Warm winter cocktails offer healing and comfort in a mug.
Branching out: WNC cider scene continues to grow with help from apple country
WNC cideries prefer to source their ingredients locally whenever possible. Yet April through August, it can be especially difficult to secure enough local apples to meet production demands.
ICYMI: Xpress stories from the issue of Sept. 27, 2017
From the area’s largest single construction project to fall planting, Xpress has the scoop on local fall happenings. Here are some of our best stories from the previous week to keep you reading as you wait for our next issue, coming to a paper box near you on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
DIY bar infusions repurpose food scraps, preserve flavors
With kitchen scraps, herbs, spices and inexpensive liquors, it’s easy to adopt preservation methods used by Asheville bartenders to create flavored infusions for the home bar.
Unincorporated Sunday alcohol sales on hold; transfer station $1.5M over budget
Commissioners are looking to allow alcohol sales in unincorporated areas of the county. The law allows for restaurants and grocery stores to sell alcohol starting at 10 a.m. but does not allow for state-run ABC stores to open.
Lawful house breakfast
Asheville, N
2017 Asheville International Wine Competition names winners
As in previous years, winners were determined through a double-blind taste test.
Chill out: Homemade ice pops take the edge off Asheville’s summer heat
Local ice pop pros have creative suggestions for making cool treats at home.
Frozen assets
Asheville, NC
Faces in the crowd: WNC crowdfunding initiatives
Each week, Xpress highlights notable WNC crowdsourcing initiatives that may inspire readers to become new faces in the crowd. This week features Poetry Cabaret’s performance in Washington, D.C., a new craft spirits distillery called Eda Rhyne and a retrospective look at musician Ben Phan’s crowdfunding experience.
True mountain dew: New WNC distillers seek Appalachian terroir
Booze is big business in Western North Carolina these days, and everyone seems eager to cash in on the opportunity. There are 34 breweries operating now in the Asheville area, the wine scene is booming in the mountains, and the recent development of four new distilleries brings the area’s total up to seven. But in a […]
Conscious party: A Taste of the Vineyard
Proceeds from the event will support the Henderson County chapter of Big Brother Big Sister, which currently serves 75 matches (a big and little) with mentoring in community and school settings.
The week of magical drinking: Asheville Cocktail Week returns
The local libation celebration kicks off Monday, May 1, with a lineup of events featuring 30 distilleries, more than 20 mixologists and eight chefs at 20 venues throughout Asheville.
From root to glass: Home winemaking in Beer City
Using Western North Carolina’s spring and early summer harvests of herbs, fruits — and even vegetables — intrepid DIY enthusiasts can easily make wine at home with minimal equipment.
Carolina Beer Guy: Apple Country Cider Jam debuts in Hendersonville
The event will feature a blend of North Carolina-made cider, live music, exhibits and demonstrations.
Small bites: Food Connection’s Hunger Relief Concert returns to The Grey Eagle
The upcoming concert at The Grey Eagle supports the work of Food Connection, which helps divert unused food from Asheville restaurants to organizations that feed the hungry. Also this week: Asheville Wing War, Dine To Be Kind and more local food news.
Troy & Sons owner releases memoir, Pure Heart
Asheville Distilling Co. will celebrate the launch of owner Troy Ball’s new book with a whiskey-tasting event on Saturday, Feb. 11.
Zappers Pizzeria and Bar opens soon in East Asheville
Zappers Pizzeria & Bar will debut in East Asheville just in time for Super Bowl weekend. The restaurant is taking over the 90 S. Tunnel Road location that housed Asheville landmark Frank’s Roman Pizza for nearly 40 years until it closed in November. Zappers will sling authentic New York-style pizza alongside classic pasta dishes, subs, […]
Small bites: Talking cider at Rhubarb
In this week’s food news, local cidermakers join a discussion and tasting at Rhubarb, the French Broad Food Co-op hosts a class on wellness teas, a fermentation class is scheduled in Hot Springs, Santé Wine Bar & Tap Room offers a Wines of Portugal pop-up Flight Night event and early-bird tickets go on sale for Root Bound weekend in Highlands.
North Carolina wines hold up to international competition at blind judging
A recent blind tasting organized by the French Broad Vignerons proved that North Carolina wines are on par with similar vintages from Napa Valley, France and Spain.
Holidays on ice: Asheville bartenders mix up seasonal cocktails for the home bar
Mixologists from Zambra and En La Calle offer easy, festive cocktail recipes that harness the flavors of pumpkin and local apples, plus a dash of sugar and spice.