DOWN BY THE RIVER: The patio at New Belgium Brewing's Liquid Center tasting room is popular year-round.

Carolina Beer Guy: Brews with a view

Posted on September 21, 2017September 18, 2017 by Tony Kiss

From Asheville to Sylva to Pisgah Forest, area brewery owners make the most of the natural and man-made scenery on their properties.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Sept. 19-25

Posted on September 19, 2017September 20, 2017 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

**UPDATED SEPT. 20** Whistle Hop brings back its Orange Blossom Ginger Tripel, UpCountry cans its second brew and more local beer news.

FOCUS ON FERMENTATION: The restaurant at White Labs Kitchen and Tap will highlight microbiologically based cuisine, such as pizza made with a dough leavened with brewer’s yeast. The menu is designed by Sonoma, Calif., chef Sean Paxton, who blogs about cooking with beer at homebrewchef.com.

Beer Scout: White Labs Kitchen and Tap to open in October

Posted on September 14, 2017September 11, 2017 by Scott Douglas

The new Charlotte Street yeast-production and testing facility will open a fermentation-focused restaurant and taproom this fall.

SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS: The 2017 Brewgrass Festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 16, at Memorial Stadium.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Sept. 12-18

Posted on September 12, 2017September 18, 2017 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

Brewgrass returns for its 21st year, Burial hosts its next-to-last Moonlit Art Market, Fonta Flora brings Oktoberfest and more local beer news.

DRIVING FORCE: In 2011, fatal alcohol-related driving accidents peaked in Buncombe County, spurring the Asheville Police Department and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to form the Asheville-Buncombe DWI Task Force. Pictured, from left, are task force members Deputy Ronnie Davis, Sr., Officer Matthew Craig, Sr., Officer Hunter Welborn and Sgt. Ann Fowler.

Swerving through paradise: The rise and fall of DWIs in Beer City

Posted on September 8, 2017September 5, 2017 by Jonathan Ammons

Although Western North Carolina’s craft brewing industry has grown exponentially in the last decade, DWI arrests have decreased significantly.

TWICE AS NICE: Multiple Asheville area breweries have added locations. Pictured are Hi-Wire Brewing owners Adam Charnack, left, and Chris Frosaker at their Big Top production brewery near Biltmore Village.

Carolina Beer Guy: Local breweries juggle multiple locations

Posted on September 7, 2017September 1, 2017 by Tony Kiss

Owners of local breweries with multiple locations share their origin stories and compare the spaces.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Sept. 5-11

Posted on September 5, 2017September 8, 2017 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

**UPDATED SEPT. 8** UpCountry welcomes Southbound Brewing to the Asheville market with a collaborative event and brew, Asheville Brewing and Industry Nine bring back i9PA and more local beer news.

CURATED CRAFT: Asheville's planned North Carolina Craft Beverage Museum will tell the story of the state's beers, ciders, wines, distilled beverages and soft drinks. A fundraiser for the museum will be held Sept. 7 at Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria. As Asheville's first brewery, Highland Brewing Co., picture here, which started in Barley's basement, is sure to make the cut.

Carolina Beer Guy: Planned Asheville craft beverage museum to hold fundraiser

Posted on September 1, 2017September 1, 2017 by Tony Kiss

Barley’s hosts a fundraiser for the North Carolina Craft Beverage Museum on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Aug. 29 – Sept. 4

Posted on August 29, 2017August 29, 2017 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

The Black Cloud hosts a Zebulon event, tickets for Burial’s annual Burnpile Harvest Fest and this year’s Brewgrass Festival go on sale, Bhramari releases a milkshake IPA and more Asheville beer news

CHEERS TO LONG SHOALS: Shannon and Matt Vaughan aim to open Craft Centric in South Asheville in mid-October. The business will include both retail packaged beer and a taproom.

Carolina Beer Guy: Craft Centric beer shop and taproom to open in South Asheville

Posted on August 26, 2017August 25, 2017 by Tony Kiss

Shannon and Matt Vaughn plan to open their bottle shop and taproom in mid-October next to the Long Shoals Bojangles.

INDEPENDENTLY SEALED: UpCountry Brewing Co. and Catawba Brewing Co. are the first Asheville breweries to incorporate the national Brewers Association's "certified independent craft" seal into their packaging. Additional local breweries will soon follow their lead.

Beer Scout: Local breweries champion independence with Brewers Association seal

Posted on August 23, 2017August 18, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

UpCountry and Catawba cans incorporate the Brewers Association’s “certified independent craft” seal and will soon be joined by multiple other local breweries.

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

Posted on August 22, 2017August 25, 2017 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

**UPDATED AUG. 25** Catawba and Bold Rock collaborate on a cider to benefit local Riverkeeper organizations, Burial has a triple can release and more local beer news.

IRISH EYES SMILING IN BALTIMORE COUNTY: Hollie Stephenson is leaving Highland Brewing to become head brewer at the new U.S. Guinness brewery in Maryland.

Carolina Beer Guy: Highland’s head brewer leaves Asheville for Guinness’ Maryland brewery

Posted on August 17, 2017August 17, 2017 by Tony Kiss

Highland’s head brewer has been hired in the same capacity at Guinness’ new Baltimore County brewery. Her last day at her post in Asheville is Friday, Aug. 18.

THE LIFE AQUATIC: At The Whale Craft Beer Collective, owners Jesse Van Note, left, and Andrew Ross will showcase international beers, specializing in hard-to-find brews. With 20 taps and an extensive bottle list, the West Asheville business hopes to create an approachable community space that also caters to a more knowledgeable crowd of beer drinkers.

Beer Scout: The Whale Craft Beer Collective surfaces in West Asheville

Posted on August 16, 2017August 14, 2017 by Scott Douglas

The Whale will showcase world beers alongside esoteric local offerings with a focus on educating independent beer lovers looking to expand their horizons.

THE BIG EVENT: Western North Carolina breweries celebrate the Aug. 21 solar eclipse with parties and small-batch releases.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Aug. 15-21

Posted on August 15, 2017August 15, 2017 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

Eclipse parties dominate the horizon, Highland releases brewery-exclusive cans, Catawba raises money for Asheville City Schools and more in this week’s Asheville beer news

EARLY BIRD: Highland Brewing Co. will release Clawhammer Oktoberfest on Friday, Aug. 11, at its East Asheville taproom.

Carolina Beer Guy: Oktoberfest invades summer

Posted on August 10, 2017August 10, 2017 by Tony Kiss

The seasonal German-style brews hit the local market and will soon be followed by a trio of Oktoberfest parties.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: In order to encourage safety and harmony among guests, Wedge Brewing Co. owner Tim Schaller, pictured at the brewery’s Foundation location, posts signs stating an 8 p.m. curfew for underage guests and other guidelines for families to follow. Wedge also trains staff on how to courteously deal with issues such as unaccompanied children. Photo by Cindy Kunst

Sharing space: Do children have a place in Asheville’s brewery taprooms?

Posted on August 9, 2017August 9, 2017 by Edwin Arnaudin

The family-friendly nature of Asheville area breweries has drawn criticism, but it remains a key part of the local industry’s identity.

Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Aug. 8-14

Posted on August 8, 2017August 12, 2017 by Scott Douglas and Edwin Arnaudin

**UPDATED AUG. 12** Tasty Beverage Co. hosts hosts Terrapin Watermelon Gosefest, Blue Ghost releases Roatan Paradise IPA during a day-long Island Party and more local beer news.

In with a bang

Posted on August 7, 2017August 6, 2017 by Molton

Asheville, N.C.

WELCOME COMMITTEE: Steve Fechheimer is the new chief executive officer at New Belgium Brewing Co.

Carolina Beer Guy: New CEO, new brews at New Belgium

Posted on August 6, 2017August 7, 2017 by Tony Kiss

Steve Fechheimer takes over as New Belgium CEO in late August and will visit the company’s Asheville brewery by late September.

MANY MELODIES: Jeff Knorr was in the house band for Asheville Music Hall's popular Tuesday Night Funk Jam in addition to performing with other acts around Asheville.

Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives

Posted on August 6, 2017August 2, 2017 by Kat McReynolds

Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features an educational fund in Jeff Knorr’s memory, start up funds for Black Star Line Brewing, and an art project starring a unicorn-dinosaur hybrid.

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