It’s been a busy week around Bruisin’ Ales and we apologize for the slow posts. Normally, we can squeeze in a morning rant to you all, but the insane amount of deliveries we’ve been getting have us all tied-up. Not to mention the visitors and of course, the tastings. Here’s a round-up for the week:

Bell’s Update
Derek from Bell’s Brewery dropped by this week. Did you know that Asheville is the second largest market for Bell’s in NC? Wow! The good news is that more Expedition Stout is coming, so the clammoring (and complaining) may now cease. Also, Bell’s Third Coast Old Ale, a barleywine, is now here along with Bell’s Sparking Ale, just in time for the holiday table.

Terrapin Update
John Cochran, founder and president of Terrapin Beer, also paid us a visit. Their new brewery is coming along, though Georgia is having fun toying with them in this mess with all the new laws being passed, i.e. no sampling, no growler sales. He’s upbeat about it though and excited to get rolling in Athens proper. The newest of the Monster Series, Terrapin Coffee Oatmeal Imperial Stout (aka Wake-n-Bake) should be here in two weeks. That’s straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. The bad news is that their awesome new beer, Terrapin India Brown Ale, will likely not be brewed or bottled next year as planned due to the hops shortage. That’s a big, fat bummer.

Upcoming Tastings
For the holidays, we’re doing weekly tastings. We love you that much. Next week on Thursday Dec. 6, is going to be super special with Jason Gavin of Brooklyn Brewery coming to town. This one will be our holiday fundraiser for Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and will have a fee of $5/pp at the door. We’ll be sampling Brown, Winter, Local 1, Black Chocolate Stout, and the 2007 Monster Ale, which is to be released next week (fingers crossed!). 2004 and 2005 vintages of both Black Chocolate Stout and Monster Ale will also be sampled while they last. Get there early.

On Thursday, Dec. 13, Pisgah Brewing will have it’s in-store holiday tasting to kick-off Baptista and Red Devil in beautiful new bottles with a cork and a cage. Yup, both are being bottled for the holiday season. They’ll be bringing Porter, Equinox, Solstice, Red Devil, and Baptista for you to sample. Don’t miss it! And, if you have not yet had their coffee stout, Valdez, run (don’t walk) to Barley’s and grab yourself a pint. It’s so coffee-ish (is that a word?) and reminds us of the Hitachino Espresso Stout, which is made with whole beans that are thrown into the boil.

What else is new this week?
Boon Gueze
Dogfish Head Chicory Stout
Heavy Seas Below Decks
Ridgeway Very Bad Elf
Ridgeway Seriously Bad Elf
Ridgeway Santa’s Butt