Festival Time

Did you miss Brewgrass this year? Or if you went, did you leave thinking to yourself that you need to get to another festival? Well don't worry, there are several festivals happening in the region over the next month to whet your beer appetite. Personally, I love beer festivals. They are a great chance to try a number of beers without having to buy a six pack or a pint, and often times there are special releases or out of state beers that you can't get here in Asheville.

This Saturday is the World Beer Festival in Durham. Unfortunately tickets are already sold out for this event, but you could get lucky if you try craigslist. This is the 13th annual WBF, and it is the largest and longest running beer festival in North Carolina. The festival is held at the historic Durham Bulls baseball field (except for this year where it is being held at the new Durham Bulls Field) and obviously emphasizes both local and international beer. We will be in attendance for the second year in a row.

A week after that on October 11th is the Knoxville Brewers' Jam in Knoxville, Tennessee. Just a short two hour drive away, the festival will feature many of the same brewers that were at Brewgrass, along with a few foreign beers as well. In addition to the beer, a variety of different bands will be playing throughout the day. Tickets are available.

If you don't mind driving a little bit further, the next week features the Great Decatur Beer Tasting Festival in Decatur, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. Again, music and beer are part of the fun, and you get a chance to see the burgeoning beer culture of Atlanta. The festival is sponsored by the Brick Store Pub, one of my favorite bars, and it is located adjacent to the festival grounds. The date is October 18th and tickets are on sale.

Just as the last leaves are falling to the ground, a trip to the High Country would be quite nice, especially if there is a beer festival involved. The first annual High Country Beer Fest is on November 1st, and is being held at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina. In lieu of music, the festival will be having educational seminars on a variety of beer topics. Another interesting aspect to this festival is being able to sample some homebrewed beers in addition to beers from commercial brewers. There is also a beer dinner in Blowing Rock that evening. Again, tickets are on currently on sale.

Be safe in your beer travels, and let me know if you attended any of these events. I would love to hear what they are like (I can't go to every festival).

I'm back

I can't believe I last posted something on March 20. My bad. It's been extremely busy on all fronts (home, work, and beer) but I'll try to post at least once a week.

I attended the Classic City Brew Fest in Athens, Georgia on April 1. It was a great time and I was able to sample some new beers I hadn't had the opportunity to try before now. If you have the chance to hit this event next year, go! It's just three hours away, and the new four-lane highway between I-85 at Commerce and Athens is now open, except for a short stretch that looks to be about finished.

There's a lot of rumor on the Asheville scene about new breweries and brewpubs. Here's what I've been busy gathering instead of blogging:

• Carl Melissas, formerly head brewer at Green Man, is reportedly involved in a new brewpub to be located in the Riverlink Arts District. We'll stay alert for more info on this one.
• As previously reported, another brewpub is planned for the old TJ Morrison building on Lexington Ave. The partners are lining up the details and this should be up and running in a year or so.
• A new brewpub is rumored for Haywood Road in West Asheville, across the street from the Westville Pub. We haven't gleaned anything more so far.
• Root Bar #2 is planned for Haywood Road, across from the Ingles.
• An Irish-themed bar is planned for the old Ideal Market on Haywood Road.

If all three West Asheville bars open as rumored, that neighborhood will rival downtown as the place to go for beer.

Last night, I attended the monthly MALT Pint Night at the Mellow Mushroom. They had some excellent beers on tap, including Rye Ale from Terrapin, Duck Rabbit Milk Stout, Great Divide Titan IPA, and another IPA from Avery. The pizza was pretty good too, along with the company. Thanks, Kelly, for pulling this together. I'm already looking forward to next month.

Raleigh World Beer Fest party

Here's a great idea for those of you who just can't wait for the annual Brewgrass festival next fall. Asheville's own Brews Cruise is running a van to the World Beer Festival in Raleigh on April 28. If you've never been to a WBF you are really missing out. Sponsored by the folks who publish All About Beer magazine, the festival takes place twice a year, in Raleigh in the spring and in Durham in the fall. It's at least twice the size of Brewgrass. It usually has beers not commonly available in western North Carolina along with special cask ale tastings, speakers, and workshops, and some great live music.

According to Mark Lyons at the Brews Cruise, this is what you'll get:

• Roundtrip transportion from Asheville to Raleigh
• One night stay at the Sheraton in downtown Raleigh (2 blocks from festival)
• Festival pass for day event 12-4 pm
• World Beer Festival Pint Glass
• Brews Cruise T-shirt/ Brews Cruise tote bag
• Bagels/ coffee upon departure
• Snacks and water for the ride (roundtrip)
• Brewery tour/ sampling at Catawba Valley Brewing Company enroute back to Asheville
• GOOD TIMES

The rates for this package are $225 per person (based on double occupancy),
or $410 per couple (any two people booking together are eligible for the couples rate) We have blocked 8 doubles and 4 kings and will be booked on a first come, first served basis. Come and Play!
http://www.brewscruise.com/

I've been to both the spring and fall WBF several times. An added feature Mark doesn't mention is that the Sheraton Raleigh is within walking distance of several good beer bars, so you can keep having fun all evening and not have to worry about getting back. You even get a stop at Catawba Brewing for some "hair of the dog" party flu cure on Sunday.

This is a great deal. I strongly encourage you to call and sign up NOW!