In response to our recent article (“Handcuffed: Asheville Bartenders Decry ABC Law Restrictions,” July 9 Xpress), General Manager Mark Combs of the local Alcoholic Beverage Control system had a few things to say.
Asheville Wine & Food Festival: The Grand Tasting
Hundreds of flavor enthusiasts gathered at the U.S. Cellular Center for four hours of wine, food, competition and camaraderie at Asheville’s sixth annual Wine and Food Festival Grand Tasting event, and only Southern hospitality could explain the extent of heavy pours that sloshed around inside the event’s beautifully branded keepsake cups.
Asheville Wine & Food Festival: Dessert takes the stage at Sweet
About 30 area bakers, chocolatiers, pâtissiers, vintners, brewers and distillers lined the corridors of the Grove Arcade the evening of Friday, Aug. 22, for Sweet, an event of the 2014 Asheville Wine & Food Festival. (photos by Hayley Benton)
Whiskey 101: Dozens attend Heaven Hill ‘bourbon school’
Thanks to a recent event at Seven Sows Bourbon & Larder, many of us can now say we’ve been to “bourbon school.” Monday night, over 70 thirsty patrons poured into the Bourbon & Larder for Heaven Hill Distilleries’ Old Fashioned University, a night of Southern food and whiskey enlightenment.
Whole Foods Market to set up mobile kitchen on Tunnel Road
Upscale grocer Whole Foods has planned a week of mobile kitchen feasts in anticipation of the grand opening at its 4 S. Tunnel Road location. The campaign kicks off with a “community giving day” on Aug. 18, at which nonprofit Brother Wolf Animal Rescue will be the sole beneficiary of all food sales.
Ben’s Tune-Up brings new convenience store to South Slope
“Everybody needs sodas and cigarettes and snacks,” says Ben’s Tune-Up co-owner Meg Alt. Now, individuals who work and play downtown have an expedient means to get these items. Ben’s Penny Mart, Asheville’s newest convenience store and hangout, is scheduled to open on Friday, Aug. 15, at 195 Hilliard Ave. adjacent to Hi-Wire Brewing. The hours […]
Moving mountains: Tiger Mountain circles the block
Tiger Mountain, a popular Asheville locals’ bar, has closed the doors to its 103 Broadway location and will open just around the corner at 112 N. Lexington Ave. (formerly Emerald Lounge). Owner Sean Bickford is optimistic that the new location will be open to the public by next Friday, Aug. 15. One of Bickford’s primary goals […]
Reports from Tales of the Cocktail: The party is over
Xpress contributor Jonathan Ammons recently spent several days in New Orleans reporting on the annual five-day Tales of the Cocktail international cocktail festival. (Yes, it’s a tough job.) As the event wrapped up on Sunday, July 20, Ammons shared a backward glance at this year’s gathering of the worldwide spirits community.
Reports from Tales of the Cocktail: Asheville edged out by Brooklyn, N.Y. in national cocktail competition
On a rainy Friday afternoon in New Orleans, Louisiana, Asheville’s own Nicole Anhalt came in from the downpour to stake her claim in this year’s Sidecar by Merlet Cocktail Competition. Hosted annually at the country’s largest cocktail conference, Tales of the Cocktail, seven bartenders from across the country competed for a trip to the Merlet […]
Reports from Tales of the Cocktail: Asheville bartender competes in national sidecar competition
It is estimated that this year 22,000 of the world’s finest craft cocktail nerds — including a healthy contingent from Asheville’s bar scene — have either flown, driven or just drunkenly appeared in town to learn from the nation’s most knowledgeable mixology minds. Along with seminars, tasting rooms and classes, there are also competitions and awards ceremonies.
New rules, prizes at the Asheville Wine & Food Festival wine competition
The Asheville Wine & Food Festival is full of fun and feasting for attendees, but for many local chefs and wineries, the event is all about the competition. And this year, the rules and prizes are a little different for the wine competition, thanks to local vineyard-industry organization, the French Broad Vignerons. Unlike last year, […]
Handcuffed: Local bartenders decry ABC law restrictions
North Carolina has always had a peculiar relationship with alcohol. Attorney Derek Allen, who represents many Asheville breweries, says, “We’re operating with these rules that were written post-Prohibition to make buying and consuming alcohol as difficult as possible. It’s just crazy to me!”
Elvis-flavored excess at Off The Wagon’s luau
By 9 p.m. on June 20, most seats were filled at Off the Wagon’s first themed event: an Elvis-inspired Hawaiian luau. There were several large groups, one table of 20 and quite a few couples. But the minute dueling piano maestros Jess Mills and Eddie Hathaway started tinkling the keys, it was one big […]
Local bars mix it up for Negroni Week
Decide for yourself who makes the best Negroni in town and help raise money for a good cause by hoisting a glass at some favorite Asheville cocktail spots this week. As part of Imbibe Magazine and Campari’s international Negroni Week celebration and fundraiser, MG Road, The Imperial Life, Table and Top of the Monk will join bars around the world in […]
A different kind of Mexican dinner
While many were sipping fishbowl-sized margaritas and chowing down on fajitas during Cinco de Mayo, a few of us indulged in a different kind of Mexican food experience. Tom Leiner of Grapevine wine distributors teamed up with Chef Marco Garcia to do a special Mexican-themed coursed dinner and wine pairing at the historic Princess Anne Hotel on Chestnut Street.
Pushing the envelope: Table Wine broadens its reach
Running a wine shop isn’t easy. Margins are often surprisingly tight and it can often seem impossible to compete with the prices in the big grocery chains. A number of local wine shops have closed in the last few years, but Table Wine in South Asheville seems to be thriving.
A tale of two sakes
There are only a handful of independently owned sake breweries in the United States (fewer than 10 at last count). So adding two within the Asheville city limits — within about a mile of each other, no less — is a pretty big deal.
Behind the bar: The Junction
When you watch bar manager Courteney Foster easily engaging her patrons and her colleagues while working her mixology magic behind the bar at The Junction, it’s not hard to believe that she spent her life in the restaurant industry.
Connecting with Cuba: A celebration and discussion in Asheville
In the last six months, dozens of Asheville travelers have visited Cuba, creating growing connections between the local area and the island nation. And on April 22 members of those local delegations are hosting an event that aims to help bridge the divide between our different cultures and communities. Featuring live Cuban music and art […]
Beyond the boilermaker
Asheville takes on the beer cocktail On any given night in Asheville, people are mixing up their beer and booze, usually in the form of shots and chasers. But there’s a more refined way to enjoy the hoppy yumminess of a brew and the bite of liquor than by dropping a shot of Irish whiskey […]
Out of sight: Blind Tasting League brings wine appreciation down to earth
The world of wine can be a bit pretentious. Honestly, when is the last time any of us had a boysenberry or a currant? Fortunately, Andy Hale of Metro Wines on Charlotte Street is here to bring wine appreciation a little more down to earth with his new Blind Tasting League of Asheville.