Asheville Beer Week is back, with Asheville Brewers Alliance hosting two full weeks of educational opportunities, special tastings, and collaborations from Thursday, May 15, through Thursday, May 29.
Need some guidance on which of the 40+ events to attend? Hold our beer. Here are 10 experiences for whatever your tastes may be.
If you want to taste new flavors...
Coolcumber Release Party | Thursday, May 15 | 5 p.m.-8 p.m. | Wicked Weed Brew Pub | Price of purchase | Kick off AVL Beer Week by trying the crisp golden ale brewed with cucumber, basil & juniper berries. It’s basically summer in a pint glass.
Surfs Up At Steamer Lane: Fonta Flora Beer Release Party | Thursday, May 15 | 6-7 p.m. | The Whale, West Asheville | Price of purchase | Bring the beach vibes to the mountains by sipping on a West Coast Pilsner while bopping along to surf rock from the band Why, Why?
Wiseman’s View Re-release | Friday, May 16 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Appalachian Mountain Brewing, Mills River| Price of purchase | Toast to AVL Beer Week with this fan-favorite, a Belgian Strong Dark Ale.
If you want to learn...
Steeped in Tradition | Sunday, May 18 | 3-4 p.m. | Diatribe Brewing Co. | Free | Diatribe teams up with River Malt House to discuss the similarities, traditions, and techniques behind brewing lagers and malt, which both date back to the 1800s. Stick around to taste a few after the presentation.
Bonus: Diatribe is hosting two more educational events — Flavor Trip with Miracle Berries + Sour Beer, and From Farm to Fermenter: How federal programs support the craft beer industry.
If you want to get active...
Battle of the Breweries | Sunday, May 18 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co. | $20 per team, free to attend | This 6v6 co-ed tournament pits breweries against each other in beach volleyball.
Beer City 20K Relay and 5K | Saturday, May 24 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | New Belgium Brewery | $55-$65 | Gather a team of two or four for the relay, or opt to register for the solo 5K — either way, celebrate your finish with a beer included in your registration.
If you want to dance...
UV Sessions | Saturday, May 17 | 1-4 p.m. | DSSOLVR | Price of purchase | Crack open DSSOLVR’s fresh monthly daylight dance party featuring sets from DJ Lil Meow Meow and Boys_Camp to keep the post-brunch vibes going.
Beer Prom | Saturday, May 17 | 7 p.m. |The Whale, South Slope | Free | Dance to DJ Swag Bag, taste a prom-themed beer flight, and don your best hop couture.
If you’re hungry...
Skillets Six Ways | Thursday, May 22 | 4-5 p.m. | Burial Beer, South Slope | Price of purchase | Try six variations of Burial’s Skillet Donut Stout paired with, you guessed it, a donut flight.
Sips, Sweets, and Spanish Treats: A Collaborative Cúrate Tapas Bar Pintxo Party | Thursday, May 22 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Events by Cúrate | $95 | Spanish tapas, chocolate desserts, and craft beer pairings — need we say more?