and compare the yeasts — and enjoy a pint or few brewed by local homebrewers on tap at Open.

Beer Cocktails at Top of the Monk

4 p.m.-midnight, Top of the Monk, Thirsty Monk

Enjoy a special menu of beer infused cocktails at Top of the Monk created and served by cocktail queen Kala Brooks.

New Belgium Brewing Co. beer sampling

5-7 p.m. Earth Fare Westgate, free

Wednesday, May 27

Git BREVARDed Brewery Crawl and Trolley Ride

5:30-10:30 p.m., Oskar Blues Brewery & Brevard Brewing Co., free

Come get BREVARDed for Asheville Beer Week, with a FREE trolley rollin’ out from the Aloft Hotel in Asheville at 5:30 p.m. for a brewery crawl to Brevard. Take a tour and down some delicious brews at Oskar Blues Brewery until 8 p.m. Then head to Brevard Brewing Co. for more tasty Brevard beer and a tour before leaving at 9:30 p.m. to head back to Asheville.

Not So Big BIG Beer Fest

6-10 p.m., Thirsty Monk Warehouse, Biltmore Village

It’s the Not So Big BIG Beer Festival, featuring dozens of America’s top craft breweries and their biggest, rarest and most extreme beers in an intimate outdoor/covered setting at the newly unveiled Thirsty Monk Warehouse (92 Thompson St. in Biltmore Village). Featured brewers include Stone Brewing, Wicked Weed, Ecliptic Brewing (Collaboration beer), Prairie Artisan Ales, Evil Twin Brewing, Grimm Artisanal Ales, Anderson Valley Brewing, 21st Amendment Brewery, Founders Brewing, Victory Brewing, Allagash Brewing, Westbrook Brewing, New Belgium Brewing and numerous others.

Thirsty Monk Pint Night

4 p.m.-midnight, Thirsty Monk (Downtown, Biltmore Park and Reynolds Village)

It’s Thirsty Monk Pint Night at all Monk locations. Buy any Thirsty Monk Brewing beer and take home a limited-edition glass.

New Belgium Brewing Co. Pint Night

6:30-10 p.m., Westville Pub

Several of New Belgium‘s core brands as well as selections from the Lips of Faith series will be on tap for the evening.

Thursday, May 28

Asheville Brewers Alliance Presents
Respect for Beer with Stephen Beaumont

10 a.m., Highland Brewing Co., avlbrewers.com

Is there a better combo than food and beer? So give beer its culinary due. One of the leading experts in the industry, world-renowned beer and food writer Stephen Beaumont, will offer a how-to for food-and-beer pairings, discuss the importance of glassware, share the standards for beer service and note other elements vital to a good pour. Generous support from A-B Tech Community College,  Asheville Independent Restaurants, Divinity Beer Systems and Highland Brewing make this event possible.

Live music from Pierce Edens at Oskar Blues Brewery

6-8 p.m., Oskar Blues Brewery, free

Asheville-based singer/songwriter Pierce Edens will perform from 6-8 p.m. at Oskar Blues Brewery’s Taproom, the Tasty Weasel. Oskar Blues own food truck, the CHUBwagon, will also be open from 5-8 p.m.

Green Man Brewery Blueberry Sour Brown Ale Release

All day, Green Man Brewery

The Blueberry Sour Brown Ale (6.6 percent ABV), a traditional brew from the Flanders region of Belgium, has a complex malt character with hints of raisins and burnt caramel accented with a clean tartness from a lactobacillus fermentation with a background fruitiness from the addition of 120 pounds of blueberries during secondary fermentation. This one-off, special brew will be on tap for one day only at Green Man, so don’t miss out.

FREE Trolley Ride from Oskar Blues to AVL Tourists

6-10 p.m., Oskar Blues Brewery/McCormick Field, free

The trolley departs from Oskar Blues Brewery at 6 p.m. for Thirsty Thursday specials at the Asheville Tourists game and returns to the brewery following the game.

Around the World in 12 Taps

4 p.m.-midnight, Thirsty Monk Downtown

Travel around the world in 12 taps at Thirsty Monk’s Downtown Downstairs bar during Asheville Beer Week. The Monk will have 12 unique beers brewed in 12 different countries.

Patio Party with New Belgium Brewing

4 p.m.-midnight, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park

Celebrate Asheville Beer Week and kick off the summer season with New Belgium Brewing at Thirsty Monk in Biltmore Park. The Patio Party features a few very special beers on tap, with plenty of New Belgium schwag to take home.

Pig on a Wire contest

6 p.m., Luella’s Bar-Be-Cue, pigonawire@hiwirebrewing.com

It’s Pig on a Wire, the “homebrew” barbecue-sauce contest. Contestants will create a sauce using a Hi-Wire beer of their choice and submit it for judging, people’s-choice style. Prizes include the coveted Saucy Pig Trophy. Luella‘s will also create a special sauce for the evening and tap some specially brewed Hi-Wire beers. The contest is limited to 15 participants, so register early by sending an email with your name and sauce to pigonawire@hiwirebrewing.com.

Lumber Ladies Bar Crawl

4 p.m., Brew Pump, Pour Taproom, Westville Pub and Altamont Brewing

Female reps from Terrapin Brewing Co., Dogfish Head Brewery, Bell’s Brewery, Starr Hill Brewing, Oskar Blues Brewery and Victory Brewing Co. will come together to raise money for the Pink Boots Society for the Lumber Ladies Bar Crawl. Stops include the Brew Pump, Pour Taproom, Westville Pub and Altamont Brewing Co., with raffles at each location.

Strange Brew

10 p.m., Asheville Brewing Co. (Merrimon Avenue)

A special screening of the 1983 cult classic Strange Brew, with Canadian beers on special (Molson/Moosehead) and free admittance to anyone dressed as a Canadian. “Take off, you hosers!”

Asheville Tourists Thirsty Thursday with 105.9 The Mountain

7:05 p.m. (gates open at 6), McCormick Field, tickets start at $7

Take in a ballgame during Asheville Beer Week with 105.9 the Mountain. The Asheville Tourists take on the Augusta GreenJackets for the official Thirsty Thursday of ABW. Gates open at 6 p.m, first pitch at 7:05 pm. McCormick Field features over 30 beers on draft and $2 craft beers on Thirsty Thursday.

The Big Bad Boulevard Brewing Tasting

5-7 p.m., Bruisin’ Ales, free

Join the Bruisin’ Crew and Michael Emrie for The Big Bad @Boulevard_Beer Tasting on May 28, 5-7 p.m. http://goo.gl/QyXNtI #avlbeerweek #avlbeer (Got it? Translation: Bruisin’ Ales hosts The Big Bad Boulevard Brewing Tasting on May 28 from 5-7 p.m. ).

Mutt Mingle Doggie Dash

5 p.m., Twin Leaf Brewery, $10 donation

Is your dog a true warrior? Has your dog been waiting for the moment to prove superior physical prowess through feats of strength, speed and agility? Then enter your pup in the inaugural Doggie Dash, an epic competition of true canine warriors. Only one champion will emerge victorious! But seriously: Twin Leaf Brewery will create an adorable (and very achievable) obstacle course inside its brewery. A $10 donation to Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue will secure entry and save lives. The ooohs and ahhhs — as Asheville finest furballs make their way through a timed agility course — are free.

Highland Brewing Co. Beer Sampling

5-7 p.m., Earth Fare Westgate, free

Foothills Brewing Co. Beer Sampling

5-7 p.m., Earth Fare Westgate, free

Pints on the Patio with New Belgium Brewing Co.

5:30 p.m. until ?, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park

New Belgium’s core brands and new Lips of Faith offerings will be on tap.

Friday, May 29

Saison Tap Takeover

3 p.m., Wicked Weed

Eleven saisons from Wicked Weed’s saison series will be on tap in the downstairs tasting room at 3 p.m. at the Brewpub on 91 Biltmore.

Fonta Flora Brewery Tap Takeover

4 p.m.- midnight, Thirsty Monk Downtown

Fonta Flora, one of North Carolina’s most exciting up-and-coming breweries, will take over the downtown taps. See what surprises co-owner and head brewer Todd Boera will bring to Asheville, with taps spanning both the Downstairs and Upstairs bars.

Sensory Tasting with Sierra Nevada

5-7 p.m., Hops and Vines

Drop by Hops & Vines to visit with special guests from Sierra Nevada in Mills River who will guide participants through a sensory-oriented, deconstructed tasting of their newest IPA, Hop Hunter. While there, taste several other selections both familiar and new, and pick up the newest variety pack, the “Summer Pack” at special Asheville Beer Week pricing!

Hi-Wire and Highland tap attack at Twisted Laurel

6 p.m., Twisted Laurel

Twisted Laurel will feature three special beers each from Hi-Wire Brewing and Highland, as well as a dinner special for the evening. There will be fun and games, including giant Jenga and Cards Against Humanity.

Catawba’s Sweet 16 Luau & Coconut Porter Release

2-10-p.m., Catawba Brewing (both locations)

Catawba‘s turning Sweet 16, and it’s celebrating with its Coconut Porter release. The luau party will take place at the South Slope and Biltmore Village tasting rooms, from 2-10 p.m., with live music, food and Hawaiian giveaways. Wear your best Hawaiian print shirt or grass skirt, and celebrate the coconut.

Highland Brewing Co. beer sampling

5-7 p.m., Earth Fare Westgate, free

New Belgium Brewing Co. beer sampling

5-7 p.m. Earth Fare South, free 

Saturday, May 30

Beer City Fest Pre-Party with Mamacitas

11 a.m.-1 p.m., Catawba Brewing Co. (South Slope)

Catawba Brewing Co. and Mamacita’s want to get everyone off on the right foot for the Beer City Festival: Mamacitas will sell breakfast burritos, and Catawba’s pouring beer. One-time offerings like Farmer Ted micheladas and White Zombie radlers will debut for this brunch event. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Beer City Festival

1-6 p.m., Roger McGuire Green (downtown Asheville)

Beer City Festival is the brewers’ beer festival! The fifth annual BCF will be held on Saturday, May 30, from 1-6 p.m. It’s a perfect way to wrap up ABW 2015 with a big community party.

Bele Chere $2 Throwback

All day, Weinhaus/Cork & Keg Bar

Bele Chere might be gone, but devoted fans still come by every summer to reminisce about $2 craft beer specials. This year, Weinhaus and its Cork & Keg Bar are bringing them back , offering every 12-ounce Asheville-made bottles, cans and even drafts we can get our hands on at the bar for just 2 bucks! Since you can’t drink on the street, there will be live music inside with Buddy Davis and the Session Players playing Honky Tonk and classic country/Americana from 8:30-11 p.m. In addition, the Weinhaus will be offering 10 percent off all Asheville beers, all Beer Week-long.

Beer City Fest Post Party w/ Dave Desmelik

7-10 p.m., Catawba Brewing (South Slope)

Round out Asheville Beer Week with live music from a Western North Carolina original, Dave Desmelik. He’ll play a couple of sets after Beer City Fest on the Catawba dock/courtyard. A local food truck will also be on site.