Archive for the ‘In the news’ Category

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.

No big secret that Asheville is very much a town of hopheads. We sell more IPAs that any other style of beer. So, what’s the deal with International #IPADay? Here’s the scoop from founders @thebeerwench and @ryanaross.

Greetings Craft Beer Drinkers! Welcome to International #IPADay — the world’s largest celebration of craft beer.

International #IPADay is a grassroots movement created to unite the voices of craft beer enthusiasts, bloggers, and brewers worldwide, using social media as the common arena for connecting the conversation together.

On Thursday August 4th, craft beer drinkers across the social sphere and across the globe will raise pints in a collective toast to one of craft beer’s most iconic styles: the India Pale Ale. This celebrated style represents the pinnacle of brewing innovation with its broad spectrum of diverse brands, subcategories, and regional flavor variations – making it the perfect style to galvanize the craft beer’s social voice.

To participate, share your photos, videos, blog posts, tasting notes, recipes, thoughts with the world on Twitter Facebook, YouTube, WordPress, RateBeer, Foursquare, Gowalla, Yelp, Untappd or any other social media platforms you may use. Use the hastag #IPADay in all of your posts and then see what others are saying by searching the hashtag on google, twitter or other social media resources.

So, get out there and have an IPA today! You can share your photos and other things on the Bruisin’ Facebook Page, too.

[Pssssst... stay tuned on Twitter and Facebook for some giveaways—while supplies last.]

East Tennessee’s First Oktoberfest Kicks off With Beer University

Save the date. September 24^th downtown Kingsport, Tenn. will host its first Oktoberfest in the city’s downtown.  With events planned from 9:30 in the morning until 9:30pm that night, there is something for everyone at the inaugural festival.

The morning of the event will begin with a 1M kids run and a 5k Mud Sweat and Tears mud run that benefits Toys for Tots.   The third leg of the runs, is the Biers, Tears and Cheers – Charity Beer Run.  All proceeds benefit the Speedway Children’s Charity and winners receive some incredible NASCAR tickets.   

The event will also celebrate the craft beer being made in the region with a Craft Bier Garden. At least 25 craft brewers are expected with several Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina breweries participating, as well as others.

“Just like the Germans were a key part in shaping the early history of beer, southerners are really showing the rest of the country how to take it to the next level with our innovative brews that continue to honor beer making traditions,” said Carson.

Admission to the Craft Bier Garden is $29 and includes your entry to the festival’s groundbreaking Beer University.  For a limited time, Kingsport Oktoberfest is providing Free- T shirts to those who purchase a ticket and everyone receives a complimentary tasting glass. The first of its kind, Beer U will host classes from professional and home brewers on the craft of making beer.

As part of Beer University, breweries will be bringing Rare and Specialty Casks that can’t be found anywhere else.  Lazy Magnolia is making the one of a kind Flaming Pecan just for the Oktoberfest and each brewery is bring a specialty beer that allows those participating to try something they have never tried before.

“True craft beer lovers go beyond savoring the taste of their brew. They want to know about its origin. We want people to leave saying, ‘wow, I never knew that!’”, said Carson.

The Kingsport Oktoberfest is taking a page from Beer City’s book, by placing a heavy emphasis on the growing to glass process in making beer.  Echoview Farms and Riverbend Malt House from the Asheville area will be providing demonstrations.  Asheville’s Forty Fingers and a Missing Tooth will be providing juggling entertainment and Velvet Truckstop will be the headliner.  Many regional and local breweries will be participating such as Craggie, Highland, French Broad and Heinzelmannchen will be participating.  A great variety of restaurants will be participating from German foot to BBQ from restaurants like Luella’s.

There will be FREE music for everyone throughout the day.  On the main stage, Kingsport Oktoberfest will feature music with some outstanding bands.  On the second stage, folks and bluegrass bands will be performing.  Also, in true German fashion, roaming German music will be held performed throughout the day.

The Das Kidzone is a perfect place for kids and families alike.  It’s an alcohol free zone that has 3 FREE inflatable bounce houses for the kids to enjoy, FREE roaming juggling, a FREE kids train for everyone to ride on, a FREE kids art zone with art tables sponsored Kingsport Arts kids train going through downtown, a hula-hoop zone, face painting, balloons and lots of fun for the kids and family.

The Bavarian Brat Eating Contest let’s contests vie for the Tennessee Brat Eating Title.  The event will be aired live on WQUT Radio.  Freiberg’s German Restaurant will host the qualifying round.

While thousands will gather to sample the region’s craft beer with a traditional German bratwurst, they can cheer on a pup at the Wiener Dog Brat Trot sponsored by Classy Claws and Pawz where Dachshunds will run as fast as their little legs will carry them to the finish line. Animals will also be on sight for adoption.

More information on the Kingsport Oktoberfest can be found at www.kingsportoktoberfest.com or by emailing info@kingsportoktoberfest.com.