Beer scout: The pint in print

Two new books sure to satisfy homebrewers and beer lovers I could say that Mike Karnowski’s book, Homebrew Beyond the Basics, is easily the best brewing book of the year. Then again, I was his editor.   But ask anyone who’s been to Dirty Jack’s since Karnowski took over brewing the specialty beers (everything that’s not […]

BEER SCOUT: North Carolina Beer Month

Here in Asheville, we’ve long been ahead of the curve when it comes to craft beer. Now the entire state of North Carolina is getting up to speed as our state’s breweries unite in April for a full month of beer-related events. With more than 100 breweries in North Carolina, only New York and Pennsylvania […]

BEER SCOUT: Highland turns 20

Raise a glass to the father of Asheville craft beer. When Highland Brewing Co. opened in 1994, North Carolina had all of 10 breweries; now there are more than 100. And when Gov. Pat McCrory signed the proclamation for North Carolina Beer Month, which begins April 1, we’d just cracked the list of the top […]

BEER SCOUT

Highland announces major expansion While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of new brewery openings, it’s also exciting to see that Asheville’s oldest craft brewery is not sitting still. According to Highland Brewing Vice President Leah Wong Ashburn, the company is gearing up for an expansion that could allow output to double […]

BEER SCOUT

Craft Room Opens in South Asheville If you live within 10 minutes of downtown or West Asheville, there’s no shortage of options for fresh growlers of beer. Bruisin’ Ales stocks an ever-changing selection, Asheville Growler and Appalachian Vintner both fill to order and, of course, there are all the breweries. But head down to Arden […]

The funny side of the bar

Man v. Liver is a book by Asheville native and illustrator Neil Hinson and author Paul Friedrich that centers around a simply drawn figure called “man” and his Dean Martin-esque one liners. Hinson describes the book as “a 100-page collection of sayings that we wish we remembered saying at the bar.”

SMALL SIPS

Sierra Nevada introduces IPA 4-pack Sierra Nevada is best-known for its hoppy Pale Ale and Torpedo IPA. Now it’s taking the hoppiness one step further and rolling out a variety four-pack with Torpedo and three new hop-forward beers. According to the company, the variety pack, which will roll out in the next couple of weeks […]

BEER SCOUT: Twin Leaf brewery

When you walk into the Twin Leaf space, it’s clear that the brewing system is the pride and joy. The 10-barrel setup is the first thing you notice. While the rest of the wood-filled taproom is subdued, the brewery tanks shine golden in the evening light. It will no doubt be the envy of many […]

BEER SCOUT

John Garcia, owner and brewer of Lookout Brewery in Black Mountain, was used to a certain type of Black Mountain tourist before he switched careers. He’d see people in town because their family has a place in Montreat or Lake Lure. Others he talked to were stopping to grab a bite to eat before going […]

BEER SCOUT: Catawba’s plan B

Catawba adapts to Asheville The first brewery opening of the year is anything but business as usual. SIDEBAR: Highland Night Flight Highland Brewing Co. has come up with a way to pair nighttime, beer-drinking fun with a competitive cardio workout. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the brewery is partnering with the Asheville Parks and […]

Gray promoted at Thirsty Monk school of hard knocks

“We¹ve been hard at work over the past year assembling what we consider the ‘Dream Team’ of Asheville pub management,” says Thirsty Monk founder Barry Bialik, whose company is preparing to open its fourth Asheville location.
Bialik recently promoted Chall Gray to vice president in anticipation of a busy 2014. Gray, a native of Western North Carolina, is well-known in the area as an entrepreneur and theater and music producer.

Thirsty Monk’s Beer City take on the Big Apple ball drop

Not to be outdone by New York City, Asheville is about to introduce its own Beer City version of the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop. The ever-innovative folks at Thirsty Monk will ring in 2014 by dropping a decorated and illuminated beer keg down a 20-foot cast-iron pole at the stroke of midnight at the brewery’s newest location in Biltmore Park.

New Year’s Eve eats and drinks

Are you trying to decide what to do for New Year’s Eve? If you want to buffer your midnight toast with a good meal, several local bars and restaurants are serving up interesting eats along with liquid cheer. There is even an Asheville-style take on the Times Square ball drop for those who are in the mood for something completely out of the ordinary.