Archive for the ‘Brewpubs’ Category

Stoudt’s Brewery from eastern Pennsylvania will be here for tomorrow’s evening tasting. Join us for this lineup!

Stoudt’s Gold (Munich Helles Lager): “This golden ‘Helles’ style beer is smooth, medium-bodied and always satisfying. Brewed with the finest imported 2-row malt and German noble hops, Stoudt’s Gold Lager is widely recognized as one of the finest German-style beers brewed in America.” [5.0% abv]

Stoudt’s Pils: “The driest and most delicate of our lagers. Stoudt’s Pils is characteristic of the traditional European Pilseners. Straw-yellow and assertively hopped with Saaz hops, this frequent medal winner has a refreshing bitterness and refined hop aroma.” [4.7% abv]

Stoudt’s Double IPA: “Stoudt’s Double IPA is a strong, full-bodied ale with an intense hop character and deep golden color. This unusual brew is characteristic of the newly recognized style of extremely hoppy and malty ales of American origin. The Double IPA is our strongest beer with an alcohol of over 10% abv and bitterness of more than 75 IBU’s. Multiple kettle hop additions and generous dry hopping contribute to the powerful yet smooth and fragrant hop character of this beer.” [10% abv]

Stoudt’s Fat Dog Imperial Stout: “This unique ale merges the smooth and complex richness of an Oatmeal Stout with the assertive hoppiness of Imperial Stout. Fat Dog has an inviting silky-black color, a prominent roasted malt character, and a chocolatey, coffee-like finish.” [9.0% abv]

On Thursday evening, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Anne Fitten Glenn, a.k.a Asheville beer blogger “Brewgasm,” will be at the humble storefront signing copies of her newly-published book, “Asheville Beer: An Intoxicating History of Mountain Brewing.”

Buy the book ($17.00), get a beer!

If you’re reading this, you’re likely one of the many who already believe that the history of beer and brewing is a worthwhile pursuit. If not, perhaps this book will make you a believer.

I tackled this project for a couple of reasons. First, because interesting stories rarely start with, “I was drinking some water, and then…” Also, I’ve been writing about beer and the beer business for a number of years, and I feel that I’ve been writing Asheville’s beer history as it happens. Some of the facts and stories in this book were first published in my “Brews News” column for Asheville’s newsweekly and elsewhere, though I’ve rewritten them for these pages.

I wanted to delve more deeply into what beer means (and has meant) to Asheville and Western North Carolina (WNC) culturally, economically and socially. (Western North Carolina refers to the seventeen westernmost counties of North Carolina, of which Asheville is the largest city). Thus, this story begins with the founding of Asheville in 1798, when the site of the town was changed at the last minute due to the cunning of a tavern keeper and his home-brewed “mountain dew.” As the Blue Ridge Mountains are famous for the distillation of moonshine (we even have a legal white lightning distillery now), it was not much of a stretch for WNC to become a brewing mecca, although it did take almost two hundred years. …

(PS: If you’re not in the area, but interested in reading the book, you can buy it on Amazon.)

This week we’re happy to have Steven Lyerly, head brewer, from Olde Hickory here for a tasting. One of the nicest guys in the business and a regional brewer! Come to shop Thursday, August 2, between 5:00-7:00 p.m. for the line-up below:

Southern Cross: “Our hoppy, IPA-like pilsner made with New Zealand hops. Yeah, it a little different. And a lot good!” [5.75% abv]

Eiraphiotes: “Eiraphiotes is a very limited relase. An Imperial Pilsner we aged in chardonnay barrels, it begins with a hoppy, floral nose, with a hint of grape skins. Fruity, medium body on the palate, with a malty sweetness, hints of grapes, a slight acidity and oaky dryness. Hops first on the finish, followed by sweet malt and finally dry oak. Winner of a Silver Medal at the 2012 LA International Commerical Beer Competition!” [7.5% abv]

Saison Gee: “The first Olde Hickory saison and one of three we will release this year (2012)! All the bubbly, fruity characteristics you expect from a bottle aged farmhouse-style ale, plus unique qualities derived from time spent in chardonnay barrels.” [9.0% abv]

Southern Belle: “Southern Belle – epitome of grace, poise, charm and Southern hospitality. Irreplacable, imitable, and unforgettable, the Belle holds a place in the hearts of all she meets. Our Southern Belle is brewed with un-malted wheat and acidulated malts which make for a very bright and refreshing saison.  Like many a Southern Belle she is both sweet and tart, smooth and brisk.” [8.5% abv]

This Thursday, we’re happy to welcome Oskar Blues for a tasting. Come meet Alex, our NC rep, and say hello to our soon-to-be neighbors in Brevard.

Mama’s Little Yella Pils: “Oskar Blues’ Mama’s Little Yella Pills is an uncompromising, small-batch version of the beer that made Pilsen, Czech Republic famous. Unlike mass market ‘pilsners’ diluted with corn & rice, Mama’s is built with 100% pale malt, German specialty malts, and Saaz hops. While it’s rich with Czeched-out flavor, its gentle hopping (35 IBUs) and low ABV (just 5.3%) make it a luxurious but low-dose (by Oskar Blues standards) refresher.”

Old Chub: “This jaw-dropping Scottish strong ale (8% ABV) is brewed with bodacious amounts of malted barley and specialty grains, and a dash of beechwood-smoked malt. Old Chub features a skim-milk mouthfeel, semi-sweet flavors of cocoa and coffee, and a kiss of smoke. A head-turning treat for malt heads and folks who think they don’t dig dark beer.”

Dale’s Pale: “America’s first hand-canned craft beer is a voluminously hopped mutha that delivers a hoppy nose, assertive-but-balanced flavors of pale malts and hops from start to finish. First canned in 2002, Dale’s Pale Ale is a hearty (6.5% and 65 IBUs), critically acclaimed trailblazer that has changed the way craft beer fiends perceive canned beer.”

Deviant Dale’s: “Deviant Dale’s IPA (8% ABV, 85 IBUs) was born at the crossroads, in a juke joint, as if Dale’s Pale Ale sold its soul to balance Deviant’s foreboding aromas of citrus, grapefruit rind and piney resins with a copper ball-of-fire color and inscrutable finish. The 2011 GABF Silver Medal Winner (American IPA Category) is the Devil incarnate with untold amounts of malt and hedonistic Columbus dry-hopping. Oskar Blues’ southern spirit caught a northbound blues bus to ColoRADo to deliver the boundary bustin’ brewery’s first 16 oz. tallboy can.”

Gubna: “Emphasizing that complexity of character can arise from simple elements, this ale is made with 3 malts and 1 hop. Its light amber color and slightly spicy malt character are derived from the use of German Dark Munich Malt and Rye Malt respectively. North American 2-row barley combines with the other grains to lay the foundation for the hop onslaught to come. Summit hops are used exclusively in the boil for bitterness, flavor and aroma but it doesn’t end there. Post-fermentation dry hopping allows the 10% ABV monstrosity to gently coax the citrus rind and grapefruit aroma to join the 100 IBUs already present. This beer will greet you with a pungent citrus blast, provide a spicy yet round middle and finish with a brisk, clean bitterness.”

We are welcoming Madison Smith of Natty Greene’s from Greensboro, NC, for this week’s Thursday Tasting. Join us tomorrow from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Wildflower Wit: “Classic Belgian-style white beer spiced with coriander, chamomile and sweet orange peel.” [4.5% abv]

Buckshot Amber Ale: “Full-bodied with rich, smooth flavor and notes of caramel and toffee.” [4.8% abv]

Southern Pale Ale: “Medium-bodied, deep golden ale with distinct, bitter character and a hoppy, piney, citrus finish.” [5.2% abv]

Freedom American IPA: “Medium-bodied deep golden ale with moderate fruity-ester flavor balanced by quality American hop aroma and bitterness. Click the title for in depth beer information.” [6.5% abv]