Asheville Beer Week is back, with Asheville Brewers Alliance hosting 10 days of educational opportunities, special tastings, and celebrations from Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, May 26.
Need some guidance on which of the 60+ events to attend? Hold our beer. Here are 10 experiences for whatever your tastes may be.
If you want to taste new flavors...
Craft Beverage Expo | Friday, May 24 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Battery Park Hall, 1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville | $10-$90 | The industry trade show is open to the public and will feature educational sessions with the NC Craft Brewers Guild, leaders in the regional beer biz, and tastings from breweries and cideries.
Southern Lager Invitational | Saturday, May 25 | 5-9 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage Co., 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Ste. 10, Asheville | $50 | Riverbend Malt House and Bootleg Biology have gathered regional brewers to create more than 20 exclusive lager-style brews.
If you want to learn...
Beer Fact Friday | Friday, May 17 | 3-8 p.m. | Outsider Brewing Co., 939 Riverside Dr., Asheville | Free | Cicerone-certified beer education consultant LaTreace Harris usually shares her expertise via Instagram, but she’s teaming up with Outsider Brewing for a live info session and brewing demonstration.
Blitzkrieg! Brewing Under Adversity in England During WWII | Thursday, May 23 | 6-7 p.m. | Zebulon Artisan Ales, 8 Merchants Alley, Weaverville | $20 | Class is in session with a lecture from beer historian Ron Pattinson, followed by a tap takeover of 1940s brews recreated from London brewers’ logs.
If you want to get active...
Battle of the Breweries | Sunday, May 19 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 200 | $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 25 | 7:30 a.m. | Green Man Brewery, 27 Buxton Ave., Asheville | $40-$55 | 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’re not a beer person...
Whiskey Blending Workshop | Saturday, May 18 | 1-4 p.m. | Oak and Grist Distilling Co., 1556 Grovestone Rd., Black Mountain | $167 | Get the rundown on how Oak and Grist distills single malt whiskey, taste how different barrels influence taste + aroma, then create your own blend and take home a custom bottle.
Zero Proof Sunday Funday | Sunday, May 19 | 1 p.m. | The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage Co., 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Ste. 10, Asheville | Free | Sample craft sodas and explore a full nonalcoholic menu of wines, beers, canned cocktails, and spirits.
If you’re hungry...
Pizza & Beer Special | Thursday, May 16-Sunday, May 26 | 5-10 p.m. | Luminosa, 20 Battery Park Ave., Asheville | $20 | Get a first taste of the new rustic Italian eatery with seasonal wood-fired pizza, paired with one of Wedge Brewing’s Italian pilsners.
AVL Beer Week Wrap Party | Sunday, May 26 | 2-9 p.m. | River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St., Asheville | Free | End the week of celebrations with live music from DC & The Unholy Noise and Fuego’s Grill’s mouthwatering Argentinian barbecue cooked over an open fire.