For immediate release: February 1, 2012

Asheville Beer Week Logo Contest
Asheville Beer Week needs a logo and fast

Love beer? Got some design skills? The Asheville Beer Week folks are looking for a hot logo for this inaugural beer-centric week (which actually will be an 11-day party running from May 24 until June 3).

Submit your logo designs to avlbeerweek@gmail.com by February 17. The logo winner will receive two tickets to Beer City Fest (June 2), two tickets to Brewgrass (Sept. 15), and two tickets to Asheville Beer Week’s Iron Brewer Competition (TBA).

You know the deal—nothing obscene or inappropriate. This is a wholesome(ish) beer week. Your design could be featured on every piece of Asheville Beer Week swag.

Submit logos to: avlbeerweek@gmail.com.

For more information, follow us on Facebook at Asheville Beer Week or Twitter @avlbeerweek.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHICO, Calif. — Jan. 25, 2012 —Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is pleased to announce that it has chosen a site in western North Carolina for the future home of an East Coast brewery. The site, approximately 90 acres in the Henderson County Town of Mills River— along the French Broad River, 12 miles south of Asheville — will be home to the new production facility, as well as a proposed restaurant and gift shop. “We are thrilled to have found an ideal location in western North Carolina for our second brewery,” says Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada. “The beer culture, water quality and quality of life are excellent. We feel lucky to be a part of this community.”

The new facility will add much needed capacity for Sierra Nevada, and will allow for the quick shipment of brewery-fresh beer to consumers in the east. The East Coast brewery will start with a capacity around 300,000 barrels, with room to grow. The added barrelage will accommodate wider production of the myriad of seasonal beers and bottled specialties Sierra Nevada has produced in recent years, as well as an expansion of the brewery’s well?known flagship product: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

Sierra Nevada began the search for a new location several years ago. The brewery looked at hundreds of potential sites, eventually narrowing the search down to a handful of locations. The list of criteria was long and included quantifiable factors such as ease of shipping and water quality, as well as quality of life issues for its employees. Sierra Nevada has a reputation for a laid-back brewery culture and a love of the outdoors, and the new facility will retain this same tone. The Asheville area offers Sierra Nevada Brewing the perfect confluence of community, recreation and craft beer culture.

Sierra Nevada’s eastern brewery site is expected to employ approximately 90 workers, with additional staff in the restaurant to follow. The brewery anticipates being operational by early 2014.

About Sierra Nevada Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s premier craft breweries, highly regarded for using only whole-cone hops and ingredients of the finest quality. Sierra Nevada has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for its extensive line of beers including the flagship Pale Ale, Torpedo, Porter, Stout, Kellerweis, four seasonal beers, Estate Ale, Harvest Ales, Ovila Abbey Ales and a host of draught-only specialties.

Additional links from beernews.org:

Sierra Nevada Ken Grossman’s statement on North Carolina
Sierra Nevada Brewing to invest $107.5 million over next five years in North Carolina brewery

For immediate release: January 24, 2011

The first ever Asheville Beer Week will take place May 24 through June 3, 2012. The ten days celebrating beer and Beer City, USA, will culminate at Asheville’s third Beer City Festival on June 2.

Our mission is to celebrate that nectar known as beer—to taste many different styles of beer and variations on those styles; to pair beer with a smorgasbord of delicious foods; to learn about and explore beer in all its delectable complexity; and, most of all, to have fun drinking beer in the brewery-centric mountains of Asheville, NC.

The “week” will include seminars, tastings, dinners, and special events with “beer celebrities” from around the country and the world. More than 40 breweries are slated to appear at Beer City Festival already.

Organized by a beer-loving bunch of regional beer industry folks, Asheville Beer Week will offer a variety of events and include as many bars, restaurants and breweries as possible.

If you’re interested in holding an event, please contact us at avlbeerweek@gmail.com, and we’ll send you a sign-up sheet. Event sign-ups are due by February 17, after which time, we’ll produce an official Asheville Beer Week calendar.

Whether or not you’d like to participate or attend, please spread the word about Asheville Beer Week.

We’re also holding a logo contest. Submissions for the Asheville Beer Week logo also are due by February 17. The winner will receive two tickets to Beer City Fest, two tickets to Brewgrass (Sept. 15), and two tickets to an Iron Man Chef Competition to be held during Asheville Beer Week.

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Contacts:

Mike Rangel, Asheville Brewers Alliance and Asheville Brewing Company, asheville.ninja@gmail.com.

Anne Fitten Glenn, beer writer/educator/Brewgasm.com., annefittenglenn@gmail.com.

General email: avlbeerweek@gmail.com

Facebook: Asheville Beer Week

Twitter: @avlbeerweek

…BREAKING NEWS…THIS JUST IN…

Things just keep getting better around Asheville! We’re getting more fun visitors this weekend at the shop!

This upcoming Saturday, December 10, we’ll be hosting a special afternoon tasting. Join us in welcoming Terrence Sullivan, Brewmaster of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., to the humble storefront! He’ll be with us from 2:00-4:00 p.m. pouring all the Ovila Series, as well as Celebration, for the holidays.

What’s the Ovila Series, you say?

A collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co and the monks at the Abbey of New Clairvaux, Ovila brings the centuries-old monastery brewing tradition to America. A portion of the proceeds from this ale goes toward the restoration of the historic Santa Maria de Ovila chapter house on the grounds of the Abbey of New Clairvaux. This medieval building stood for nearly eight centuries in Spain. William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery in 1931 and planned to use the stones for a castle even grander than his famous San Simeon. Although Hearst’s plans crumbled, these historic stones will rise again in a California Cistercian abbey.
Celebration Ale
“The long, cold nights of winter are a little brighter with Celebration^® Ale. Wonderfully robust and rich, Celebration^® Ale is dry-hopped for a lively, intense aroma. Brewed especially for the holidays, it is perfect for a festive gathering or for a quiet evening at home.” [6.8% abv]

Ovila Abbey Dubbel
“Ovila Abbey Dubbel is brewed in the abbey tradition, and perfect for the re-birth of spring. Clear and deep copper in color, this Abbey Dubbel has a complex and rich malty sweetness with hints of caramelized sugar. The aroma is a heady and layered mix of fruit and spice, with hints of clove, raisin, and black pepper from the use of an abbey style yeast.” [7.5% abv]

Ovila Saison
“A collaboration between Sierra Nevada Brewing Co and the monks at the Abbey of New Clairvaux, Ovila Abbey Saison brings the centuries-old monastery brewing tradition to America. Ovila Abbey Saison is complex and contemplative-but also refreshingly dry and drinkable. With earthy and spicy aromas, this rustic Saison has note of green grass and a faint citrus tang. The body is light and layered with fruit and spice accents and a dry, peppery finish. A portion of the proceedsfrom this ale go toward the restoration of the historic Santa Maria de Oliva chapter house on the grounds of the Abbey of New Clairvaux. This medieval building stood for nearly eight centuries in Spain. William Randolph Hearst purchased the monastery in 1931 and planned to use the stones for a castle even grander than his famous San Simeon. Although Hearst’s plan crumbled, these historic stones will rise again in a California Cistercian abbey.” [7.0% abv]

Ovila Quad
“Ovila Abbey Quad is rich and complex with layers of flavor including notes of intense dark fruits, and caramel-like maltiness. Rich and complex, this ale should be shared among friends in the true spirit of the season. ” [10.4% abv]

Never a dull moment, kiddos!

This upcoming Tuesday, November 8, we’ll be hosting Ted “Voltron” Whitney, National Sales Director of Avery Brewing Company for a sampling of Avery beers at the usual time, 5:00-7:00 p.m. (Above he talks about Avery Karma, currently out of season, but we thought you might be interested.) So, what’s up with Ted?

Ted grew up in Rhode Island and came to Colorado in 1996 to run. After seven years of studying Biology and English at University of Colorado he got into wine wholesaling. Ted worked with big distributors and small but the whole time was hanging out at Avery and finally in 2007 got a job with us. These days Ted makes sure to run, mountain bike and get on the road bike whenever possible. He spends his remaining time making sure Coloradoans are experiencing more from their favorite brewery. If you run into Ted on the street, make sure to ask him how he got his nickname!

Of course, we have a Bruisin’ line-up for everyone to sample while you chat up Ted. (And beer spies report that there may be a limited appearance of some of Avery sours, so get there early.)

Salvation: “Salvation has luscious apricot and peach aromas delicately interwoven with spicy suggestions of nutmeg and cinnamon. This heavenly soft, champagne-like elixer is cellarable for 3 years.” [9.0% abv]

DuganA: “Lupulin Rapture Incarnate! As fervent  devotees of hops, we found ourselves on a quest to create a transcendental IPA capable of quenching our voracious lupulin desires. Our mantra became ‘unity of bitterness, hop flavor and aroma.’ Enlightened, duganA IPA was born: A brutally bitter, dank, piney and resinous ale designed for those seeking a divine hop experience.” [8.5% abv]

Hog Heaven: “This dangerously drinkable garnet beauty is a hop lover’s delight. The intense dry-hop nose and the alcohol content are perfectly balanced for a caramel candy-like malt finish. This is a serious beer for serious beer afficianados and it only gets better with age. Cellarable for 3 years.” [9.2% abv]

The Reverend: “A divinely complex and beautifully layered beer with hints of dark cherries, currants, and molasses, complimented by an underlying spiciness. Sinfully smooth considering the high alcohol content. Cellarable for up to 4 years.” [10.0% abv]

It’s been a busy week around here. This week we welcome Fred Bueltmann, partner in New Holland Brewing from New Holland, Michigan. Meet-n-Greet and tasting this Thursday, November 3 from 5:00-7:00 pm.

A little bit about Fred and his role with New Holland:

“I’m thrilled to be part of the New Holland Brewing Company. I’ve been involved in selling beer in one capacity or another for years. While a novice homebrewer in the early 90s, I discovered the beer industry at a distributor in Chicago, prior to managing a large Midwestern region for a German Importer. A few years later, I was Sales Manager/VP Sales at a growing Michigan microbrewery in Kalamazoo, MI. I joined New Holland as a partner in 2004 and oversee the branding and distribution of our beer and spirits. I also contribute to our company celebration of the marriage between beer & food. ‘Bringing Beer to the people’ is more than a job to me, it’s a cultural mission that makes planet Earth a better place to hang out”.

If you haven’t heard by now (and you should have), Greg Koch, CEO of Stone Brewing Company is visiting Asheville on Friday, October 28 for a series of events to promote a new book, The Craft of Stone Brewing.

At Bruisin’ Ales, we’re holding a private book signing and beer tasting from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Cost is $30/per person and includes the new book ($25 retail price), plus a flight of rare Stone Brewing beers paired with local cheeses and snacks. There are only 35 spots available. You must call the store with a credit card to make your reservation. (828) 252-8999

A little bit about Greg and the history of Stone Brewing:

Since starting the brewery with his partner Steve Wagner in 1996, Stone has become one of the fastest growing and highest rated breweries in the world. Brewing a projected 150,000 barrels in 2011, Stone is the 14th largest craft brewery in the United States, a position it achieved without ever advertising, discounting, giving away freebies or compromising.

Greg passionately believes that environmental and social sustainability goes hand-in-hand with brewing mind-blowing beer and he frequently is called on to speak on topics ranging from craft beer to business to food to marketing, bringing a bold, entertaining, and often humorous approach along with his philosophy.

The beers [UPDATE]:

Trio of Bastards:
Arrogant Bastard
Oaked Arrogant Bastard
Double Bastard (2011)

Baird / Ishii / Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Stone Cali-Belgique IPA

After the Bruisin’ Ales private event, please follow us to the LAB (Lexington Avenue Brewery), where Greg will deliver a talk on the craft beer industry, entrepreneurship, and creative marketing at 6:30 p.m. We have been fortunate to hear Greg speak in the past, and trust us, you don’t want to miss it. While we don’t much care for comparisons, many of you are familiar with Gary Vee of the wine industry. Greg Koch is that guy for all us craft beer supporters (and then some). The LAB speaking engagement is free to the public and will be held in the back room stage area of the brewery.

If you’re still up for some Stone Brewing beers after that (and who wouldn’t be?), The Thirsty Monk has a fantastic line-up of special draft beers that night, offering you another opportunity for a Meet & Greet.

Please note that books will be available at all locations, including Stone Brewing Company’s first book, The Brewers Apprentice. (And a special shout to all our friends at Malaprops, our amazing local bookstore, for handling the book orders.)

Call today! These spots will go quickly! We look forward to seeing you all at Bruisin’ Ales.

Bob Moog Foundation and Asheville Brewing Company Announce One-Month Release of Moog Filtered Ale

For Immediate Release -October 6, 2011 (Asheville, N.C.) – Asheville Brewing Company and the Bob Moog Foundation are proud to announce the release of the second limited edition of Moog Filtered Ale, a pale beer named in honor of synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog. The two organizations partnered in 2010, releasing the first edition to international acclaim. The Ale will be available October 6, 2011, through November 7, 2011. Proceeds from the sale of the beer will be donated to the Bob Moog Foundation to benefit their mission of igniting the innovative and creative through science, music, and history. The timing of the beer’s release coincides with Moogfest, the three-day electronic music festival to be held in Asheville, N.C., on October 28, 29, and 30, 2011.

Moog Filtered Ale is an American-style pale ale with distinctive notes of caramel and pine. It will be sold nationally and internationally in 22-ounce bottles through Asheville’s Bruisin’ Ales and will be distributed locally by Budweiser of Asheville to select grocery stores and watering holes throughout Western North Carolina, on draft and in 22-ounce bottles. The Ale will be available at Moogfest throughout the weekend. Ordering the beer for national or international shipping can be done through Bruisin’ Ales Shipping page on their website.

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, as well as to support the eventual creation of the Moogseum.

Asheville Brewing Company President Mike Rangel says, “We are honored to be working with the Bob Moog Foundation again this year 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 Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool outreach program. Moog Filtered Ale is absolutely the most exciting project our company has been involved in, and after the success of last year’s collaboration, we couldn’t wait to do it again this year.”

Michelle Moog-Koussa, Executive Director of the Bob Moog Foundation, remarks, “We are extremely proud and grateful to be partnering with Asheville Brewing Company again this year. The funding from last year’s sales of Moog Filtered Ale was of tremendous assistance in helping us reach our goals. As a result, our programs are thriving and our organization is stronger than ever. Purchasing Moog Filtered Ale is a very tasty way for people to support both the work of the Bob Moog Foundation and Asheville Brewing Company, a small business that supports many local non-profit organizations all year long.”

The label for the Ale is an original design by Asheville artist Phil Cheney. Featuring vibrant shades of purple, green, and orange, the label shows Bob Moog leaning over a keyboard with musical notes, synthesizer knobs, and patch cables floating above his head. A line of t-shirts and other merchandise featuring the label will be available through www.shop.ashevillebrewing.com beginning October 10.

About the Bob Moog Foundation

The Bob Moog Foundation (www.bobmoogfoundation.org) honors the legacy of synthesizer pioneer Dr. Bob Moog through its mission of igniting the innovative and creative spirit at the intersection of science, music, and history. Its projects include Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, which brings electronic musical instruments into the schools to teach children science through music; the Archive Preservation Initiative, an effort to preserve and share the inventor’s extensive and historic archive; and the planned Moogseum, an innovative educational, historic, and cultural facility that will bring Bob Moog’s work and spirit alive to inspire future generations. The Moogseum will be located in Asheville, N.C., in the years ahead, pending necessary funding. The Bob Moog Foundation is an independent, donor-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is not formally affiliated with Moog Music, Inc.

This just in from the fine folks at Brewgrass Festival & Barley’s Taproom:

Get in shape for Brewgrass! Come to Brewgrass Training at Barley’s Taproom’s (upstairs) any or ALL of the next three Tuesday nights.

Get 10 samples of draft beer from Barley’s mix of local and national brews. Get a “Brewgrass Training” T-shirt. Get two slices of pizza and take home the tasting glass. All of that for only $20.

Also, two Brewgrass tickets will be given away on Sept. 13 to some lucky beer lover on the training team roster (make sure to sign in on the night you attend to be eligible).

Brewgrass Training will take place Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. on Aug. 30, Sept. 6, and Sept. 13. For more information, call 255-0504.