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!

Road trip

Occasionally we make a road trip to see what the beer scene is like elsewhere in North Carolina. Work took me to Boone for a couple of days where I had occasion to visit Peabody's Wine and Beer Merchants. What a find! This place probably wins the award for the best beer store in the Carolinas. With all due respect for Asheville's fine stores Peabody's can't likely be beat for the scope and variety of their beer selection.

Some highlights noted during a feeble attempt at focusing through our delirium of excitement included a selection of bottle-conditioned ales from J.W. Lees of Manchester, England. Also seen were several Jolly Pumpkin ales. These beers are rare finds in the southeast and I haven't seen them in Asheville yet. Another interesting beer is Appalachian Ale, a pale ale brewed by Carolina Beer Company and only sold in Boone. It's available in bottles at Peabody's and on draft at the Boone Saloon on King Street. Winter seasonals were prominent and included Festive Ale from Atlanta's Sweetwater Brewing Company. This beer is also available in Asheville and will make a good consolation prize for anyone who loses out on obtaining this year's Cold Mountain from Highlands.

There were a lot of other prizes hidden here and there among the many shelves, coolers, and boxes stacked on the floor. Chances are if Peabody's doesn't have a beer then it isn't widely available in North Carolina. I could have easily dropped several C-notes in here if not for my excellent self-control (not to mention a finite beer budget and a wife.) If you are a serious beer enthusiast and want to experience once again the excitement you felt as a small child when you saw your gifts under the tree on long-ago Christmas mornings then get in the car and head for Peabody's soon.

Peabody's Wine and Beer Merchants

1104 Highway 105

Boone, NC

(828) 264-9476

MALT road trip

Yesterday, a group from the Mountain Ale and Lager Tasters (MALT) made a road trip to the wilds of east Tennessee for a joint gathering with the State of Franklin Homebrewers. We met at the Depot Street Brewery in Jonesborough where we were warmly welcomed by owner/brewer Michael Foster. Michael gave us a tour of his brewery and offered plenty of beer. Styles included a lager, a Belgian, a pale ale, a couple of porters, and a scottish. I had sampled Michael's fine beers at Brewgrass and he recognized me from that event. We played games outside in the unexpectedly warm weather, met new friends from the other club, and swapped information about the respective beer scenes in Asheville and the Tri-cities. It was an excellent way to spend an afternoon, and we look forward to welcoming the State of Franklin-ites to Asheville.