AVL Beer Week: More than beer, the citywide ultimate drink fest returns May 16-26
ASHEVILLE - In its 13th year, Asheville Beer Week reflects the evolution of the local craft beverage industry that started with a beer foundation.
From May 16-26, more than 40 Asheville area beverage venues, including breweries, will host special events, roll out new releases, and offer deals and freebies to celebrate Asheville Beer Week 2024.
While only adults ages 21 and up will be permitted to imbibe alcoholic drinks, there will be libations and activities for all ages and taste preferences. The annual event bolsters the booming beverage industry that began with beer and has spilled over into other alcoholic and zero-proof product styles, from ciders to wine to sodas.
“Even if you’re not a beer drinker, this event, Asheville Beer Week, is for everyone,” said Karis Roberts, executive director for the Asheville Brewers Alliance, a trade and membership organization that promotes craft beer and breweries and provides education and support to beverage industry members in Western North Carolina. “We want the community to come out and support and have a good time consuming all the different kinds of beverages we have to offer."
During AVL Beer Week, guests may meet local brewers, attend craft beverage dinner pairings, and beer tastings, or listen in on panel discussions with industry leaders and innovators.
Comedy, trivia and sumo-wrestling nights are on the calendar, too.
Roberts said there will be something for everyone, whether that be an aspiring or veteran beverage producer ― or a curious consumer ― seeking education and resources at the Craft Beverage Expo, or a community member interested in discovering new flavors and learning about the businesses behind the brews.
Also, visit newly opened venues in the city, like Dssolvr's Vowl wine and cocktail bar, debuting next to the downtown brewery and Terra Nova Beer Co.’s South Slope taproom, both opening May 17.
On a mobile device download Dig Local, the official app of AVL Beer Week, in the App Store or Google Play or visit diglocal.com.
Roberts said AVL Beer Week allows schedule flexibility so someone may choose to attend one event or drop into one event per day during the extended week.
“There is an event for everyone coming to a neighborhood near you, so you don’t even have to come far,” said Roberts, who mentioned events occurring in east, west, north and south Asheville and downtown. “We want everyone to get out of the house and check out a new brewery or one that they love and see what events they might be having or hosting.”
Here are several highlights from the Asheville Beer Week 2024.:
May 16-26. Sweeten Creek Sweep Bar Crawl. Explore Sweeten Creek Road’s bevy of beverage offerings throughout the neighborhood. Visit and get a passport stamp at all seven destinations – Sweeten Creek Brewery, Devil's Foot, 7 Clans, Hillman, French Broad, Burial Forestry Camp and Hi-Wire Big Top – during the 10-day event week to be entered into a giveaway for brewery merchandise swag bag.
May 19. Zero-Proof Sunday Funday, from 1-7 p.m. at Devil Foot’s The Mule, will offer an extensive alcohol-free menu, craft soda samples and special retail prices on zero-proof beverages.
May 21. Why Beer, What Brought You Here? Women’s Panel Benefiting Pink Boots, from 5-6:30 p.m. at Hi-Wire Brewing’s Big Top taproom, women in the local brewery industry share details about their roles and their experiences working in the male-dominated industry.
May 23. Tour The Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College from noon to 4 p.m. and learn about its Brewing, Distillation and Fermentation two-year degree program, which has trained many beverage workers in the industry.
May 24. Craft Beverage Expo & Tasting Experience, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Battery Park Hall, more than 30 vendors and more than 100 industry professionals will convene for the networking event and trade show. Beverage producers and their teams will share new products, lead demonstrations and offer samples.
May 25. Beer City 20k Relay and 5k kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at Green Man Brewing for a run through the South Slope brewing district.
May 25. The Southern Lager Invitational, from 5-9 p.m. at The Mule, will feature Southern Lager made with Riverbend malt and fermented with Bootleg Biology yeast. Admission is $50.
Asheville Beer Week
Where: Various locations.
When: May 16-26.
Info: For more, visit avlbeerweek.com and follow @avlbeerweek on Instagram.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: AVL Beer Week: What to know about the citywide drink fest, May 16-26
