How to navigate 2023 Asheville Beer Week, returning with 80+ events May 19-27
ASHEVILLE - An annual event series that has traditionally celebrated local craft beer has much more to showcase this year.
From May 19-27, the Asheville Brewers Alliance will present Asheville Beer Week, an event series that showcases and celebrates craft beers produced in Asheville and across Western North Carolina.
There are more than 80 events hosted at venues in Asheville, Black Mountain, Woodfin and Weaverville. The series isn’t limited to beer, as other craft beverage makers will have alcoholic alternatives and zero-proof beverages to taste.
“I’m a very inclusive person and I think that Asheville is known for its beer but there are so many other places surrounding Asheville that have so much delicious beer and food that help Asheville strive. We are only as strong as our communities surrounding us, so lifting them up as well is really important to me,” said ABA’s executive director, Karis Roberts. “The idea was founded on inclusiveness and collaboration and so reaching out to all distilleries and breweries, cideries (and) meaderies.”
Also, other non-brewery local businesses have joined in the communitywide festivities. It may be impossible to attend every event but there are ways to get a well-rounded and enjoyable experience without feeling overwhelmed.
Roberts shares tips on how to navigate the 2023 Asheville Beer Week, plus some new features to consider putting on the calendar.:
Choose one event per day
Make scheduling manageable by taking on the event day by day.
Review the full week’s schedule at ashevillebeerweek.com, then narrow down the choices by availability and interest.
“Choose one event per day. There are food events, beer collaborations, beer dinners, lots of games and education,” Roberts said.
On May 21, Haywood Road breweries will host the Westside Sunday Stroll from 1-4 p.m. and offer unreleased samples directly from their tanks.
On May 22, Highland Brewing will host the Asheville Beer Week Rooftop Party from 5-7 p.m. at its main taproom in East Asheville.
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Tackle one neighborhood at a time
Asheville Beer Week provides the ideal opportunity to explore and discover new or unfamiliar businesses and neighborhoods.
“You can also choose a neighborhood per day or a neighborhood that you haven’t seen yet. There are folks doing things out in Weaverville at Eluvium, Leveller and Zebulon. They are all creating their own German alt beer,” Roberts said. “You can go out to Black Mountain to visit Oak and Grist, which is a distillery ― they are offering discounted tours. Black Mountain Brewing, as well, will have some delicious food and music.”
Several breweries from outside the area will bring their brews to the Far & Wide Tasting Event from 5-7 p.m. May 26 at The Mule ― the tasting room at Devil’s Foot Beverage which serves spirited and nonalcoholic beverages at its bar, including its own zero proof line of ginger beers and lemonades. The event will include live music, barbecue and a raffle for prizes from Devil’s Foot and the participating breweries.
Other “Drinking Districts” include the neighborhoods dubbed Lil Woodfin, Sweeten Creek Sweep, Weaverville Way and Sylva Strut.
Gray Line Trolly Tours will offer exclusive discounted fares for the event that include history and culture and the option to hop on and off at neighborhoods including downtown, River Arts District and Biltmore Village.
Try something new
Many new breweries have opened recently with more on the way.
The River Arts District Brew Co. will host its grand opening party during Asheville Beer Week from 12-10 p.m. May 20 at 13 Mystery St.
Terra Nova Beer Co. won’t be open yet but will invite the public to get the first tastes of their new brews from 4-7 p.m. May 25 at the former Bhramari building at 101 S. Lexington Ave.
Visit the longstanding businesses, too, which will have a slew of new, exclusive things to taste and experience.
“DSSOLVR did an all-call for an Asheville collaboration called ‘The Hustle is Weird.’ It’s an homage to the brewing industry and all us service industry folks and the hustle we all partake in,” Roberts said. “They did an all-call…where brewers all over Asheville came and helped brew and we are going to have a party and celebrate and drink that beer.”
Take the family and get active
Most venues are open to guests of all ages but there are events geared toward the under 21 audiences and families, including an ice cream social at The Hop.
Several sporting activities will commence through the week, including the Wedge Run at The Wedge on Foundy Street, Beer City 20K Relay at Green Man Brewing, and pickup volleyball and disc golf at Highland Brewing’s Meadow. And the Asheville Tourists will observe Asheville Beer Week from May 19-21.
Several leisurely activities have been planned, too, such as Mountaintop Yoga Hike at Bearwallow Mountain on May 19, Goat Yoga at Round Mountain Creamery on May 20, and Forest Bathing May 27 at the N.C. Arboretum.
Follow the music
For those still unsure where to begin their tasting experience, consider going where the music leads you.
Live music events will be hosted across the area, in collaboration with Asheville Beer Week, including Downtown After 5, old Time Jam at Green Man Mansion, and Friday Night Music and Wine Tasting at Botanist and Barrel.
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Download the Asheville Beer Week app
Visit Asheville Beer Week’s website for a full schedule and filters to assist in selecting events and activities by the date and download the Asheville Beer Week app.
“It’s worth celebrating because it’s been a hard few years being in the pandemic which we are currently still in, and watching businesses struggle," Roberts said. "This is a great time to celebrate. This is the peak of tourist season and a great time to show off and show what Asheville has to offer ― and that’s why it’s not just beer. We’re celebrating Asheville as a whole.”
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 2023 Asheville Beer Week returns with 80+ multi-city events May 19-27
