March marks the beginning of winery tour season. Western North Carolina’s wine industry boasts about 30 wineries and vineyards, many of which welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
Wicked Weed Brewing expands its sour program with a fourth production facility
The brewery plans to open a 57,000-square-foot production facility this summer on a 17-acre property in Arden.
Beer Scout: Blue Ghost Brewing opens in Fletcher
When it comes to new breweries in the Asheville area, delayed openings are almost an expectation. Permit holdups, equipment malfunctions and slow construction are all constant hiccups on the road to opening day and that first pour. Just don’t tell that to Erik Weber and Zach Horn, co-owners of Fletcher’s Blue Ghost Brewing Co. Blue […]
Small bites: Great American Vegan Chili Cook-Off
Full Circle Farm Sanctuary is holding its second vegan chili cook-off with entries from professional and amateur chefs; Folkmoot’s programming includes a community dinner celebrating the food and dance of India; Hops & Vines explores single hop beers at a free workshop; and Chai Pani’s Kids Eat Free program is replaced by a new method of giving.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings March 8-14
** Updated March 10 ** Pisgah’s 2016 Hellbender debuts, Thirsty Monk Sour Fest rolls on all week and Appalachian Vintner pours a rare Fonta Flora cask.
WNC restaurants participate in Asheville Humane Society’s Dine to Be Kind fundraiser
Now in its 13th year, the Asheville Humane Society’s Dine To Be Kind fundraiser offers a daylong opportunity on Tuesday, March 8, to dine out in support of animals in need.
New horizons: Local brewers redefine beer ingredients
Western North Carolina brewers are adding peppers, flowers and other nature-based ingredients to their beers with exciting results.
Small bites: Mama’s Fast Food closes after 25 years
Haywood Road institution Mama’s Fast Food has closed; Sour Fest returns to Thirsty Monk; ASAP holds its annual CSA fair; and the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department invites community members to a chili cook-off meet-and-greet.
Asheville’s culinary community caters OpenDoors Art Affair 2016
Members of Asheville’s culinary community are collaborating to provide a Greek-themed feast to benefit OpenDoors of Asheville, a nonprofit focused on helping at-risk, underserved youths.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings March 1-7
**UPDATED MAR. 5** Asheville Brewing releases a dry-hopped grapefruit Shiva IPA, Thirsty Monk focuses on sours and Blue Ghost has its grand opening.
In photos: Fifth annual Asheville Wing War
The sold-out 2016 Asheville Wing War saw one downtown restaurant dominate both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice in the specialty wings category.
Beer Scout: Shave and a haircut … cold pints!
The Local Barber and Tap provides haircuts and old-fashioned shoeshines along with a taproom pouring local craft brews.
Small bites: A dozen local bands play for Food Connection
Food Connection’s largest fundraiser of the year is a music sampling of Western North Carolina; Catawba Brewing Co., serves up a beer-filled brunch to take the edge off winter; The French Broad Vignerons seeks potential wine judges; and Bee School is nearly in session at The Center for Honeybee Research.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Feb. 23-29
**UPDATED FEB.24** Highland brings back Tasgall Scotch Ale, Asheville Brewing unleashes Carolina Mountain Monster and Appalachian Vintner hosts Asheville’s first beer and mead blending session.
Fonta Flora Brewery hosts second Funk and Monk celebration
Saturday Feb. 20, marks the brewery’s second Funk and Monk celebration in as many years. Releases will include four variations of Urban Monk aged on Defiant whiskey-soaked oak and two Appalachian wild ales.
Beer today, gone tomorrow: Asheville beer happenings Feb. 17-22
**UPDATED FEB. 20** Font Flora hosts its second Funk and Monk event, Burial releases Bolo cans and Lookout debuts its newest sour.
Dawn of the oak age: Local wineries and breweries collaborate on barrel programs
The first story in a two-part series on the use of barrels in the Asheville-area beer industry.
Red Ginger brings dim sum to Asheville
Authentic dim sum comes to downtown Asheville just in time for the Chinese New Year as Red Ginger makes its debut this month.
Beer Scout: Asheville Brewers Alliance hosts a different breed of beer festival
The Asheville Brewers Alliance’s upcoming AVL Beer Expo is aimed at giving attendees an educational craft beer festival by limiting attendance and holding informational panels. Meanwhile, Hi-Wire Brewing is getting ready to roll out its new sour and wild-fermented brews.
Outside the heart-shaped box: A tasty Valentine’s Day beyond dinner for two
Asheville-area restaurants, breweries, bakeries and wineries are dreaming up Valentine’s Day offerings to satisfy a smorgasbord of sensibilities and budgets.
Small bites: Luella’s opens second location in South Asheville
Luella’s Bar-B-Que will duplicate its pork-purveying efforts with a new location in Biltmore Park; Asheville Wine & Food Festival has announced its first Asheville Cocktail Week; Local Provisions is serving Italian wines with the flavors of winter at a pairing dinner; and The Hop Ice Creamery is celebrating its first year with free kiddie scoops for all.