It has happened. It’s official. You heard it here first. Skyland Distributing just sealed the deal with New Belgium Brewing, which means that in Spring of 2009, Fat Tire will hit WNC.

Oh, how long have we wished for this day, the day when you ask us “Do you have Fat Tire?” and we answer with an enthusiastic ”Yes.” It is, by far, THE most asked question at Bruisin’ Ales, and frankly, it makes us insane. Fat Tire is a good, solid beer, but it is not the country’s best beer. Nor is it the brewery’s best beer. As folks who’ve worked in marketing forever, until opening the humble storefront, Fat Tire is more of a symbol of fantastic promotion than brewing genius. That being said—and we’re prepared for the heat—we are extremely happy to welcome New Belgium into the fold. They are a great brewery. With many of their Belgian-style beers ranking higher than their American Amber flagship.

Trust us, if you’ve only had Fat Tire, you’ve not yet had the best by New Belgium. But that’s not a bad thing, is it?

[On a totally unrelated note: Asheville is on Google Street Maps now! Wheeee!]