The first coffee-table book about our fair city—Asheville: A Photographic Portrait—is now here. The book was published by Riverbend Books in Atlanta and endorsed by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. In browsing through the impressive photography, the book paints a perfect portrait of everything that’s great about life in Asheville, from the downtown to the outdoors, music and arts, gastronomics and even a little appearance from Bruisin’ Ales.

Designated as Asheville’s “official book,” and enthusiastically endorsed by the Chamber, “Asheville—A Photographic Portrait,” will include more than 300 of the best color photos taken by photographers whose images appear in National Geographic, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times and other prominent publications. As Asheville’s official coffee-table book, this stunning hardbound publication will serve as an economic development resource and promote our exceptional quality of life. Businesses will utilize this book to present to professionals considering relocation.

We’ll be giving some to our friends this holiday (now that we’ve given it away). The book is a wonderful gift for the native Ashevillian, the transplant, the part-timer, or the visitor.

Yikes. Someone in Toronto is steaming off labels and tainting Stella Artois bottles with pure ethanol. Seems it was first discovered back in January 2006, but no one cared that much until now.
Source: Toronto Star

Singer James Blunt, of the ever-so-annoying “You’re Beautiful” song, is trying to get a sponsorship from Corona. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Source: Ireland Online

“Super-chef” Michel Roux, of London’s famous Le Gavroche restaurant, was named Beer Drinker of the Year in the UK and gives the credit to Coors Brewers. … Wait, what?
Source: MorningAdvertiser.com

Horst Dornbusch wonders what ever happened to Sumerian beer. “Their highest deity was the goddess of beer and fertility.”
Source: BeerAdvocate.com

Christopher Mark O’Brien writes “Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World” (New Society Publishers, $18.95). Joe SixPack says this is the most “politically aware” book about beer, documenting beer’s evolution from “natural product” to commodity.
Source: Philly.com