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 […]

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 […]

Brewer’s Ed

You’ve probably heard someone joke that in college he majored in “partying.” Soon, you might have to take him seriously if he says he majored in beer. Sierra Nevada, New Belgium and Oskar Blues aren’t just craft brewers — they are three craft brewers with major muscle that already employ hundreds of people. When they […]

In-between season

Fall may officially arrive in late September, but summer turning into fall is a fuzzy process. There are a few crisp, cool days in between the heat and rain. You may go swimming one day and wear long sleeves the next. Some people cling to iced coffee, while others are reaching for an early pumpkin […]

*** Updated: Fill ‘em up … oops, not yet

[Editor’s note: This story originally published on July 17. We updated on July 18.] UPDATE: Asheville Growler Hits Legal Bottleneck Sean McNeal, owner of the forthcoming Asheville Growler, was contacted by Robert Hamilton, Deputy Administrator of the North Carolina ABC on July 18. Hamilton told McNeal that based on the ABC’s reading of the law, […]

Summer of Saison

Many think that if Asheville had an official beer, it would be an IPA. So when the Asheville Brewers Alliance chose a style to brew together for Asheville Beer Week, many thought an IPA was a given. Instead, ABA members brewed a Belgian-style beer known as a saison. What is a saison? The answer is […]