Beer City USA is expanding at a rapid pace, and in 2013, Asheville has seen a rapid increase in the number of breweries. Opening its doors on December 12th, Oskar Blues, a brewery out of Colorado, opened it’s second location in Brevard, a few miles outside Asheville. Already an integral part of the Beer City community, cans with the Brevard, NC stamp on them have been proudly served in bars across North Carolina.
I caught up with Anne Fitten Glenn, writer of “Asheville Beer: An Intoxicating History of Mountain Brewing” as well as the Communicatrix of Oskar Blues, for a tour around their new facility and a taste of the many beers on tap.
Dale Katechis, owner of Oskar Blues as well as Reeb, his mountain bike company, found the area reminiscent of Colorado, and a natural fit for himself and a place for East coast distribution. Now, the large production space, including a small tasting area dubbed the “Tasty Weasel Taproom,” crank out favorites like the well known “Dale’s Pale” as well as rotating taps like “Gubna” and “ Old Chub” on nitro. One of my favorites, “Mama’s Little Yella Pils,” steeped in the traditional Czech flavors it was modeled after, had a nice citrus aftertaste. I was also a big fan of the “G’Night”, dry hopped double-red ale (which I was told was the brewer’s favorite).
Craft beer fans can be sure to visit on Tasty Tuesday & Firkin Friday for exclusive brews, and if you can’t get down to the brewery during the week, catch the Oskar Blues trolley from Downtown Asheville on weekends for free.
Oskar Blues isn’t the only new addition to Asheville in recent months. Over the winter, Wicked Weed Brewery opened downtown, and has proven to be one of the more popular places to visit. With a large rotating selection of beer, sometimes having as many as 26 on tap, it’s a hop lover’s dream. I recommend the Black Angel Cherry Sour, Kumquat Saison VII or my favorite, the Peach Habanero Saison. You never know what will be on tap, but make sure to venture downstairs to the beer garden for the widest selection.
Along with Oskar Blues, Asheville will be welcoming two larger breweries in the upcoming years, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada, and several smaller breweries are planning to open in 2013, including Oyster House Brewing and Twin Leaf Brewing.
At the rate the craft beer scene is growing, Asheville will be able to defend its title of “Beer City USA” this year with little to no problem.
Photographs credited to Sarah Gagliardo.
