Plus, a canned cocktail release.
 
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🍹 Mocktails are having their moment

The latest data on nonalcoholic beverages and where to drink them in Asheville
a line of walk asheville's nonalcoholic spirits
W.A.L.K. crafts its mocktails with nonalcoholic spirits. | Photo via @walkavl
Now more than ever, data shows that consumers are experimenting with what it means to be “sober curious.” The result has been a spike in sales of nonalcoholic beverages and a declining interest in alcoholic drinks.

Here are a few stand-out stats:
  • Total dollar sales of nonalcoholic beverages grew by 20.6% between August 2021 and 2022. Nonalcoholic beer accounted for 85.3% of those sales.
  • 36% of US consumers reported to have “lost interest in drinking alcohol in general” while 13% reported to be “interested in alternative nonalcoholic beverages.”
  • Sales of nonalcoholic beer, wine, and spirits rose from 0.22% of total alcohol sales in the US in 2018 to 0.47% in 2022.
  • Global Market Share predicts that the nonalcoholic drinks market will grow to $30 billion by 2025.
Wanna know where you can enjoy a mocktail in Asheville? These are some of the local spots we love + what to drink there:
  • Burial Beer Co. | And Yet Here You Are nonalcoholic IPA has a contemplative name and a pale, crisp flavor.
  • Haywood Common | Whether shaken or stirred, the MerTail MerTini will become your go-to hydration tonic.
  • Little Jumbo | The brightly botanical Shoots and Leaves mocktail has Seedlip Garden 108, Maine Root Spicy Ginger Ale, and celery bitters.
  • Roll Up Herbal Bar | The Something Sweet mocktail from this pop-up bar features strawberry, peach, coconut water, and almond milk.
  • W.A.L.K. | Order one of the house margaritas with Ritual NA tequila for a classic sweet, sour + citrusy treat.
Click the link below for 16 more places to check out.
Spirit-free sipping
Asked

Do you have a favorite mocktail that you mix up at home?
Whether you’re stirring up spirit-free spins on classic cocktails or getting creative with syrups and spices, we want to know. Channel your inner mixologist + drop the recipe at the link below.
Let's raise a glass
euphoria
 
Events
Friday, Sept. 1
  • Free Yoga | Friday, Sept. 1 | 5 p.m. | Rabbit Rabbit, 75 Coxe Ave., Asheville | Free | Close out your week and start your weekend right with a little free yoga — bring your own mat.
  • Kidd G: Anywhere But Home Tour | Friday, Sept. 1 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $20-$95 | If country, emo, and rap is a combination that intrigues you, you’re in for a treat.
Saturday, Sept. 2
  • Moss Wall Workshop | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 6:30-8 p.m. | PlantHouse, 2 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville | $40 | If your home or office needs a botanical conversation starter, this class is for you.
  • Don’t Tell Comedy | Saturday, Sept. 2 | 9 p.m. | Location TBA | $25 | Undisclosed comedians perform on a secret River Arts District stage — you never know what laughs are in store.
Sunday, Sept. 3
  • Scrabble Club | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 12:15-4:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Test your linguistic skills with the classic word game — it’s okay to come late or leave early.
  • Mega Clothing Swap | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 1-5 p.m. | Different Wrld, 701 Haywood Rd. Ste. 101, Asheville | Free | Emote is giving you a chance to clear out your closet and stock up on cool clothes.
Monday, Sept. 4
  • Free Sound | Monday, Sept. 4 | 5-9 p.m. | Burial Beer Co., 40 Collier Ave., Asheville | Free | Rosali & David Nance and the Mowed Sound will perform at this iteration of Burial + Static Age Records’ collaborative summer music series.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
HomeTrust Bank
 
News Notes
Civic
  • As part of the GAP Plan implementation, the City of Asheville has updated the sidewalk ramps at the intersection of Congress Street and Livingston Street to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. This is one of 24 sidewalk ramp updates that the City will complete by the end of the year.
Festival
  • The 42nd Annual Goombay Festival, the African-Caribbean festival that’s normally held every Labor Day weekend, was put on hold by the YMI Cultural Center while its building undergoes a $6.4 million renovation. YMI Board Chair Anthony Thomas said the festival will return in 2024. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Drink
  • Devil’s Foot Beverage is launching a ready-to-drink canned cocktail line called “Friend of the Devil,” using spirits from Asheville-based distillery Cultivated Cocktails and Charleston-based Nippitaty. You’ll be able to sip on Carolina Mule and Vodka Lemonade at the release party on Friday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. at The Mule.
Ashevillian
  • This summer, local JROTC student Dylan Pyatt participated in the USAF Aim High Flight Academy, a highly competitive program that selects only about 100 students nationwide. At the end of three weeks, Dylan completed his first free solo flight — he’s a real high flier.
Film
  • Cinema on the Square is back at Swannanoa’s Grovemont Square on Friday, Sept. 22 with a screening of the family-friendly sci-fi classic, “The Iron Giant.” The movie will start around dusk, but arrive a little early to stake out a good seat — and don’t forget the drinks + snacks available for purchase.
Kids
  • Reservations are now open for the 2023-2024 Wortham Student Series. The series features curriculum-related performances from professional touring companies in everything from music to theater to dance. You can grab tickets for school + homeschool groups, families, and more.
Wellness
  • Ever tried Salt Therapy? Be transformed by the healing wonders of the Asheville Salt Cave — a full-circle wellness spa offering therapeutic massages, a hammam bathhouse and steam room, and a one-of-a-kind, micro-climate salt cave loaded with 30 tons of element-releasing pure pink salt. Book a relaxing experience (you deserve it).*
Featured Home
  • Check out this historic Beacon Village home, boasting year-round mountain views and original details (wood floors, subway-tiled shower + bead-board walls) along with upgrades including stainless steel kitchen appliances. Located 10 minutes from Asheville + Black Mountain, the charming cottage would make a great starter home ($322,000).*
Travel
  • Fuel up on cash back for your next road trip. Download Upside to get cash back on gas, grocery, and restaurant purchases at 50,000+ locations across the country. Use code AVL25 to earn an extra 25 cents per gallon.*
Family
Cause
  • The Blood Connection has a critical need for all blood types, particularly O negative, as Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts are underway. Community members can help replenish the local blood supply by donating blood throughout the holiday weekend.*
Announced
  • Congratulations Tracy B., the winner of $250 cash from our WStoday giveaway. Want to stay in know about Winston-Salem, NC? From the latest news about developments and restaurants to fun events around town, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe to WStoday.
YMCA of WNC
 
Festival

Not far from the tree at the NC Apple Festival

Not far from the tree at the North Carolina Apple Festival
red apples at the NC apple festival
There’s so much to see + taste at this year’s festival. | Photo via @ncapplefest
They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away — well catch us canceling the next year’s worth of appointments thanks to this weekend’s North Carolina Apple Festival. Our excitement is growing for everything this annual event has to offer.

With the help of 14 local growers, this celebration of the region’s apple industry will be taking over Hendersonville on Friday, Sept. 1-Monday, Sept. 4. Each day of the festival, you can wander the downtown street fair for vendors, apple-centric eats + musical entertainment or bring the little ones to the kiddie carnival for rides and inflatables.

Make sure you’re there on Friday for the opening ceremony at 2:15 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse, and gear up for the 8K and 5K races at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Cheer on the winners of the Apple Recipe + Window Display contests before you close out the festivities with the King Apple Parade on Monday at 2:30 p.m.
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The Wrap
 
Molly Wilson.jpeg

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
At AVLtoday, we’re all about a little innovative thinking... especially when that thinking involves bears. WNC Nature Center black bears Uno + Ursa generously offered to help the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and City of Asheville Sanitation with some testing for a bear-resistant trash cart strap prototype — and I can’t stop watching.
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