And how cool is this?

Next Friday, July 16, drop by between 5-7 p.m. before Downtown After Five for a Teaser Tasting of Durham-based Fullsteam Brewery. Fullsteam is North Carolina’s newest brewery, having launched July 2010. Fullsteam is a “plow-to-pint” brewery with a mission: to create a distinctly Southern beer style that celebrates the culinary and agricultural heritage of the South. By brewing with local farmed goods, heirloom grains, and seasonal botanicals, Fullsteam Brewery is on a never-ended quest to explore what “Southern-style beer” means. We don’t pretend to have the answers—we just love the quest.

Fullsteam believes in:

• Southern farmers. We buy and brew local…not only to craft distinctly Southern beer, but ultimately to provide a higher quality of life for our neighbors and friends who farm for a living.
• Regional pride. Local identity trumps mass-marketed nationalism.
• Redemption. The image of beer can be redeemed in the beautiful South.
• Fun. Lofty as our goals may be, at the end of the day…it’s beer. The beverage of celebration and community.

Also, meet Sean Lilly Wilson, Fullsteam’s Chief Executive Optimist. He founded and led both Pop The Cap and Permit Beer, two beer lobbying organizations that have opened up economic markets to North Carolina’s craft beer industry. He holds both an MBA and Master of Public Policy from Duke University. Sean has ten years restaurant experience, including three years at Durham’s renowned Magnolia Grill. (He may also be a little crazy, and for the record, we like him tons.)

What we’re sampling…

Carver Sweet Potato Beer: Local North Carolina sweet potatoes account for nearly one-third of the total fermentables in this surprisingly refreshing amber ale. This is NOT your grandma’s sweet potato casserole — there are no pie spices in this beer! The goal is to let the natural flavor of the sweet potato to come through, not to hit you over the head with cloying pie spices. The grain bill is light, with a modest floral and citrus-hop profile. Perfect with grilled chicken, veg plates, and hearty dishes. [5.8% ABV]

Rocket Science IPA: A more modest IPA than some of the more “West Coast” versions now out there. Though the hop profile is subdued, Rocket Science remains an American- and not an English-style IPA. We know Asheville loves its hops… this is for you, Beer City USA! [6.5% ABV]

Summer Basil Farmhouse Ale: The very first batch of beer we brewed on our 15-barrel brewhouse. It’s a rustic farmhouse beer finished with a healthy dose of Coon Rock Farm basil. Like the sweet potato beer, don’t anticipate being hit over the head with basil (though we will have some basil bunches to do that if you’d like). Instead, expect a balanced, refreshing country ale with just a touch of fresh basil on the finish. Try it with panzanella, local cheeses, or just quafff it in a mason jar on the front porch. [5.5% ABV]

Look for Fullsteam to launch in the Asheville area later this year. We’re just giving you a taste! Follow them on Twitter at @fullsteam.

Our friends at The Happy Hour Guys made for the Short Pour Fest at GABF this year. Cheers!

Moog Filtered Ale, on Sale Until the End of July, Creates a Buzz in Its First Month

July 1, 2010 – The limited edition Moog Filtered Ale, a pale beer named in honor of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog, has been selling at record rates, according to the Asheville Brewing Company and the Bob Moog Foundation, partners in creating the beer. Its launch on May 27 coincided with the late inventor’s 76th birthday. Proceeds from all sales go to support the Foundation’s mission to teach science through music.

Moog Filtered Ale will be sold only until July 31, after which it will no longer be available. It is retailed via shipping nationally and internationally in 22-ounce bottles through Asheville’s Bruisin’ Ales. It’s also sold in bottles at Greenlife Grocery, Earth Fare, Hops & Vines, and Bruisin’ Ales, and it’s available on tap in various locations throughout Western North Carolina, including Asheville Pizza Company, the Orange Peel, and Lucy Otter.

Asheville artist Phil Cheney designed the bottle’s original label, which shows Bob Moog leaning over a keyboard with his head surrounded by knobs, cables, and musical notes. The beer has gotten rave reviews not only for its taste, but for the benefit it supports:

“We love the idea of paying tribute to a great pioneer like Bob Moog with a beer. What higher honor is there? Moog Filtered Ale is a good session beer for drinking with coworkers after a hectic day of work. And that session can be made even more enjoyable by admiring the awesome label.”
— Wired.com

“I can’t recall shipping any one beer to so many states before. Clearly the bond between musicians and beer speaks volumes with the sales success of Moog Filtered Ale.”
— Julie Atallah, Owner, Bruisin’ Ales (RateBeer 2010’s #3 Beer Retailer Worldwide)

“Moog Filtered Ale is definitely the fastest selling beer we’ve ever produced, a testament to Bob Moog’s connection with people all over the world and to the beer’s great taste. The high volume of sales confirms that synergistic combination. Add the fact that it supports an essential non-profit organization, and it’s a win-win for all.”
— Mike Rangel, President, Asheville Brewing Company

“This stuff is really tasty. I’d better stock up so I have plenty on hand before it disappears in a few weeks.”
—   Geary Yelton, Contributing Editor, Electronic Musician

“My father would have loved the taste of this beer and the concept behind it. He’d be delighted to have a brew all his own.”
— Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director, Bob Moog Foundation

Asheville Brewing has been making outstanding craft beers since 1998 and has won several awards for its beers. As an active supporter of local non-profit groups, they are thrilled to be working with the Bob Moog Foundation, whose work is innovative and historical. Through Moog Filtered Ale, Asheville Brewing aims to support the interactive educational programs that the Foundation is developing to teach science through music and to eventually build a Moogseum.

“Moog Filtered Ale is an American-style pale ale with distinctive notes of caramel and pine. It’s a very accessible beer that reflects the ingenuity and creativity behind the Moog legacy. I’ve been a fan of Bob Moog since college, and I am excited to present a beer in honor of an American pioneer,” says Doug Riley, brewer and part owner of the Asheville Brewing Company.

Asheville Brewing Company President Mike Rangel says, “We are thrilled to be working with the Bob Moog Foundation to help keep Bob’s vision and legacy alive. By donating the profits from Moog Filtered Ale, we will be supporting innovative science education through the Foundation’s MoogLab outreach project. We are proud to be joining some of the larger beer companies in supporting important educational work in our community. Moog Filtered Ale is absolutely the most exciting project our company has been involved in.”

www.ashevilebrewing.com

www.moogfoundation.org

www.bruisin-ales.com

The Asheville Brewers Alliance now has a website! This is now your go-to place for all things beer-related in Asheville. Full calendar included that links from Asheville Brew.

This week we’re doing a vertical tasting of Avery Brewing Co. & Russian River’s Collaboration Not Litigation Ale: Batch #2, Batch #3, and Batch #4. This is a great opportunity for those to experience how a beer ages and changes with time. $3 for (3) 4 oz. samples. If you purchase one of the batches, you can apply your $3 tasting fee to your purchase!

Collaboration Not Litigation background (96 RateBeer rating):

Salvation… the name of two intricate Belgian-style ales, created by us Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing and Adam Avery of Avery Brewing. After becoming friends a few years ago, we realized that we both had a Salvation in our line-ups. Was it going to be a problem? Should one of us relinquish the rights? “Hell no!” we said. In fact, it was quickly decided that we should blend the brews to catch the best qualities of each and create an even more complex libation. In April 2004, in top-secret meeting at Russian River Brewing (well actually it was packed in the pub, and many were looking over our shoulders wondering what the hell was going on), we came up with the perfect blend of the two Salvations. Natalie, Vinnie’s much more significant other, exclaimed, “We should call this Collaboration, not Litigation Ale!” “Perfect!” we shouted. We celebrated deep into the night, (or is it morning?).

Fast forward to November 14, 2006. After talking about it for over 2 years we finally decided to pull the trigger and Vinnie flew out to Avery to brew his Salvation exactly as he does in his brewery. This was blended with Avery’s Salvation December 11th, 2006. We hope you enjoy it as much we enjoyed brewing and blending it.

All profits from this joint venture will fund a return educational trip to Belgium with our bros Tomme (Port Brewing), Sam (Dogfish Head Brewing) and Rob (Allagash Brewing). This pilgrimage will enable us to learn even more about traditional brewing techniques to combine with our already strange and unique styles here in America.

[NOTE: Press release from the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Enter to win a trip to Asheville & Brewgrass Festival.]

WIN CRAFT BEER VACATION GIVEAWAY

~ Asheville celebrates craft beer title with beer-cation travel giveaway ~

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (May 27, 2010) – More than 19,000 votes and hundreds of heated comments and blog posts marked a neck-n-neck tie-breaker for the title of “BeerCity USA 2010” in an online poll celebrating American Craft Beer Week.  In the end, passion for the small, but mighty, brewing culture of Asheville, North Carolina surpassed brewing giant Portland, Oregon. Last year, the East Coast vs. West Coast battle ended in a tie between the two cities.

Quote

“Beers experienced from breweries in both cities, I can attest to, are worth the journey to these American beer Meccas.  In fact beer enjoyed in most American cities is worth the journey.  Beer drinkers are on notice: You can leave home now–better beer awaits,” said Examiner.com poll host and founder of the Association of Brewers Charlie Papazian.

Win a Craft Beer Vacation

In celebration of the city’s first outright title of BeerCity USA, Asheville has launched a beer-cation giveaway. Win a free night’s stay at the Asheville Renaissance and pair of coveted tickets to Asheville’s biggest annual beer festival, Brewgrass. Tickets are currently sold out for the popular event with a line-up of national and regional bluegrass acts. Enter to win the craft beer travel getaway at ExploreAsheville.com.

About Asheville: Brewtopian Society

Known for its scenic beauty, music culture and robust art scene, Asheville’s reputation as a haven for brewing and culinary arts is growing. With a population of just over 70,000, Asheville is giving bigger cities a beer-run for their money with nine diverse craft breweries–more per capita than any city in the nation.

On any given day, about 50 local beers can be enjoyed on draft and in bottles. Asheville is home to a world-renowned specialty beer store (Bruisin’ Ales, rated #3 retailer worldwide by RateBeer), five annual beer festivals, a regular “Beer Guy” column in the local paper, and a growing array of local beer-flavored food products. (Highland Black Mocha Stout ice cream, anyone?) Asheville Brews Cruise offers an insider’s look at Asheville’s rapidly evolving microbrewery scene complete with designated driver.

Beer Links

• BeerCity USA – Examiner.com poll results
• AmericanCraftBeerWeek.org
• BrewtopianSociety.com – guide to Asheville’s craft breweries via FoodtopianSociety.com

Follow @AshevilleTravel on Twitter.

ANDERSON VALLEY Boont Amber CANS
ANDERSON VALLEY Summer Solstice Cerveza Creme CANS*
HEAVY SEAS Below Decks Cabernet barrel-aged*
HEAVY SEAS Below Decks Barleywine Bourbon barrel-aged*
STOUDTS Heifer-in-Wheat*