Wednesday, September 16, 2009

ASHEVILLE BEER

http://www.romanticasheville.com/beer.htm
Asheville has an amazing selection of bars, brewpubs, microbreweries, and restaurants for a city of its size. In fact, Asheville (per capita) has one of the highest rates of craft brew consumption in the Southeast. In May 2009, readers of Examiner.com in New York City voted Asheville as the top Beer City in America (tied with Portland, OR)! Sample some excellent brews, enjoy some great food, and meet some very interesting people along the way.
Here are our top picks for beer the Asheville area. The first five spots are located downtown within walking distance of each other.
Jack of the Wood (95 Patton Avenue, downtown Asheville): This lively, Celtic-style smoke-free pub features handcrafted English style ales are brewed at their nearby brewing facility and served fresh daily. At any given time, the mash tun and fermenters are giving life to a new batch of handcrafted brew under the watchful eye of our resident brewer John Stuart, who is producing up to 21 thirty-one gallon barrels of beer a week. The beer flows almost non-stop in the pub. Using English and Belgian yeasts and specialty grains gives the beers their unique appeal and distinctive style. On a typical evening at Jack's, you will find many of the patrons gathered around the black walnut bar or at long tavern tables, engaged in conversation through which the taboo subjects of art, religion and politics are heavily woven. Others play darts or scan the papers while sipping pints of ale or munching on a plate of fish and chips, while local musicians are fiddling away on Irish reels or picking some olde time mountain music in the corner.
Barley's Taproom (42 Biltmore Avenue, downtown Asheville): A renovated 1920s appliance store is home to Barley's Taproom, where fresh sourdough pizza, lasagna, and sandwiches are served up daily. The stage showcases live bluegrass, jazz, and Americana music 3-4 nights a week with no cover charge. The downstairs bar has 24 taps featuring the South's best selection of American craft brewed beers. Upstairs is the Billiard Room with four regulation slate billiard tables that are available by the hour. Five regulation dart lanes are available for private and tournament play also. An additional 19 taps are highlighted at the upstairs bar. Barley's in Asheville has been recognized as "Best Taproom in the South" in Southern Draught Beer News and picked a "Top Tap in the South" by Celebrator Beer Magazine.
Hannah Flanagan's (27 Biltmore Avenue, downtown Asheville): Across and just up the street from Barleys is feisty Irish atmosphere and authentic Irish food. Hannah Flanagan's serve some of the finest Irish draft (40 taps) and bottled beers around. Some of their specialties include authentic fish ‘n’ chips, corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, steaks, and more! Hannah Flanagan’s was named after the owner’s grandmother, whose picture still hangs above our bar. Experience their authentic 20th century themed interior or enjoy the breeze on an outside terrace which is surrounded by walls beautifully draped with ivy. They are not only a place to eat and drink. Come sing and dance to some live music on Thursday and Saturday nights.
The Bier Garden (46 Haywood St, downtown Asheville): The Bier Garden has had the best beer selection in Western North Carolina since 1994. At The Bier Garden, they pride themselves on an extensive selection of beers from around the world. With a selection of over 200 beers of the world including some local microbrewery favorites, they are sure to have a beer for every beer lover. They also have a full bar and a large selection of fine wines. Complementing their wide selections of beers is an extensive food menu featuring American fusion cuisine. For dinner you will enjoy the fine dining menu, with daily chef specials in addition to some of their favorite menu standards. A late night menu is also available until midnight. Enjoy 16 televisions including a 15-foot screen to catch the big game or news event with all your friends!
Mellow Mushroom (50 Broadway Avenue, downtown Asheville): The decor is funky with lots of 50's memorabilia. This location features over 50 taps, making it the Asheville bar with the highest number of draft selections. They also offer outside seating on the front patio in warm weather. The location attracts a varied crowd, including students, professionals and families who bring the kids for the pizza. The atmosphere inside is that of a pizza joint but the Mellow Mushroom should not be missed because it has a great choice of beer selections. It's also a very popular spot late at night.
Thirsty Monk (50 Commerce Street, corner of Patton and Coxe, downtown Asheville): This new spot for 2008 specializes in Belgian and Belgian-style beers. Fourteen Belgian beers are available on tap, with a whopping 140 varieties in bottles. For those looking for an education in Belgian brews, sample flights are available. The Thirsty Monk also features light food, including baguettes sandwiches, crepes and Belgian chocolates. The pub opens every day at 4 p.m. with the exception of Tuesdays.
Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company (675 Merrimon Ave, about 1.5 miles north of Asheville): This is one of the most unique brewpubs anywhere. Several well-crafted brews are usually on, including an awesome ESP and an excellent porter. In addition to brewer Doug Riley's own offerings, other regional craft beers are often available including such quality selections as Old Hickory and Highlands. The pizza and other food are great, too. A full range of specialty sandwiches and pub appetizers make this more than a pizza place. A unique feature is the movie theater showing $2 movies. There is a second bar in the theater so customers don't need to miss any of the movie to get another beer or to pick up a food order. The theater seats are very comfortable, and tables between each row make eating and drinking a non-messy affair. Another back room opposite the theater has a large-screen TV and several pool tables and video games. The place is a popular hangout for students from nearby UNC-Asheville and has a funky, laid-back atmosphere.
Westville Pub (777 Haywood Road, West Asheville): This local favorite has about a dozen taps pouring a frequently-changing variety of local and regional craft beers. This neighborhood bar in West Asheville is a bit off the tourist path but well worth a visit. The pub is entirely smoke-free and offers live music many nights.
French Broad Brewing Co (near Biltmore Village, Asheville): The unassuming exterior belies what is going on inside: a booming microbrewery business that is part of the backbone of the Asheville craft brewing scene. French Broad beers can be found on tap in many establishments around the Asheville area and in 64 ounce glass “growlers” on the shelves of local markets. Taps can also be found in selected bars and restaurants in the Raleigh/Durham area, upstate South Carolina and eastern Tennessee. One of the best aspects of microbrewies is the fact that you can actually visit them and talk shop with the people who brew the beer. French Broad is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 to 8:00 with live music from 5:30 to 8:00 and tours on Saturday at 1:00 and 2:00. Directions to their "off the beaten path" location: From 40E or 40W: Take exit 50, Biltmore Estate. Remain in the right hand lane. Turn right at McDonald's onto Lodge St. (25A-S). Turn at the second left onto Fairview Rd. Cross the RR tracks and look for the first building on the right, French Broad Brewing Co.
Bruisin’ Ales (66 Broadway Ave, downtown Asheville): Asheville’s first and only retail store just for beer lovers. No wine, just beer. It’s pure “beerlanthropy™” for the greater good. They specialize in Belgians, Belgian-style, high-gravity, craft brews, microbrews, and the best from around the globe. With over 600 different beers from across the country and around the world, you’ll find a delectable line-up sure to please any beer lover’s palette. From ales to stouts, lagers to bitters, Bruisin’ Ales is Western North Carolina ’s stop for the tastiest beers available. You’ll also find a wide selection brand merchandise, including beer glasses, apparel, hats, magazines, bottle openers, beer guides and more.

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