Happy New Year, folks! We took a much-needed break from writing on this here bloggy and the day we decide to reenter the blogosphere, Asheville gets its first winter storm of the season. We’re staring at what looks to be about 5″ of snow and the AC-T Accuweather Forecast seems to show more coming through this afternoon, according to radar. The gusty winds are pretty wicked. That being said, Bruisin’ Ales is closed today. While we look forward to the New Year, we’d be lying if we didn’t say we are giddy to have a Snow Day as it brings out the Canadian/Yankee in both of us.

2007 ended over-the-top with a raging boom of beer buyers in December. And there was no shortage of holiday cheer amongst the beer people. Uncle Jedi and Joan gave us a Lost Abbey Lost & Found; James & Michelle returned with a few brews from the new Saint Somewhere; John & Melissa are no shortage of liquid surprises (of which there are too many to mention); Chris, Adam & Philip shared a Southampton 10th Anniversary Ale; Steve & Becca gave us a homebrewed Triple; Wil gave us one of his uber-delicious Oud Bruins; JL delivered a mighty fine Oatmeal Stout; and The Brewsician took a Blue Ribbon at the Palmetto State Brewers Open, for which we were a sponsor. Yay, Chris!

Local Beer News Updates:

Pisgah Brewing Co. is about to unleash a beer storm. The return of Hellbender Barleywine is almost here, as well as Cosmos and Vortex III, a strong Belgian Golden. Plans to bottle Red Devil are also in the works and Vortex II will also be making a return later this year. We wonder if they ever sleep.

Highland Brewing Co. is hosting the Big Game & Beer Tasting on January 24 at the Crest Center in Asheville.

French Broad’s new brown growlers are a hit, but be advised there are no more deposits and no more returns. Please be mindful and either sterilize to refill or recycle. The newest brew to join the growler line-up? The return of Flanders Style Abbey Ale.

Head Brewer John Stuart of Green Man has a super tasty Russian Imperial Stout on cask at Dirty Jack’s. Do not miss this one.

Mark Lyons of Asheville Brews Cruise has helped organize Winter Warmer, Asheville’s first Winter beer festival featuring barbecue and all local brews. The event is January 19, 3-7pm at The Garage next to French Broad Brewery. Tickets are $35.

We hear that former Green Man brewer Carl Melissas is still on track for an early 2008 opening of the new brewpub at the Wedge Gallery.

Asheville’s first Belgian beer bar, The Thirsty Monk, is finally scheduled to open in just a few weeks where the old Hookah Joe’s used to be. Until then, the beautiful hand-carved wooden door will continue to taunt us.

Tony Kiss, The Beer Guy, reflects on the 2007 beer scene in Asheville.