Obama won the NC primary. Were the Obama folks out in force yesterday or what? We had three phone calls and saw people on what seemed to be every street corner. Here he is yesterday mingling with folks out East at the Raleigh Times Bar.

But, he ordered a PBR.

Beerinators debate. And we learn from Lew Bryson that he also visited close to our original home in Pennsylvania by having a brew at Bethlehem Brew Works. At least he had an ESB while there.

Joey Redner lists “the world’s 10 most disgusting beers.”
[tampabay.com]

The Brits, on average, start with a pint at 6:14pm and then hang out until about 10:30pm. Other random tidbits on European drinking habits, too.
[ukpress.google.com]

Israelis drink Palestinian beer, Taybeh. See? Beer brings people together.
[radionetherlands.com]

Vermont gets its cap lifted and stronger beers over 8% abv are now in liquor stores. Hooray. Only a few states left with these archaic laws.
[boston.com]

Charlotte stores get busted undercover while selling beer to minors.
[wcnc.com]

Beer writer, Lew Bryson, names the World Beer Fest in Durham one of the top six beer fests in North America. Cool.
[msnbc.com]

June 27—5:30pm
McCormick Field
$25/pp

Pop the Cap: A Celebration of NC Craft Beer
Bruisin’ Ales and Sean Wilson, President of Pop The Cap, co-host this pre-game Asheville Tourists’ event at McCormick Field celebrating North Carolina’s craft brews from the coast to the mountains. You  might remember we had a lot of fun with him last year. A selection of beer samples from around the state (and around the corner) will be sampled, with each brewery bringing something to the table.

*Hors d’ouvres and game admission included.*

Tentative breweries:
1. Highland Brewing Company
2. French Broad Brewing Company
3. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company
4. Green Man Ales
5. The Wedge (coming soon!)
6. Pisgah Brewing Company
7. Catawba Valley Brewing Company
8. Duck-Rabbit Brewing Company
9. Big Boss Brewing
10. Foothills Brewing Company
11. Azalea Coast Brewing Company

To save and buy the three-event pre-game package, click here for more info.

Ah, summertime and baseball. We’re hosting three special pre-game events at McCormick Field throughout the summer months to support our Asheville Tourists. All prices include admission to that night’s game.

Each will be added to the calendar as further details are planned, but here’s the skinny:

June 27—$25/pp
Pop the Cap: A Celebration of NC Craft Beer
Sean Wilson, President of Pop The Cap, joins us for this pre-game event celebrating North Carolina’s craft brews from the coast to the mountains. A selection of beer samples from around the state (and around the corner) will be sampled. Hors d’ouvres included.

Aug 15—$25/pp
Beer 101: Beer Basics
Beers from around the world! Hors d’ouvres included.
Hop-Aroma: Learn about varieties of the magic flower of beer.
The Pint at Hand: Learn how to choose proper glassware for beer styles.
MALT Showcase: Experience the process of brewing beer.

Aug 29—$50/pp
Dinner at the Ballpark: Ommegang
Cooperstown isn’t just home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, it’s home to Brewery Ommegang. This casual pre-game dinner will feature five courses of “upscale” ballpark food. Includes a FREE Ommegang ballcap!

*Purchase all three events together for $85/pp and save $15.*

“Campbell Robertson, a reporter for The Times, and an occasional cartoonist, is talking to voters around North Carolina in the week leading up to the state’s primary on Tuesday. His reports will be presented in graphic form.”

Nice little shout-out to Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company! Watch the whole slideshow here.

[Source/Image: NYTimes.com]