In Henderson County, a strong partnership has developed between the craft beverage industry and the local agriculture scene, says Lindsay Dorrier III, vice president of retail operations at Bold Rock Hard Cider. And this relationship will be on full display at the upcoming inaugural Cider, Wine and Dine Weekend, she says.
More than 40 free and ticketed events will take place Friday-Sunday, April 20-22, at seven locations throughout the county: Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cider, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Burntshirt Vineyards, Flat Rock Hard Cider, Point Lookout Vineyards, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards and Saint Paul at Flat Rock tasting room. “If you want something quiet, like a cider mimosa and a French pastry, there’ll be that,” says Michael Arrowood, event coordinator for Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. “But if you want free music or an opportunity to actually talk with the makers, there’s that, too.”
Eight events kick off the weekend on Friday, including a lowcountry boil dinner and dance at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards and free pizza and live music at Flat Rock Ciderworks. The festivities continue Saturday with almost two dozen events, such as an apple-brandy tasting at Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cider, the Bold Rock Food Truck Festival and Wine Styles Blind Tasting at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard. On Sunday, a dozen scheduled activities wind down the weekend revelry, including the Free Range Apple Blossom Orchard Hike or Bike at Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cider, wine and mead tastings and tours at Point Lookout Vineyards, and wine and food pairings at Saint Paul at Flat Rock.
“Western North Carolina and the Asheville area in particular gets a tremendous amount of attention for a robust beer culture, and rightfully so,” says Dorrier. “But we feel that it is long overdue to highlight the great products being crafted a stone’s throw away in Henderson County.”
Eventually, Dorrier continues, “We hope the region will circle their calendars for late April as an important weekend to descend on Henderson County for awesome cider and wine, fun-filled events and delicious eats.”
Cider, Wine and Dine Weekend runs Friday-Sunday, April 20-22. For a complete list of events, visit avl.mx/4uc.
UpCountry Brewing continues Pint Night series
UpCountry Brewing will host its third Pint Night on Thursday, April 19. Throughout April, the brewery has held the weekly fundraiser to benefit 12 Baskets Cafe, an eatery at West Asheville’s Kairos West Community Center that uses fresh, uneaten food donated from local restaurants to serve free meals to all. Hop Dread will be the featured pint at the Thursday event, with live music from Nick Gonnering. The brewery’s final gathering, scheduled for Thursday, April 26, will feature Isoprene Hazy IPA.
Pint Night begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19, and Thursday, April 26, at UpCountry Brewing, 1042 Haywood Road. For more information on 12 Baskets Cafe, visit avl.mx/4u7. For more on UpCountry Brewing, visit avl.mx/4u8.
Pisgah Coffee Roasters opens
Pisgah Coffee Roasters in Pisgah Forest will host its grand opening on Friday, April 20. The event will include coffee tastings, a tour of the facilities, food and beer (while supplies last) and music by Tiago Costa. Owner Jotham Lipsi was raised on a coffee plantation in the Cerrado region of Brazil, where Pisgah Coffee Roasters sources its main line of beans. “We also slow-roast our coffee in small batches to ensure an even roast, providing for a smooth and consistent profile,” says manager Ashlynne Ray. The shop can seat up to 25 guests. A portion of the proceeds from sales during the grand opening will be donated to Muddy Sneakers, a nonprofit that provides environmental education programs for fifth-grade students in eight counties across Western North Carolina.
Pisgah Coffee Roasters is at 6283 Asheville Highway, Pisgah Forest. The grand opening runs 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 20. For more information, visit avl.mx/4u4. To learn more about Muddy Sneakers, visit avl.mx/4ue.
Bread, Brie and Bubbles
Great Harvest Bread Co. will partner with MetroWines for a sourdough bread workshop and tasting on Friday, April 20. Participants will learn how to make sourdough bread, and fresh loaves will be available to sample, along with brie and French sparkling wine. Students can carve their initials into individual loaves, which will be baked overnight and can be picked up the following morning.
Bread, Brie and Bubbles runs 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, at Great Harvest Bread Co., 1838 Hendersonville Road. Tickets are $20 plus tax. Seating is limited. To purchase, visit avl.mx/4ud.
Beer pairing dinner at Corner Kitchen
New Belgium Brewing Co. and Corner Kitchen are teaming up for a beer pairing dinner on Tuesday, April 24. The five-course meal, prepared by Corner Kitchen’s executive chef Josh Chapman, will honor Earth Day. According to the event’s Facebook page, “Both chef Chapman and New Belgium Brewing are taking into account the carbon footprint of every ingredient and will share with guests the trials and learning experiences garnered from this challenge.” The menu will feature beer-poached North Carolina shrimp and clams on house-made spent-grain bread, spring onion-braised pork belly with ramp mustard and candied pig ears with pecans. Beers will include Fat Tire Belgian White, Fat Tire Belgian Amber Ale, Citradelic Tangerine IPA, Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA and New Belgium’s latest brew, The Hemperor Hemp IPA.
The dinner is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, at Corner Kitchen, 3 Boston Way. Tickets are $88 per person and include tax and gratuity. For tickets, visit avl.mx/4u6.
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