Beer of the Moment - Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale

A quick aside before I move on to the beer. Every time I sit down to write a Beer of the Moment, I inevitably start singing it to the tune of Asia's oh so catchy 80's super hit, Heat of the Moment. And now you can do the same. Maybe I can work up an entire song. "It was the beer of the moment, telling me what those hops meant". Well that's all I got so far.

Speaking of hops, (segue!) this moment's featured beer is a showcase of fresh hop taste. Eleven years ago, the folks at Sierra Nevada decided to brew a pale ale with 'wet' hops. How is this different you ask? Beers are traditionally brewed with dried hops that have been kilned to remove the moisture so that they can be preserved for use at a later date. This works out very well, but the drying process removes some of the natural resin and oil that is present. By brewing with freshly picked, or wet hops, you are able to retain the full flavor profile of the hop, which gives the beer a fresher, more oily hop taste. This is not an easy process, as hops begin to degrade as soon as they are picked. In order to retain the freshness of the hops, they are picked and shipped to the brewery where they must be ready to use the hops immediately. In Sierra Nevada's case, they get their hops from Yakima, Washington, which in turn are loaded on a truck that drives straight to Chico, California where they are unloaded and added to the boil, and all this usually happens within 48 hours. A few other brewers have followed suit, but there is obviously a catch. You have to be within close proximity to the hop source, so most fresh hop beers are produced by west coast breweries where a majority of the hops are grown.

Sierra has traditionally only released their Harvest Ale in kegs, but this year they decided to brew enough so that they could bottle it and distribute it nationally. Fortunately, we here in Asheville can pick up the special 24 ounce bottles, which are currently available at Bruisin' Ales and may be available elsewhere in limited quantities. The beer itself is a great testament to fresh hop taste. This is not a 'hop bomb', so those expecting some huge IPA may be disappointed. However, this beer is not lacking in hop flavor, and displays a wonderful herbal and grassy aroma. The hops dance on the tongue with an ever so slight bitterness, and a mild oily finish. This is a well balanced beer, and the malts provide a nice backbone to complement the hop flavor. Unlike some other beers, this is not meant to be laid down for any length of time. Drink this one as soon as possible, as the fresh hop taste will degrade over time. I have also seen this on tap in years past at both Barley's and Westville Pub, but this year you don't have to leave the house to try this wonderful beer.

Here is a direct link to Sierra Nevada's Harvest Ale page, and if you scroll down you can watch a video that talks about the history of the beer. I am only aware of one other fresh hop beer that we will see here in Asheville, Great Divide's Fresh Hop Pale Ale, which should be available in the next couple of weeks.

On Tap - Barleys, Part Deux

This is the second edition of 'On Tap', and in the first one I promised to occasionally post about what's pouring in local beer bars. Well, I haven't exactly gotten around to doing that yet, and I'm featuring the same bar that I posted about in the first one. I will eventually make it to another bar, but there were a couple of notable beers on tap at Barley's last night that I needed to share.

As I mentioned in the Brewgrass writeup, the Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen-Weisse was scheduled to be tap at Barley's soon, and I am happy to report that it is pouring downstairs right now. It uses the Schneider Hefeweizen yeast, so it has some of the familiar banana and clove tastes that you would associate with a German hefe, but it is dry hopped with Amarillo and Palisades hops, giving it a citrusy aftertaste. This is bigger than your traditional hefe at 7.8% alcohol, but you can hardly tell it is there. If you are a fan of German hefeweizens I would suggest giving this unusual rendition a try. It will only be available for a limited time.

Closer to home, Pisgah's Fall seasonal, Equinox is now available upstairs. This one is not easy to classify, with Pisgah dubbing it a 'Harvest Ale'. It is amber in color, with a sweet lightly toasted malt flavor that is combined with an earthy, slightly spicy finish. A very interesting beer to say the least, which is no surprise coming from the brewers at Pisgah. Another big beer, this one clocks in at 7.5%.

Last but not least, one of my favorite regional breweries, Terrapin Beer Company out of Athens, Georgia, has brewed an 'India Brown Ale'. As the name suggests, this beer is a marriage between a hoppy IPA and a sweet brown ale, and the pairing seems to work. As with most browns, this one has a nice caramel/chocolaty sweetness, and the addition of 5 types of hops plays a wonderful contrast with its bitter finish. This will eventually find its way into bottles, but in the mean time you can head upstairs at Barley's to find it. Speaking of Terrapin bottled beer, we should also be seeing the fall release of this years version of the Big Hoppy Monster, a big, moderatley hopped 'red' ale that has some interesting malt characteristics that play well with the hops.

Brewgrass Roundup

Another Brewgrass festival has come and gone. It was a beautiful sunny day, and probably the hottest Brewgrass that I remember. The temperature reached 84, but it felt hotter with the lack of shade at the Martin Luther King ballfield. In fact, the only shade to be found was next to the port-a-johns, or the “dark caverns of plastic” as my wife referred to them. Thankfully there were plenty of bathrooms to go around this year, and I saw nary a line to speak of. The heat did not deter the crowd though, and plenty of good beer, food, and music helped to make it another successful festival.

There were a few surprises and some great beer at this years festival, several of those coming from North Carolina breweries. As mentioned in my last post, Foothills Sexual Chocolate was on tap, and the extra few months of aged have mellowed the beer a bit, making it even more drinkable. Again, one of my favorite North Carolina brewed beers. Foothills also had their Hoppyium IPA, a wonderfully hopped west coast style IPA that unfortunately has not seen too many visits to Asheville taps (it has been on at the Lobster Trap before). Duck Rabbit brought some aged Baltic Porter, one of the highest rated beers from North Carolina, and it was exceptional. Expect to see this years version coming out later in the fall. French Broad produced an easy drinking Pale Ale that will make a fine session beer. Whether it becomes a permanent addition to French Broad’s lineup will depend on how popular it becomes. The Kolsch was in such demand that it has become a mainstay for French Broad. John Stewart of Green Man Brewing debuted a Belgian Golden Ale. After a few sips, I immediately thought of Duvel, and it turns out that Stewart had that in mind when he brewed it. It might not make it to Jack of the Wood, but it should be available at Dirty Jacks. Catawba Brewing Company featured their Blackwater Uber Pale Ale, a big beer with a nice smoky malt flavor and moderate hops that defies style categorization (there is nothing pale about this beer). The Blackwater is currently on tap downstairs at Barleys. And last but not least, Highland rolled out the Imperial Kashmir IPA, and they were perhaps the most popular tent during the day. This is a huge beer, very sweet and hoppy, and should get even better with a couple more months in the bottle. I picked up a case on Sunday and hopefully there will be some available at local stores in the coming weeks. Get some while you can though, as it won’t last long.

There were some notable beers from outside the state as well. Brooklyn Brewery had the Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen-Weisse. Another beer that is hard to put in a category, it can best be described as a hoppy weizenbock. It was created as a joint effort between Brooklyn Brewery and G. Schneider and Son brewery in Germany. Two versions were released, one a few weeks ago that was in bottles and was brewed by Schneider, and this latest version brewed here in the states using American hops. Both beers are very good. The Brooklyn version will be on tap at Barleys within the next couple of weeks if you want to try it. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day came from our neighbors to the south. R.J. Rockers Brewing out of Spartanburg brought a Double IPA that was brewed in celebration of South Carolina finally popping the cap on their alcohol limit. Another South Carolina brewery had one of my favorite beers of the day. Blue Ridge Brewing in Greenville is making some great beers, and the Double Ball and Chain IPA was fantastic, a well balanced, flavorful DIPA that wasn’t too over the top. The regular Ball and Chain IPA was very good too. Head brewer Jay Simpson came up with the recipe for the original Ball and Chain for his wedding day and for his 2 year anniversary, he brewed the Double Ball and Chain. His wife should be proud, they are both excellent brews. I will definitely seek them out the next time I am in downtown Greenville. Lastly, Sweetwater Brewing Company out of Atlanta gave beer lovers their first taste of Donkey Punch barleywine. The name itself makes me cringe, but the beer was good, a bit overly hopped for the style, and may be available in bottles in the coming weeks. I just wish they didn’t have to resort to juvenile names for their beers.

Overall it was once again a wonderful festival. I do want to mention one thing about the music. This could get me run out of Asheville, but I have to be honest, I am not the biggest fan of Bluegrass music. But the one band that made me turn my attention away from the beer tents was the Carolina Chocolate Drops. They had an amazing energy and were a great closing act to the festival, bringing hundreds of onlookers to their feet. It was a great day reuniting with old friends and discovering new ones.

I'm too excited to sleep

The countdown to Brewgrass has begun. Tickets have been sold out for a couple of weeks now, and judging by the posts on Beer Advocate and craigslist, there hasn't been a ticket this hot since the Smashing Pumpkins played here earlier in the summer. So I hope everyone has their tickets, and if you don't, you may need to pray to the beer gods and hope that someone will be scalping them somewhere outside of MLK Park.

This year's Brewgrass has returned to its original home after meandering throughout various parts of downtown, some good (McCormick Field), and some bad (last year). Regardless of where it is held, the festival still provides an ample amount of beer, music, and camaraderie. In the past we have seen rainstorms, chilly weather, and a lack of port a johns, but that still does not deter from the fun. The most memorable Brewgrass for me was in 2001. It was four days after 9/11, and the entire country was still in a state of shock. I am glad that Doug Beatty decided not to postpone the festival, as it provided a wonderful respite from the terrible events that occurred just days before. We emerged from out in front of our TVs that day to interact with our fellow neighbors and friends over the fellowship of a cold beer.

One of the exciting aspects of a beer festival is that some brewers will often debut a new beer or offer something special for the festival, and this year will be no different. Highlighting the list will be the Imperial Kashmir IPA from Highland. You will probably want to make this tent one of your first stops, as the IKIPA will likely run out in the first hour or two of the festival, not unlike the Imperial Gaelic last year. Of course you can drag yourself out of bed the next morning to pick up a couple of cases for drinking at home. Another beer I am looking forward to is French Broad's debut of their Pale Ale, an unusual style for this brewery that has been known for its eclectic lineup.

If you like whiskey, be sure to swing by Catawba Valley's tent, as Scott Pyatt will likely have one of his barrel aged concoctions, perhaps being the only brewer to bring a barrel aged beer. The Whisky River IPA is fantastic if you like a boozy whiskey finish to your beers (I loved it). If you are a fan of Imperial Stouts, I would suggest checking out Foothills brewing early in the day. They are bringing a very limited amount of last years Sexual Chocolate, one of my favorite new beers of last year, and it should only have gotten better with a few more months of aging. I am sure there are going to be even more surprises at this year's Festival.

If you need some practice before the big day on Saturday, the folks at ratebeer are organizing an Asheville pub crawl Friday afternoon and evening. I will likely take part in the beginning of the crawl before I head on over to the Grove Arcade to shake my posterior to the grooves of Yo Mamma's Big Fat Booty Band for the last Downtown After 5.

O'zapft is!

Has anybody noticed the slight change in the weather over the past couple of days? Fall is almost here, and low temperatures this weekend are going to approach 50. It is time to dig into the closet for the long sleeve shirts and jackets, and also to explore some seasonal beers. No other beer style says fall to me like Oktoberfest lagers.

Oktoberfest is a nearly two century German tradition, dating back to an 1810 celebration of the marriage of Prince Ludwig (later to be King) and Princess Therese. While it was certainly a part of the celebration, beer would not play a prominent role for several decades. Spaten is credited with brewing the first Oktoberfest beer in 1872, a Vienna style red lager with its characteristic caramel malt and crisp finish. As the festival grew, many other breweries joined the fray with their own special Oktoberfest releases. Today the festival is associated more with beer than it is with King Ludwig, and every September breweries in Germany and beyond still brew a seasonal beer to commemorate the festival and the onset of Fall. This years festival, held annually in Munich, begins on September 22 with the traditional cheer of O'zapft is! (It’s tapped!). It is definitely on my short list of things to do before I die.

The good thing is that you don’t have to fly to Germany to experience this great traditional beer style. Several offerings are available here in Asheville, both from German brewers and brewers here at home. I’ve spent the last week or two trying to sample as many Oktoberfest style beers as possible. Seasonal beers are a great way to branch out from your normal purchases, and you are almost always guaranteed a fresh beer.

If you want an authentic Oktoberfest beer, there is no better way than to go to the source. My personal favorite so far is from Ayinger, who not so coincidentally also brews one of my favorite dopplebocks. Their version is crisp, slightly sweet and almost nutty, and eminently drinkable. Other German versions to look out for are the aforementioned Spaten and Paulaner.

American brewers have also taken a stab at the style. I have had the Samuel Adams Octoberfest, the Brooklyn Oktoberfest and the Victory Fest beer, and they all do a pretty good job with the style. If you are adventurous, you might look into trying Avery’s The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest, which is a regular Oktoberfest on steroids. Honestly, I thought it was a bit too much and it strayed away from the subtle balance that I normally expect from the style, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good beer. You should also seek out our own local version of Oktoberfest beer from French Broad, which offers a more hoppy but still wonderful tasting version of the beer.

Beer of the Moment - Pannepøt

If I had to be confined to drinking beers from one particular country, I would probably choose Belgium. Now granted, the U.S. is a very close second, as we have a much larger variety of beer styles to choose from. But there is a complexity and depth of flavor that I experience with Belgian beers that is rarely reproduced in this country, with a few exceptions of course.

America's love for Belgian beers can be traced back to one person. Michael Jackson single handedly helped foster a love for Belgian beer in the states. Of course we are not talking about the one-gloved pop singer, but the English born beer writer whose books, the World Guide to Beer and The Great Beers of Belgium introduced the American drinking public to a whole new array of beer styles and tastes. He once called Belgium the 'Disneyland of beer', and having had many a Belgian ale I cannot disagree with him. Unfortunately, Michael Jackson passed away last Thursday, and his contributions to beer culture cannot be quantified.

I believe that if Michael Jackson had not written about the great beers of Belgium, I may not be sitting here drinking this wonderful Belgian strong ale today. Pannepøt is brewed by de Struise Brouwers, a relatively new brewery in Belgium, but the taste is reminiscent of other, more established Belgian breweries. The beer could be labeled a Quadrupel, which is a strong Belgian ale brewed with dark candied sugar, spices, and Belgian yeast. There is definitely an element of dark fruit to go along with the sweet sugar and a subtle but nice alcohol burn that is often associated with this style. At ten percent, it is a sipping beer, one to be savored with a good meal or a cool autumn night, which I hope will be here shortly. There are two versions of this beer, the Pannepot and the Pannepøt. The only difference on the bottle is the 'ø', which was especially brewed for the Danish market, but can be found here in the states. There are differences between the two beers, and the one with the regular 'o' is one of the highest rated beers on Beer Advocate and on Rate Beer, and from reading the reviews they are very similar in taste.

I hope that everyone will tip a glass of beer to Michael Jackson, who was instrumental in opening our eyes to great beers from around the globe.

Pinch me, I must be dreaming

Whew, where do I begin? Saturday’s beer tasting was fantastic, and it was a great showcase of beers from both coasts and points in between. It is hard to pick a favorite, but I really enjoyed the Green Flash West Coast IPA, which packed a ton of grapefruity hop taste without a lot of bitterness. It was truly an excellent representation of the West Coast style of IPA's. The Port Hop 15 was the most aggressive of the bunch, and I think I can still taste the hops this morning. Sadly, these beers are only available out west, so you have to book a trip to get some, or better yet, strike up a trade with someone.

Meeting Lee Chase was a beer geek’s dream, and I tried my best not to fawn over him too much. He is a great guy who not only has a great beer palate, but also has a profound understanding of the science of brewing. Since leaving Stone Brewery, Lee has started a brewery consulting business, which allows him to travel the world helping new breweries to get up and running.

Speaking of helping breweries, Lee will be an initial consultant for a new brewery in Durham. Sean Wilson, founder of Pop the Cap and hero to craft beer drinkers throughout the state, is in the beginning stages of opening a production brewery. Fullsteam Brewery will feature a talented homebrewer, Chris Davis, with Lee Chase providing consulting work in the beginning stages. Keep an eye on this brewery, as Sean has some interesting ideas on brewing and he has a soft spot for cask and barrel aged beers.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the proceeds for the tasting went to support the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Federal money to maintain the parkway is often not enough, and that is where this organization steps in. They have a variety of programs including trail and overlook maintenance. In particular, their Save the Views program is working hard to maitain the integrity and beauty of the parkway overlooks. If you ever drive on the parkway and want to help preserve it, give some thought to donating your time or money with this excellent organization.

Following the tasting, French Broad Brewing Company hosted a dinner that included most of Asheville’s brewing community. Highland, Pisgah, French Broad, and the new Wedge Gallery Brewery were represented, as well as local beer writer Tony Kiss and Southern Brew News editor Bob Townsend. Dinner was provided by the always excellent 12 Bones, and all of the brewers brought some beers for everyone to sample, including a few special offerings. Be sure and check out the Bruisin' Ales blog for their writeup and a couple of pictures.

Here’s a summary of what’s going on with some of our local breweries:

Highland: Let’s just say that I think the Imperial Kashmir is going to be a home run. Its still a bit young, but wow, this is one big wonderful hoppy beer. There will be about twice as much of the Imperial Kashmir than there was for the Imperial Gaelic release last year. They are still working out the details on the packaging, as they are looking to avoid having to hand bottle such a large amount. Make your plans to get up early after Brewgrass to go by the brewery and pick some up. Highland is also considering a summer seasonal, possibly a wheat beer.

Pisgah: Wow, it was certainly a treat getting to sample some Baptista from last year. The beer is holding up very well, and if you are lucky enough to still have some it will be interesting to see what it tastes like in the coming months and years. This year’s Baptista has been in the tanks since June, patiently awaiting its December release. This will sell out very quickly, and I will definitely be keeping you informed when it gets close to the release date. Another great way to keep up with Pisgah is by visiting the brewery on Thursday evenings to pick up a growler and to meet the guys behind the beer.

French Broad: Drew Barton is doing a great job since he took over the brewing operations at French Broad. In addition to their standards, Drew has brewed his own recipes as well. His bock was exceptional, but unfortunately there is very little of it left. The Kolsch, another of Drew’s beers, is doing really well, and is a great summertime thirst quencher (it’s back on tap at Barleys). His newest beer is the Rosebud Porter, and he is also working on adding a Pale Ale to the lineup as well as bringing back some of the Belgian style beers from the past. I highly encourage folks to swing by the brewery to sample some of these great beers. French Broad is in good hands. In additon, this Thursday’s beer tasting at Bruisin’ Ales will be featuring French Broad.

The Wedge Gallery Brewery: Carl is hard at work, as he gets ready for the opening of the brewery in November or December. I plan on making a visit soon to check out the progress of the brewery and hopefully to get a few pictures. This will be a wonderful addition to the growing River Arts District.

Other tidbits: Plans are still in place for a new brewpub at the old T.S. Morrison’s site on Lexington Avenue. It will certainly be a while before it is up and running, and I will try to get more details as things progress. There is also another possible brewery in the works, but they are still only in the planning stages and have yet to secure a location. Also, look for a new beer/wine/homebrew shop to be opening in the next month or so on Haywood Road in West Asheville, across from Digable Pizza.

The dinner was a great showcase of the talent and diversity of Asheville’s brewers. We are fast becoming one of the best beer destinations in the country.

Coming Attractions

First of all, I had a great time last night meeting the folks from Foothills Brewery and drinking their Oktoberfest. It was a great beer, and it was interesting to compare the cask and the draft versions. The draft version is on tap downstairs at Barley if you want to try some yourself.

Forgive me for mentioning this again, but I just want to stress how great this Saturday's event at Bruisin' Ales is going to be. For ten dollars advanced (15 at the door) you get to sample a wonderful variety of beers from both coasts. Lee Chase is bringing along a couple of extra beers from the West Coast that were recently added to the beer list. I am particularly looking forward to trying Port Brewing Hop 15 Double IPA. What does the 15 mean? Thats the amount of different kinds of hops that were used to make the beer. The Green Flash West Coast IPA and the Ballast Point DIPA were also recently added to the beer list, both of which are only available out west. One last reason to go on Saturday: Its a fundraiser that benefits the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. So you get to drink good beer and feel good doing it. Not that you wouldn't feel good anyway.

If that isn't enough beer for you, Bruisin' Ales is also hosting a beer dinner on Monday night. Dogfish Days of Summer celebrates one of the best craft brewers in the country. The menu showcases their versatile lineup, beginning with the Festina Peche, a slightly tart peach ale that is quite refreshing and finishing with a 'mystery beer'. It is a very intriguing menu, and Bruisin' Ales has been doing an excellent job in helping to open peoples eyes about beer and food pairings (pairings aren't just for wine drinkers anymore).

Hopefully we will see you out at the event tomorrow. Happy drinking.

Beer of the Moment - Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast Stout

Belgium. Germany. England. The United States. Each of these countries can arguably lay claim to be being one of the best beer regions in the world. But Scandinavia? Well something is brewing in the land of fjords, and it isn’t just socialized medicine. There is a craft beer movement afoot, one that would make Aegir, the Norse god of brewing, proud.

Would anyone have guessed that the number one rated beer on RateBeer.com would be from Sweden? The Närke Kaggen Stormaktsporter has gotten rave reviews for both its complexity and balance. Unfortunately, this is not available in the states. But there are a couple of other Scandanavian breweries that have made their way across the Atlantic, and they are available here in Asheville. Nøgne Ø is brewed in Lillesand, Norway, and has adopted several American beer styles into its repertoire (check this blog to read up on the Norwegian beer scene). I have seen their pale ale on the shelf at Bruisin’ Ales, but I have yet to pick one up. However, I was able to grab another beer from Scandinavia that has whetted my appetite for more beers from Northern Europe.

Mikkeller is a Danish brewery, the name being an amalgamation of the names of the homebrewers who started the brewery, Mikkel Borg Bjergsø and Kristian Klarup Keller. Within a year of brewing, they were named Brewery of the Year by the Danish Beer Enthusiasts, and after having a few sips of their Beer Geek Breakfast Stout, I can see why. The initial smell alone tells you what you are in for, with a coffee aroma that will definitely perk up your nose, and eventually your taste buds. This stout is as well crafted as any American Imperial Stout that I have come across. The coffee taste is prominent, but not overwhelming, and is complemented by hints of dark chocolate and toasted malt. This is a fine brew, and I hope to see more of Mikkeller’s offerings come to the states. The Beer Geek Breakfast Stout is available at Brusin’ Ales and Greenlife.

A friendly reminder to look at my calendar to the right to see what beer events are happening in the area. I will be attending both the Foothills Oktoberfest on Thursday night at Barleys, and the West meets East beer tasting event at Bruisin’ Ales on Saturday. If you see a bespectacled, tall, hairy blonde guy, be sure and say hello.

Looking into my crystal ball

Last Monday was the two year anniversary of North Carolina getting rid of its archaic 6 percent limit on beers, and since then we have seen a great influx of new breweries that have never distributed here before. But there are still plenty of interesting breweries that have yet to step foot in our state. Here is a trio of breweries that I think we might be seeing in the next year or so. My personal wish list would include a few more choices, but breweries like Russian River and Lost Abbey are not likely to be making their way here any time soon.

Stone Brewing Company

Just reading the label on their flagship brew, Arrogant Bastard, tells you everything you need to know about this brewery:

“This is an aggressive beer. You probably won't like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory -- maybe something with a multi-billion dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it's made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal. perhaps you think that multi-million dollar ad campaigns make a beer taste better. Perhaps you are mouthing your words as you read this.”

Stone concentrates on making big, assertive beers including their hop loaded Ruination IPA, the fantastic Russian Imperial Stout, and their annual Anniversary Ale which changes each year. An excellent opportunity to try some Stone is coming up next week at the West Meets East event at Bruisin’ Ales (this is a ticketed event). If you can’t make it then, you can always drive an hour to Johnson City and pay a visit to One Stop Discount Wines and Liquors just off the interstate, where they have the Arrogant Bastard, Ruinitation IPA, Stone IPA, and occasionally some of Stone’s special releases.

I think we stand a pretty good chance of Stone moving into our market sometime in 2008.

Stoudt’s Brewing Company

Located in eastern Pennsylvania, this brewery recently celebrated its 20^th Anniversary. They brew a wide variety of styles, everything from a Pilsner to an Imperial Oatmeal Stout. I personally have tried their Double IPA in Florida of all places, and it was a great and different take on the style, with a big malt backbone that took center stage away from the hops. There were rumblings a few months back that Stoudt’s would be down here this year, but that has not happened yet. We are on their radar, and they already distribute to Virginia, Florida, and Georgia, so I suspect we will see this beer soon.

Lagunitas Brewing Company

This northern California brewery does not shy away from controversy or from brewing big aggressive beers. Like most west coast breweries, hops are often center stage, and Lagunitas has a wide variety of beers that showcase them, including their regular IPA and IPA Maximus. One of their most interesting releases was the Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale. This beer was brewed to honor their 20 day suspension, a result of a marijuana bust at their brewery. They are definitely not afraid to push some buttons. One of my personal favorite Lagunitas beers is a seasonal release called Brown Sugga, a barleywine style beer with a lovely sweet sugary finish. Currently Lagunitas can be found in Virginia and Georgia. I have not heard anything about them possibly coming to North Carolina, but given our burgeoning craft beer scent I would not be surprised if we were high on their list of places to expand.

There are certainly plenty of other breweries that may find their way to our state soon. A good idea to get some of these beers here is to email the breweries to let them know that you love their beer and you would like to see their beer on our shelves.

Would you pay half a million for a bottle of beer?

I'm a man of modest means, and sometimes I cringe when I pay over ten dollars for a bottle of beer, even when that is a deal compared to expensive bottles of wine. Well, ten dollars is certainly a bargain compared to this $500,000 bottle of beer sold recently on ebay. Of course the skeptic in me thinks this may not be a real bid, but the bottle is certainly special. Allsopp's Arctic Ale was brewed in 1852 for an arctic expedition by the same brewery that is partially credited for brewing the first IPA's, beers strong enough to last the long harsh travel conditions to India from the British Isles (incidentally, beer blogger and author Pete Brown is recreating this trip for a new book). The beer must have been huge, both high in alcohol and with enough hops to survive the long trek (although certainly not as highly hopped as todays West Coast IPA's). A small brewery in England even went so far as to try and recreate the beer, and it went on to be a Champion Beer at the Cambridge Winter Ale Festival.

I am sure that the person who bought this bottle is a collector, but I have to wonder what the beer would taste like. It would not be the first time such an old beer was sampled. Last year, an 1869 Ratcliff Ale was discovered among a few other old beers found at a brewery in England. That beer was opened, poured into a glass, and the beer tasted "absolutely amazing". Now that was a once in a lifetime sip of beer. I wonder if our big spender will do the same?

Beer(s) of the Moment

I can't promise a regularly scheduled beer review column, so I have aptly titled this post as 'Beer of the Moment'. I am hoping to occasionally post on beers available in the area that are worth taking a look at. So without further ado, on to the beers.

Sierra Nevada is celebrating their 27th Anniversary this year. It is amazing to think about how long they have been going at it, and their Pale Ale is partially responsible for the craft beer revolution we are experiencing today. Its nice to know that if I step foot into any town in America, it is likely that I can find a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale amongst the Bud, Miller, and Coors offerings that are so ubiquitous in grocery stores and gas stations everywhere. To celebrate their anniversary, they have released their Anniversary Ale, a highly hopped IPA that showcases the Cascade hop that Sierra Nevada has utilized for years. This is not an over the top IPA, but it shines with the fresh taste of the citrusy Cascade hops that has defined the West Coast style of beers for the past decade or so. At just under 6 percent alcohol, it is sessionable and tasty as well. I was able to pick up a 6 pack at Earthfare, but I imagine it could be found at most of the good beer stores in town over the next several weeks.

My second featured beer is Ommegedon, brewed by Ommegang, perhaps the best American example of Belgian style ales. This is a Belgian Pale Ale, not unlike a Duvel, but with a twist. It was bottled with a dose of Brettanomyces giving it an ever so slightly sour and funky finish that complements the subtle spices and candied sugar. The Brett is in the background now, but with a month or two of aging it should give this beer a more earthy finish. This is a limited release, so get it while you can. I bought mine at Bruisin' Ales.

I have added a calendar to the right side of the blog, and I hope to keep it updated with beer related events in the area.

Au revoir

I haven't posted in awhile because I've been running back and forth to and from Little Rock, Arkansas, where I'll be moving later this week. It's a career advancement decision, not one I made lightly. So, this is it for my posts here. Kilgore Trout came aboard as co-blogger several weeks ago and has done an outstanding job. He's been taking the blog into areas I had envisioned when starting out, but never really found the time to do right. So I wish him the best. I'll still be reading regularly to keep up on the local beer scene. With family in the Greenville, SC area, we'll be passing through a couple of times a year. I look forward to all the developments in the works, such as the Wedge Gallery brewery, the brewpub in the former TS Morrison building, and new pubs in West Asheville, not to mention new brews from existing breweries.

Please give KG your support, and feel free to contact me if you ever pass through Little Rock and want to grab a beer.

P.S. If anyone would like to take over my Asheville Pubcrawl website please send a note to hiker33 (at) hotmail.com.

Imperial Kashmir IPA

This is probably old news already for those of you who peruse the great blog at Bruisin' Ales, but I did want to pass along the news that Highland Brewing Company is planning a special release for the day after Brewgrass Festival. Many folks will recall the special release last year of the Imperial Gaelic Ale, a ramped up version of their flagship beer that was released in limited quantities at the brewery in one liter swing top bottles. I picked up 6 of these myself, and they were wonderful. I wish they would have made it a full time offering, or at least an annual seasonal. Well this year, they are giving the same treatment to the Kashmir IPA, which I am really looking forward too. The beer will be available Sunday at noon on September 23rd. Considering the large crowd that gathered last year, I would suggest going at the very least about an hour or so early. One can only hope that an Imperial Black Mocha Stout will be their special release in 2008.

Random Notes

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. I was able to recover from my illness enough to go to Bele Chere over the weekend though. Thank (insert deity of your choice here) for the local beer tent. It was nice being able to walk around Bele Chere with a Shiva IPA instead of a Red Hook, or worse, a Budweiser. I was also lucky enough to get a Duvel to go from Picholine on Haywood to enjoy while listening to the Laura Blackley Band. The emphasis on local musicians this year was a nice change from years past. Bele Chere is still a love it or hate it event, but drinking good beer and listening to good music will always get a thumbs up from me.

Speaking of drinking good beer, tickets are on sale right now for the Brewgrass Festival, and they always sell out. With the work being done at Pack Place, this years festival is being held at the ballfield at Martin Luther King Park on September 22nd. I was out there for Shindig on the Green earlier this year, and it should make for pretty good venue, although there won't be a lot of shade to go around. I think it will be better than the tight fit last year on Market Street in the Block. I really enjoyed it two years ago when it was held at McCormick Field, but the powers that be decided we were a bit too hard on the outfield grass. Regardless of where it is, the Brewgrass Festival is always a good time, and I suggest ordering tickets as soon as possible.

If you are feeling adventurous, another great beer event is the World Beer Festival in Durham on October 6th. This will be the 12th one held in Durham, and it is arguably one of the best beer festivals in the Southeast. I am embarrassed to say that I have yet to attend, but I did go to its sister festival this spring held in Raleigh, and they had a great lineup of beers, quite a few of which are not available in our area. Tickets went on sale today, and they also sell out well before the day of the festival.

Another mini beer event of note will be occurring at Barleys on the 23rd of this month (August, for those of you who aren't near a calendar). If you recall an earlier post of mine, I was lamenting the lack of beer related events here at the local beer bars, and I specifically mentioned cask ale. Well, Foothills Brewing out of Winston-Salem will be rolling into town with the release of their Oktoberfest lager. Not only will they be featuring this beer on regular draft, but they will also be bringing a cask version. I have never had the pleasure of drinking a cask lager, so I am definitely looking forward to trying it out.

I'm going to be in Tampa next week for work. Not necessarily a beer mecca, but at least I get to see my folks. I had originally been scheduled to go to San Francisco, where I would have regaled you with stories of highly hopped west coast beers, but alas, those plans fell through. But looking at the next couple of months, there should be plenty of good beer to be had here in North Carolina.

I've got a fever

Seriously. As much as I would like this entry to be about beer, I have been sick since Thursday night, and this cold is now settling deep into my chest. Looks like I will be making a visit to the doctor in the morning. Sorry for this being off topic, but it may be a few days until I have the energy to write another beer related post. In the mean time, I implore everyone who reads this blog to have a beer or two. It will help my recovery.

The Wonderful World of Beer Trading

A rather average looking cardboard box was on my porch today when I came home, but the contents were anything but average. Within the box was a Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout. Any beer geek that has perused the top rated beers at Beer Advocate or Rate Beer will know that this is a highly regarded beer that is very hard to come by. As a matter of fact, the beer is only available one day of the year at the site of the brewery, known as Dark Lord Day amongst beer enthusiasts. That day happened to coincide with my wedding anniversary this year, and although my wife loves me it would have been difficult convincing her to spend several hours in Muncie, Indiana waiting in line to get one. But thankfully I have met and traded with several people online, and I was lucky that one of my new friends was able to secure a bottle for me.

Beer trading is easier than you think. There are forums dedicated to the practice at both Beer Advocate and at Rate Beer. All you need is access to good local beer that someone in another part of the country wants to try. It may take a little coaxing if you are brand new to trading, but before long you will be trading and meeting new friends from all over the United States. I'm fortunate to have received a variety of beers, including the Westvleteren 12, considered by many to be the best beer in the world, Three Floyds Dreadnaught Double IPA, one of the finest double IPA's in the country, Alpine Beer Company's Great Ale, a strong ale aged in Jack Daniels barrels, and many others. If I tried to get these beers at their source, I would have racked up a lot of frequent flyer miles. In addition to getting great beers from far away places, it's just as rewarding to know that you can send some of our great local beers to other folks so they can see how good we stack up with the rest of the country. I have gotten great feedback from sending Highland's Tasgall and Cold Mountain Ales, as well as Pisgah's Baptista and Vortex II, in addition to some regional and East Coast beers that aren't available in other areas.

So what are you waiting for? Get your cardboard box and your bubble wrap ready, and explore the wonderful world of beer without having to go further than your nearest package store (I highly recommend Corner Post on Haywood in West Asheville).

Seeing Red

Pisgah Brewing Company is at at again. Asheville's most adventurous brewery is celebrating their 200th batch with what can best be described as a 'Cherry Blonde Ale'. Aptly called the Red Devil, this golden ale was fermented with a healthy dose of cherries and raspberries and blended with some of their Solstice Tripel. This isn't the first time that Pisgah has defied style guidelines. Their Cosmos was a Baltic Porter fermented using Belgian yeast, and they practically invented their own style with the Equinox, a 'harvest ale'. And then there was the Baptista, which combined many elements of different Belgian style beers into one fantastic tasting brew. In just a couple of years they have pushed the envelope farther than any other local brewery, ignoring convention and crafting inventive beers instead of only brewing what is expected. It seems to be working out pretty well for them.

The Red Devil was delivered yesterday to Carmel's in the Grove Arcade, and it should be arriving at Barley's sometime later today. Look for for these kegs to be tapped soon, and it's possible that this beer could find its way into a bottle.

Update: It is now on tap at both Carmel's and Barley's. Enjoy.

The Session #5 - Atmosphere

For the past 5 months, beer bloggers around the globe have gotten together on the first Friday of the month to post about a specific beer style or theme. This month’s theme, chosen by the guys at Hop Talk, is atmosphere. Specifically:

“Beer is about more than flavor, IBUs, and the debate over what is a craft beer and what isn’t. It’s about Life. It’s the proverbial icing on the cake.

So, we want to know about the “Atmosphere” in which you enjoy beer. Where is your favorite place to have a beer? When? With whom? Most importantly:

Why?

Because while life isn’t all about beer, beer is all about life”

Atmosphere can mean many things to many different people. It can be a quiet Sunday in your backyard, a lounge chair on a sunlit beach or a cabin overlooking the mountains. It can be any place that evokes a sense of calm and relaxation, where everything is right in the world.

Perhaps my favorite place I have ever had a beer is the back ‘porch’ of the Pelican Pub & Brewery in Pacific City, Oregon. Sure, their beer is fantastic. The India Pelican Ale is a delight, with a lovely citrus hop finish that competes with many of the best IPA’s in the country. But the beer is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. The view from the back of the brewpub is extraordinary. It sits on the Oregon coast, in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Rock outcroppings jut out of the cold Pacific Ocean, and the sandy beach awaits you. A short walk away you can scale a 60 foot sand dune, or you can explore tidal pools teeming with starfish, anemones and other sea creatures. I remember saying to my wife that I did not want to leave. Ever.

Unfortunately, I live some 2500 miles away from that beer paradise, so I have to get my atmosphere closer to home. In my opinion, there is no better place in Asheville to have a beer than in front of Jack of the Wood. Granted, the benches in front are not for everyone. Since the bar is non-smoking, you will definitely encounter your share of smokers which could potentially ruin your ideal atmosphere. But I think the pros outweigh the cons. You have a front row seat to the city, and on a nice leisurely afternoon you can watch the world, or more specifically, Asheville go by. By far the greatest benefit of sitting outside is that it practically forces you to interact with the people around you. Unlike sitting at a table or even at the bar, the benches, with their open seating arrangement, invite conversations with strangers. I have met all kinds of great people there. One night, an older couple from Ireland was in town for their son’s wedding, and we spent a couple of hours talking international politics, culture, food, and of course, beer. Another night my wife and I met a couple on their seventh wedding anniversary, and we got to live vicariously through their celebratory evening. While I certainly appreciate nights with close friends and family, there is something totally unique about meeting a friendly person for the first time that is from across the street or across the pond. It reminds you that human beings are a pretty good lot for the most part.

So I hope all of you have a special place to enjoy a pint of beer and fellowship, and take a moment to think about how special those times are.

A Challenge to Asheville Beer Bars

I have been contemplating making a public challenge to Asheville beer bars when I came across some news today. It’s not that we don’t have some fine places to drink. Barleys, Bier Garden, Hannah Flannagans, and others offer plenty of taps to choose from, not to mention our brewpubs. However, I have been disappointed in the lack of variety in their Belgian draft offerings. Well it looks like my dreams have come true. The Thirsty Monk is set to open in September at the current site of Hookah Joes, and they will be offering 8 Belgians on tap, and a large variety of bottled Belgians. To say that I am excited is an understatement of epic proportions. I have been to the Brick Store Pub near Atlanta which was a heavenly experience. They had a variety of Belgians on tap to choose from, such as St. Bernardus Abt 12, Saison Dupont, Cantillon Gueze, La Chouffe, and others, all served in their respective glassware. Let's hope that the Thirsty Monk is able to match the variety that I saw while at the Brick Store. My only concern about our new pub is that they will be serving only Belgians and not other beers. I'm crossing my fingers that there will be enough people like me to appreciate it.

And while I’m on the subject of challenging our local beer bars, I would love to see more beer events. We have the Brewgrass Festival, and Bruisin’ Ales has brought us beer tastings and beer dinners. But what I don’t see are beer themed nights at any of our pubs. There are bars in other places like Durham and even Greenville, SC that have special nights devoted to a beer or brewery. Tyler’s in Durham has a weekly pint night, where you get to try a new brew and take home a glass. Barley’s in Greenville has been having the occasional Freaking Firkin Friday, which features a cask ale from a selected brewery (I could probably start an entire new post on the need for more cask beer in Asheville). I would also love to see special nights for our local and regional brewers when they come out with a new or limited release. It’s these kinds of events that foster and perpetuate the growing beer culture here in Asheville.

Jolly Pumpkin

Brettanomyces. The word alone will send shivers through any winemaker. But what is considered a mistake in wine, with beer it can yield some fantastic results. Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales out of Dexter, Michigan is taking the use of this so called pest to new heights. Russian River, Lost Abbey, and other brewers are experimenting with this wonderful, complex yeast and giving beer lovers an entirely new taste sensation. Here in Asheville, the availability of Jolly Pumpkin opens the door to a whole new world of sour, funky goodness.

Jolly Pumpkin is one of the few brewers in the United States that ferments their beer in the open. This allows any number of wild yeasts to help in the fermentation process, including our friend Brettanomyces (which can also be found growing on the inside of the oak barrels that Jolly Pumpkin uses for aging). While this may seem experimental, it actually harkens to the way beer used to be brewed for centuries. When most people think of beer, they think of hops and malt, but the yeast can impart all sorts of interesting flavors. Open fermented beers, or wild ales as they are called, are often sour, earthy, spicy and full of funk.

Thanks to our good friends at Bruisin' Ales, Jolly Pumpkin is now available in the Asheville area. If you are looking for something unusual and different, be sure to give them a try. Feel the funk.

On Tap - Barley's

This will be a semi-regular feature, in which I, your intrepid blogger, ventures out to a local Asheville bar or brewpub in search of good beer. Most of my focus will be on seasonal releases and rare microbrews from near and far. Hopefully this will inspire the thousands of people who read this blog to set forth on their own beer odyssey.

Today's featured bar is Barley's Taproom. Barley's has long held the title in Asheville for most beers on tap with 43 in all, and they do an excellent job of highlighting North Carolina breweries. If you go there hungry, you can grab a table downstairs and order a slice of pizza, a pita wrap, or a beefalo burger to go with your beer. Recently, they have undergone an expansion of their kitchen, so there should be a couple of new things on the menu in the coming months. If you don't feel like eating, you can always go upstairs and hustle your way into a game of pool or throw a few darts. Barley's also features live FREE music three times a week and trivia on Monday nights.

Okay, now that the obligatory introduction is out of the way, let's move on to the beer. If the summer heat is getting to you, our very own French Broad Brewery has a beer to quench your thirst. Go ahead, wipe the sweat off your brow, and order a Gateway Kolsch. Germany is most famous for its lagers, but if you order a beer in the city of Cologne, they will pour a top fermented ale known as Kolsch. Light in color and body, it certainly looks like its lagered counterpart, but the ale yeast lends a slightly more fruity character. The Kolsch actually tastes like a hybrid of the two, as the Kolsch yeast ferments at slightly lower temperatures than most ale yeasts and many Kolsh's are lagered for a short period of time. I had a pint last night and it was light and refreshing, and it made me want to book a plane to Cologne so I could try the real thing. Donations will be accepted.

Speaking of beer traveling, on my list of things to do before I die is to go to Belgium. Since that isn't in the cards in the near future, I have to settle on drinking Belgian style beers here at home, and Barley's just so happens to have one on tap downstairs. Brooklyn Brewery has recently been releasing some special draft only Belgian style beers, and the current selection is the Abbey Singel. While most Belgian style beers I drink are high gravity, this one could be described as a Belgian session beer, weighing in at a modest 6 percent. Light in body, fruity, with a definite Belgian yeast presence that is slightly spicy with hints of banana. This goes down easier than its higher alcohol brethren.

My last featured beer is one that has been on tap upstairs off and on for awhile. Foothills Brewing has been churning out some great beers lately, and the beer that first really peaked my interest in them is the Seeing Double IPA. A sweet sipper with more malt than you find in a lot of Double IPA's, but the citrusy hops remind you of why this is called an IPA. There is also a pleasantly mild alcohol burn that reminds you that you are drinking a beer that is 9.5% alcohol. Go easy on this one kids.

Another beer that I didn't get around to drinking was Catawba Valley's Bier D' Clam. If you didn't catch the double entendre, I suggest reading that last sentence again. This is an Oyster Stout. Yes, they make beer with oysters. No, it doesn't sound appetizing, but I have had an oyster stout from Rogue that was fairly tasty. I shall try to have this on a return trip, and if anybody has any insight on this beer let me know.

Observed in Little Rock, AR

Location: The bar at the Little Rock Hilton.

Setting: A quiet Monday evening. Five or six customers are sitting at tables, being attended to by a blonde server with hair that falls well below her shoulders. Her low-cut black dress is slit almost to the hip, revealing much hosiery-covered thigh as she moves around the room. The bar has nobody sitting at it and the obese female bartender has stepped out for a few minutes.

Two young men enter and take seats at the bar. They bear a strong physical resemblance to Beavis and Butthead. They sit for two minutes without speaking.

Beavis: Duuuuuuuuude! Domestics, four-twenty five...for a Bud Light!

Both get up and begin to leave.

Butthead: This must be Paris Hilton's private bar. heh, heh!

Beavis: Paris Hilton. Heh, heh.

They disappear into the lobby.

END

New brewery coming to River Arts District

Today's Asheville Citizen-Times reports on the new brewery coming to the Wedge Gallery. The brewer will be Carl Melissas, formerly of Green Man. You can read the article here. We look forward to welcoming the new brewery and tap room.

Another brewery is in the works for the old T.S. Morrison store downtown on Lexington Avenue, with opening a year or so away. Is Asheville a contender for having the most local breweries per capita in the country? We think so.

Pisgah one of fifty top breweries in US

I received the June issue of Beer Advocate in today's mail. On the first page is an editorial by editors the Alstrom brothers, commenting on the annual Brewer's Association list of the fifty top breweries in the US based on sales. The editors created their own list based on ratings, and number 32 on the list is Pisgah Brewing, Black Mountain, NC.

Congrats to "Pisgah Dave" Quinn and Jason Caughman. Given that their brewery has been in operation for only three years, this is praise indeed. Keep up the good work guys.

The only other North Carolina brewery on the list is Duck Rabbit Craft Brewery, coming in at number 39. We in NC should be proud of our craft beer industry. They can compete with any breweries in the country.

edited: clarification

For the love of lagers

So my dog took me out for a little hike on Saturday, and it didn’t take me long to feel the heat. Summer has yet to ‘officially’ begin, and it’s already in the mid to upper eighties. It’s times like these that I reach for a cold lager. Nothing quenches your thirst after a couple of hours in the hot June sun.

Unfortunately, when most people hear the word lager, they immediately think of Budweiser or Miller, pale comparisons to their more flavorful cousins. These beers have caused many a craft brew lover to cringe whenever they hear the word lager. Thankfully, there are several German, Czech and American craft brewers that are dedicated to making great all-malt lagers.

Lagers lend themselves to outdoor drinking. Whether drinking a pilsner in the hot sun or warming yourself with a sip of dopplebock in the dead of winter, the crisp finish of a well-brewed lager satisfies like no other style of beer. Generally not as hoppy as ales, they tend to be subtle, with hints of malt sweetness combined with the spicy finish of a noble hop. Too bad these beers are often ignored by beer nerds who are always searching for the latest big brash Imperial Stout or Double IPA (both styles that I love, mind you). Brewing a great lager is actually more difficult because you can’t hide behind loads of hops or roasted malts, so it’s all the more special when you find a good one.

Speaking of big and brash, several American brewers have decided that a regular pilsner is just not enough, and they have invented the new style of ‘Imperial Pilsner’, which is a regular Pilsner jacked up with more malt and hops reaching the 8 or 9 percent range at times. This is one time where I think bigger is not necessarily better, but to each their own. You lose the subtle complexity when you use that much malt and hops.

Asheville brewers have ignored lagers for the most part, with the exception of French Broad Brewery, which has a Pilsner, a Marzen, and a Bock in their rotation. Asheville Brewing recently released their Bulldog Bock, a Maibock which is a german spring lager that packs plenty of punch. But other than that, locally brewed lagers are hard to come by, and I hope one day to see a few more offerings.

I have made it a point this year to explore lagers and reconnect with this great style. A cautionary note on light lagers: you want to drink them fresh, and that makes it hard with certain imports and other beers that don’t have any kind of dating system. Be sure to look at the bottle to see if it has a freshness date. Here’s a list of some of the beers that I have been able to get locally that are worthy of purchase:

Victory Prima Pils: My favorite American craft brewed Pilsner. Slightly more hops than its German counterpart, the lovely spicy finish will make you reach for another one.

Brooklyn Lager: The sweet malt shines in this pre-Prohibition style lager.

Mahr’s Pilsner: A quintessential example of a German Pilsner. Crisp and refreshing. (Mahr’s other offerings are great as well.)

Kulmbacher Pils: Another fine example of a German Pils. Drink it cold after mowing the lawn or some other sweat inducing activity.

Klaster Premium Lager: A great Czech alternative to the now mass produced Pilsner Urquell.

Aecht Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier: I haven’t seen this in awhile, but this is one fantastic beer. A smoked lager, but the smoke doesn’t dominate like a Rauchbier.

Celebrator Dopplebock: This beer is my wintertime favorite. A classic of the style, with sweet caramel and hints of molasses and chocolate. Will definitely warm you up.

Clipper City Loose Cannon

Clipper City Brewing Company of Baltimore produces their "Heavy Seas" line of bottle-conditioned brews which are now available in western North Carolina. I first enjoyed these beers at the Classic City brewfest in Athens, Georgia. When I saw them on the shelves at Bruisin' Ales I had to buy a six-pack of Loose Cannon.

Billed as a double IPA, the beer is more accurately described as an American West Coast IPA, athough the octane is a healthy 7.5 ABV. Brewed with Magnum, Centennial, Chinook, Amarillo and Palisade hops, the beer is a hophead's delight. The nose is full of grapefruit with hints of bread yeast which suggests that the beer is well-balanced. Initial bitterness lingers on the tongue though undertones of malt are always present. The bitterness lingers for some time. There's also a good alcohol bite.

The mouthfeel is medium-light, and the beer poured with a medium head that lingered, leaving a nice Scottish lace in my Barley's imperial pint glass. The beer would also be appropriately served in a tulip glass and shared. Since it's bottle conditioned, it would be appropriate to pour the beer carefully, leaving sediment in the bottle. However, I forgot to do that with one bottle and found that the yeast complimented the hops and alcohol well. I think next time I'll leave the yeast in again!

Overall, an excellent beer. Recommended.

Welcome, Kilgore Trout

I want to extend a warm welcome to my co-blogger, Kilgore Trout. As some of you will recall, when I started the blog I intended to have a group of people who would contribute regularly. Please welcome KT to the blog. I've already enjoyed reading his posts and I hope you will, too.

New brewery at the Wedge Gallery

This is a follow up to one of Mark's previous posts. If you haven't already heard, Carl Melissas, former Green Man brewer, is going to be the brewmaster at a new brewpub that is looking to open in the fall of this year if everything goes well. It will be located at the Wedge Gallery in the River Arts District. If you haven't been to the River Arts District, this weekend would be an excellent opportunity, as they are having their biannual Studio Stroll from 10-6 Saturday and Sunday.

Anyway, on to the beer news. I spoke with Carl about a month ago, and he is very excited about the new space. They plan on having 8 taps, which will feature his Pale, IPA, Pilsner, Oatmeal Stout, Organic Porter, Gollum (yum), and 2 rotating seasonals, one of which will be Belgian style. Needless to say, I am certainly looking forward to seeing Carl brewing again in Asheville.

If you have read this before, it was probably a post by me at Beerinator.com, a great forum for North Carolina beer drinkers.

Please allow me to introduce myself

Thanks to the graciousness of Mark, I have been allowed to become a part of the Asheville Beer Blog team. My name is James, aka Kilgore Trout. If you drink beer in Asheville, it is very likely you have seen me. I've lived in Asheville for almost 10 years and watched the craft beer scene in town literally explode. This is perhaps the best beer town in the South, and arguably the best of its size in the United States, so I feel darn lucky to live here.

My posting philosophy is simple. I want to celebrate the great beer scene that we have, while adding any news that I may encounter about the goings on of our little beer world. I will also try to point out any great beers that may be featured on the local taps or in bottles at your friendly neighborhood beer store. Occasionally I may ruminate on the craft beer scene in general. I hope that I can add to what is already a great blog, and that eventually this will be a place for Asheville beer lovers to connect and communicate.

Again, thanks to Mark, and I look forward to being able to contribute.

My absence

Yes, folks, I'm still alive. It's been a rocky few weeks. First, my springtime allergies laid me low and forced me into taking some serious meds that shouldn't be mixed with alcohol. I've also been teaching a graduate course which adds an extra 15-18 hours per week onto my usual 50+. Things should quiet down after next week and I'll be back in business. I'm also looking into bringing a co-blogger on board which will help with posting frequency.

Thanks for e-mails asking if I was still here. It's good to know I was missed.

Belgian Dinner at La Caterina!

Courtesy of Bruisin' Ales:

Bruisin' Ales is partnering with Millennium Beverage, Global Beer Network, and Asheville restaurant La Caterina Trattoria for an exciting culinary extravaganza -- a six course Italian menu. This special beer dinner will be paired with a six-beer Belgian beer line-up with commentary by Johnny Fincioen, president of Global Beer Network.

Cost is $45/per person including tax and gratuity.

For reservations, please call La Caterina Trattoria at 828-254-1148.

More details at our event calendar: www.bruisin-ales.com/beerblog.

CARCIOFI Artichoke Heart, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

Wittekerke

FRITTO MISTO Fried Shrimp, Monkfish, Cauliflower, Zucchini, Garlic-Lemon Ailoi

VEGETARIAN Fried Cauliflower, Zucchini, Garlic-Lemon Ailoi

Piraat
Flemish IPA Triple

INSALATA BELANZONE Sweet Sicilian & Spicy Calabrese Sausage, Olive Oil poached New Potatoes, Vinegar, Peppers, Onions

VEGETARIAN Olive Oil poached New Potatoes, Vinegar, Peppers, Onions

Poperings Hommel Ale

COLLO DI MAIALE Pork Neck Bones & Lentils, Sweet Potato Gnocchi

VEGETARIAN Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Grated Romano

Kapittel Abt

MANZO ARROSTO Smoked, slow roasted American Kobe Beef Roast, Roasted Tomato, Shoestring Potatoes

VEGETARIAN PASTA ALLA NORMA Tossed with Roasted Eggplant, Roasted
Tomato, Basil and cheese

Gulden Draak Triple Dark

ZEPPOLI Sicilian fried Doughnut Balls, Lavender Honey

Cherish Kriek Lambic

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

At $45/person this is a steal. For more information see the Bruisin' Ales blog.

Bon appetite!

Homeless man breaks into bar

From WLOS: a homeless man broke into a Pennsylvania bar, cooked himself a few burgers and had some beer to wash them all down. Police arrested him after he tried to re-enter the scene of the crime.

With bail set at $50k and given his homeless status, it's doubtful if he'll be doing it again soon.

Full story here.

Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA

Simcoe, is a registered trademark of Select Botanicals Group, is new hybrid hop variety similar to Cascade. It's all the rage in American craft brewing, due to its powerful, citrusy aroma and astringent bitterness. So when I saw this beer as the monthly special at Bruisin' Ales I jumped to buy a 22 oz. bottle. Having had other brews from Weyerbacher I knew I was in for a treat.

The beer poured with a rich, foamy head that filled half the imperial pint glass despite my gentle pour. It took a few minutes to subside, which I occupied by noshing on some exellent 'za from Digable Pizza of West Asheville. If you haven't tried this West Asheville pizza joint, go there now.

Back to the beer. The nose was redolent of ruby red grapefruit, a citrus I absolutely love, and the color was a medium, rich reddish-gold. In case it's not obvious from the above paragraph, the brew is very well carbonated. The initial sip was very smooth, with an alcoholic bite coupled with powerful hop bitterness. Registering 9 % ABV, and with the citrus hoppiness, this beer is heaven in a pint glass. A beer worth sharing and savoring.

South Carolina pops the cap!

On Wednesday, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford signed legislation raising SC's legal alcohol level in beer to 14% by weight (that's 17.5% by volume, placing the new limit a full 2.5% above that of North Carolina). This is great news for brewers and beer drinkers in the Palmetto State, many of whom have been making regular trips to North Carolina and Georgia to obtain speciality beer. Many of us in Asheville recall the hassle of travelling to Georgia and Tennessee to get select beers prior to NC's repeal in 2005 of similar arcane legislation. With the latest lifting of these nonsensical laws, only three states still impose arbitrary limits on beer alcohol levels: Alabama, Mississippi, and West Virginia.

It will be awhile before the higher-alcohol beers begin showing up on SC shelves, as distributors must go through a permitting process. But please join me in raising a glass to the folks at popthecapsc.org who made this happen.

Saturday Belgian tasting at Asheville Wine Market

I chanced to meet Mark Yonce of Duvel Moortgat at Jack of the Wood a few weeks ago. He'll be pouring samples of some fine beers at the Asheville Wine Market this Saturday.

From the AWM e-newsletter:

Saturday May 5th., 2007

Free Tasting; 1 to 4pm. Belgian Beers-the Champagnes of the Beer World! Join Mark Yonce of Duvel Moorgat, USA at the AWM Tasting Bar.

Belgian beer varies from the popular pale lager to the esoteric appeal of lambic beer, Monastic ales, brown ales, doubles and on to triples. Belgian beer-brewing's origins go back to the Middle-Ages, when monasteries began producing beers. Belgian beer production was assisted by the 1919 Belgian "Vandervelde Act", that prohibited the sale of spirits in pubs, inducing the market to produce beers with a higher level of alcohol. The Vandervelde Act was lifted in 1983. Although beer production in Belgium is now dominated by Inbev and Alken Maes, there are approx 125 craft breweries in the country, producing about 500 standard beers for the world's enjoyment. Join us on Saturday as we showcase the following beers:

Ommegang Hennepin A rare Farmhouse Saison Ale- pale, hoppy, crisp, and rustic. It's named after Father Louis hennepin, A Belgian missionary who was the first European to visit and describe Niagra Falls.$5.99/750ml

Duvel Belgian Golden Ale Refreshing and golden like a Pilsner but with the flavor, depth and complexity of an ale. Mellow, balanced and beguiling flavor as well as Duvel's intensity and oomph. A world classic$9.49/750ml or $13.49/4pack 11.20oz.

Maredsous 10 Tripel Abbey Ale brewed according to traditional methods of the Benedictine Monks of Maredsous. Light golden in color, refreshing and sneaky with its power. Cellar matured!$7.49/750ml

Maredsous 8 Dark Brune Abbey Ale brewed according to traditional methods of the Benedictine Monks of Maredsous. Dark brown color, nice malty nose, spices and even a hint of smoke in this intriguing brew.$6.99/750ml

Rodenbach Grand Cru Flemish Sour Ale aged in oak casks for 18 months. The unique and refreshing sourness is balanced beautifully by the hint of oaky sweetness. $8.99/750ml

Rodenbach Redbach Soothingly sweet, wickedly sour, Redbach is a tantalizing blend of Rodenbach Flemish Sour Ale and 100% natural cherry juice.$8.99/4 pack 11.2 oz.

Special tasting prices: 10% off the bottle and 15% off by the case, mix or match, unless already discounted via sale or promotion!

New Holland Mad Hatter IPA

I found this Michigan beer at Whole Foods in Mount Pleasant, SC. It reminded me of Shiva from Asheville Brewing, but it was slightly less hoppy.

The beer poured nicely into a pint glass, with moderate head and good carbonation. A hoppy blast on the nose paved the way for more hoppiness both up front and on the finish. In other words, a perfect beer for me. The color was medium amber. Mouthfeel was medium. Overal, it was an excellent example of an American IPA. I look forward to trying other beers from this brewery.

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.