Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Nov. 22-28

Posted on by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin
IN MEMORIAM: Wedge brewer Carl Melissas pours a glass of Vadim Bora Russian Imperial Stout. The annually released beer is named after the late River Arts District artist who frequented the brewery. Photo courtesy of John Fletcher Photography via Wedge Brewing Co.

Beer Today, Gone Tomorrow is the one-stop home for Asheville-area beer news. Check back throughout the week for updates and send your own to wncbeertoday@gmail.com.

Bottle/can releases

  • Nantahala Brewing Co. will release 22-ounce bottles of Midnight Topher Espresso Stout on Friday, Nov. 25, at the brewery in Bryson City. This 6 percent ABV stout is infused with locally produced Tribal Grounds Coffee Roasters whole espresso beans after fermentation but prior to carbonation. Midnight Topher will be available at Asheville-area specialty retailers in weeks to come.
  • Highland Brewing Co. hosts a party to celebrate the release of this year’s Black Watch Double Chocolate Milk Stout on Friday, Nov. 25, from 2-9 p.m. at the brewery. Black Watch is an 8 percent ABV imperial milk stout brewed with one pound of cacao nibs per barrel, flaked oats, five malts and roasted barley. Bottles will be available at most retail accounts in following weeks.
  • Goose Island Bourbon County Stout will see its annual Black Friday release on Nov. 25. Quantities are significantly more limited than last year, so customers are advised to show up early at retail outlets. Bruisin’ Ales will begin BCS sales when it opens at noon, with Appalachian Vintner following shortly thereafter at 12:30 p.m. Tasty Beverage Co. will not have any bottles for sale this year.
  • Burial Beer Co. will debut cans of Blade & Sheath American Farmhouse Ale on Monday, Nov. 28, at the brewery. Blade & Sheath is an American take on a classic dry-hopped farmhouse ale,  brewed with a malt bill of flaked oats and Riverbend wheat and intensely hopped in the American style with Saphir, Crystal and Huell Melon hops. Burial is also currently offering cans of the latest batch of Ceremonial Session IPA, this iteration featuring Citra hops.

Small-batch beers

  • Wedge Brewing Co. will release this year’s Vadim Bora Russian Imperial Stout on draft at the brewery on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Vadim Bora is an 8.8 percent ABV traditional RIS brewed with 245 pounds of raspberries and will remain on tap through the holidays.
  • On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Burial Beer Co. will be pouring Sepulcher Baltic Porter, a 7.2 percent traditional Baltic porter with an extensive malt bill including Pilsner, Munich II, roasted barley, black barley, chocolate and honey malt and hopped with Nugget. Then on Friday, Nov. 25, Skillet Donut Stout will make its triumphant return to Burial’s taps after a protracted absence alongside Sickle Mosaic Pale Ale, a 6.5 percent ABV pale brewed with malted rye and Belgian crystal malts, hopped liberally with Mosaic, Chinook and Summit.
  • On Friday, Nov. 25, starting at 5 p.m., Tasty Beverage Co. will tap kegs of Highland Imperial Cold Mountain, Trophy Brewing Heavyweight Champ Imperial Stout, Olde Hickory Lindley Park, Raleigh Brewing Company The Toll, Bond Brothers Local IPA and more. RSVP encouraged. No need to RSVP
  • All Thirsty Monk locations will begin offering 750-milliliter growler fills of  Thirsty Monk-brewed beers beginning Friday, Nov. 25.
  • In advance of its grand opening on Dec. 17, UpCountry Brewing Co. will begin tapping one keg of each of its flagship beers every Friday at 5 p.m. in the weeks leading up to the official launch party. Announced beers will include Only Always Blonde, Bogey Free Session IPA, Hopped Red, Mandragora IPA and  Soon to be Named Porter.

Holiday hours

  • Wicked Weed Brewing — The brewpub and the Funkatorium will be closed Thursday Nov. 24
  • Burial Beer Co. — Burial will be closed Thursday Nov. 24 but will open at noon on Friday Nov. 25
  • Hi-Wire Brewing — South Slope open 4-10 p.m. Thursday Nov. 24, Big Top closed
  • UpCountry Brewing Co. — Closed Thursday Nov. 24
  • Thirsty Monk — All Thirsty Monk locations will be closed Thursday Nov. 24
  • French Broad Brewing Co. — Closed Thursday Nov. 24
  • New Belgium Brewing Co. — Closed Thursday Nov. 24 and Friday Nov. 25
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. — Closed Thursday Nov. 24
  • Appalachian Vintner — Closed Thursday Nov. 24
  • Bruisin’ Ales — Closed Thursday Nov. 24
  • Tasty Beverage Co. — Closed Thursday Nov. 24
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About Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin
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