Archive for the ‘Beer’ Category

We’ve got a few weeks left until the true Fall Equinox, but that doesn’t count in the beer world. The fall seasonal releases are pouring in—and quickly—so fans of Oktoberfest/Marzen styles and pumpkin beers rejoice! This list is everything arriving this week. Some are already here, some still coming tomorrow. But since we’re having beer floats with The Hop Ice Cream tomorrow, I’d better post these now or it won’t get done and you’ll be unhappy with me. We can’t have that.

Other limited releases that you want to grab NOW: Dogfish Head Bitches Brew, Dogfish Head Saison du BUFF, Rogue “21″ Old Ale, Sierra Nevada “30″ Ken & Jack’s Black Barleywine, Bell’s The Oracle Double IPA, and Stillwater Cellar Door.

[NOTE: The asterisk means seasonal beers and limited releases.]

BELL’S Oarsman*
BELL’S Octoberfest*
BELL’S The Oracle Double IPA*
COTTONWOOD Pumpkin Ale*
CHRISTOPHEL Nobel, Dry-hopped Tripel Lager
CRAGGIE BREWING Herkulean IPA* (growlers)
DE LA SIENE Stouterik
DOGFISH HEAD Bitches Brew*
DOGFISH HEAD Punkin’ Ale* (Friday)
DOGFISH HEAD Saison du BUFF*
FLYING DOG Dogtoberfest* (Friday)
HEAVY SEAS Prosit Marzen*
HIGHLAND Clawhammer Octoberfest*
HITACHINO Nopponia Rice Ale w/ Sorachi Ace
HOPPIN’ FROG Frog’s Hollow Double Pumpkin Ale*
MOOSBACHER Kellerbier
MOOSBACHER Schwarz Weisse
NEW BELGIUM Hoptober*
NEW BELGIUM Lips of Faith: Belgo IPA*
PAULANER Salvator Doppelbock
ROGUE “21″ Old Ale*
SHIPYARD Pumpkinhead* (Friday)
SIERRA NEVADA “30″ Ken & Jack’s Black Barleywine*
SMUTTYNOSE Pumpkin Ale* (Friday)
SPRECHER Mbege Banana Ale (gluten-free)
SPRECHER Shakparo (gluten-free)
STILLWATER Cellar Door
STILLWATER Love & Regret
TERRAPIN Hopzilla* (Side Project #12)
WEYERBACHER Imperial Pumpkin Ale*

This Friday, September 3, we’re pairing up with The Hop Ice Cream for more BEER FLOATS!

This week’s event is a benefit for our charity, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure. FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education. The monies we raise go directly to the Asheville Chapter, which is one of the most traveled (yet least funded) portions of the 469-mile scenic roadway.

$5.00/pp for three different beer floats!

• Antebellum Ale Ice Cream with Craggie Brewing Antebellum Ale
• Aztec Chocolate Ice Cream (with cinnamon & cayenne pepper) with Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
• Southern Comfort Ice Cream with Weyerbacher Insanity Bourbon Barrel-aged Barleywine

If you can’t join us, please consider an online donation to FRIENDS.

Firstly, big thanks to Pack’s Tavern for letting us use the beautiful Century Room (upstairs at the restaurant) to co-host the inaugural Blind Eye Beer Battle. While we definitely had some kinks in the process, overall the night was a gaggle of fun for about 40 beer people in attendance. This first BEBB featured a selection of local, regional and national brands of IPAs and Porters, eight in each category, with a pairing menu to die for.

We hope to do another in Fall!

The highest-rated IPAs: 1) Sweetwater IPA 2) Terrapin Hopsecutioner 3) Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
The highest-rated Porters: 1) Smuttynose Robust Porter 2) Founder’s Porter 3) Highland Oatmeal Porter

Highlights From The Last 2 Years Of The Hop Cast from Hop Cast on Vimeo.

The upcoming Blind Eye Beer Battle we’re co-hosting at Pack’s Tavern just got even better with the release of the food pairing menu. The event is a blind beer tasting of IPA’s and Porters. Cost per person if $30. Make reservations with credit card by calling Pack’s Tavern at (828) 225-6944.

IPA’s

• Lamb Kabobs- seasoned ground lamb formed around and fried with a cucumber dipping sauce
• Sweetbreads- poached in IPA and seared, orange and chili pepper reduction with grilled black pepper peaches
• Sausages and Grilled Granny Smith Apples with Lusty Monk Mustard
• Rosemary Corncakes with Grapefruit Syrup
• Ginger Granita (shaved ice palate cleanser)

Porter’s

• Cheese Board- Cabrales, Humboldt Fog with Local Honey
• Papperdel with lamb and mushroom ragout
• Scallop with Arugula and Blackberry Couli
• Coconut Granita